Nokelainen just started skating on his own today. There's basically 6 weeks until the deadline. After the deadline, rosters expand (at least it was that way in the previous CBA).
My guess is they'll wait for that before activating him. Chances are we'll have at least 1 other injury anyway.
Unless, of course, someone makes a worthy offer on Weber (at least a 3rd rounder) or Kaberle (taking on the entire contract).
From best scenario to worse:
1. Kaberle traded
2. Noke waived/traded
3. Armstrong waived/traded
4. White clears waiver, going to Hamilton
5. Weber waived/traded
6. White waived/traded
From best scenario to worse:
1. Kaberle traded
2. Noke waived/traded
3. Armstrong waived/traded
4. White clears waiver, going to Hamilton
5. Weber waived/traded
6. White waived/traded
3, 4 and 6 won't happen.
Weber is most likely getting traded for a 7th round pick.
Waive Kaberle. If someone claims him, great. If not, Hamilton gets better and the Habs get 900k (pro rated) cap space. And Kaberle gets to play for pro scouts.
I know the following will sound weird but I think Nokelainen is... a keeper! He is our only above average player in the faceoff circle. Plus, he is right handed. I like him as a #4C.
That said, if White and Dumont can thrive in the circle, I would be willing to waive him if it becomes necessary.
Shipping Weber out is also a possibility; especially with Kaberle as the #7D, Saint-Denis onboard and Tinordi knocking at the door.
Waive Kaberle. If someone claims him, great. If not, Hamilton gets better and the Habs get 900k (pro rated) cap space. And Kaberle gets to play for pro scouts.
Waive Kaberle. If someone claims him, great. If not, Hamilton gets better and the Habs get 900k (pro rated) cap space. And Kaberle gets to play for pro scouts.
Not a bad suggestion. At least that way Kaberle maintains game shape incase we need him (due to injury) down the stretch.
Best case he gets claimed and we can save our remaining amnesty buyout for the summer of 2014 just incase we need it then.
Well i'm assuming he won't be qualified this summer so he's basically a goner in a few months anyway. Would you rather have the depth or whatever pick you can get?
If it came down to us really needing the depth i think we'd make a trade...i can't imagine the Habs being comfortable with Weber in the lineup at this point for an extended stretch.
I know the following will sound weird but I think Nokelainen is... a keeper! He is our only above average player in the faceoff circle. Plus, he is right handed. I like him as a #4C.
That said, if White and Dumont can thrive in the circle, I would be willing to waive him if it becomes necessary.
Shipping Weber out is also a possibility; especially with Kaberle as the #7D, Saint-Denis onboard and Tinordi knocking at the door.
Noke is a perfect 12/13th forward, very solid defensively on the PK and his ability to play centre/wing is a plus.
As for the original post I think we probably trade Weber once Noke is back, unless somehow someone wants Kaberle around the trade deadline then obviously he's the first guy I'd want dealt.
I know the following will sound weird but I think Nokelainen is... a keeper! He is our only above average player in the faceoff circle. Plus, he is right handed. I like him as a #4C.
That said, if White and Dumont can thrive in the circle, I would be willing to waive him if it becomes necessary.
Shipping Weber out is also a possibility; especially with Kaberle as the #7D, Saint-Denis onboard and Tinordi knocking at the door.
This. For this year at least. Nokelainen doesn't have the grit I want on our 4th line, but at least he can win important faceoffs in our zone, and he's not prone to White's stupid penalties. White needs to cut the crap, or I don't want him on this team, he's a dime-a-dozen type of player.
People don't want Weber traded for less than a 3rd? He's not even playing for us! As pointed before, a 5th round pick can bring you a Gallagher. Markov was a 7th round pick. Let Weber go, at least there's a chance someone wants him, contrary to Kaberle and his contract.
Well i'm assuming he won't be qualified this summer so he's basically a goner in a few months anyway. Would you rather have the depth or whatever pick you can get?
If it came down to us really needing the depth i think we'd make a trade...i can't imagine the Habs being comfortable with Weber in the lineup at this point for an extended stretch.
Wow, you really think Weber would not get a QO? He makes no money. He's a RH shot, has shown he can score goals, had a very good OHL/AHL pedigree and is still fairly young. Him falling out of favor has far more to do with Diaz's solid play than anything Weber has done.
I don't know why Ellerby only went for a 5th, but I don't get most of what Dale Tallon does anyway. We hear all the time how teams want offensive D's who can play a regular shift, you have to think someone at some point will want Weber and be willing to pay a 3rd for him.
If you buy out Kaberle this summer, you are down to 7 D's+the Hamilton kids who may or may not be ready. Bergevin has stated several times you need as many D's as possible to get through a season. I don't see why we need to just toss Weber away.
Bergevin himself said Weber was a NHLer when talking to the media 2-3 weeks ago and wasn't going to just trade him for the sake of trading him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HCH
Don't we have to use our amnesty buyout this summer or lose it?
You can use it in the summer of 2014 too.
Last edited by Marc the Habs Fan: 02-18-2013 at 12:40 PM.
If one of Nokelainen Kaberle or Weber has to go and the return for any of them is going to be slight then trade one of the small/soft defencemen and keep the journeyman (but faceoff-capable) forward IMO.
