No, Markov should and Is the number 1 priority back there. If theres enough for Wiz, great, but Markov is a top 5 puck moving defenseman in the league. When hes in the line up, the team looks much faster, just because of his outlet passes.
It would also be nice if Emelin could come over. I'd take a pass on Gill and Hammer if at all possible. Love what they have done for the team but it's time to rejuvenate the D.
I never said that a player like Markov was easy to find. In fact, I said the exact opposite. Reread my post.
My point was that a guy like Markov is much harder to find than a guy like Wiz. Wiz is a triggerman (albeit a very good one at that), which isn't nearly has hard to find as a puck mover like Markov. The difference between the two is that Markov makes everyone around him better and Wiz does not. We've seen Souray, Streit, MAB and now Wiz as the triggermen on the PP over the past bunch of seasons. When one has left, we've always found another. When Markov left he could not be replaced. The transition game and the PP have clearly struggled because of it. If it weren't for Subban it would have been even worse.
The original question in this thread was Markov OR Wiz. I'm all for signing both, but if comes down to a decision it's a no brainer IMO unless the doctors are screaming "NO". At this point, Markovs rehab is on track and I imagine the doctors are confident that he can make an effective return next year. If thats the case in June, then they can't walk away from Markov. It would be a terrible decision.
Markov isn't easy to find. Neither is Wiz. Streit, Souray & Mab aren't could comparisons. Wiz offers more elements than does three to our team currently especially if Markov were to get injured again.
The fact is that Markov hasn't been able to play a full season for the last 2-3 years without getting injured and he's over 30....that's fact fact!...so to pencil him in as if he won't get injured again is ridiculous. Our team has proven that they can play without him. Of course it would be great to have him injury free but the chances of him getting injured again are very high.
To replace Markov would be almost impossible. To replace Wiz would be very difficult too. As we have seen when Streit & Souray were let go. Our power play game and transition game was drastically hurting without a few offensive defensemen.
Management shouldn't be looking at which of the two to sign. They need to sign both. If they don't, that would be a very stupid move and backwards steps.
7G 23A 30PTS in 42 GP with the Habs, a pace of almost 60 PTS!
Not to mention 105 hits and 115 blocked shots (80 with Habs alone) to top it off. In his prime at 27 years old too.
Markov is obviously the more skilled Dman, but given the injury worries and not knowing if Markov will indeed be the same player he was, wouldnt it make more sense to throw a $3-4 mil per to Wiz over Markov at this point? To me its a pretty easy choice.
Team was much better after Wiz arrived. Markov is a tough talent to lose. He is a big cap hit and be 33 next fall.
I was thinking the other day keep defense together for next year except trade Gorges with a forward for another power forward or to move up in draft.
One aspect of business is minimizing risk. Markov, as talented as he is, is a big risk. I would hate to loose out on Wiz or another significant player because of signing Markov and then he gets injured again. Markov burned us three years in a row with his injuries, I know, not his fault.
One aspect of business is minimizing risk. Markov, as talented as he is, is a big risk. I would hate to loose out on Wiz or another significant player because of signing Markov and then he gets injured again. Markov burned us three years in a row with his injuries, I know, not his fault.
This whole thing is a real crapshoot...Markov has had some real bad luck, and everyone is on edge as to what to do....PG has some real tough decisions this offseason....
I hope Markov and his agent are reasonable in their expectations going forward...but mentioning reasonable, and agent in the same thought, doesn't make alot of sense...
Typical Hab fan reaction. Wiz is better then Markov... In what world ? He causes almost 3 major turnovers per game. His play defensively is bad, not MAB or Souray like bad - but bad. No other top 4 D-man does more careless mistake passes in our own zone - and there's a reason for that.
My guess is that they will not even try to sign Wiz. He does not fit the "defense first" system. In fact, the way he plays, Wiz is practically pushing for high offensive stats, for his new contract, elsewhere.
Wiz was the third backup option, one year, because of the injuries. He's not a key building block for the future, like Markov is.
Just like you were ready to give Plek for a bag of pucks two summers ago - he had bad stats. And Price over Halak - bad stats. And AK for a 3rd round pick - bad stats and bad attitude.
Lucky that the Habs management seems to know hockey a little better.
That's my only problem. That defense is weak as hell in terms of physicality. I think we've finally realized that strictly finesse only isn't going to get it done. So who goes?
That's my only problem. That defense is weak as hell in terms of physicality. I think we've finally realized that strictly finesse only isn't going to get it done. So who goes?
Spacek and Wiz and replace them with 2 big nasty hard hitting d-men.
Spacek and Wiz and replace them with 2 big nasty hard hitting d-men.
Wiz is known for dropping them once in a while. Now that Calgary is out, I'd really try to land Regehr with a package including Weber in the off-season. They definitely have to make some changes and Regehr is 30. It'll give us time until Tinordi is ready. And you bring back Mara as the 7th defenseman.
Wiz is known for dropping them once in a while. Now that Calgary is out, I'd really try to land Regehr with a package including Weber in the off-season. They definitely have to make some changes and Regehr is 30. It'll give us time until Tinordi is ready. And you bring back Mara as the 7th defenseman.
I have no clue who to sign. What's the health status of Markov and Gorges?
With the emergence of P.K., we have to make sure that we retain one of Markov and Wiz, but if we sign Markov, it's a risky gamble. Markov has been my favorite hab for a long time, but what kind of contract do you offer him? If the habs don't want to commit a lot for him, we can be pretty sure some other team will. If he does get re-signed, I wouldn't mind trying to bring Emelin over.
Gill and Hammer have been pretty solid in their own style all year, even tho they are not getting younger. Would they wanna sign a contract at a hometown discount?
Wiz has been a pretty darn good replacement for Markov. Younger, entering his career peak. He's gonna want big money. It's pretty obvious that we are not gonna be able to sign both him and Markov.
I'm just glad I'm not the one who has to make those decisions!
Replace Gill with Emelin, keep Hamrlik around and use Spacek as your #7. Brendon Nash in the minors for depth. I don't know what happens to Weber in this situation but I prefer this to yours... but that's only my opinion
Am I missing something with Gill? Everyone has him pencilled into the line-up and the guy has been BAD this year. Unfortunately commentators seem to highlight a poke-check or a blocked shot here and there.... then everyone is on the bandwagon forgetting about the mistakes and his physical inability to get from point A to point B.
Sign both. Markov is still young, if he can play without injury his body has been rested for almost 2 years, so he could really have a break out return.
Wiz as a 3rd offensive Dman with Subban on the team gives the Habs some great possibilities. I think Wiz maybe a hot commodity on the UFA this year though cause of his stats, look what Streit and Souray fetched from their time here!
Only thing is Wiz maybe should consider his career would be best suited to play in Montreal and their system.
If we had to choose between them, we'd be probably be better off with Wiz. Markov is the better blueliner, but he's older and far more brittle. Not saying that he's finished or that he's useless but anything he contributes now is a bonus. That knee is highly suspect and he's at the point where he's a serious injury risk. We can't assume he'll play full seasons for us anymore.
Wiz is 25 and has been great for us. He might never be as good as Markov but he was a really good signing and he's a much safer play.
