Headlines: Bergevin, Kassian, Thomas, Development Camp, St. Louis, Transactions, more

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(Photo by CBC.ca)

All Habs Headlines: Friday July 3, 2015
On this day in hockey history… 1998 — Dallas Stars announced the signing of unrestricted free agent Brett Hull.  2001 — Toronto Maple Leafs signed free agent right wing Alexander Mogilny. 2003 — Colorado Avalanche announced the signing of free agents Paul Kariya (formerly of Anaheim) and Teemus Selanne. 2003 — Dallas Stars named Mike Modano their new Captain.
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(Photo by Douglas Gelevan / CBC.ca)

► Kassian comes to Montreal

  • The Canadiens acquired right winger Zack Kassian and a 5th round pick in next year’s draft in exchange for Brandon Prust. The Canadiens gained $725,000 in cap space in the transaction.
  • Kassian was a popular player amongst Canucks fans and media but his lack of consistent effort meant that Canucks management didn’t have the same opinion. Canucks GM Jim Benning said, “We’ve spent a lot of time working with Zack Kassian. Trust me when I say that. With Stan Smyl from a player development stand point, Trevor, me, the coaches. We’ve spent a lot of time working with Zack to try to get him to where he needs to be. With a young player, they have a window of opportunity to prove what they can be in the league. For whatever reason, we couldn’t find it on a consistent basis with Zack. That’s not to say, he can’t become the player he thinks he should be.”
  • Kassian was a former 13th overall pick by Buffalo in 2009 and was dealt to Vancouver for Cody Hodgson in February of 2012.
  • Reportedly the problem with Kassian is his inability to use his body and be more physical, he wants to play a skill game. Although Kassian has a lower skill set, I remember when that was the same “problem” with Max Pacioretty.
  • When the 6-foot-3 forward was acquired by the Canucks back in 2012, he heralded as the next Milan Lucic by then GM Mike Gillis.
  • Kassian will wear Brandon Prust’s no. 8.
  • Want to know what to expect from Kassian, read here.

► Bergevin’s press conference reveals little

  • Marc Bergevin gave the line that Habs fans have heard over and over again in regards to acquiring players via free agency: “We’re always listening.”
  • The press conference also got a little heated when Philippe Cantin of La Presse questioned the Habs GM about the team’s style of play. Bergevin lost his patience with the reporter repeatedly asking Cantin what was the team’s playing style? Cantin replied that it was defensive which Bergevin strongly disagreed. Bergevin seemed particularly irritated that the reporter questioned if Alex Galchenyuk was not reaching his potential due to the Canadiens style of play.
  • Bergevin then said that Tampa Bay has more “punch” but they don’t play a different system than the Habs. Bergevin blamed offensive problems on the Canadiens power-play and players having subpar seasons.
  • On the continuing subject of Alex Galchenyuk playing centre MB had this to say: “I hope he is a centreman one day, but I don’t want you guys to think Chucky’s going to be a centreman. He could be [a centreman], I’m not writing him off as a centreman.”

► St. Louis retires

  • After 16 years, Martin St Louis announced his retirement from the NHL.
  • St Louis only played for three teams, the Lightning, the Flames and the Rangers and raked up numerous awards: the Hart trophy (1), the Art Ross (2), the Lester B. Pearson award (3) and the Lady Byng (1) have all had his name on it.
  • He also retires with a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal.
  • The 5-foot-8 forward has played 1043 games, has 391 goals and 1033 points.

► Another target gone for the Canadiens

  • The Washington Capitals acquired another player that the Canadiens fans were coveting. T.J. Oshie was dealt to the Capitals in exchange for Troy Brouwer, goaltending prospect Phoenix Copley and a 2016 third round pick.
  • First off the Canadiens couldn’t have been in the race for Oshie because the Blues were looking for a middle six right winger of NHL caliber and the Habs weren’t dealing Gallagher for Oshie.
  • This turns one of the worst right wings in the Eastern Conference to one of the best with the acquisitions of Williams and Oshie, not to mention they already had Marcus Johansson who can play right wing.
  • Oshie, the former 24th overall pick, will be under contract for the next two years at a digestible $4,175,000 cap hit.

► Voynov plea deal

  •  LA Kings defenceman Slava Voynov has pleaded no contest to a charge of spousal abuse and under terms of a plea agreement will serve up to ninety days in jail. He will also face three years of probation.
  • It is not a sure fire thing that Voynov plays in the NHL next season.

