I know Montador has had some experience both and forward and defense. How have the Panthers been using him? Do you think he'll be back in '08-09? (Not a fantasy question, just a fan question )
He was used this year mostly on the checking lines, PK, and PP. He wants more than 1 million this year, likely, so I don't think I see him coming back. Some of the reports coming out sound like he doesn't believe he'll be back either.
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He had a career year and being a forward/defenseman is still a rarity that is a valuable commodity (since you've got one extra guy on your roster that can fill either position with an injury, or can start a game as a forward and finish as a defenseman if a need arises). So he's certainly worth a bit more than a standard checker.
That said, he apparently wants to meet with the new coach before discussing contracts (according to Biggane in Sun-Sentinel), and the Panthers are not sure they want to dish out cash for him, something of which he has already expressed understanding.
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"...and ultimately it doesn't matter."
He had a career year and being a forward/defenseman is still a rarity that is a valuable commodity (since you've got one extra guy on your roster that can fill either position with an injury, or can start a game as a forward and finish as a defenseman if a need arises). So he's certainly worth a bit more than a standard checker.
That said, he apparently wants to meet with the new coach before discussing contracts (according to Biggane in Sun-Sentinel), and the Panthers are not sure they want to dish out cash for him, something of which he has already expressed understanding.
He did have a great year and I appreciate what he did. He's a grinder who doens't mind mixing it up (although he only had 5 fights last season and didn't fare to well) and is a servicable defenseman if we need one. I actually like that about him when he's on the checking lines.
I'd like for him to come back, but I think he's going to be asking for more than 1.4 (based on last year's arbitration hearings) and I don't think Martin wants to pay him that, though Martin does seem to really like Monty. We'll have to wait and see, I gues, but he's valuable and knows the teammates already.
Monty is a great team guy, plays up or back, even good on the power play, great in the lockeroom and sticks up for his teamates. Re-signing him is a no-brainer which means he's as good as gone with passive jacques at the wheel. He'll let him go and sign another soft third line player instead. Then he'll trade his whipping boy Ollie for two more third line guys and a future fourth line guy.
I'm getting the feeling that Monty doesn't really want to be here anymore. I liked him and he was a good player who seemed to really overachieve and played beyond his capabilites, which is always nice to see. He's very improved and a good leader, but he's not a fantastic defensman by any means. If the salary got up pretty high, I'd pass on resigning him as long as we sign someone else who can make an impact with that money. It just depends. In Jacques eyes, watch him come out and say we have Belak to replace Monty as Belak occupies 4th line or extra dman spots (notice I didn't say plays, since he doesn't do much, only occupy that position), when clearly Monty is effective there.
I like Monty a lot. Versatile, hard-working, defensively responsible and plays any role you ask him.
But he's not going to be worth his pay-raise, at least for the Panthers. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense but with guys like Jay-Bo and Olesz about to get raises, I'm hoping that Monty gets his well-deserved raise with another team and has a successful remaining career.
I can see Monty getting as much as 1.5+ this summer. We're not going to pay him that much to be our 7th d-man or a reserve forward, and we shouldn't. Besides, he probably wants a regular spot in the lineup anyway. Hopefully he signs somewhere and becomes a regular. I wish him the best.
Guy is going to cash in and we wont match his offer. Every team needs a guy like him. Montador is great and is going to be missed. Didn't realize how good his numbers were for a fourth line guy who got some PP time. 8 goals and 23 points.
Well if you want Huselius back you can have him for nothing as he is a UFA. So i guess with that logic, if we keep Montador, we got him for nothing.
Why stop there? If we don't sign either and neither does Calgary, then both teams traded nothing for nothing...and if we sign Useless and they sign Monty it'll be like the trade never happened!
Huselius is definitely not re-signing with Calgary as he was still Keenan's whipping boy and he can't stand that. As an impending UFA, he's set to cash in too and a team like Vancouver or even Toronto could be willing to bring him in.
On Montador, he's a great team guy and all but I dont think you see any of the playoff teams with a guy like him on their roster, do you? That says something about what he's worth if you want to be a playoff team. I take nothing away from what he accomplished this yr or since he's been in FL and what he's been asked to do. Just obviously not worth what he's going to be asking for as a 4th liner/depth d-man.
Why stop there? If we don't sign either and neither does Calgary, then both teams traded nothing for nothing...and if we sign Useless and they sign Monty it'll be like the trade never happened!
Also if you lose UFA would you still get a late round draft pick (from league)?
Also if you lose UFA would you still get a late round draft pick (from league)?
JOL
I don't think you get anything for losing an UFA. Just an RFA who signs an offer sheet or an unsigned prospect who reenters the draft. Sometimes trades include conditional picks that depend upon a player resigning instead of going UFA, but this wasn't one of those deals.
Also if you lose UFA would you still get a late round draft pick (from league)?
JOL
Nah, they did away with that...
(Sorry, I'm a Penguin fan just passing through, I'm also your GM in IB's free agent game and, while I have a plan, I was just trying to get the attitude of the fans as best I could)...
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