1) The assertion made by Jeremy Roenick--that Ilya Kovalchuk stole money from the New Jersey Devils ($23M)--is outlandish, but hard to disagree with.
It's Kovalchuk's right to chose what he does with his life, which I'm pretty sure he exercised when he signed a 15-year, 100-million dollar contract with the Devils. They knew that the end of that deal would be a disaster. They didn't know that the end would be now.
While I'm sure hugs and high-fives were exchanged behind the closed doors of the Devils' head offices (goodbye cap-hell), Lou Lamoriello's dissatisfaction was palpable in his conference call with reporters.
In the team's current ownership crisis, stability was turned on its head with Kovalchuk's decision. The marquee appeal Kovalchuk filled the Prudential Center with is now gone, nevermind what the Devils gave up to bring him in, what they lost to get him signed, what they lose off this year's team.
2) Enter Jaromir Jagr,($$ signs in his eyes). Will Jagr and Elias find the connection that will fill the seats in New Jersey?
3) I can't imagine what went through Cory Schneider's mind when he was traded to the Devils.
Schneider goes from wrestling the starting role away from Roberto Luongo to doing the same thing to Marty Brodeur.
It might just be a good thing for Schneider to share the net with Brodeur for this first season, as he acclimates to being the go-to guy.
I can't imagine what went through Schneider's mind when Kovalchuk retired. David Clarkson's in Toronto, the Devils ownership situation is murky, and Schneider has the pressure of replacing arguably the greatest goaltender of all-time (still Patrick Roy for me).
4) Lots of rumors out there about the Flyers trading Wayne Simmonds. I suppose anything can happen, but I'm going to go out on a limb (really not going out on a limb) and say there is absolutely no truth to it. There's no chance they'll trade Simmonds (mea culpa--I promise, if I'm wrong... I'm not wrong).
5) Is Brenden Morrow a Hab yet?
I get this question at least once a day. Answer is still no.
Is Brenden Morrow going to sign with the Habs?
I don't believe so. It would seem Carolina and Detroit are possible destinations.
6) Who would you rather have, unrestricted free agent Ron Hainsey or unrestricted free agent Douglas Murray?
Hainsey's coming off a deal that probably paid him more than what he was worth. Murray's coming off one that paid him less than what he's was worth.
Chances are they're looking at very similar contract options, being almost the same age, bringing many of the same attributes to whatever team they land with.
7) Did Mikhail Grabovski screw the pooch with
his comments about Randy Carlyle after the Leafs decided to buy out the remainder of his contract?
I don't think so, no matter how unprofessional his little outburst was.
Grabovski's stated he won't even consider the KHL, so that could serve to balance out his little tirade.
I think what's holding up this situation is that Grabovski is a talented player that will command a significant salary/contract term, and he really can't help you if you aren't willing to guarantee him a spot in your top six.
8) What's the best deal that's been signed since July 5th?
I got Ray Emery in Philadelphia.
9) November features four weekends of back-to-back Friday-Saturday games for the Habs.
November--otherwise known as the first time in our relationship that my wife considers divorce.
10) Sam Gagner and the Oilers avoid arbitration. Your thoughts?
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»