I think that'll be the resounding sentiment...

but I don't expect them to do that.
- EricEngels

They will go "The way of the Burke" instead?

THe UFA market stinks this year, they will have to make trades to better the team, A couple ufa dmen could be possible but they won't pick any of the UFA forwards.
- Oilhab

Ryan Suter?

I think Jason Blake would be the kind of player who could thrive in this system. He's gritty, has good speed, has a sweet shot. He'd be a fan favourite in no time.
- weirdoh

Doesn't this team have enough old guys already in Markov, Gionta, Gomez, Kaberlol, Cole, Darche?

Plekanec, Moen and Bourque will also be 30+ next season.
- Pecafan Fan

Hard point to argue.

And I agree, it's harder to think about getting older. But the team can do it, become more competitive, and continue to stockpile picks and prospects by moving them to teams in contention at a later point.

It's a step towards mediocrity--but maybe you get to a little better than mediocre, instead of much worse, and you still get to build.

Jagr--short term solution.

Brad Stuart at 32, long-term solution--and an awesome one at that.

Doan--medium term.

Ryan Suter?
- QuebecPride

Philly first...

I think you have that backwards.
- Cape Breton Bruins

he totally played center in high school, he can pick it up again for the habs no problem.

he's a centre who plays wing as well
- EricEngels

Maybe. Always saw him as a RW. Anyway, if the Habs go the UFA route to fix their first line, I'm done with that (frank)ing team.

I think you have that backwards.
- Cape Breton Bruins

just let it go capes....

Maybe. Always saw him as a RW. Anyway, if the Habs go the UFA route to fix their first line, I'm done with that (frank)ing team.
- Jayden

IT IS THEY WHO ARE DONE WITH YOU SIR!!!!!

he's a centre who plays wing as well
- EricEngels

He didn't play center for as long as I can remember. He takes on average 150 faceoffs per season and a top minutes player like him, playing Center takes over 1000 per season.

Hard point to argue.

And I agree, it's harder to think about getting older. But the team can do it, become more competitive, and continue to stockpile picks and prospects by moving them to teams in contention at a later point.

It's a step towards mediocrity--but maybe you get to a little better than mediocre, instead of much worse, and you still get to build.

Jagr--short term solution.

Brad Stuart at 32, long-term solution--and an awesome one at that.

Doan--medium term.
- EricEngels

So Sign UFA's to one year deals so you can move them at the deadline? Ya UFA's are going to jump at those deals

only bull frogs, but we all know there are no bulls on the habs
- Oilhab

I dunno Cole and Patches seem to crash the net pretty well.

Eric Engels: Who Should the Canadiens add Through Free Agency?
- EricEngels

How much money do they have under the cap? Clearing Gomez will be great, hopefully they can get a free buyout in the new CBA. The Kaberle contract still baffles me. Why did Gauthier make that trade? I understand he thought it would help the PP and stuff but with all the RFAs this summer he had to have planned better cap management. Subban will get 4M and Price will get 5.5M, not sure what Eller will get or Emlin or Diaz but I don't expect massive raises for them.

So do they buy our Gomez and send Kaberle to the minors? What about the Markov contract. If he is again not ready should they send him down as well? Is that possible? Too many bad contracts will prevent the Habs from making a big splash this summer.

In a few years when their production slows down Gionta and Cole's contract will not be as nice, maybe it's time to trade them while their value is decent.

He didn't play center for as long as I can remember. He takes on average 150 faceoffs per season and a top minutes player like him, playing Center takes over 1000 per season.
- Pecafan Fan

Do you think he'll wear out moving to center?

just let it go capes....
- dt99999

*exhales*

Maybe. Always saw him as a RW. Anyway, if the Habs go the UFA route to fix their first line, I'm done with that (frank)ing team.
- Jayden

That's because he never was a center in the NHL.

Any chance we could draft a big C who is NHL ready?
If so then, and I hate to say it, but we can move PLekanek in a package for W or D help.

How much money do they have under the cap? Clearing Gomez will be great, hopefully they can get a free buyout in the new CBA. The Kaberle contract still baffles me. Why did Gauthier make that trade? I understand he thought it would help the PP and stuff but with all the RFAs this summer he had to have planned better cap management. Subban will get 4M and Price will get 5.5M, not sure what Eller will get or Emlin or Diaz but I don't expect massive raises for them.

So do they buy our Gomez and send Kaberle to the minors? What about the Markov contract. If he is again not ready should they send him down as well? Is that possible? Too many bad contracts will prevent the Habs from making a big splash this summer.

In a few years when their production slows down Gionta and Cole's contract will not be as nice, maybe it's time to trade them while their value is decent.
- riceroni

preferably they make them roommates and remove the batteries from the hotel fsmoke detector.

Hard point to argue.

And I agree, it's harder to think about getting older. But the team can do it, become more competitive, and continue to stockpile picks and prospects by moving them to teams in contention at a later point.

It's a step towards mediocrity--but maybe you get to a little better than mediocre, instead of much worse, and you still get to build.

Jagr--short term solution.

Brad Stuart at 32, long-term solution--and an awesome one at that.

Doan--medium term.
- EricEngels

Stuart wouldn't re-sign in Boston cause he didn't want to be in the east.

Any chance we could draft a big C who is NHL ready?
If so then, and I hate to say it, but we can move PLekanek in a package for W or D help.
- braidan

Isn't it kind of early for you to be around ?

How about a 5'10 swiss defenseman who can also play as a 4th line winger?

Isn't it kind of early for you to be around ?
- Rayven

Took the day off to get some banning in....you volunteering?

Any chance we could draft a big C who is NHL ready?
If so then, and I hate to say it, but we can move PLekanek in a package for W or D help.
- braidan

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ent-Perspective/155/42700

How much money do they have under the cap? Clearing Gomez will be great, hopefully they can get a free buyout in the new CBA. The Kaberle contract still baffles me. Why did Gauthier make that trade? I understand he thought it would help the PP and stuff but with all the RFAs this summer he had to have planned better cap management. Subban will get 4M and Price will get 5.5M, not sure what Eller will get or Emlin or Diaz but I don't expect massive raises for them.

So do they buy our Gomez and send Kaberle to the minors? What about the Markov contract. If he is again not ready should they send him down as well? Is that possible? Too many bad contracts will prevent the Habs from making a big splash this summer.

In a few years when their production slows down Gionta and Cole's contract will not be as nice, maybe it's time to trade them while their value is decent.
- riceroni

When Gomez and Giontas production SLOWS Down? THEY have Trade value NOW?

Gomez and Gionta for Skinner, done, you are welcome.

That's because he never was a center in the NHL.
- Pecafan Fan

Voilà