I keep hearing we are looking for a d-man heading into the deadline, but I just don't get why. The injuries to Spacek, Gill, and Wisniewski appear to be minor and they will not miss much time. You can always improve your corps, but this would likely mean the extra d-man bodies would either have to be moved to the minors (Mara, Picard, Nash) or traded.
Do you think it is likely that the Habs will be the ones to move a d-man by the deadline rather than acquiring one? (a la Spacek)
Many teams are rumored to be looking for experienced "safety net" d-men heading into the stretch run.
Nash has been sent back to the AHL. Aside from carrying 8 (we have the cap space) the only move defense wise I could see is putting Picard on waivers and sending him to Hamilton.
If we trade for a Dman you can bet one is going back the other way.
I keep hearing we are looking for a d-man heading into the deadline, but I just don't get why. The injuries to Spacek, Gill, and Wisniewski appear to be minor and they will not miss much time. You can always improve your corps, but this would likely mean the extra d-man bodies would either have to be moved to the minors (Mara, Picard, Nash) or traded.
Do you think it is likely that the Habs will be the ones to move a d-man by the deadline rather than acquiring one? (a la Spacek)
Many teams are rumored to be looking for experienced "safety net" d-men heading into the stretch run.
The only way we unload a d-man via trade is if we move Spacek because we need cap room...while adding a solid stay at home guy. Once everybody is healthy I think Nash and Picard get sent to Hamilton.
To me, this would be an excellent defensive squad, one of the best in the league in fact. Almost every guy on that squad can help our transition game. Combined with our fast forwards, we would be known as a team that can go from end to end in an instant, against which you must always be careful.
Whether or not you need to offload someone depends on what you want out of Spacek. 4 M$ is pretty expensive for a 7th D. I would be in favour of getting rid of him, especially if we still keep Gomez. We might want to get a more robust #7. Perhaps keep a spot for Emelin? I'm not sure if it would be good to have this many rookies, though. You could also keep Gill in that role, if he accepts.
Or you can let Weber be 7th and use money saved from Gomez and Spacek to throw it at a good defenseman. I'm not sure much will be available this summer though.
Ideally we use that cap space to sign Brad Richards, but I think I'm daydreaming here.
Anyway, I think the emergence of Weber, and the fact that Spacek has never really been able to establish himself as a productive top 4 in our lineup, should spell the end of his stay in Montréal.
perhaps an erroneus report but Spacek is done for the season because of a knee injury...via Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News.
"- Montreal's Jaroslav Spacek is out for the year with a knee injury along with Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges. Hal Gill also is injured but should return."
Jacques Martin's system is hard on defense men. We need to plan for 9-10 players over a year, not only 7. Injuries are encouraged with his system.
Must be the same in Vancouver with Vigneault's systems - NOT (thanks Bev Oda).
Quote:
Take out the trapezoid and allow goaltenders to handle the puck anywhere on the ice.
Bowman said it would help protect defencemen from being pulverized on the forecheck and while a good puckhandling goalie could neutralize an opposing team's forecheck, a bad puckhandling goalie could result in turnovers and more offence.
I don't see the Habs unloading a d-man. The Spacek seems to be a mystery. But looking back Wiz was acquired surpisingly but then news came out that Gorges was done. So I'm wondering if acquiring Mara is a reaction to Spacek being done. I guess I don't want to add fuel to the fire on that rumor but now I do wonder. Spacek couldn't skate at all and hasn't been on the ice evidently.
Having said that I wouldn't be surprised if the Habs are still looking for a d-man to slot in the top four. I'd prefer Gill on a third pairing and not with Subban on the second pairing. As it is and if they are all healthy enough is it going to be.........
I keep hearing we are looking for a d-man heading into the deadline, but I just don't get why. The injuries to Spacek, Gill, and Wisniewski appear to be minor and they will not miss much time. You can always improve your corps, but this would likely mean the extra d-man bodies would either have to be moved to the minors (Mara, Picard, Nash) or traded.
Do you think it is likely that the Habs will be the ones to move a d-man by the deadline rather than acquiring one? (a la Spacek)
Many teams are rumored to be looking for experienced "safety net" d-men heading into the stretch run.
If i have to choose 7 to come back i chose the bolded
You know, I'd love to see Wiz working on his positioning and I think Gill is the best partner for that. Wiz is entering his prime, but he can still learn to not get caught out of place.
