It was a no lose signing. He flipped it for better than what he paid. The narrative that he did Kovalchuk a favour is the question. He burned Russians earlier in his tenure and now he's trying to make up for it. At the end of the day he excluded 1 of the 3 best national producers of hockey and now he's trying to flip the switch.
- Pie

I think had Gallagher not got hurt.

It’s a non story..

I think had Gallagher not got hurt.

It’s a non story..
- pete26

Gallagher Drouin Byron Weber yadda yadda

Gallagher Drouin Byron Weber yadda yadda
- Pie

The Kovalchuk signing..

The Kovalchuk signing..
- pete26

sigh

i'm pretty sure i'd just shave my head and be done with it.

(frank) it if it doesn't want to cooperate, you know.
- kicksave856

(frank) YOU

I really don't think we would have been happy unless Bergy totally fleeced a team, when it comes to Petry and Tuna.
Get premium rental return? Not good enough because they have term. Anything less, we'd be roasting him on a spit.
Do nothing with them, carry on, McDuff: Why hasn't he done anything, rawr!

The anger for the organization is justified if he goes into next season status quo. Does nothing of note at Draft, Free agency, or before next season? That's different. So he hasn't fixed everything mid season, when it's pretty damn clear we're not playing beyond the regular season. I'm ok with that. He didn't tip whatever he has up his sleeve for the off season. (Delusional or not) That's ok too, smart, even. I'm just saying let's at least wait until next training camp before lynching him outright. If he stands pat, (frank) em, I'll tie the noose myself and get the coffee for the group.

(frank) YOU
- mr.peanut

lol i'm not saying you should do that. i'm just saying that i would. and that i'd be mad at my hair.

lol i'm not saying you should do that. i'm just saying that i would. and that i'd be mad at my hair.
- kicksave856

The (frank) YOU stays

lol i'm not saying you should do that. i'm just saying that i would. and that i'd be mad at my hair.
- kicksave856

But i understand what you're saying

I really don't think we would have been happy unless Bergy totally fleeced a team, when it comes to Petry and Tuna.
Get premium rental return? Not good enough because they have term. Anything less, we'd be roasting him on a spit.
Do nothing with them, carry on, McDuff: Why hasn't he done anything, rawr!

The anger for the organization is justified if he goes into next season status quo. Does nothing of note at Draft, Free agency, or before next season? That's different. So he hasn't fixed everything mid season, when it's pretty damn clear we're not playing beyond the regular season. I'm ok with that. He didn't tip whatever he has up his sleeve for the off season. (Delusional or not) That's ok too, smart, even. I'm just saying let's at least wait until next training camp before lynching him outright. If he stands pat, (frank) em, I'll tie the noose myself and get the coffee for the group.
- Darksyde

it's basically a lost year for the Habs.
MB will get to June with the same issues he had last year : missing a top LD and a backup goalie. he did nothing last summer to fix it, we see where that got them.
let's hope if he will do something this time. don't bet on it.

Organizational Depth Chart after the NHL Trade Deadline

https://www.habseyesonthe...s-list-transactions-draft

Seems thin on the blue line in Laval.

Perhaps this isnt the time but Montreal is the second worst fan base in all of hockey. Where Toronto fans are the most delusional, thinking every year is the year they're finally going to win it all, Montreal fans are the most insecure - as if their team should win every year, but won't (because of reasons A, B, C etc...). The reality is it's REALLY HARD to win a stanley cup when there are 30+ teams in the league. No Canadian franchise has won it since the Habs, and most of you aren't old enough to remember it.

As an outsider, I think Marc Bergevin has done a very good job of asset management. Obviously he would like to take back the Drouin trade, but outside of that, most of his trades have been wins for the organization. He's got a really high batting average and no one is perfect 100% of the time.

Kovy didnt sign as a FA with Washington because at the time, they didnt have enough cap space. They had to trade Chandler Stevenson to Vegas to be cap compliant earlier this year. I'm just speculating, but it seems to me that's where Kovy wanted to be all along and agreed to sign in Montreal knowing that if they were out of it he could be traded there at the deadline?? I mean MB got a third round pick for a guy that cost nothing but 22 days of a $700,000 contract. That's a good day at the office!

I understand why Bergevin isn't willing to mortgage the short term and that's because this team has the best goalie in the world. When you have the best player at the most important position, you have a chance to win every night. He's built a defense-first team around Carey and we've all heard the adage that "defense wins championships". Now, there are still some glaring holes with this roster, most notably the 2C position and the left side defense.

