I think the alternative being you don't let them walk at all, and retain them.
- prock

Too bad the salary cap is a thing, eh?

Too bad the salary cap is a thing, eh?
- mlindsay

I'm not saying I agree. I think I know what he's trying to get at. I think what he's trying to say is when you're trying to contend, your asset management is key, and when someone hits UFA, and you get absolutely nothing in return, your team is taking a step back.

The thing is, that's exactly what happens when you're trying to contend. You spend assets to try to take you over the top. The idea of trading a vet at the deadline, for a team trying to take a run, is exactly the opposite of what actually happens (when contenders trade for 'rentals').

What he's trying to get across is the right strategy for a rebuilding team. Not a team trying to contend.

I'm not saying I agree. I think I know what he's trying to get at. I think what he's trying to say is when you're trying to contend, your asset management is key, and when someone hits UFA, and you get absolutely nothing in return, your team is taking a step back.

The thing is, that's exactly what happens when you're trying to contend. You spend assets to try to take you over the top. The idea of trading a vet at the deadline, for a team trying to take a run, is exactly the opposite of what actually happens (when contenders trade for 'rentals').

What he's trying to get across is the right strategy for a rebuilding team. Not a team trying to contend.
- prock

Exactly... and the rebuild likely starts in about 3 years... or sooner.

Can you explain to me just how exactly you don't "let them walk for nothing" if you don't trade them?
- mlindsay

Okay, try to stay with me here... you "re-sign" them. It's a perfectly reasonable option that many GMs have chosen when they don't want to unnecessarily create holes in their roster... particularly ones that they're just going to have to immediately go and fill via some other means (eg. trading away your best prospect in order to a replace a player that you really didn't have to lose in the first place). Given that you seem to have literally no sense of asset management whatsoever, though, I'm guessing you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.

Alzner> Markov (even though he still may return)
Beaulieu and Emelin are replaceable assets, Schlemko and hopefully Jerabek do just that.
- mlindsay

So... Alzner is who you think replaces Markov (who was the highest PPG defenceman on the team, and a PP mainstay)... Emelin's 21min/gp are immediately "replaceable" by either Schlemko (who's never played that much in his career) or a player who's never even played a single game in the NHL... and this transition will all happen without any expected drop in team performance.

Sounds great, enjoy the April golf.

Too bad the salary cap is a thing, eh?
- mlindsay

You do realize that Drouin's contract and Radulov's contract are only $750K/yr apart, right? So I'm not sure a salary cap argument really holds that much water. And I doubt very much that Markov's contract will be for much more than what they just handed Alzner... plus they still haven't addressed the hole Markov leaves in terms of puck-movement and scoring from the blue line.

And seriously... for the last time... I never once suggested that they should have traded Radulov or Markov at the trade deadline. That misinterpretation was 100% the result of it being apparently inconceivable to you that they could have just re-signed these players for almost the exact same money that they just threw at Drouin and Alzner.

Okay, try to stay with me here... you "re-sign" them. It's a perfectly reasonable option that many GMs have chosen when they don't want to unnecessarily create holes in their roster... particularly ones that they're just going to have to immediately go and fill via some other means (eg. trading away your best prospect in order to a replace a player that you really didn't have to lose in the first place). Given that you seem to have literally no sense of asset management whatsoever, though, I'm guessing you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.


So... Alzner is who you think replaces Markov (who was the highest PPG defenceman on the team, and a PP mainstay)... Emelin's 21min/gp are immediately "replaceable" by either Schlemko (who's never played that much in his career) or a player who's never even played a single game in the NHL... and this transition will all happen without any expected drop in team performance.

Sounds great, enjoy the April golf.
- khawk

Sure buddy.
Guess they should have forced guys to resign... seeing as how they offered the same contract as the Stars... and he chose the stars. They also should have made a deal with Vegas by sending picks to hold onto an Overpaid defenceman (Emelin) and Beaulieu. Good plan.

Enjoy your night dips#it

Sure buddy.
Guess they should have forced guys to resign... seeing as how they offered the same contract as the Stars... and he chose the stars. They also should have made a deal with Vegas by sending picks to hold onto an Overpaid defenceman (Emelin) and Beaulieu. Good plan.
Enjoy your night dips#it
- mlindsay

Apparently you also don't understand negotiations... which doesn't seem all that surprising.

They only offered Radulov the same contract AFTER Dallas negotiated the terms and made the contract offer. That means the Canadiens were low-balling right up to the point that another team actually offered him what he wanted. They had literally MONTHS to negotiate an extension with Radulov and failed to come to terms. Meanwhile, they traded for Drouin in mid-June and signed him to a full extension a full two weeks before Radulov actually became a UFA.

So yeah... go tell me again about how "impossible" it would have been for them to have re-signed Radulov. Also, I never said they should have kept Emelin... but I'll just have to throw that on the pile of misinterpretations you've been making this entire time.

