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Post by HFTO on Sept 16, 2003 11:55:20 GMT -5
Listening to the Fan 590 and they had Pierre Mcguire on saying the Habs had preliminary talks with Steve Thomas,Thomas later confirmed this saying he had also talked with Florida but didn't expect to get any offers until the end of the training camps.
Given the clubs so called new direction aren't you surprised the Habs even inquired at all?......or are they just covering all the bases should the training camp not go as planned?
Does Thomas have anything to offer?Although you have to admire Stumpy I don't see a fit at this point.This maynot be all that newsworthy ,but it did catch me by surprise to here the Habs mentioned.
HFTO
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Post by Ryan on Sept 16, 2003 12:28:23 GMT -5
I think that if you look at our top 6 forwards, there are a couple of questions marks. If we assume that Koivu, Audette, Zednik, Perreault, and Bulis are locks then you've got Ribs, Higgins, Hossa, and maybe Ward or Ryder battling for the last spot. If management doesn't believe any of those players are going to step up, then I guess someone like Stumpy makes sense.
I would prefer to pass on him right now though. We're not winning the Cup this year, let's give the kids all the ice time they can handle and hopefully come out of the CBA war with a young, competitive, and still cheap roster. You definitely don't want vets around with long-term contracts going into next Fall's CBA negotiations. Obviously Stumpy would only get a 1 year deal, but still, it's not necessary at this point.
Actually, Stumpy should have been signed last year instead of McKay, but hindsight is 20/20 right?
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Post by blny on Sept 16, 2003 12:35:59 GMT -5
Hmmmm ....
I'd say it was a covering of the bases kind of move. If the rookies prove to need more seasoning in the minors then they may contact him again. A move to Florida does make sense. The Panthers have a lot of youthful skilled players. Aside from Lindsay there isn't a whole lot of grit there. They traded Worrell to Colorado didn't they( though I forget what the got in return)?
Stumpy would be nice to have, and would do a better job than McKay ever could have IMO. However, I think it best for involved if we stick to the plan and implement youth from the system. BTW, where would we put him?
Zednik - Koivu - Audette
Bulis - Perreault - Ward
Hossa - Kilger - Sundstrom
Dwyer - Juneau - Thomas?
The above doesn't take into account any real youth being inserted (aside from Hossa and Ward). By all accounts Higgins may be there, and then there is Ribs too.
I don't think he'd be interested in a 4th line role. I suppose the 4th line could become a youth line with Dwyer gone and Thomas in a 3rd line role, but I just don't see it happening. I think that the "preliminary" talks is are far as it will go.
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Post by Maritimer on Sept 16, 2003 12:51:50 GMT -5
I think Florida has Hordichuk
The thing that is different about Thomas is the money he is looking for. I believe he made $1mil last year and would play for less if someone gave him one last kick at the cat.
If he was signed for 850k than he is expendable through trade, waivers, or buyout if things don't work out. Over the last few years the albatross has beeen the 35 year old players who were not producing and overpaid. Thomas at under a mil would be great trade bait for a pick a the deadline.
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Post by legaspesien on Sept 16, 2003 13:01:52 GMT -5
Steve Thomas Date of birth: Jul, 15 1963HT: 5-10 WT: 188...............................  |
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Post by blny on Sept 16, 2003 13:17:15 GMT -5
I think Florida has Hordichuk The thing that is different about Thomas is the money he is looking for. I believe he made $1mil last year and would play for less if someone gave him one last kick at the cat. If he was signed for 850k than he is expendable through trade, waivers, or buyout if things don't work out. Over the last few years the albatross has beeen the 35 year old players who were not producing and overpaid. Thomas at under a mil would be great trade bait for a pick a the deadline. Oh I agree, but it still leaves the question. Where do we play him? |
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Post by Maritimer on Sept 16, 2003 13:35:09 GMT -5
haha don't have an answer for that question! 5'10...188lbs? but have you ever seen him fight?  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2003 14:11:38 GMT -5
I don't see the point in signing him. We don't need another declining player.
