Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Edit: Shaw @ $4 mil., 6 years? Updates on The Draft, by Andrew Saadalla

June 25, 2016, 2:29 PM ET [777 Comments]
Habs Talk
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As far as numerous sources go, newly-acquired Andrew Shaw is on the verge of signing a 6-year deal worth $24 million ($4 million per year).




While the salary cap is expected to continuously go up over the course of the next years, this deal could look better somewhere down the road. As of right now, I'm wholly unsure that Shaw is truly worth that much and unfortunately am hesitant to give credit to the general manager...

Should Shaw sign, Marc Bergevin will be receiving quite a bit of backlash for once again not addressing the actual needs of this group of forwards. I touch upon that briefly below.


* * * * * * * * * * * *



With so many headlines being made in the last 24 hours alone, I’ve decided to publish my thoughts on the Lars Eller trade, the one implicating Andrew Shaw, Vancouver GM Benning and of course, the Montreal Canadiens’ 9th overall selection Mikhail Sergachev.



Lars Eller


Having never truly achieved his potential as a top-6 forward, Lars Eller was finally traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for two second-round picks: one in 2017 and one in 2018. This move was initially applauded due to the liberation of $3.5 million in salary cap space as well as successfully trimming the fat in an oversaturated center position where Philip Danault reportedly made Eller “expendable”, as per Marc Bergevin.

There isn’t much to say here- I personally liked Eller and kept wishing he would show consistency but he undoubtedly had a certain value on the market that could no longer be ignored.

Said Capitals head coach Barry Trotz:





How much “offensive production” the head coach is expecting is anybody’s guess, but I believe most of us will be surprised as to how much more capable Eller truly is. Unfortunately, he was slightly overpaid as a third-line center in Montreal.
Pulling the trigger on a transaction as such gives the general manager some wiggle room, but the follow-up transaction involving Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks has certainly received mixed reviews.



Andrew Shaw


Shaw is a two-time Stanley Cup winner who’s been in the NHL for no more than 5 seasons. At age 24, he is a restricted free agent and his (current) asking price is rumoured to be at around the $4.5 million range. As per Darren Dreger of TSN, a long-term extension is being discussed:






Most fans are questioning Shaw’s durability and what it will truly cost to retain his services. He’s clearly excited to be joining the organization as he knows Marc Bergevin – who influenced the Hawks to draft this player a few years ago- quite well. Nevertheless, there are issues regarding the type of role he could play on this team. Labeled by most as a “depth player” who can move up and down the lineup, he certainly is not the big scoring forward that the Habs have been desperately lacking for quite some time. To me, he fills a hole left behind by Dale Weise, although many are of the opinion that Bergevin has yet again failed to secure an impact player. The next week will be determinant as to this last point.


His acquisition cost the Habs two second-round choices in 2016. With the 39th overall selection, the Hawks chose one of the only two fifty-goal scorers of the draft in 5’7” Alex Debrincat, Connor McDavid’s former linemate with the Eerie Otters.
My only issue with giving away second-rounders is that the Canadiens have certainly had their share of successes therein in recent years, as per my previous article. Otherwise, I believe the trade was fair and we’ll have to wait and see how Bergevin deals with the situation before jumping to any more conclusions. Slowly, we’re starting to see a trend in which players the Habs’ GM liked during his stint with Chicago are being favored and signed over to the team.



The Jim Benning Fiasco


Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning publicly stated that he’s had discussions with Bergevin concerning P.K. Subban. This evidently rubbed the Habs’ GM the wrong way, and he filed a complaint to the league as the NHL is currently investigating Benning for tampering.

I don’t understand what came over Benning. He demonstrated a lack of judgment and poor business acumen, especially in light of his peer’s savvy. Bergevin is known to be as secretive and discreet as they come in his dealings, never venturing out and showing his hand at any point in an almost omerta-like fashion. What Benning did was overstepping, and I can’t imagine how Subban must feel right now. If he’s caught wind of this, he could be asking himself if the team truly believes in him and wants him around. A vote of confidence would be necessary, in my opinion, just to avoid any further complications.



Mikhail Sergachev


Almost unanimously, the 6’2” 220-lbs left-handed outstanding defenseman of the year in the OHL (and birthday boy!) was the right choice at number 9 of the first round. With Andrei Markov slowing down, it was clear that addressing the blue line’s lack of depth was a necessity in the first round. While he might not be ready to join the big boys’ club immediately, Sergachev was rated as one of the four best defensemen available at the NHL Entry Draft. As predicted, attempts to trade up did not work out for Bergevin, yet Habs fans should be quite content with an exceptionally versatile d-man.




His superb passing and skating abilities will bring the Bell Centre faithful out of their seats, and his extremely powerful slap-shot will do wonders for a power play that will only improve with his presence. Moreover, he’s very charismatic and will be a treat for journalists and other members of the media, and he plays with a confidence and self-assurance beyond his years that emanate from his every stride. He’s gone on the record to say that he “…wants to be the best”:




Also, he loves that he was selected by the Habs:






Evidently, there will be a little refinement required in his own end, but the 18-year-old will be an excellent fit for this organization for years to come. I predict he’ll make waves by the time he turns 20, barring any significant injuries or setbacks.


Stay tuned for more!
Join the Discussion: » 777 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Habs Talk
» Update: Flames host Habs; hot streak stats, by Andrew Saadalla
» Habs' streak just the tip of the iceberg, by Andrew Saadalla
» Habs visit Canucks, make lineup changes by Andrew Saadalla
» Five consecutive wins and a bone to pick, by Andrew Saadalla
» Subban returns, and the Julien effect by Andrew Saadalla