Kovalev and Barnaby are guys that interst me from the Rags.
I am looking around and I see that Big Joe Thornton is a RFA, it would be intersting to see if the Bruins GM is dumb enough to play games with Joe because of the contract talks.
Kovalev and Barnaby are guys that interst me from the Rags.
I am looking around and I see that Big Joe Thornton is a RFA, it would be intersting to see if the Bruins GM is dumb enough to play games with Joe because of the contract talks.
I wouldn't mind Rolston or Murray is you're looking at Boston... forget Boston accepting to trade Thornton to their hated division rival.
If you want to dream, we have a much better shot at Lecavalier... not that there's much of a chance of that either.
I'd love the Habs to trade Rivet before the deadline, then not re-sign Quintal this summer and go sign a big UFA right D during the off-season.
Who are the best available?
That would take care of the right D... (UFA, Komi, Breezer), then you'd just have to hope Markov gets his act together & same for Hainsey and we'll be all set.
With Higgins, Balej, Perezhogin knocking on the door on offense... I'm not too worried there. Gainey will have enough assets to go get what he's looking for.
I'd love to see his game brought to Montreal he's a great third line center... and in adding him, he could easily slide in to Juneau's role right beside Sundstrom... 2/3 of the best third line in the NHL 2 years ago could be hammered out to be one of the best for next year
I'd love to see his game brought to Montreal he's a great third line center... and in adding him, he could easily slide in to Juneau's role right beside Sundstrom... 2/3 of the best third line in the NHL 2 years ago could be hammered out to be one of the best for next year
Agreed, Mike Ricci would be an absolutely wicked fit for the Habs.
Keith Primeau would be a perfect fit as third line center if not too expensive.. He is a big caracter guy that would help our kids alot to develop well!
Imagine something like this...
Ryder Koivu Perezhogin
Zednik Ribeiro Balej
Higgins Primeau Plekanec
Bulis Begin Ward
Bulis is a 3rd line player at the minimum, he deserves much better then that!
What we do from now until May will really decide what happens with this team in July and August.
At 400K, Stephane Quintal is very cheap, so probably not worth dealing. As a UFA, he will not be brought back, thus paving the way for a full time spot for Ron Hainsey or Mike Komisarek next season.
With Ryder, Koivu, Ribeiro, and Zednik, we have four top six forwards. Jan Bulis can stretch to make five, although he ideally, two years from now, will be the anchor of the checking line. If this team keeps up their 90-point pace, than maybe it makes sense to bring in a quality, over-30 veteran such as Brian Rolston.
If, say, we find our way to the second round this year, does it really make sense to forget about the playoff success and rebuild, especially when so many youngsters would've gained valuable experience. Whether you care to realize it or not, replacing four or five veterans with unproven rookies is the equivelant of six steps backwards, and one step forward. With Joe Juneau and Andreas Dackell, two thirds of the checking line, preparing to leave via free agency, their roles need to be filled.
If we want a successful team, than we need to have our maturing young players incorporated with talented veterans. If Gainey, Timmins, Gauthier, and Julien do not feel Kastistyn or Perezhogin can step onto the second line in 2004-05 (yes, I do think they will have a season), than we need a second line forward. In picking up a Mark Parrish or a Brendan Morrow, we allow M. Bulis to potentially slide on to one of the league's best third lines: Jan Bulis - Brian Rolston - Niklas Sundstrom.
Do you really think Montreal is going to let Quintal, Juneau, Perreault, Dackell all walk and replace they with 3 or 4 rookies?? I doubt it. Montreal will sign a free agent or two and let the youngers fight for the spot. You can't give the young players the spots they have to earn them in camp. I definitly see a big third line center coming to Montreal, and maybe a left winger in my opinion.