Replacing Radulov/Markov with Drouin/Alzner will have long-term benefit, but it's hard to consider that any kind of upgrade in the immediate term... particularly given the fact that both Radulov and Markov were lost for nothing (assuming Markov signs elsewhere). Beyond that, I'd suggest that until they address their centre ice situation (i.e. Galchenyuk should be a winger, Plekanec is in serious decline, and Danault is average at best), Montreal is going to be winning a lot of regular season games because of Price, and losing a lot of playoff games because they're far too easy to match up against defensively.
- khawk

I hear MTL is looking at Stéphane Da Costa , a 28 yr old from KHL that played with Radulov. He also used to play for Ottawa a few years ago. He played great for the Binghamton Senators in the AHL but went to the KHL after the partial lockout year in the NHL.

What do you guys know about Stéphane Da Costa? Would he be a fit on MTL?

I really hope Chabot can produce for the Sens....

Apparently there was a deal to bring back Methot and it was VERY close - that's what I hear from someone close to a certain person.

I really wished they picked up 1 solid top 4D-man for 1 year so that Chabot didn't have to step in and be that. I didn't see enough of Claesson ....

guy's like Emelin, HJARLMSSON!, even bringing in a guy like Kulikov, although I'm happy we didn't sighn him 3 years - 2 years @4.5m would have been ok

Okay, try to stay with me here... you "re-sign" them. It's a perfectly reasonable option that many GMs have chosen when they don't want to unnecessarily create holes in their roster... particularly ones that they're just going to have to immediately go and fill via some other means (eg. trading away your best prospect in order to a replace a player that you really didn't have to lose in the first place). Given that you seem to have literally no sense of asset management whatsoever, though, I'm guessing you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.


So... Alzner is who you think replaces Markov (who was the highest PPG defenceman on the team, and a PP mainstay)... Emelin's 21min/gp are immediately "replaceable" by either Schlemko (who's never played that much in his career) or a player who's never even played a single game in the NHL... and this transition will all happen without any expected drop in team performance.

Sounds great, enjoy the April golf.
- khawk

Emelin playing 21 min/g doesn't mean be should have. Losing him is not a big deal.

Emelin playing 21 min/g doesn't mean be should have. Losing him is not a big deal.
- jordan456789

That's fair enough, and I'm hardly pro-Emelin - but given that Markov's minutes also have to be accounted for, someone other than Alzner will have to take on top-4 minutes. The point I was really trying to make is that I don't think it's reasonable to just assume that players like Schlemko or Jerabek would be able to replace even the level of play that Emelin provided.... one has never played a game in the NHL and is on a 2-way contract, and the other has been with 5 different NHL teams in the past 3 years.

That's fair enough, and I'm hardly pro-Emelin - but given that Markov's minutes also have to be accounted for, someone other than Alzner will have to take on top-4 minutes. The point I was really trying to make is that I don't think it's reasonable to just assume that players like Schlemko or Jerabek would be able to replace even the level of play that Emelin provided.... one has never played a game in the NHL and is on a 2-way contract, and the other has been with 5 different NHL teams in the past 3 years.
- khawk

We have Weber Alzner and Petty in our top 4. Benn has played very well in Montreal and was a reason Emelin was expendable. That gives us Schlemko who according to fans of his last couple teams is a solid bottom pairing guy as well as Davidson. Jerabek may even be our 7th Dman. I wouldn't be surprised if Markov ends up in Montreal

We have Weber Alzner and Petty in our top 4. Benn has played very well in Montreal and was a reason Emelin was expendable. That gives us Schlemko who according to fans of his last couple teams is a solid bottom pairing guy as well as Davidson. Jerabek may even be our 7th Dman. I wouldn't be surprised if Markov ends up in Montreal
- jordan456789

Personally, I think they'd be crazy not to re-sign Markov... but apparently they're willing to gamble that he won't be able to find the deal he wants elsewhere. I understand there are mounting cap pressures, but an offensive defenceman is just not the position that I would be playing around with given the increasing premium on puck movement and the lack of alternatives on the roster.

I hear MTL is looking at Stéphane Da Costa , a 28 yr old from KHL that played with Radulov. He also used to play for Ottawa a few years ago. He played great for the Binghamton Senators in the AHL but went to the KHL after the partial lockout year in the NHL.

What do you guys know about Stéphane Da Costa? Would he be a fit on MTL?
- so_buzz11

I always liked Da Costa. Had skill, but lacked size and strength. So I guess he would fit well with Montreal?

In all seriousness, I don't think he ever really got a fair crack at the NHL level.I think he could be a decent 2/3 centre somewhere with powerplay abilities. However, he was one of those undrafted college kids that are either hit or miss. Usually no in between.

