wasnt there a story pre-season or sometime about him asking to be traded out west to be closer to his family or something?
or was that just hearsay?
Speculation, nothing more. Souray himself denied that rumor.
I think Souray's just stating the obvious. Markov is head and shoulders above any other D on this team, therefore he should be a priority. I would have been more concerned had Souray not acknowledged that fact. I fully agree on his reasoning for both him and Rivet.
The problem now is that, that big friendship and great spirit in the dressing room, Souray is definately a big part of, something Markov may not be as important ( my idea anyway). Hockey wise, Markov is more important no doubt.
So if Gainey really has to make a choice it will be between:
Markov's hockey abilities VS Markov's demands for next year's salary and his better return in a trade vs Souray
AGAINST
Souray's great qualities of leadership and importance in the PP VS his defensive problems and a greater desire to leave ( due to his family).
But in the end I agree with Sheldon as far as starting the negos with Markov, 'cause what if Markov wants to go??????
if Souray can demand 5 to 6 mill on a longterm
signing him is a moot point
while he is a leader in the dressing room and his goals on the PP
His defensive ability is far away from 5 to 6 mill a year!!
I think if ther money was there he would stay but like most Habs fans I would keep Markov first and I think Sheldon realizes that. I think Markov and Rivet are more likely to remain here.
According to the article Rivet could be had for 3.5 and Markov for 4.. which means if we are able to bring Emelin from Russia, we would pay him something like 500k - 600k and only increase our payroll by around 1mill. Our defense would be:
Andrei Markov is going to be resigned at some point this season...he'll get around 3.8 to 4.2 mil (Kaberle's at 4.25).
Craig Rivet will be resigned but at no more than 3mil/yr...anything above that is overpaying IMO, and the Habs should explore other options should that be the case. Hell, I even think 3mil/yr is too much.
They won't negotiate with Sheldon Souray during the year, they'll have aspiration to sign him in the offseason, but other teams will overpay for Souray and he'll resign somewhere else. He'll get more money than Markov on the open market which is ridiculous if you ask me.
I think it's a refreshing article. Souray's a bright guy who understands the business of hockey. Markov is the best player of the 3 and is needed. Rivet is in a situation that he wants to stay and he thinks it can be worked out. Souray has a particular skill that seems to be in demand on the market. He'd be silly not to see if he is in the McCabe stratosphere.
He seems clear that there are a lot of scenarios that can happen, and change the 'givens'. He doesn't rule anything out, but he understands how it works.
If Gainey was to tell him in the spring that his services were appreciated but they wouldn't be making a competitive offer because their $ was best spent elsewhere, you won't hear a negative word, he gets how it works.
As far as dealing him, well, what has a higher value, what he contributes now thru the end of the year, or the possible return ? I guess it depends how the team looks at the halfway point.
I respect Souray for the way he's approached this,but I don't think it tells us anything we didn't know.
I think it's a refreshing article. Souray's a bright guy who understands the business of hockey. Markov is the best player of the 3 and is needed. Rivet is in a situation that he wants to stay and he thinks it can be worked out. Souray has a particular skill that seems to be in demand on the market. He'd be silly not to see if he is in the McCabe stratosphere.
He seems clear that there are a lot of scenarios that can happen, and change the 'givens'. He doesn't rule anything out, but he understands how it works.
If Gainey was to tell him in the spring that his services were appreciated but they wouldn't be making a competitive offer because their $ was best spent elsewhere, you won't hear a negative word, he gets how it works.
As far as dealing him, well, what has a higher value, what he contributes now thru the end of the year, or the possible return ? I guess it depends how the team looks at the halfway point.
I respect Souray for the way he's approached this,but I don't think it tells us anything we didn't know.
Let just say I don't have too much problem with the part that says Markov first. Like I said previously, he's our most important d-man, you need to talk to him first in order at least to find out if he's interested coming back. The part about Rivet, I mean, it's not because he's interested that I should be ( not saying I'm not but for me it's somewhat irrelevant, if he really wishes to stay, like Souray says, we shouldn't be obliged to pay him more than 3. More than that and Souray becomes more important money for performance...)
But the rest is what scares me the most, sounds like " Well, so long, it's been fun, thanks for having me...." Do not let room too much for interpretation....I feel like he's preparing the fans as far as it's not because I'll leave that it's somebody's fault. I feel it's more a "Deal with those 2, and then you'll find out that you can't afford me" then a " Deal with those 2, and then we'll work something out 'cause I want to play for the Habs but moreso I want our core D to remain the same..."
