Engqvist will not be the 4th line centre this year. I can almost guarantee it. PG will pick up a defensive specialist /face off man for that position. Faceoffs killed the Habs this year.
I hope you are right. With Engqvist as a regular, we are in very bad position
PG is a pretty smart man. Marting as well. On July 1st they targeted their needs in a power forward and got him. Yah hes a bit overpaid but nonetheless it was a glaring need just like a face off man /penalty killer is. They will pick someone up before camp starts
Hannan would need to be signed at a longer term contract, I think that's what's keeping Gauthier away. Maybe he has confidence in the young guys, and if he does I can see them signing Mara to a one year contract instead of Hannan at 3-4 years.
I think a 4th line center that can win face offs, and a depth on defense like Mara or Sopel... As an organization the Habs have to start giving young players like Weber, Emelin, and White the ice time to succeed.
Markov-Emelin
Gorges-Subban
Gill-Weber
Spacek
Mara
Diaz
Nash
Henry
That's good enough depth imo, and if someone key goes down, we're making a trade anyway. Hannan doesn't replace markov if he is hurt, he only takes ice time from the kids.
@andystrickland
Andy Strickland
It looks like Brad Winchester will be signing with Vancouver although nothing has been finalized at this point #Canucks http://t.co/eIFYWB1
I hope you are right. With Engqvist as a regular, we are in very bad position
As a 4th line center? I dont see it as a problem and if he does make the team that means that he's ready. Big right handed center with some potential as a 4th line center is perfect. I don't think it would mean that the team is in a bad position.
But we all know you're happy about it.... Happy for Vancouver though, a player like Winchester could of made a heck of a difference against Boston.
As for us, well, let's hope that either Conboy, Schultz or Henry impress the **** out of Martin and Cunneyworth has a word on who stays and goes.
Makes sense for Vancouver. Glass and Rypien are gone as well as Torres. It's not Maxim who gonna drop them !
As for the Habs, the team is preety much set in the heads of Gauthier and Martin. Maybe they wanted Winchester, but not as bad as Vancouver. And Winchester could be on a contending team right now instead of a pretender like Montreal. Vancouver ain't a bad place to live in the winter (or any other seasons...)...
So thre will be a bit of competiotion next camp between Engqvist, Blunden, Trotter, Palushaj and maybe Conboy for that #13 forward spot.
We have $5m in cap space with everyone signed, so I think we're waiting closer to the deadline when teams get more desperate to clear cap space, like a Hudler or Malone. Or even someone like Clarkson from Jersey if they have problems signing Parise.
Gomez will even be in play if we can find another team desperate to reach the cap floor.
I don't know exactly how it'll work but with our available cap space we have a lot of options. Things may change more than they have already.
We have $5m in cap space with everyone signed, so I think we're waiting closer to the deadline when teams get more desperate to clear cap space, like a Hudler or Malone. Or even someone like Clarkson from Jersey if they have problems signing Parise.
Gomez will even be in play if we can find another team desperate to reach the cap floor.
I don't know exactly how it'll work but with our available cap space we have a lot of options. Things may change more than they have already.
The only way I see the Habs using that cap space is to find a solid puck-shooter for Markov or a puck distributor for Subban, but that would mean one of Emelin-Weber goes, and I'm not sure I want that.
What can the Habs use the extra cap space on? They have their centers, franchise goalie, #1 D, top-4 wingers and young players..
They don't have to spend it right now.
Serious injuries could occur during the season and they gonna have the dough to pay for a pretty good player (like Wiz last season).
Next year, they will have to give susbstantial raises and long term contracts to Price & Subban among others.
Right now I don't see many decent players still available on the UFA market.
By the way: all the heavyweight goons and middle weight protectors with NHL experience had been signed elsewhere (Winchester should be next in Vancouver)... But we don't need any of those of course in Montreal...
In m'y opinion there is Only 2 thing left to do and It minor one ! I would trade desharnais for nick Palmieri ... Palmieri is exactly the type of player we need , he's physical , he's big (6.3 ,225 ) , he as speed and he play on the RW this is exactly the player we need on the third line next to Eller and Ak !! Ak always play better when he as someone to win te battle in the corner and Palmieri and Eller are those guys !!
The second move would be to trade to get a good 3-4 dman during the season not before but during!! Spacek is not that bad and he's a good vet that can easily fulfill the 5-6 spot !!
In m'y opinion there is Only 2 thing left to do and It minor one ! I would trade desharnais for nick Palmieri ... Palmieri is exactly the type of player we need , he's physical , he's big (6.3 ,225 ) , he as speed and he play on the RW this is exactly the player we need on the third line next to Eller and Ak !! Ak always play better when he as someone to win te battle in the corner and Palmieri and Eller are those guys !!
The second move would be to trade to get a good 3-4 dman during the season not before but during!! Spacek is not that bad and he's a good vet that can easily fulfill the 5-6 spot !!
I'm wondering if Nashville, considering the negociation status, would be willing to trade Weber for assets that would put them on top in 2-3 years.
I'd offer Tinordi, Beaulieu, Kostsitsyn, Spacek (salary dump) and a couple of 1st rounders + other draft picks or prospects for him. Do you guys think it's somehow realistic ? It's quantity for quality, but it's still not spare parts I'm offering.
Weber-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Gill-Gorges
Weber
That's be seriously solid. It's a pipe dream, but I'd try to get Weber if I were PG. He's a top 5 Dman in the NHL. He's big, physical and very talented.
I'm wondering if Nashville, considering the negociation status, would be willing to trade Weber for assets that would put them on top in 2-3 years.
I'd offer Tinordi, Beaulieu, Kostsitsyn, Spacek (salary dump) and a couple of 1st rounders + other draft picks or prospects for him. Do you guys think it's somehow realistic ? It's quantity for quality, but it's still not spare parts I'm offering.
Weber-Subban
Markov-Emelin
Gill-Gorges
Weber
That's be seriously solid. It's a pipe dream, but I'd try to get Weber if I were PG. He's a top 5 Dman in the NHL. He's big, physical and very talented.
No, I don't think it's close. Nor do I think those assets would put them on top in 2-3 years.
