NHL Random Thoughts Thread

[leaffan]

While you annoy me at times, leaffan, I actually respect your hockey opinion (when you're not being too anti-Habs).

Your thoughts on the Habs' off-season?

Really hate what they are doing to Subban right now. He needs a long term deal and I'm hoping that's solved before arbitration.

The Georges stuff bothered me. Here's a guy who declined a trade to the leafs because he hated them. That's the kind of players you want on your team. Even though i think he's over rated I didn't like them moving him.

Eller signing was excellent. I've been on my Habs fans about this guy since he was traded there.

Their defense is a smoke show though. I really think they need to either see some improvement out of Beaulieu or start looking to trade for another dman.

I was listening to XM Nhl network radio the other day and their comments are in line with mine. Don't be surprised if Montreal misses the playoffs entirely this year. Their 3rd round trip really boost their confidence but they over achieved big time.

[dave]

I am not a fan of the Gorges' move either, but give Bergevin credit for having the guts to do it. I always liked Gorges and assumed he was their next captain when Gionta moved on.

I have this ugly feeling Montreal actually wants to trade Subban. I don't think Bergevin or Therrien are all-in where Subban is concerned and this might actually go to arbitration. If they allow this to go to arbitration, they are once again saying they don't believe in him. This simply can't happen with a franchise player - you're either all-in or your trade him and try to maximize the asset.

I agree with you on Eller. That was a good contract. Right now it's a bit high, four years from now I suspect it's a bargain.

I think the Habs' D will be fine if Subban re-signs or a major trade involving Subban brings back something.

[leaffan]

I've been gone for 5 days or so and didn't have time to comment on the Subban contract.

All I can say is that its about time. He's all but a shoe in at this point to take over the C and lead the habs into what they hope is a new era.

Galchenyuk, Subban and Price are that teams core with Pacioretty and Eller following along. Not too bad.

[Guest]

I also missed it over the weekend with family in town. Very much deserved, but I am sure that plenty of people will find something to complain about with it.

[leaffan]

I also missed it over the weekend with family in town. Very much deserved, but I am sure that plenty of people will find something to complain about with it.

A lot of people complaining about the money and such but its a new CBA and money is going to inflate huge again.

The first thing I made sure to point out though amongst my leaf friends is just how good this makes the Phaneuf deal look and I was still met with backlash from it.

[Guest]

A lot of people complaining about the money and such but its a new CBA and money is going to inflate huge again.

The first thing I made sure to point out though amongst my leaf friends is just how good this makes the Phaneuf deal look and I was still met with backlash from it.

It does make the Phaneuf deal good. One thing people are bringing up is that he is the third highest paid player right now. That is, until the Kane and Toews extensions kick in next off-season and more players are offered extensions. Even the second-highest paid defenseman in Weber looks like a bargain. This always happens when you have more money to be spent though.

[leaffan]

It does make the Phaneuf deal good. One thing people are bringing up is that he is the third highest paid player right now. That is, until the Kane and Toews extensions kick in next off-season and more players are offered extensions. Even the second-highest paid defenseman in Weber looks like a bargain. This always happens when you have more money to be spent though.

Yah a quick example I can give for a team paying a player when the contract seemed "high" in the begining and a bargin later is someone like Anze Kopitar. He signed a 7 year 47.6mil contract back in 09 for a cap hit of 6.8mil. This looks like a pretty good bargin now considering most top centers are getting more then that. Back then the cap was 56.8mil and his cap hit was 12% of the teams total hit at the time. Now its at 9% and he's still got two years to go. Toews and Kane had high cap hits back then and then were low at the end of their current deals. Spezza got 7mil back in 08 and its pretty tame now.

Subban will be 13% of the teams cap hit next year with more growth then back in 09...

[dave]

I'm ok with the Subban contract. He's a top-8 defenceman in the league and energizes the fanbase. Right now it's pricey if you go by $9M ... but in three years (maybe sooner), it's an absolute bargain.
The Canadiens should never have let it go right down to the wire like that. Hell, they should have given him the long-term deal two years ago (but not overly critical where that's concerned).

[leaffan]

I'm ok with the Subban contract. He's a top-8 defenceman in the league and energizes the fanbase. Right now it's pricey if you go by $9M ... but in three years (maybe sooner), it's an absolute bargain.
The Canadiens should never have let it go right down to the wire like that. Hell, they should have given him the long-term deal two years ago (but not overly critical where that's concerned).

I could name 10 maybe 15 Dmen I'd rather have then him imo.

[dave]

I could name 10 maybe 15 Dmen I'd rather have then him imo.

Yes, but you're a big poopyhead.

But, I'll take the bait ... rank 'em.

[leaffan]

Not going to rank because I'm on my phone but off the top of my head.

Duncan Keith
Shea Weber
Zdeno Chara
Oliver Ekman Larson
Victor Hedman
Drew Doughty
Alex Pietrangelo
Ryan Suter
Erik Karlsson
Mark Giordano

Are just 10 that came to mind. Giordano could of easily been a Norris finalist if he wasn't on such a bad team.

I could probably keep going. Names like Vlasic and Mcdonaugh popped into my head while sitting here. Subbans over ratedness and a Norris trophy on a short year against no west teams really helped him out. I'm not saying he's bad or doesn't deserve the contract (his situation commanded it) but Habs fans need to tone down a bit lol. I could go into who he compares to (hint one of them is leafs dman gardiner) but I'm going to sleep.

[dave]

Not going to rank because I'm on my phone but off the top of my head.

IMO, none of the D-men you list face 1/10th the scrutiny of Subban. If Subban does anything even remotely negative, it's magnified. IMO, Subban is on the most interesting players to watch in the NHL. He reminds me of the late 70s and early 80s when NHL players were interesting and not just robots. Subban is fun to watch, Drew Doughty a model of consistency, no doubt, same as pickles Vlasic ... but as a paying fan, I vote Subban.

[leaffan]

If you're a paying fan and want to watch fun dmen take a drive to Ottawa and watch Karlsson or watch more kings games with Doughty. Hell watch a leaf game and watch Gardiner and Reilly. Utter magic would happen when those two with Kessel and JVR were on the ice together.

What I'm getting at is I'm sure part of negotiation process with him had the team thinking hey if this guy sits out again like he did 2 years ago or we lose him our revenues are going to take a slight hit. Is an extra 2 or 3 mil a year worth it for a guy that is such a fan fav. ... That answer was clearly yes. Is he getting the extra money because he's that top dman not really.

[ST0B0]

Pens resigned Sutter to a 2 year 6.6 million deal. About time we got him back on that books officially.

[Guest]

KHL team is offering Selanne $10 million to play this season, and $5 million if he only wanted to play home games.

Is that league getting ready to go under? That's an insane price to pay for a 44 year old player, even if it is to play for his home town team.