2) As much as I hate Rivet, well, always been a Hab, always will (ala Koivu);
3) After having spent 8M+ for Markov-Rivet, Habs will never be able to offer something decent to Souray (4M$?), who will easily get a 5M$+ multi-year contract on the open-market.
I say keep Souray all-season, benefit from the much needed offense he provides and let him walk after a great playoff run.
wow, the guy is gone. I can't wait to see what will happen. I really think we have a better team WITH souray. Now it depends on what return we can get for him.
well as much as i appreciate sourays good work in the physical departement and his offensive contribution, we will not be able to retain him, and the best thing to do would be to trade him whiles he's hot and get some top tier talent in return, prefferably at center
Whitesnake, I think willingness to sign has been a factor in some of the last few negotiations, so it is something that matters,imo. I think 3 is high for Rivet, and I like the guy. I'd hope that you could keep Markov and Rivet for not much more than 7. 2.75 and 4.5 maybe,but I'm usually way off on these things,so...
I agree with Ryan W. in terms of what to do going forward. It's all speculative though. Who knows what Markov thinks ? It's not like he's on open line shows or anything.
Whitesnake, I think willingness to sign has been a factor in some of the last few negotiations, so it is something that matters,imo. I think 3 is high for Rivet, and I like the guy. I'd hope that you could keep Markov and Rivet for not much more than 7. 2.75 and 4.5 maybe,but I'm usually way off on these things,so...
I agree with Ryan W. in terms of what to do going forward. It's all speculative though. Who knows what Markov thinks ? It's not like he's on open line shows or anything.
What I meant is that even if Niniimaa is willing to sign here, I won't care.... If Rivet's willingness to sign means that he would consider going for less than 3, I'm all for it, and willingness definately means something.
As far as to what Markov thinks, that's the obvious key. Gainey has to find out what are his intentions hence the reason to speak to him first.
I don't understand why everyone is so determined not to lose Souray for nothing. The habs are one of the better teams in the East, and if anything they will be buyers at the deadline, not sellers. I'm looking for Gainey to add a player at the deadline that he knows will walk at the end of the year.
I think too many of you undervalue what Souray brings on the offensive aspect of things.
Sure he's got defensive blunders, but who would replace him if we trade him now?
We'd have nothing but Markov on the PP...I already hate seeing Rivet there already, imagine if he starts spending twice as much time on the point..ugh...
Unless we can get a seriously talented 2nd line center (young too), i dont think it wise to trade him at all. I think he would be an incredibly valuable asset during the playoffs.
Maybe Emelin will be able to step up (assuming he ever comes over) but it wouldnt be for another 2 years at least.
Despite Souray's defensive disabilities, we still dont have anybody that can step up like he can.
Although i do feel intrigued by the whole scenario...
In the Non-Cap world it would've been ideal to keep all 3 of these guys. However, If Markov is going to get $5mill+(and he will...don't quote Kaberle contract cause that was a season removed and he is underpaid) I wouldn't offer more then a 2yr$4.5 mill contract to Rivet. Ninny walks at the end of the season.
I'm sure Gainey has talked to Souray and knows what is in his plans for next year. I trust Gainey to do what's right for the team. I would think if we are not top 4 in the conference Souray would be dealt at the deadline. Tough situation tho
I don't buy it. I have a feeling the article just takes what Souray said and makes it look like he isn't going to re-sign. The truth is Souray understands the reality of the situation and was just stating the obvious, which the article has taken and made it look like he wants out.
I don't buy it. I have a feeling the article just takes what Souray said and makes it look like he isn't going to re-sign. The truth is Souray understands the reality of the situation and was just stating the obvious, which the article has taken and made it look like he wants out.
I still believe he will be back.
I agree with this guy. I knew while reading the article this morning over my bowl of frosted mini-wheats that by the time I got upstairs to my computer that there would be a thread like this with people taking the article as a sign that he wants out. It's really ridiculous how people in this city take the smallest hint of anything and turn it into an extravaganza of useless chatter! He was stating the obvious, simple as that!
If Rivet's willingness to sign means that he would consider going for less than 3, I'm all for it, and willingness definately means something.
