Realistically, who should the Habs target now that Markov's gone?
If Markov's done for the year, the Habs have a lot of money to work with. They have 2 needs. a top pairing D-man and a forward. I think they have about 7 million to work with.
Who's available and who do you think would be a good fit....lets be realistic here.
I really wanted Ian White but that ship has already sailed.
If Markov's done for the year, the Habs have a lot of money to work with. They have 2 needs. a top pairing D-man and a forward. I think they have about 7 million to work with.
Who's available and who do you think would be a good fit....lets be realistic here.
I really wanted Ian White but that ship has already sailed.
Bieksa is the obvious one...he's a top 4 guy, RH shot, plus we can probably get him cheap because Vancouver will have to dump salary soon...unless the decide to move Salo instead(though he has a NTC).
I can see at the deadline but the Islanders can't afford to trade him now unless we overpay. Vancouver on the other hand is in a bind and very few teams could take on Bieksa wither because they are "capped out" or don't have the budget.
I would love to see Kaberle come over, but the Leafs will want too much unfortunately.
I would dangle our first rounder for this upcoming draft, you know Burkie would love to have a first rounder....maybe add a prospect...get Kabs and then re-sign him using Hammers money.....
He'd be perfect but the Burke would want an arm and a leg.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BLONG7
I would dangle our first rounder for this upcoming draft, you know Burkie would love to have a first rounder....maybe add a prospect...get Kabs and then re-sign him using Hammers money.....
If we could re-sign Kaberle, I would do it...Kaberle is so good with the puck - better than Markov imo. Markov is huge defensively though, whereas Kaberle is pretty limited in his own end.
Doughty, Myers and Erik Johnson could have been here, but as they dont have played every year, its very difficult to place them accordingly to their real value over these seasons.
On the average, Doughty is tied with Zidlicky for 129 pts, Myers sits in front of Boyle with 144 pts, and Erik Johnson is tied with Ehrhoff and Bouwmeester at 108 pts.
Now, we also have to take consideration of the age of the players.
In red, the players who are today at 33, or older.
In green, the players who are today at 27, or younger.
I have not used the average in term of points, because as Markov's injuries showed us, the durability, the luck and a lot of things have to be considered...
(Btw, with only 2 and 1/2 half season, Markov is sitting for 4th in scoring, with 2 players in front of him who are absolutely not better than him defensively, which shows why it's probably stupid to trade him before even be sure of his condition)
The obvious pick, for me, in term of talent, will be Kaberle.
I'm not a fan of intra-division trades, though...and Burke's trades are always steals. It could go both ways, are you ready to take a chance ?
This summer, if he's available, he will be for sure overpayed.
I dont think Ehrhoff will hit UFA.
Pitkanen is not that solid defensively, McCabe will be over 35. He's still putting solid numbers though, a one year contract could be good...
White could have been a nice move, but it is too late.
Instead of offering an offer sheet to Weber, i will consider the Yandle option first, he would be way less expensive.
Or if Nashville is giving a lot of money to Weber, try to trade for Suter, less flashy, but as (if not more) efficient than Weber.
If Markov's done for the year, the Habs have a lot of money to work with. They have 2 needs. a top pairing D-man and a forward. I think they have about 7 million to work with.
Who's available and who do you think would be a good fit....lets be realistic here.
I really wanted Ian White but that ship has already sailed.
I'm fine with Picard/Weber. Until scared into thinking otherwise. But I didn't get scared into thinking otherwise with the games Markov missed at the start of the season, so I'm not expecting to be scared anytime soon.
This D seems capable of absorbing the loss of Markov.
I mean, you can always watch for bargains, if any show up. But I wouldn't go beating down the doors of teams looking for a good futures return or any of our top prospects in exchange for a rental player. If a team like Vancouver gets desperate to dump somebody cheap (i.e. Bieksa) or if some other risk-laden gamble appears on the radar "for free" (e.g. Souray on re-entry waivers), I would consider such freebie options.
But I wouldn't go shopping with desperation writ large upon my forehead in the immediate wake of a Markov diagnosis.
I would dangle our first rounder for this upcoming draft, you know Burkie would love to have a first rounder....maybe add a prospect...get Kabs and then re-sign him using Hammers money.....
Why go after Kaberle for a 1st and good prospect when Bieksa might be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. I don't see Kaberle getting moved unless somebody overpays right now, Burke knows he can keep him for 3 more months then get as much or more return.
Why go after Kaberle for a 1st and good prospect when Bieksa might be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. I don't see Kaberle getting moved unless somebody overpays right now, Burke knows he can keep him for 3 more months then get as much or more return.
IMO the Habs need Markov's prognosis ASAP in order to do anything. If he's gone for the season, I guess tinkering with what's here ATM is the best solution before moving forward. I'd really like to see Gill replaced with something more mobile and get Spacek back to his natural side.
Hamrlik - Subban
Spacek - Gorges
Picard - Weber
I know, I know - Gill must stay.
Hamrlik - Subban
Spacek - Gorges
Gill - Weber
I guess Bieksa is the long rumored solution but why? Before the Habs would have had to clear cap space but at least each day he becomes a less expensive solution as does anyone else.
Hamrlik - Subban
Spacek - Gorges
Gill - Bieksa
I'd still like to know if it was management's goal to end up with too many left D's or was another move going to be made last year but because of injuries it never could happen.
I'm fine with Picard/Weber. Until scared into thinking otherwise. But I didn't get scared into thinking otherwise with the games Markov missed at the start of the season, so I'm not expecting to be scared anytime soon.
This D seems capable of absorbing the loss of Markov.
I mean, you can always watch for bargains, if any show up. But I wouldn't go beating down the doors of teams looking for a good futures return or any of our top prospects in exchange for a rental player. If a team like Vancouver gets desperate to dump somebody cheap (i.e. Bieksa) or if some other risk-laden gamble appears on the radar "for free" (e.g. Souray on re-entry waivers), I would consider such freebie options.
But I wouldn't go shopping with desperation writ large upon my forehead in the immediate wake of a Markov diagnosis.
If Markov is out for the season IMHO it makes no sense for Gauther not to go out and get another 20 minute guy, especially with all the teams looking to dump salary. If you force Spacek and Hamrlik to play like the first half of last year, they will struggle again in February March and April. Take advantage of the LITR room to add a 3-4 mil defenseman, even if you don't replace Markov skillwise you at least limit the wear on Gorges, Hamrlik, Spacek and Subban. Picard can't play 20 min and neither can Gill so the other 4 have to eat 22-25 for 63-64 more games not counting man games to more injuries. I'm not suggesting moving our best prospects, definitely look fort a bargain(Bieksa is the most obvious).
Guys like Gill, Picard and Weber are fine as #5-6 but once you are forced to play them more than that they get exposed.
I don't agree. 1 for 1 Kaberle is better...better puck mover and PP QB, but Bieksa is tougher and more physical, brings another RH shot and is not a stiff with the puck(128 pts in 299 games).
I don't agree. 1 for 1 Kaberle is better...better puck mover and PP QB, but Bieksa is tougher and more physical, brings another RH shot and is not a stiff with the puck(128 pts in 299 games).
If Toronto moves Kaberle they would want an NHLer coming back...they would probably prefer a more established NHLer(Krejci, Weiss type) but might make the deal for Eller if the Habs added a 1st. Just trying to make it what the price would realisically be.