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Post by MPLABBE on Sept 16, 2003 15:56:47 GMT -5
I don't see the point in signing him. We don't need another declining player. Indeed. Thomas is a great warrior but he's a RW and you can't have him on the top 2 lines at this point of his career. So that means he goes into the Ward-Sundstrom-Dackell RW logjam for the last 2 lines. Deja vu all over again with too many bodies for the positions available. |
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Post by MPLABBE on Sept 16, 2003 16:40:41 GMT -5
McGuire on team 990 just now:
-Thomas wants to stay close to home(says Buffalo could also be interested)
-Says Thomas is close to signing with an 'eastern conference team'
-Says he is 'tremendous' around young players
-can shoot the puck just as hard as he used to. Release may have slowed a bit.
-calls him a 3rd liner and once again a tremendous guy for young players.
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Post by MadRookie on Sept 16, 2003 16:58:07 GMT -5
Thomas can also play LW.
As soon as we liquidate Ribeiro or Perreault, this could be our line-up:
Hossa-Koivu-Audette
Thomas-Ribreault-Zednik
Sundstrom-Bulis-Ward
Dwyer-Juneau-Ryder
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Post by blaise on Sept 16, 2003 17:02:35 GMT -5
The reason McKay was signed was because Gilmour threatened to retire if the Habs didn't add size. Steve Thomas wouldn't have met the specifications Gilmour had in mind. The plan didn't work out, Gilmour was traded, and McKay was dumped. There's no particular reason to sign Thomas now, especially since he would have to be protected in the waiver draft.
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Post by Montrealer on Sept 16, 2003 17:07:18 GMT -5
If he gets signed I will start to question Gainey. What's the point of adding a forty-year-old to the lineup, when there are so many youngsters salivating at the opportunity to play?
Makes no sense whatsoever.
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Post by jl.roberts on Sept 16, 2003 17:31:00 GMT -5
Yes, there are many youngsters, but who's leading them? Koivu? He leads by example. Juneau? People are saying that he's not even in the team's plans this year. What could be better for Jason Ward and Michael Ryder than to learn from Steve Thomas( Okay, okay, Mike Keane would be better). I know McKay and Gilmour were brutal last year, but Stumpy was incredible after being dealt the Ducks. 10 goals in 12 games for Christ's Sake! Thomas would be able to suit up anywhere from the 2nd line to the 4th line, and at 750-850 K, you'd have to be a fool not to think about it. Bulis - Koivu - Audette Thomas - Ribeiro - Zednik Higgins - Kilger(?) - Ward Dagenais - Perreault - Ryder Stil room for Ryder  . Thomas can slide all the way up and down the wings, and there wouldn't be a better FA to muck around for Riberio. EDIT : Forgot about Sunny. Where does he fit in? |
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Post by Spotnick on Sept 16, 2003 17:37:07 GMT -5
Now that's the worst spelling i've seen of Ribeiro...!!!
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Post by PTH on Sept 16, 2003 17:38:20 GMT -5
If he gets signed I will start to question Gainey. What's the point of adding a forty-year-old to the lineup, when there are so many youngsters salivating at the opportunity to play? Makes no sense whatsoever. It makes plenty of sense, if the kids aren't ready. I'd rather have a kid who's ready than Thomas, but I'd rather have Thomas than a kid who isn't ready. And Thomas would be cheap, on a 1-year deal, and he's a veteran with a solid reputation who could help out the kids who are actually on the team with him. If not enough kids are ready, I say go for it. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Sept 16, 2003 17:43:16 GMT -5
Now that's the worst spelling i've seen of Ribeiro...!!! I think he may have meant Riperreault, our hybrid home/away second line centre. 2002-03 Ribeiro -13 home, +10 away Perreault +5 home -16 away |
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Post by MPLABBE on Sept 16, 2003 17:52:20 GMT -5
EDIT : Forgot about Sunny. Where does he fit in? In Dagenais's place in the lineup you drew up in all likelyhood. |
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Post by jl.roberts on Sept 16, 2003 18:03:25 GMT -5
I guess Sundstrom could work on a line with YP - Ryder, seeing as he'll be seeing quite a bit of PK time with Souray back  |
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Post by MadRookie on Sept 16, 2003 18:05:16 GMT -5
lol
Man, that was funny.
