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

Have to agree with you on this one...who cares if he slow ( and he not that slow) they play in bathubs anyway to quote nivk Kyprios..

Might be different on a Olympic ice, but even then he did good there

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.
- apex123

Did you just say a definitive yes to Johansen and back that up with only mild interest in Wennberg?!?!?! Are you serious?! Have you even watch the two players in question, or are you simply basing your opinion on reputation?

I'm interested in knowing because though I've watched the two in limited action, my interest in Wennberg would be higher than Johansen... from what I've seen.

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

Webber- Alzner
Petry - Streit
Schlemko - Benn

7th D- Joe Morrow

It's ok as long as no one gets injured

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

You are aware that the reason Montreal didn't more than the one v. one in this case is because the ramifications of the brutal contract returns to Nashville in the end? And trying to pin Sergachev doesn't really hurt when we acquired a 22-year-old forward that should still be very productive for years to come...

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

What would be the end game in lying here? Hey, I've called it quits and have already signed elsewhere, but I wanted a one-year contract here.

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

Who exactly have Edmonton given away?

For Hall, they got the defensive defenceman they sorely needed, and that Subban still isn't. For Eberle, they got another center who will be playing for dimes on the dollar once all their current ELCs expire. This will allow them to move RNH.

They haven't "given away" anything as of yet, imo.

You are aware that the reason Montreal didn't more than the one v. one in this case is because the ramifications of the brutal contract returns to Nashville in the end? And trying to pin Sergachev doesn't really hurt when we acquired a 22-year-old forward that should still be very productive for years to come...
- kev1586

I would take druoin all day but u cant defend the suban trade, im just saying the forward depth and defense is pretty weak

Webber- Alzner
Petry - Streit
Schlemko - Benn

7th D- Joe Morrow

It's ok as long as no one gets injured
- PatC80

This could very well end up being the pairings. I wouldn't be surprised to see this to start the year though:

Jerabek-Weber
Alzner-Petry
Streit-Benn
Schlemko-Davidson in the press box
Morrow in Laval

But if Jerabek is a total bust, then your pairings make sense too.

I would take druoin all day but u cant defend the suban trade, im just saying the forward depth and defense is pretty weak
- Jordy8

I don't think the Subban deal is a win. But I don't think it's a loss either. It's a lateral move.

Weber is effective now despite his lack of speed. When he gets too old and retires will about at the same time Subban started to go downhill too. The style they play means that Subban should have a shorter shelf-life than Weber... but he could adapt, never know.

So, in the end, Nashville got a more electric player who can do more with the puck, but will also get salary-capped destroyed down the line for making that deal now.

Webber- Alzner
Petry - Streit
Schlemko - Benn

7th D- Joe Morrow

It's ok as long as no one gets injured
- PatC80

Both Schlemko and Benn are better than Streit at this point in his career.
He's nothing more than a number 5,6 guy who'll get second PP time.

I don't think the Subban deal is a win. But I don't think it's a loss either. It's a lateral move.

Weber is effective now despite his lack of speed. When he gets too old and retires will about at the same time Subban started to go downhill too. The style they play means that Subban should have a shorter shelf-life than Weber... but he could adapt, never know.

So, in the end, Nashville got a more electric player who can do more with the puck, but will also get salary-capped destroyed down the line for making that deal now.
- kev1586

I would hope poille keeps getting these other guys to sign bargain deals, arvidson, Watson. Hopefully johansen gets 8, lol . And ryan ellis signs with the pens

I would hope poille keeps getting these other guys to sign bargain deals, arvidson, Watson. Hopefully johansen gets 8, lol . And ryan ellis signs with the pens
- Jordy8

LOL Pens kinda painted themselves in a corner too though. 4M for Dumoulin seems like an overpayment...

Did you just say a definitive yes to Johansen and back that up with only mild interest in Wennberg?!?!?! Are you serious?! Have you even watch the two players in question, or are you simply basing your opinion on reputation?

I'm interested in knowing because though I've watched the two in limited action, my interest in Wennberg would be higher than Johansen... from what I've seen.
- kev1586

I based it on their past point totals with more value on goals than assists and the fact that Johansen is in his prime now, Habs will likely be even more mediocre when Wennberg enters his prime.

I don't think the Subban deal is a win. But I don't think it's a loss either. It's a lateral move.

Weber is effective now despite his lack of speed. When he gets too old and retires will about at the same time Subban started to go downhill too. The style they play means that Subban should have a shorter shelf-life than Weber... but he could adapt, never know.

