Eric Engels: Habs Beat Blues After Trading Bourque for Allen

Great game, Great trade, great blog

When is the hammer going to drop on forward? Absolutely love what Bergevin has done moving longer contracts for expiring ones but now my mind is wandering thinking about who he will part with for forward depth.

Can you see one of the kids packaged with say a guy like Gilbert to Buffalo for stewart or to Arizona for Boedkker?

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 53s54 seconds ago
As per @TSNBobMcKenzie, Spezza's deal will be worth $7.5 M per year over four years


Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 3m3 minutes ago
Further to what @TSNBobMcKenzie reported Tuesday, hearing that Jason Spezza will officially sign contract extension with @DallasStars today


Yikes.

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 53s54 seconds ago
As per @TSNBobMcKenzie, Spezza's deal will be worth $7.5 M per year over four years


Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 3m3 minutes ago
Further to what @TSNBobMcKenzie reported Tuesday, hearing that Jason Spezza will officially sign contract extension with @DallasStars today


Yikes.
- stormey

Spezza must be giggling

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 53s54 seconds ago
As per @TSNBobMcKenzie, Spezza's deal will be worth $7.5 M per year over four years


Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun · 3m3 minutes ago
Further to what @TSNBobMcKenzie reported Tuesday, hearing that Jason Spezza will officially sign contract extension with @DallasStars today


Yikes.
- stormey

Taaabarnak!

That's a lot of money.

Eric...do you thing the fans really feel snubbed?

In fact do you think more than 1% of the fans even noticed?

Do you think the media ever overreacts?

Taaabarnak!

That's a lot of money.
- Pecafan Fan

health will be a factor, but you can't argue against Spezza's level of play and his production. the guy has been so good.

health will be a factor, but you can't argue against Spezza's level of play and his production. the guy has been so good.
- EricEngels

Yeah, he's been producing points. There's no denying that.

health will be a factor, but you can't argue against Spezza's level of play and his production. the guy has been so good.
- EricEngels

Do you think players go to GM's and say "If Clarkson gets 5.25, I'm worth at lease X"?

Eric...do you thing the fans really feel snubbed?

In fact do you think more than 1% of the fans even noticed?

Do you think the media ever overreacts?
- stormey

Everybody's guilty in this case.

1. If the Leafs think it's appropriate to do that as a statement against their fans, that's a joke.

2. It's not that big a deal, but unfortunately for the Leafs, they're to blame for giving the media something else to chew on.

3. Maybe they're okay with that. If they have to emboldened the "us against the world" mentality just to play Randy's system and try to win, then maybe they should stick to it.

4. Leafs fans are borderline even more obnoxious than Canadiens fans, which can be hard to digest for a team that loses 15-4 to Buffalo and Nashville on consecutive nights.

So again, if the Leafs think that by fully buying into the "us against the world" mentality will help them win more, and if it actually works, I don't think the media or the fans will care too much about this little protest.

Yeah, he's been producing points. There's no denying that.
- Pecafan Fan

one 70+ season in 6 years for a pretty soft player.

He was really really good but injuries really seem to have taken it's toll.

Pretty gutsy contract for Dallas.

Everybody's guilty in this case.

1. If the Leafs think it's appropriate to do that as a statement against their fans, that's a joke.

2. It's not that big a deal, but unfortunately for the Leafs, they're to blame for giving the media something else to chew on.

3. Maybe they're okay with that. If they have to emboldened the "us against the world" mentality just to play Randy's system and try to win, then maybe they should stick to it.

4. Leafs fans are borderline even more obnoxious than Canadiens fans, which can be hard to digest for a team that loses 15-4 to Buffalo and Nashville on consecutive nights.

So again, if the Leafs think that by fully buying into the "us against the world" mentality will help them win more, and if it actually works, I don't think the media or the fans will care too much about this little protest.
- EricEngels

I wonder how peanut and stormey will react to point #4...

Everybody's guilty in this case.

1. If the Leafs think it's appropriate to do that as a statement against their fans, that's a joke.

2. It's not that big a deal, but unfortunately for the Leafs, they're to blame for giving the media something else to chew on.

3. Maybe they're okay with that. If they have to emboldened the "us against the world" mentality just to play Randy's system and try to win, then maybe they should stick to it.

4. Leafs fans are borderline even more obnoxious than Canadiens fans, which can be hard to digest for a team that loses 15-4 to Buffalo and Nashville on consecutive nights.

So again, if the Leafs think that by fully buying into the "us against the world" mentality will help them win more, and if it actually works, I don't think the media or the fans will care too much about this little protest.
- EricEngels

1. True

2. But media is making it a big deal.

3. Could be a team bonding thing...but...pretty dysfunctional group.

4. Borderline? Just take a wander of to Auggies thread.

one 70+ season in 6 years for a pretty soft player.

He was really really good but injuries really seem to have taken it's toll.

Pretty gutsy contract for Dallas.
- stormey

His pace is close to a ppg even in his injured seasons though without linemates as good as Seguin and Benn for the most part - guess Dallas is banking on him staying healthy.

Eric Engels: Habs Beat Blues After Trading Bourque for Allen
- EricEngels

POWERHOUSE

I wonder how peanut and stormey will react to point #4...
- Not_Yan

I'm a Jet fan!

But at 21 and 22, it's somewhat ignorant to suggest there's nothing for them to learn and no way for them to improve by playing in Hamilton. If they prove to be dominant players at that level (neither of them have been to date), that will only help them develop the confidence to become more consistent players in the NHL.

Yes.

If sending them down "ruins them" as some suggest, maybe they aren't the players we thought or expected them to be anyway.

They didn't force the team to keep them with the big club. Sending them down tells them to work harder.

His pace is close to a ppg even in his injured seasons though without linemates as good as Seguin and Benn for the most part - guess Dallas is banking on him staying healthy.
- Joel_Eh

Yeah he's pretty good.

As I think of it...the fact that it's only a 4 year deal is pretty solid for Dallas...especially in this day and age.

But at 21 and 22, it's somewhat ignorant to suggest there's nothing for them to learn and no way for them to improve by playing in Hamilton. If they prove to be dominant players at that level (neither of them have been to date), that will only help them develop the confidence to become more consistent players in the NHL.

Yes.

If sending them down "ruins them" as some suggest, maybe they aren't the players we thought or expected them to be anyway.

They didn't force the team to keep them with the big club. Sending them down tells them to work harder.
- Pecafan Fan

Detroit constantly ruins players this way.

POWERHOUSE
- shvingter88

This never stops being funny.

Detroit constantly ruins players this way.
- stormey

I know. What a bunch of heartless idiots.

This never stops being funny.
- hscesq

He is consistent at least.

I know. What a bunch of heartless idiots.
- Pecafan Fan

Pathetic.

Babcock is really going to enjoy coaching real players like Kessel and Stamkos next year.

livid