Fortunately, he's positioned the roster well that he's got cap space, draft picks and decent prospects to fill these holes in the offseason. Yeah it means this season is basically down the drain, but what is he supposed to say? "Yeah, we're phoning it in until next year???" Actions speak louder than words and his actions suggest he's recouping what he can from a lost season to try again next year - and honestly, that's all you can hope for as a fan when your team is in this situation. Fill the holes in the roster, go get a coach who will play defense-first, and see if Carey can carry this team back to the promised land in 2021.

I feel like crap

I feel like crap
- deadpoulet

feel better, friend.

feel better, friend.
- kicksave856

I wish I could, friend.

Can't wait to fall asleep so I don't have to be conscious.

Women, kicksave.

(frank)ing, women.

Organizational Depth Chart after the NHL Trade Deadline

https://www.habseyesonthe...s-list-transactions-draft

Seems thin on the blue line in Laval.
- Garfield512

I think you meant Montreal.

I think MB acknowledges that Kovy is part of the pipeline to getting his asset Defenseman in Russia to come to North America. When you look at how poorly he dealt with the previous Russian stars....there has to be some cultural apprehension to come to Montreal....on top of all the regular media criticism and pressures.

It was a cooked-up deal from the start, an opportunity at redemption and move to a playoff contender if Montreal cannot turn it around. MB signed KOVY when the playoffs were a single-digit possibility.....too little too late....low risk.

I think MB acknowledges that Kovy is part of the pipeline to getting his asset Defenseman in Russia to come to North America. When you look at how poorly he dealt with the previous Russian stars....there has to be some cultural apprehension to come to Montreal....on top of all the regular media criticism and pressures.

It was a cooked-up deal from the start, an opportunity at redemption and move to a playoff contender if Montreal cannot turn it around. MB signed KOVY when the playoffs were a single-digit possibility.....too little too late....low risk.
- woodyCanadiens

woodyCanadiens, hello.

It’s really cute what MB did for Kovy but the thing is only money will matter in July.

I think MB acknowledges that Kovy is part of the pipeline to getting his asset Defenseman in Russia to come to North America. When you look at how poorly he dealt with the previous Russian stars....there has to be some cultural apprehension to come to Montreal....on top of all the regular media criticism and pressures.

It was a cooked-up deal from the start, an opportunity at redemption and move to a playoff contender if Montreal cannot turn it around. MB signed KOVY when the playoffs were a single-digit possibility.....too little too late....low risk.
- woodyCanadiens

So Romanov will not sign here if Kovy is traded to Boston for a conditionnal 2nd?

Do You have anything either good or positive to say about The Habs ? Geez seems like every blog is Negative and your blogs used to be so much fun to read ! now always negative ... Being a True Fan means being behind the team thru thick and thin, its called LOYALTY , the wonderful thing about life is we are given the right to make choices , we can choose to be true fans and stick with the team or exercise our right to choose another Team ... and by the way Kovalchuk will be back next year, and Bergy accommodated him OUT OF RESPECT , He loved Montreal the Fans and the team, not many want to go to Montreal, we should be happy when someone made such an impression on his teammates and wants to be a Hab
- toneez

Nice mentality. You sure you're not a Leafs fan ?

I think MB acknowledges that Kovy is part of the pipeline to getting his asset Defenseman in Russia to come to North America. When you look at how poorly he dealt with the previous Russian stars....there has to be some cultural apprehension to come to Montreal....on top of all the regular media criticism and pressures.

It was a cooked-up deal from the start, an opportunity at redemption and move to a playoff contender if Montreal cannot turn it around. MB signed KOVY when the playoffs were a single-digit possibility.....too little too late....low risk.
- woodyCanadiens

I don't think Kovalchuk is coming back.

I don't think that bringing him back is the greatest idea anyway. I doubt this team's success goes hand in hand with a 37 year old player.

If Habs can sign Danault to a contract similar to the one Pageau got, I'd be all over that.

I don't think Kovalchuk is coming back.

I don't think that bringing him back is the greatest idea anyway. I doubt this team's success goes hand in hand with a 37 year old player.
- stinger67

They have enough wingers as is. Keep your money to try to get help on defense and a decent backup goalie.

If Habs can sign Danault to a contract similar to the one Pageau got, I'd be all over that.
- BashCH

That's a lot of money and term for a 3rd liner (Pageau)

That's a lot of money and term for a 3rd liner (Pageau)
- stinger67

He got 40 pts in 60 games, 24 goals this year. He can play up and down the lineup. He also performs well in the playoffs. I think he's worth it.