Can the cap not go up next year?
- Oilhab

It will for sure but by how much, hard to tell.

It will for sure but by how much, hard to tell.
- Symba007

I think this is the only year they are going to worry about dropping people for the cap, by the deadlin next spring, people will have a good idea of how much the cap will go up.

And even if it doesn't go up much, Markov and Gionta's contracts expiring is enough to resign Subban and Eller easily.

If Vinny is interested and they can find a taker for DD, it's not impossible but I wouldn't count on it, not with the cap going down this year. Habs will need money for Subban, Eller and a few others next year.
- Symba007

It's impossible to sign Lecavalier and not get rid of one of the current centers. We'd all love for that player to be Desharnais, but I don't think he holds much value at the moment. Add to that your very good point about money management, and yet again, the only logical solution is that in order to sign Lecavalier (if both parties are interested), then Plekanec seems to be the moving piece.

Eller for Bolland?

I thought Molson told Gauthier and Gainey to walk last year? Who in their right minds would make this trade?
- kev1586

Not sure how you arrived at this? I'm saying being competitive now should mean we stay away from trading for guys with one year on their contracts.

Also i'm suggesting that Bergevin has more in store for us than simply drafting a player at 25 if that is how he envisions this team's future. Habs won't compete for a cup without the right players.

Mind you, the Bruins drafted Milan Lucic in the 2nd round 2006 and Marchand 3rd round. So key players can still be had. But the likelihood of the Habs having that great of draft success doesn't have me crossing my fingers.

Most teams that win do it with some star power from the top end of the draft. (Kane, Toews)

I think this is the only year they are going to worry about dropping people for the cap, by the deadlin next spring, people will have a good idea of how much the cap will go up.

And even if it doesn't go up much, Markov and Gionta's contracts expiring is enough to resign Subban and Eller easily.
- Oilhab

But Bergevin will have to have someone take those roster spots, so he's not getting the entire cap hits to work with and Subban will be costly, Eller will depend on his progression this season. It would obviously be a nice problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.

It's impossible to sign Lecavalier and not get rid of one of the current centers. We'd all love for that player to be Desharnais, but I don't think he holds much value at the moment. Add to that your very good point about money management, and yet again, the only logical solution is that in order to sign Lecavalier (if both parties are interested), then Plekanec seems to be the moving piece.
- kev1586

You don't have to. But now you have the luxury to do so

Lecavalier could be part of the answer. As much as Plekanec is in his prime and not a player you WANT to move, at what point do you consider his trade value if you can perhaps gets your hands on a pretty close player in Lecavalier in order to shore up some other team needs (tough and skillful D, or winger that plays with size and skill)?

EDIT: Sorry, this doesn't seem that clear. I find it annoying that people don't want to trade Plekanec because he's in the prime of his career. Lecavalier (even out of his prime) is comparable to Plekanec (We did completed the comparison a few days ago) and would allow us to trade Plekanec in order to fill other needs on the team.
- kev1586

No one is saying don't move him, just don't move him for the sake of moving him, and why move him with only the hope that the out of prime Vinny wants to even play in Montreal.

If they are equal as you say, and Vinny actually signs here, then it doesn't make the team better. But a team with Plekanec and Vinny should make the Team better... on paper.

who got deleted

lol h20 has a boner for 30somethings
- Oilhab

I do !

No one is saying don't move him, just don't move him for the sake of moving him, and why move him with only the hope that the out of prime Vinny wants to even play in Montreal.

If they are equal as you say, and Vinny actually signs here, then it doesn't make the team better. But a team with Plekanec and Vinny should make the Team better... on paper.
- Oilhab

pleks was invisible in the playoffs. Vinny is an upgrade.

But Bergevin will have to have someone take those roster spots, so he's not getting the entire cap hits to work with and Subban will be costly, Eller will depend on his progression this season. It would obviously be a nice problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.
- kev1586

The cap is going up, even if it doesn't, Markov and Gionta gone frees up 10.8 mil, Subban and Eller currently make 4.2.

Do you really think that Subban, Eller and 2 mid tier players can not fit under 15 mil?

pleks was invisible in the playoffs. Vinny is an upgrade.
- Biggus Richardus

I didn't see vinny in the playoffs.

Congrats guys looks like you have a legitimate chance of finally getting that overrated french center of your dreams

pleks was invisible in the playoffs. Vinny is an upgrade.
- Biggus Richardus

The whole team was invisible, minus two gals

Congrats guys looks like you have a legitimate chance of finally getting that overrated french center of your dreams
- broadstreet11

He has never and will never want to play in Montreal

I didn't see vinny in the playoffs.
- Oilhab

I have in the past. And if vinny can be half that guy he is better than pleks.

Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS 3m
Kris Letang on contract talks: "My focus on the Penguins and I never thought about playing elsewhere." #RDS

Collapse imminent in T.O.
- hon_hon_hon

You are a liar. I love the radio stations here this morning. They started with "now we don't want to get anyone excited but Kris Letang..."

I have in the past. And if vinny can be half that guy he is better than pleks.
- Biggus Richardus

hopes and dreams

actually half of Vinny's Playoff productions is less then Pleks Playoff production

maybe Vinny needs to be 3/4's of that past man

No one is saying don't move him, just don't move him for the sake of moving him, and why move him with only the hope that the out of prime Vinny wants to even play in Montreal.

If they are equal as you say, and Vinny actually signs here, then it doesn't make the team better. But a team with Plekanec and Vinny should make the Team better... on paper.
- Oilhab

Ok. Anyone suggesting moving Plekanec for the sake of moving him because he's a playoff dud is not right in the head and needs help. Let's start there.

But my argument is that by signing Lecavalier, the Habs should shop Plekanec since it's been reported for 2 years now that many teams are interested in the guy. If that's the case, let the teams in question have a bidding war. The price can start at a productive top 6 winger (something the Habs need more than a center if we already have Lecavalier, Galchenyuk, Eller and Desharnais here) and can maybe escalate to the point of including an interesting defenceman, or at least a sexy draft pick.

He has never and will never want to play in Montreal
- Oilhab

Reports this morning state otherwise. Not saying it's true, but definitely worth exploring. And even more fun to speculate on the what if. I don't even want him because he's french (and I think my track record with Desharnais will back me up on this). I want Habs to sign him because I think he's still a damn good player.

Ok. Anyone suggesting moving Plekanec for the sake of moving him because he's a playoff dud is not right in the head and needs help. Let's start there.

But my argument is that by signing Lecavalier, the Habs should shop Plekanec since it's been reported for 2 years now that many teams are interested in the guy. If that's the case, let the teams in question have a bidding war. The price can start at a productive top 6 winger (something the Habs need more than a center if we already have Lecavalier, Galchenyuk, Eller and Desharnais here) and can maybe escalate to the point of including an interesting defenceman, or at least a sexy draft pick.
- kev1586

First part, explain how he is a playoff dude when his average ppg in the playoffs (0.634) is the same as his avg ppg in the regular season (0.662) ?

Plek hasn't stepped up but he hasn't been a dud, he is just doing what he does.
It takes a special player to step things up. And it is not like the team as a whole has ever stepped up. People are looking for a scape goat, and if it is not Price it is Plek.

By the way Vincent has never stepped up either, Career Season (0.843) Playoffs ( 0.825)

And as many people have said, Vincent of late is not the same player, so what makes anyone think that he would be able to up his game in the playoffs here?

As for the second part, if you get a great deal for him then trade him, no one is untouchable.

Reports this morning state otherwise. Not saying it's true, but definitely worth exploring. And even more fun to speculate on the what if. I don't even want him because he's french (and I think my track record with Desharnais will back me up on this). I want Habs to sign him because I think he's still a damn good player.
- kev1586

are these Quebec reports or Tampa bay Reports?

he hasn't broke 70 points since 07-08

First part, explain how he is a playoff dude when his average ppg in the playoffs (0.634) is the same as his avg ppg in the regular season (0.662) ?

Plek hasn't stepped up but he hasn't been a dud, he is just doing what he does.
It takes a special player to step things up. And it is not like the team as a whole has ever stepped up. People are looking for a scape goat, and if it is not Price it is Plek.

By the way Vincent has never stepped up either, Career Season (0.843) Playoffs ( 0.825)

And as many people have said, Vincent of late is not the same player, so what makes anyone think that he would be able to up his game in the playoffs here?

As for the second part, if you get a great deal for him then trade him, no one is untouchable.
- Oilhab

Not arguing this at all. I'm saying the idiots who want to trade Plekanec for anything are using this as a reason. I say the return has to be really good to trade Plekanec, and signing Lecavalier makes that easier to accomplish for Bergevin.

are these Quebec reports or Tampa bay Reports?

he hasn't broke 70 points since 07-08
- Oilhab

TVA...French tv channel in Quebec

are these Quebec reports or Tampa bay Reports?

he hasn't broke 70 points since 07-08
- Oilhab

More than likely Quebec reports.

Production drop is more about GP than about production though.