By Joce, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
PENTICTON, BC. — Here are a few thoughts on different topics surrounding the Habs’ and the NHL as the NHL Draft and the Free Agency period approaches. Feel free to post your comments as they are always welcomed.
1- It didn’t take long for Dale Weise to jump on the occasion to sign a new two-year deal, after signing multiple one-year contracts in the past. The rugged winger came into his own since joining the Canadiens and he is thrilled to be returning, mostly because he feels like the coaching staff has confidence in his abilities and give him a specific role. Twice in the past, he was coached by John Tortorella (NYR and VAN) and both times, he was let go, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Weise won’t have to worry about that for the next two years… unless Tortorella learns to speak French.
2- It has been reported that Andrei Markov is seeking a three year contract paying him on average $6 million per season. We’ve also heard that Marc Bergevin would rather see his veteran defenseman take a page out of the Nicklas Lidstrom book and sign one to two year contracts until his retirement. Many NHL players have done just that, like Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic and more recently Teemu Selanne. Due to the risk of a 35+ contract, where the player’s salary stays on the cap in case of injuries, retirement or any other reasons, it’s understandable that teams want to protect themselves. Something tells me that Markov has no intention of playing anywhere else but in Montreal so if I’m Bergevin, I stick to my guns and settle for no more than two years.
3- Brian Gionta’s agent recently said that he is in serious discussions with the Canadiens on a new contract. The Habs’ captain wants to come back and Bergevin wants him back, and both parties agree that he won’t be touching the $5 million he was getting on his last contract. Gionta on a third line role is still a very useful player who brings experience, leadership and character to his team. I’ve read some people suggesting that they’d rather see a rookie (Andrighetto or Bournival) take his place. No rookie can bring what Gionta brings to the table, not at this point in their career. Brendan Gallagher is a young Gionta, but he already has his spot on the team so he’s no replacement. If I were a betting man, I’d say that Gio will be back wearing jersey 21 next season… and maybe the next.
4- Very little is said about the contract negotiations between the Canadiens and P.K. Subban, which is not very surprising considering that neither party likes to negotiate through the media. That is a commendable quality, one that Allan Walsh should learn. The fact is that on the open market, Subban would fetch a fortune and the Canadiens know it. The thing is that while they know that he will mature at some point, they don’t know when and I have a feeling that they are still a bit reluctant into locking him up long term at top dollars. But they’ll have no choices. I’ve been saying for the past two years that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Subban involved in a major transaction and I have not yet changed my mind. Will he sign? If so for how much? Would Bergevin have a bit of Peter Chiarelli in him and have the guts to trade him as the Bruins’ GM did with Phil Kessel and Tyler Seguin? Time will tell…
5- As Michel Therrien was set to enter the final year of his contract with the team, Marc Bergevin didn’t want to put his coach into an awkward situation by having to face the media with the uncertainty of coming back the following season, especially if/when the team would enter a rough stretch, as all teams do. Therrien was awarded a four year extension and while some fans don’t like his style, numbers speak for themselves as he has been a key figure in the team’s progress since taking over the team. It is however a bit mind boggling to read some of the extreme reactions to the length of the contract as any coach will tell you that they are hired… to be fired one day or another. Long contract? That’s no security; just ask Mike Keenan or more recently, John Tortorella. So take a deep breath folks and enjoy the ride.
6- In a move that surprised many fans and members of the media, the Canadiens chose to part ways with their first round pick of 2009, local product Louis Leblanc. While Leblanc had a good stretch a couple of years ago when he played 42 games at the NHL level, an ankle injury seemed to have set him back and he has never been able to return to his old self under Sylvain Lefebvre in Hamilton. When he was cut at the last training camp, Leblanc’s girlfriend Aleksandra Wozniak slashed at the Canadiens’ organization, something that rarely plays in a player’s favour in the long run. Something tells me that there is more to the Leblanc’s story than what meets the eye and maybe, one day, it will be known. But it’s not like Bergevin to give up so quickly on a local product, he who works on bringing more into the fold.
7- Defense prospect Magnus Nygren has had yet another great season in Sweden, where he finished the season after making his debut in North American for the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Canadiens allowed him to go back to Sweden when Nygren stated not liking the AHL style and the level of crime in the city. But before leaving, the Swedish prospect established a record for the hardest shot at the AHL Skills Competitions, with a laser registering 104.6 MPH. He also won the shooting accuracy competition, hitting all four targets in six shots. At the recent World Championships, Nygren was a key contributor in helping Sweden win the Bronze Medal. In statements to the Swedish press, the defenseman stated wanting to play in North America next season, but only in the NHL. He said that if the Canadiens can’t find him a roster spot, he wants to be traded to another NHL team willing to play him. He even stated that the Canadiens have told him that they won’t stand in the way of his getting traded if they can get fair value in return. The 24 year old Nygren is a right handed defenseman, a rarity on the team last year.