So, in the end, Nashville got a more electric player who can do more with the puck, but will also get salary-capped destroyed down the line for making that deal now.
- kev1586

This isn't even a debate. This move is a clear loss for us and was only made due to politics (i.e Tampatch cries I don't like Subban). To think otherwise is delusional. Both players are roughly equal right now in overall skill (you can argue both ways), but Weber is exiting his prime while Subban is in the middle of his and is signed for an eternity through the declining years of his contract during which he will eventually become an anchor. I don't know why you 're discussing Subban slowing down; his contract ends when he's 33 or so. It seems doubtful he'll have slowed down much then. Saying his shelf life is shorter is baseless; I could argue Weber's physical style will wear him down quicker. Anyway this trade needs to be put to rest.

LOL Pens kinda painted themselves in a corner too though. 4M for Dumoulin seems like an overpayment...
- kev1586

Yeah by about a half mill. Salaries r going up, here comes another lock out

This could very well end up being the pairings. I wouldn't be surprised to see this to start the year though:

Jerabek-Weber
Alzner-Petry
Streit-Benn
Schlemko-Davidson in the press box
Morrow in Laval

But if Jerabek is a total bust, then your pairings make sense too.
- kev1586

Jerabek won't make the top 6.. if he does, not on the top pair.

Yeah by about a half mill. Salaries r going up, here comes another lock out
- Jordy8

I'll take your word for it. From what I saw in PO, I didn't think he was a 4M guy.
Definitely agree about lockout though.

I based it on their past point totals with more value on goals than assists and the fact that Johansen is in his prime now, Habs will likely be even more mediocre when Wennberg enters his prime.
- apex123

I think the we're gonna suck in 5 years is over hyped. Drouin and Galchenyuk aren't going to start sucking in 5 years (while in prime years). The team will have to be structured differently, hence why I would personally take Wennberg over Johansen.

Jerabek won't make the top 6.. if he does, not on the top pair.
- WaterBoy

I would think playing Jerabek there at 5-on-5, Benn there to PK, and Streit there in PP would be best way to show Jerabek the ropes, while not overplaying any of the three... That's essentially my logic here, not necessarily that Jerabek is a top-pairing guy.

I also think that Alzner and Petry playing together could compensate for each other's weaknesses. But just because it appears that way on paper, does not mean that it will play out this way on the ice.

This isn't even a debate. This move is a clear loss for us and was only made due to politics (i.e Tampatch cries I don't like Subban). To think otherwise is delusional. Both players are roughly equal right now in overall skill (you can argue both ways), but Weber is exiting his prime while Subban is in the middle of his and is signed for an eternity through the declining years of his contract during which he will eventually become an anchor. I don't know why you 're discussing Subban slowing down; his contract ends when he's 33 or so. It seems doubtful he'll have slowed down much then. Saying his shelf life is shorter is baseless; I could argue Weber's physical style will wear him down quicker. Anyway this trade needs to be put to rest.
- apex123

It's even right now as you say. Then the Preds will have the definitive advantage in Subban's prime as you also point out. But then Nashville will get completely cash strapped afterwards. There's no way Weber plays the 1M years on his deal which is where Nashville will get screwed (same as Hossa deal). When that happens, the cap penalties will make them have to ship out some important pieces. I could be wrong, but that what it looks like to me. And I couldn't agree more, talking about this deal still is

Brandon Smillie: Andrei Markov signs with AkBars Kazan of the KHL
- Brandon Smillie

hate to give hits where it's not deserved but montreal sports is at an all time low.

I think the we're gonna suck in 5 years is over hyped. Drouin and Galchenyuk aren't going to start sucking in 5 years (while in prime years). The team will have to be structured differently, hence why I would personally take Wennberg over Johansen.
- kev1586

Fair enough, but I see no clear way to maintain their blue line with quality players given their prospect pool. Anyway I guess Johansen is off the table.

It's even right now as you say. Then the Preds will have the definitive advantage in Subban's prime as you also point out. But then Nashville will get completely cash strapped afterwards. There's no way Weber plays the 1M years on his deal which is where Nashville will get screwed (same as Hossa deal). When that happens, the cap penalties will make them have to ship out some important pieces. I could be wrong, but that what it looks like to me. And I couldn't agree more, talking about this deal still is
- kev1586

If we make them pay through the eyes to require Webers contract that d be comical.

Webber- Alzner
Petry - Streit
Schlemko - Benn

7th D- Joe Morrow

It's ok as long as no one gets injured
- PatC80

It's Horriawful.

Fair enough, but I see no clear way to maintain their blue line with quality players given their prospect pool. Anyway I guess Johansen is off the table.
- apex123

Maintain what blue line?