► Thomas extension 

  • The Canadiens re-signed forward Christian Thomas to a one-year, two way contract extension worth $600,000. Thomas had one point, a goal, in 21 NHL games last season.
  • He will be subject to waivers if he is sent to the AHL next season.
  • Thomas will look to fill the Habs’ open bottom-6 left wing position baring a trade or another signing.
  • It appears that Thomas will wear no. 20 next season. In other number swaps, Greg Pateryn will wear no. 6.

► Filling out the IceCaps lineup

► Canadiens development camp roster

  • The Montreal Canadiens development camp runs from July 4-9 at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard.
  • Here is the roster of players who will be attending:

http://allhabs.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/roster_dev_camp_2015.pdf
► NHL trades, signings

  • In the biggest deal of the offseason Phil Kessel, Tyler Biggs, Tim Erixon and a 2016 round second were to Pittsburgh in exchange for Scoot Harrington, Kasperi Kapanen, a first round draft choice, Nick Spalding, and a third. Both picks are in 2017.
  • The confusion in Boston continues as they sign Matt Belesky to a 5-year contract worth $3.8 million.
  • The Bruins traded Reilly Smith and Marc Savard to Florida in exchange for Jimmy Hayes.
  • The Washington Capitals signed free agent forward Justin Williams to a two year contract worth $3.25 million per year.
  • Mike Green agreed to a three year contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth $6 million annually.
  • The Arizona Coyotes obtained a player they dealt at the deadline in Antoine Vermette by signing him to a two year contract with an average annual value of $3.75
  • The Leafs signed 30-year old defenceman Matt Hunwick to a two year contract worth $1.2 million annually.
  • The Ducks signed recently acquired defenceman Kevin Bieksa to a two year contract extension worth $8 million.
  • Francois Beauchemin signed a three year contract with a value of $13.5 million.
  • Mikael Granlund re-signed with the Wild for two years at $3 million a year.
  • Defenceman Adam Pardy resigned for one year at $1 million with the Jets.
  • Thomas Greiss signed with the Islanders for two years at $3 million.
  • The Maple Leafs have signed forward Daniel Winnik, whom they previously acquired and traded, to a 2 year deal worth $2.25 million annually.
  • Thomas Hickey re-signed with the Islanders at $2.2 million for three years.
  • Mike Ribeiro resigned in Nashville for two years and $7 million.
  • Mark Letestu to Edmonton for three years at $1.8 million per year.
  • Andrej Sekera decided to take his talents to Oil Country signing a six year contract worth $33 million.
  • Viktor Tikhonov returned to the NHL to sign a contract with Chicago for one year at $1.04M.
  • The San Jose Sharks inked defenceman Paul Martin for four years and $19.4 million.
  • The Blackhawks resigned the recently acquired Artem Anisimov to a five year contract worth $22.7 million.
  • Michael Frolik went to Calgary for five years at $21.5 million.
  • Blake Comeau decided to go to Colorado for three years at $2.4M annually.
  • The Philadelphia Flyers signed goaltender Michael Neuvirth to a two year contract at $3.25 million.
  • The Leafs signed recently bought out forward P.A. Parenteau to a one year contract worth $1.5 million.
  • Arizona inked Steve Downie to a one year $1.75 million contract.
  • Zbynek Michalek returned to Arizona for two years at $3.2 annually.
  • Jori Lehrera has re-signed with the Blues on a three year deal that will pay the forward $14.1 million.
  • Alex Burmistrov returned to the NHL and signed a two year $3.1 million contract with the Jets.
  • The LA Kings have found their new backup goalie in Jonas Enroth. They signed the goaltender to a 1 year deal worth $1.25.
  • Barett Jackman and the Nashville Predators have reached an agreement that will pay the veteran $4 million.
  • Erik Condra moved on to the Tampa Bay Lightning for three years at $1.25M annually.
  • Cody Hodgson signed a one year $1 million contract with the Nashville Predators in an attempt to revive his career.
  • John Moore signed a three year $4.8 million contact with the New Jersey Devils.
  • Jack Eichel signed an entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
  • Karri Ramo signed a one year $3.8 million extension with Calgary.
  • The Flames sent Max Reinhart to Nashville in exchange for conditional 4th round pick in the 2016 draft.
  • The Leafs sign Marc Arcobello to a one year, $1.1 million contract.
  • The New Jersey Devils signed centreman Paul Thompson to a one year contract worth $1.15 million.
  • Brad Richards moved on from the Chicago Blackhawks to sign with the Detroit Red Wings on a deal that will pay him $3 million dollars for one year.
  • Gregory Campbell signed a two year $3 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
  • Yannick Weber resigned with the Vancouver Canucks for one year at $1.5 million.

► Timmins, Kassian, Eller

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