Kesler's contract essentially is a UFA contract though. He only had 1 year of RFA eligibility left, so this is essentially a 5 year contract signed from UFA status. The Canucks likely had to pay for some of Kesler's UFA years in this, upping the price. Its a great contract for the Canucks as Kesler has shown consistent improvement year to year, whereas Pleks has been all over the place for us. We have no idea whether we're getting 70 point Pleks or AHL Pleks year to year.
I just wanted to point out that Plekanec has improved each and every year for us as well, save for his bad one last year. Now, I'm not saying this to point out he's as valuable as Kesler, and I don't know the curve Ryan has improved at, but something I felt needed clarification.
I just wanted to point out that Plekanec has improved each and every year for us as well, save for his bad one last year. Now, I'm not saying this to point out he's as valuable as Kesler, and I don't know the curve Ryan has improved at, but something I felt needed clarification.
Well, Pleks had an obvious regression last year, and even this year he isn't at the same level play-wise as he was in 2008. Point wise he is there, but I don't think he has been as good.
Well, Pleks had an obvious regression last year, and even this year he isn't at the same level play-wise as he was in 2008. Point wise he is there, but I don't think he has been as good.
Good gawd....you've been watching different games than I have. Pleks has never played with as much grit or as well defensively as he has in 2009-10.
I think Plekanec will re-sign with us at 4.5-5 million, somewhere around the Ryan Kesler term. Hopefully we can lock up Pleks for the same amount of years as well.
the burke trades, the signings and gm's behaviours, our cap situation considering we always were conservative, olympics' impact, canadian vs american dollar stimulating the number of canadian traveling fans, emergence of stamkos in tampa/tavares in long island, all the markets that had considerable growth over the last few years (and this year, vs last year)... like atlanta, columbus,washington, minesota, islanders, chicago even ottawa, boston, new jersey and the pens, ect... ... I hardly see how the cap can go down ... I have a feeling the cap is about to go up by a couple of milions... and with teams like the yotes making the playoffs... making more money (losing less), I doubt finding an owner, getting people to watch it... is ''more'' difficult than it was last year...
maybe Im wrong, but I can really see the cap going up by 2 milions. which would certainly make the tissue industry crash since so many of us are crying because the cap was ""supposed"" to go down.
my guess . plek 4.5-5m / year ... cap goes up by 2m ...
Good gawd....you've been watching different games than I have. Pleks has never played with as much grit or as well defensively as he has in 2009-10.
Yep, I think hes played with more. A prime example was him going into the corner wit Phaneuf last night. He made a hit before he got to the puck. Something I see him doing a lot when he goes into the boards. He's more of an aggressor this year.
Pleks would probably demand something around 5 mill and MTL would have no choice. But that contract will cripple the Habs.
What if there was another option:
Matthew Lombardi
Center
Born Mar 18 1982 -- Montreal, PQ
Age 28 yrs old
Height 5.11 -- Weight 191 -- Shoots L
Selected round 3 #90 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft (Calgary Flames)
Cap Hit: $1,816,666, 2010 (2010 UFA)
2009-10 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 69GP 16G 31A 47P 32PIM
My educated guess is that Lombardi signs for $3.5M x 4 yrs on July 1, 2010 to take over second line center role somewhere other than Phoenix (budgetary constraints), perhaps, with Anaheim (to potentially replace Koivu).
The hometown product, Lombardi, is fairly reliable for at least 40 Pts a season. Pleks may or may not maintain his current rate of production next season. Undoubtedly though, the latter's career year is certainly well timed.
What if MTL relinquished Pleks and went for Lombardi saving up to $2M?
Center
Born Mar 18 1982 -- Montreal, PQ
Age 28 yrs old
Height 5.11 -- Weight 191 -- Shoots L
Selected round 3 #90 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft (Calgary Flames)
Cap Hit: $1,816,666, 2010 (2010 UFA)
2009-10 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 69GP 16G 31A 47P 32PIM
My educated guess is that Lombardi signs for $3.5M x 4 yrs on July 1, 2010 to take over second line center role somewhere other than Phoenix (budgetary constraints), perhaps, with Anaheim (to potentially replace Koivu).
The hometown product, Lombardi, is fairly reliable for at least 40 Pts a season. Pleks may or may not maintain his current rate of production next season. Undoubtedly though, the latter's career year is certainly well timed.
What if MTL relinquished Pleks and went for Lombardi saving up to $2M?
I always liked Lombardi but i'm not convinced he can be a consistent 2nd line center. Yes he's having a good year this year but he was never that consistent in Calgary. I think I'd rather pay 5M on Plekanec than 3.5 on a guy that may or may not live up to his good year this year. At least we know with Plekanec what we're getting (regular season anyway). I think it's important to try to keep the "chance" game out of it. I'd rather overpay on a guy like Marleau and make some trades (AK-SK) then bring in a guy who might fall back to a 3rd line center. Money is of course a problem, but the Habs simply can't make any mistakes on signings. If its not a sure thing, steer clear.
