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Adding Size-- at What Cost?

July 15, 2013, 11:28 AM ET [3260 Comments]
Habs Talk
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For the first time in his tenure as Montreal Canadiens GM, Marc Bergevin certainly hinted at frustration or impatience regarding his inability to add size to his roster through trade or free agency. Perhaps it would be more accurate to suggest Bergevin was a little irked by the idea that he wasn't trying to do so.

At a press conference to discuss Daniel Briere's signing, George Parros' acquisition and other opportunities the market's opening brought to the Canadiens, Bergevin spoke about how difficult it is to obtain a big body with scoring ability without mortgaging the farm, the future, valuable cap space, or a combination of the three. He challenged those in attendance to search their knowledge for a team that would willingly give up such a player without demanding a return that would shift the deal in their favor.

Bergevin stressed patience. He reiterated the importance of drafting such players, reinforcing his decision to go with 6"5, 228-lb Mike McCarron in the first round of this year's entry draft. He pointed his finger to his 29 counterparts and challenged reporters to closely examine what others have had to do to bring in such players through trade or free agency.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed David Clarkson to a seven-year, 36.75 million dollar deal, the hockey world balked. Knowing how hard it is to get players like Clarkson; knowing what Clarkson's immediate impact on the team would be, the Leafs paid the price. They shot first, they'll ask questions later. If the data proves that Clarkson's production is likely to severely dip after the first three years of his contract, they're hedging against it and hoping for the best, willing to accept something less and deal with the consequences.

The Leafs have taken a beating over this decision. Not because they're the Leafs, but because Clarkson's deal would attract the same negative attention no matter where he signed it (outside of New Jersey). Such is the dynamic of a premium player offering his services across the league.

And yet, when a team has the cap space available to bring in such a player, can you blame them for taking such a chance?

Then, last week, Craig MacTavish ships underwhelming, defensive-minded prospect Magnus Paajarvi-Svenson and a second round pick to St. Louis for skilled forward David Perron--this after promising "bold" moves as the team's incumbent GM.

You can be certain MacTavish scoured the market for a power forward. With Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner, Perron doesn't exactly fill a missing quotient in their top six, despite the fact that he's a very talented player that will likely fit quite nicely with the group.

Some people have ripped the deal on this very premise. Others are ripping MacTavish for making any kind of move outside of addressing the team's issue on the blueline, but that's besides the point.

Bergevin and MacTavish have chosen to add to their top six without paying the incredibly steep price for a power forward. If there's a way for either of them to steal a big man away, surely they'll take it. Both GMs have clearly assessed that their respective teams are not exactly a piece away from being Cup contenders.

Not sure how Nonis sees his team, but with Clarkson under contract, he now has just under 10 million dollars to get Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson and Mark Fraser under contract. He'll then have to shift his attention towards Phil Kessel, newly acquired David Bolland, Jay McClement, Nikolai Kulemin and Captain Dion Phaneuf, all of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer, not to mention what blooming defenseman Jake Gardiner might garner as a restricted free agent. What will the future hold for restricted free agent James Reimer? All that money tied up in Clarkson is likely/certain to cost the Leafs some of these players.

A Canadiens fan might have new-found respect for Bergevin's patience. The reaction to Briere's signing was largely hasty, knowing that Bergevin made it very clear that the team needed to address its weakness--size--weeks ahead of this decision. Parros' addition helps, but doesn't solve the problem. Will the fans be as patient to see how McCarron and other sizable draftees from this class pan out; to see what the Canadiens manage in next year's draft?

I'd wager that when Brian Gionta's, Andrei Markov's and Francis Bouillon's contracts expire next summer, giving Bergevin just over 12 million dollars in cap space to get Subban, Emelin and Eller done (Diaz too, if he wants to keep him), fans will be clamoring for him to spend his money on a power forward. Don't be surprised if one isn't available at an affordable price. Don't be surprised if Bergevin's patience wins out...
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