Okay, try to stay with me here... you "re-sign" them. It's a perfectly reasonable option that many GMs have chosen when they don't want to unnecessarily create holes in their roster... particularly ones that they're just going to have to immediately go and fill via some other means (eg. trading away your best prospect in order to a replace a player that you really didn't have to lose in the first place). Given that you seem to have literally no sense of asset management whatsoever, though, I'm guessing you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.


So... Alzner is who you think replaces Markov (who was the highest PPG defenceman on the team, and a PP mainstay)... Emelin's 21min/gp are immediately "replaceable" by either Schlemko (who's never played that much in his career) or a player who's never even played a single game in the NHL... and this transition will all happen without any expected drop in team performance.

Sounds great, enjoy the April golf.
- khawk

you can't just blindly re-sign everyone though.

you can't just blindly re-sign everyone though.
- prock

Okay, but when exactly did I suggest they should blindly re-sign everyone? I was specifically referring to not letting Radulov and Markov leave for nothing, not just a couple of random UFA players. Radulov was the team's 2nd highest scoring forward and an undeniable playoff standout, while Markov was probably their best puck-moving defenceman (even at age 38) and led the team in even-strength d-man scoring in spite of missing nearly 1/4 of the season. Very few teams offered up that quality of player to free agency, and the teams that did weren't just immediately throwing the equivalent money plus spending valuable trade assets to bring in replacement players that may not actually make them a better team next year.

Personally, I think they'd be crazy not to re-sign Markov... but apparently they're willing to gamble that he won't be able to find the deal he wants elsewhere. I understand there are mounting cap pressures, but an offensive defenceman is just not the position that I would be playing around with given the increasing premium on puck movement and the lack of alternatives on the roster.
- khawk

I would love to have Markov but that also depends on the length of what he is willing to accept. One year I would give him whatever he wants but for 2 or 3 years could be a disaster.

I would love to have Markov but that also depends on the length of what he is willing to accept. One year I would give him whatever he wants but for 2 or 3 years could be a disaster.
- jordan456789

I love how he's trying to judge the Habs on losing a player or two for nothing when his team just lost their first pairing dman in a situation directly created by a trade for their overpaid second pairing dman.

Okay, try to stay with me here... you "re-sign" them. It's a perfectly reasonable option that many GMs have chosen when they don't want to unnecessarily create holes in their roster... particularly ones that they're just going to have to immediately go and fill via some other means (eg. trading away your best prospect in order to a replace a player that you really didn't have to lose in the first place). Given that you seem to have literally no sense of asset management whatsoever, though, I'm guessing you still don't understand what I'm trying to say.


So... Alzner is who you think replaces Markov (who was the highest PPG defenceman on the team, and a PP mainstay)... Emelin's 21min/gp are immediately "replaceable" by either Schlemko (who's never played that much in his career) or a player who's never even played a single game in the NHL... and this transition will all happen without any expected drop in team performance.

Sounds great, enjoy the April golf.
- khawk

this....from someone in Vancouver. LMFAO

this....from someone in Vancouver. LMFAO
- Izzy

What does being in Vancouver have to do with anything? Are you assuming that I'm a Canucks fan? Do you even have a point, or are you just trying to bring this down to a grade 3 level so you can participate?

Dzingle re-signed for 1.8M per for 2 years is good!
he does become a UFA at the end however...

Look at that, 'cheapo' Melnyk is now just 6M from the cap!

Dzingel re-signed for 1.8M per for 2 years is good!
he does become a UFA at the end however...
Look at that, 'cheapo' Melnyk is now just 6M from the cap!
- Raven33

Interesting deal... the UFA status was pretty much inevitable, given that he spent 3 years in the NCAA and played out his 3 year entry-level deal. The 2yr timeframe clearly aligns with Karlsson's remaining contract, but the amount shows what scoring 10G/30Pts once will earn you in 2017. Still, that shores up a pretty solid collection of two-way/checking forwards (Pageau, Smith, Dzingel, Burrows, Pyatt, Thompson), which I'm guessing will make Boucher very happy.

It really is hard to imagine any Canadian team winning the cup in next 3-4 years

Dzingle re-signed for 1.8M per for 2 years is good!
he does become a UFA at the end however...

Look at that, 'cheapo' Melnyk is now just 6M from the cap!
- Raven33

6 mill short of being a cup challenger...not bad for Eugene

I always liked Da Costa. Had skill, but lacked size and strength. So I guess he would fit well with Montreal?

In all seriousness, I don't think he ever really got a fair crack at the NHL level.I think he could be a decent 2/3 centre somewhere with powerplay abilities. However, he was one of those undrafted college kids that are either hit or miss. Usually no in between.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

DeCosta is awful, from what I recall of him. The only notable event from his NHL career was getting absolutely pulverized by Phaneuf with an open-ice hit. Still one of the most gorgeous hits I've ever witnessed....