Bozo is correct I meant Ribeiro or Perreault, "our hybrid home/away second line centre".
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Post by Goldthorpe on Sept 16, 2003 18:12:49 GMT -5
I think he may have meant Riperreault, our hybrid home/away second line centre. 2002-03 Ribeiro -13 home, +10 away Perreault +5 home -16 away That's great Mr. Bozo, you just found the solution of our 2nd line center problem: let's use Perreault at home and Ribeiro when away. Tell me about a strategy that just can't fail!!!! |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Sept 16, 2003 18:20:11 GMT -5
Ryder 23, Thomas 40....hmmm, who should I pick?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2003 18:32:21 GMT -5
Let the kids play and have them earn some experience.
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Post by PTH on Sept 16, 2003 20:04:14 GMT -5
Bulis - Koivu - Audette Thomas - Ribeiro - Zednik Higgins - Kilger(?) - Ward Dagenais - Perreault - Ryder Stil room for Ryder . Thomas can slide all the way up and down the wings, and there wouldn't be a better FA to muck around for Riberio. EDIT : Forgot about Sunny. Where does he fit in? Well, with Kilger hurt and Dagenais likely AHL bound, there's room for Juneau, Sundstrom and Dackell (as an extra). |
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Post by HiggsFan on Sept 16, 2003 20:47:37 GMT -5
Anybody else realizing that we are always pretty excited about rumours concerning the fact that some veteran forward might sign in Montreal?
Then, after 10 games, every single Habs fan wants the guy out. Where's the logic? I say no, we've had enough of this veteran s**t before.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Sept 16, 2003 21:46:56 GMT -5
Well, when you think of who our oldest veterans are signing Thomas isn't all that bad.
Joe Juneau is 35, Stephane Quintal is 34, Donald Audette is 33 and Yanic Perreault is 32. Signing Stumpy would be a good thing leadership wise, but I'd seriously consider moving one of our older veterans out.
Just thinking out loud, I feel Audette will be playing to prove something and that might lead to some goals. Unless Juneau gets out-played by some young hotshot, he'll still be around. Perreault is an excellent faceoff man and that skill would be hard to replace. And, to be honest, I can't remember what year he is in with regards to his contract. I think the no-trade clause is gone this year (I think that is).
I honestly don't know who I'd move, guys, but Stumpy would help out if only in the short term. I don't know how much he'd contribute offensively speaking, but he's also 40 after all. The youngsters could benefit a tad I dare say.
Cheers.
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Post by nilan30 on Sept 16, 2003 21:47:38 GMT -5
I think this would make plenty of sense. I'd rather see Thomas in the lineup than Audette, Dackell or Juneau. If he could be signed cheaply than I think the Habs should, by all means, go for it. He would likely be a great mentor for some of the younger players and if the Habs are out of it at the trade deadline, he would probably be worth a decent draft pick from a team looking to contend.
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Post by Habsolution on Sept 16, 2003 23:48:39 GMT -5
I hope Thomas doesn't dig his own grave and sign with the habs. Signing Thomas wouldn't transform us into a winning team and wouldn't provide much help. He'd only become a new scapegoat to replace the McKay and gilmour (2nd year resigning) fiasco. Thomas looked good on a good team. Larionov will look good on a good team that will find a use for him. I don't see how Thomas could look good with us (for exemple Chicago). Thomas is at the twilight of his career and would fail to have any positive impact with us IMO. The guy we should have signed is Rasmussen.
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Post by Rimmer on Sept 18, 2003 8:47:50 GMT -5
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Post by Doc Holliday on Sept 18, 2003 9:26:21 GMT -5
I'm not against inserting a few good, proven veterans to help out the kids in the youth movement that we're suppose to start but I believe too much would be expected of Thomas for what he can deliver now. I agree with Habso that the chances for it to turn into a Gilmour/McKay scenario are quite high...
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. Thomas can slide all the way up and down the wings, and there wouldn't be a better FA to muck around for Riberio. 
