Meh, at least that makes some sense in that having a gentleman's agreement means that other GMs won't go offer sheeting habs either.
- apex123

The habs make sure NOBODY offer sheets their players by only having players NOBODY would offer sheet.

I loved the Drouin trade, but unless he or Galchenyuk step up and become dominant centers we have no realistic chance of going far in the playoffs. I believe at least one of them could, probably Galchenyuk, but even if he does I think we downgraded significantly on the backend.
- apex123

At best the team took a side-step this summer.

The habs make sure NOBODY offer sheets their players by only having players NOBODY would offer sheet.
- dt99999

Best defense, not be there

-M. Myagi

i don't see them going into the season with the current defence lineup. it doesn't really make sense.
- DoubleDown

Bergevin usually always rolls the dice up front (PAP, Briere, Semin, Radulov). If he takes the money and spends on a forward (likely a center), then the forward group will look really solid, but he'll be rolling the dice on the blue line (Jerabek mostly).

WELCOME TO MONTREAL AGAIN ALEX SEMIN

WELCOME TO MONTREAL AGAIN ALEX SEMIN
- dt99999

shrewd pickup by MB

wat a genius!!

WELCOME TO MONTREAL AGAIN ALEX SEMIN
- dt99999

Jiri Sekac is still in his prime

Bergevin usually always rolls the dice up front (PAP, Briere, Semin, Radulov). If he takes the money and spends on a forward (likely a center), then the forward group will look really solid, but he'll be rolling the dice on the blue line (Jerabek mostly).
- kev1586

Sounds great, but what center is there to sign/trade for?

Exactly the same salary he got last year.

Somehow, and obviously we'll never know for sure, I feel like he would have said yes.

This guy is the 2nd most productive defenseman in the most successful franchise in the NHL.

He'd rather go back to Russia than play for another team in the NHL.

And Bergevin couldn't get this done? Even when he was fine with a 1 year deal and the team still has around 8M in cap space?

Complete failure.
- Scabeh

NO

5.75 for a 39 year old defenseman that was never to be found come the end of the season and in the playoff, just no...

No they need to take that cap space and make a deal for a center

He's shafted Markov and backed himself into a corner in the process. With Markov admitting he was willing to go one season, sitting on the 8M is not an option. Time to pay up and fix the forwards if he's going to destroy the blue line like that.
- kev1586

you know people lie right...

He can say he wants..doesnt mean it is true (just like in Radulov case)

Maybe he never wanted a 1 year contract and he just saying that now out of frustration

Sounds great, but what center is there to sign/trade for?
- apex123

Ryan Johansen, Bo Horvat, Mikael Granlund, Alexander Wennberg are all RFAs. Maybe the negotiations with them sour and Montreal can strike a trade. Possibly Nugent Hopkins if Draisaitl's new contract is too large. Mike Fisher if he doesn't want to come back to Nashville.

you know people lie right...

He can say he wants..doesnt mean it is true (just like in Radulov case)

Maybe he never wanted a 1 year contract and he just saying that now out of frustration
- Xizord

to me it sounds like Montreal just didn't want him back.

Ryan Johansen, Bo Horvat, Mikael Granlund, Alexander Wennberg are all RFAs. Maybe the negotiations with them sour and Montreal can strike a trade. Possibly Nugent Hopkins if Draisaitl's new contract is too large. Mike Fisher if he doesn't want to come back to Nashville.
- greekdude4567

I think Granlund is a RW according to hockey news (not that I wouldn't be interested in acquiring him because we aren't the strongest on the RW) and Fischer is old. Getting any of the other centers listed would be nice, but I only consider Johansen and maybe Wennberg as true first line centers. Horvat may develop into a quality first liner as well, but for one Vancouver would be stupid to trade him and also many other teams have needs for a center and more quality prospects to bargain with especially since we traded Sergachev.

to me it sounds like Montreal just didn't want him back.
- DoubleDown

Well, I think it's tough to negotiate with someone right to his face, you know when you have to tell a guy he's not worth the money he wants, some may get offended..

Well, I think it's tough to negotiate with someone right to his face, you know when you have to tell a guy he's not worth the money he wants, some may get offended..
- pete26

He wanted more, because he still has to pay for his wife's professional music video.

NO

5.75 for a 39 year old defenseman that was never to be found come the end of the season and in the playoff, just no...

No they need to take that cap space and make a deal for a center
- Xizord

Markov would still be the 2nd best D on this team... and as far as the money goes, he could of just signed Markov, not traded for Schlemko and not sign Morrow, Streit and Holland and the money would be pretty close to the same for Bergevin to acquire this C he's been looking for for half a decade... They would have a decent top 4 with Markov, instead they have 7 crappy D to fill in as the extra guy

Chiarelli is throwing away forwards, should have traded suban for hall, weber plays like he is 38

Chiarelli is throwing away forwards, should have traded suban for hall, weber plays like he is 38
- Jordy8

A top pairing of Petry and Alzner would have the Habs finishing last no matter who's in net or how many goals Hall scores.... anybody blaming Weber for the Habs' shortcomings last season clearly didn't watch much of their games

A top pairing of Petry and Alzner would have the Habs finishing last no matter who's in net or how many goals Hall scores.... anybody blaming Weber for the Habs' shortcomings last season clearly didn't watch much of their games
- obie

Thanks for ruining my summer

A top pairing of Petry and Alzner would have the Habs finishing last no matter who's in net or how many goals Hall scores.... anybody blaming Weber for the Habs' shortcomings last season clearly didn't watch much of their games
- obie

I was busy watching sergachev win a mem cup lol. JK, not blaming weber he had a good season just a terrible contract and trade. The habs pretty much just rely on their goalie anyways

I was busy watching sergachev win a mem cup lol. JK, not blaming weber he had a good season just a terrible contract and trade. The habs pretty much just rely on their goalie anyways
- Jordy8

and who do the Penguins rely on to stop the puck?

Exactly the same salary he got last year.

Somehow, and obviously we'll never know for sure, I feel like he would have said yes.

This guy is the 2nd most productive defenseman in the most successful franchise in the NHL.

He'd rather go back to Russia than play for another team in the NHL.

And Bergevin couldn't get this done? Even when he was fine with a 1 year deal and the team still has around 8M in cap space?

Complete failure.
- Scabeh

Dude...they haven't won a cup in 24 years. In history..sure...but certainly not in recent history.

Well, I think it's tough to negotiate with someone right to his face, you know when you have to tell a guy he's not worth the money he wants, some may get offended..
- pete26

Classless.

Sad that what was once such a proud and successful (with the help of the NHL) organization has now become a league wide joke.

Classless.

Sad that what was once such a proud and successful (with the help of the NHL) organization has now become a league wide joke.
- stormeyAlterEgo

what a Richard

Classless.

Sad that what was once such a proud and successful (with the help of the NHL) organization has now become a league wide joke.
- stormeyAlterEgo

ah ta yeule estie de 2 watt... sérieux...