8- I grew up watching Guy Lapointe do his thing on the Canadiens’ defense back in the 70’s when he, Serge Savard and Larry Robinson formed the Big Three, providing more than enough quality for Ken Dryden who had to pick up the pieces. The problem that I see is that the Canadiens have already “retired” numbers which no one can ever wear. No Canadiens’ player can ever wear number 1 (Jacques Plante), 2 (Doug Harvey), 3 (Emile Bouchard), 4 (Jean Béliveau), 5 (Bernard Geoffrion and Guy Lapointe), 7 (Howie Morenz), 9 (Maurice Richard), 10 (Guy Lafleur), 12 (Dickie Moore and Yvan Cournoyer), 16 (Henri Richard and Elmer Lach), 18 (Serge Savard), 19 (Larry Robinson), 23 (Bob Gainey), 29 (Ken Dryden) and 33 (Patrick Roy). That’s a total of 15 numbers that new players cannot wear when joining the team. I personally would rather see the team retire the jersey as opposed to the number. For example, Jersey Number One Plante would be hanging in the rafters of the Bell Centre but a new goalie could wear the number one if he chooses to do so. Same for Lafleur’s number 10 and so on…
9- Reports out of New York state that the Rangers might not be able to re-sign pending UFAs Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman. While Stralman is a right handed Top 4 defenseman, it’s Brian Boyle that is the most intriguing, if you’re the Canadiens. Standing at 6’7” and 244 lbs, the big centerman finished the season with 6 goals and 18 points in 82 games in regular season, while winning 52.9% of his faceoffs. He led all Rangers’ forwards with 154 hits. Only Alexei Emelin on the Habs had more hits than him. A line of Prust, Boyle and Weise (all former Rangers) would be most entertaining to watch, while Ryan White and Travis Moen would have to find some other place to play. Let’s not forget that while they were both with the Rangers, Boyle was very good friend with Brandon Prust.
10- If Marc Bergevin could manage to somehow get rid of Rene Bourque and of his $3.3 million cap hit for the next two years, he might want to look once again towards a former Vancouver Canucks. David Booth is set to become UFA after the Canucks buy out his $4.25 million contract and while his last few seasons show that he’s not worth that kind of money, he would be an excellent replacement for Bourque, and he would likely sign at a price tag similar to Travis Moen, between $1.5-2 million. Yes, the rugged left winger has suffered more than his fair share of injuries in the past couple of seasons but like Andrei Markov, it is mostly bad luck and the 29 year old could benefit from a return in the Eastern Conference, where the travel is lesser and rest is more regular, especially on a non-Olympic year. From having watched him closely with the Canucks here in British Columbia, Booth is a fast skater, excellent on forecheck and he’s not afraid to throw the body. He’s also not afraid to get in traffic and under Michel Therrien, he would be a huge asset killing penalties.
11- Not all that long ago, less than a year as a matter of fact, Vincent Lecavalier was proudly signing a five-year deal worth $22.5 million with the Philadelphia Flyers. Now? The Flyers are said to be shopping Lecavalier but with four more years with a cap hit of $4.5 million, it might be wishful thinking, especially that the big centerman holds a No Movement Clause, meaning that he could only be traded to where he wants to play. Coming off a 37 points season, even the teams he would accept to be traded to may not have any interest and if the Flyers manage to convince them, there is no doubt in my mind that they’ll have to eat some salary along with the crow they’ll be getting. To think that some were complaining that Marc Bergevin signed Daniel Brière for two years at $4 million per season…
12- Watch out for the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets this summer as both teams are set to want to make some substantial on-ice changes in this off-season. Ryan Kesler has reiterated his desire to leave Vancouver and has apparently submitted a new list of teams to which he would accept to be traded to. The Canucks have several veteran defensemen and they may want to get younger at the blue line, so watch guys like Alex Edler, Kevin Bieksa, Jason Garrison and even Dan Hamhuis. In Winnipeg, much rumbling about the possibility of seeing Evander Kane and/or Dustin Byfuglien changing addresses, although the return would have to be substantial in either cases. There’s also Jason Spezza who has asked for a trade from our nation’s capital, and the San Jose Sharks are also shopping around. It should be a fun summer folks, stay tuned!
Until then, keep in mind that the NHL Draft is in Philadelphia June 27-28th. The All Habs crew will be on site with full coverage. Then on July 1st, the Free Agency market opens and the next thing you’ll know, it will be the Development camp, the Habs Golf tournament and the Rookie camp. We will likely see some new faces wearing the Red, White and Blue by then. Go Habs Go!!!
En français: Repassage en famille : Une entre-saison mouvementée pour le CH