Thursday, June 17, 2010

Halak to Blues

Welcome to the day the PG defines his career....

He'll either be the man that destroy the Montreal net for years to come and the man who pulled a rabbit out of the hat


The Good


Montreal get size and some potential up front, and they finally addressed some size issues the face off circle. Montreal saves cap room. Halak was probably looking for a huge raise and looking to go to free agency,with Montreal having the option to match on the option sheet... which could get high.
Price still has a world of potential, and showed the MTL brass that he is a team player by being the quiet #2 goalie, working out something fierce and supporting Halak.

The Bad

Montreal lost the 'saviour of the 2010 season'. Also the main problem with prospects is the potential doesn't mean anything if they don't develop correct.


Thinking Logically


Giving a huge contract to a goalie who has only performed in one season is horrible stupid... Raycroft anyone? and Montreal benefited up the middle and in the toughness category. Thirdly, they have some cap room (granted that Price signs a cheap contract) and can address some needs through free agency or trading some spare parts


All I can say it, what an interesting Thursday afternoon

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Super Sunday

As the playoffs resume tonight and the buzz around the game builts, I can honestly say I am extremely pumped for this game. All I can say is that we will be watching hockey on Friday night.

Boucher

The Blue Jackets are trying to lock up AHL super-stud Guy Boucher to steer the ship into the playoffs, tough choice considering they need some major overhaul become a contender. Either way, I wish Boucher the best of luck where ever he goes

Seidenberg

The Bruins ink the dependable defenceman to a 4 year, $13 million contract. So just over 3 million a year. Good signing of an extremely underrated defenceman who put up big minutes in Carolina.

Holmstrom

He'll be around for atleast 2 more years. The net seeking forward has been a great fit for the Red Wings and at a reasonable 2 year, $3.75 million contract, he'll be nothing but positive for the Wings

Burke

I've never seen a GM have this much publicity ever. He constantly in the spotlight, and he loves to be. But to control some media attention on the eve of the most important game of the season thus far is a little embarrassing. I'll admit I admire his guts and his passion but he comes off as an arrogant, pissed off GM (and that putting it nicely)

Anyways, enjoy the game and the sound deafening crowd (which hit up to 121 db in games 1 and 2) and enjoy the largest swing game of the season...

Saturday, June 5, 2010

The Dog Days of Summer

Can the Montreal Canadiens get a summer off? Last year it was the Extreme Habs Makeover, which became a wild success in the playoffs, this year its the battle of the crease and no one is winning.

Price, Halak or Both?

Its all about the gamble, it feels like drafting these two goalies again because someone on the brass is going to make a bad decision. These goalies are going to be stars where ever they play, lets just hope that the Canadiens pick the right one. In my opinion we sign Halak to a 2-3 year reasonable contract and Price signs a one year cheap contract that either builds his worth and get some real good vibe around him and establish himself as a #1 goalie

Pleks

Along with the goalies, Tomas Jagr is up for a raise. With the core of the Habs commanding the cap for the next 5 years, it becomes a numbers game. 4 million or even 5 million would fit the bill for this play-making center but paying him closer to 6 and up would be a disaster for the Canadiens. The Habs need to bank on the home-town discount and his love for the bleu, blanc et rouge.

Moore

I'd like to meet the Habs fan who didn't love this guy in the playoffs. He was smart with and without the puck, scored the biggest goals and showed amazing poise. As he is a UFA this July, I would be horribly shocked if the Habs did not sign this strong 3rd line center. A 1-2 million would fit just fine in the pockets of Dominic Moore.

Around the NHL

As I watched the playoffs last night, I realised that Claude Giroux has got some strong shoulders. If there was a Flyers player more deserving of getting the Conne Smythe trophy it would be the 22 year old. He's a great mixture of skill and determination and has forgot the pressure of the playing in the Stanley Cup Finals the moment they have dropped the puck.

Secondly, Hossa is an absolute beast with the puck, he kind of reminds me of Jagr the way he so strong on the puck below the goal line and has some of the best hands in the NHL, no one is pushing for the Slovak to win the Cup more than me

Thirdly, when is slashing and cross checking become legal. With the fight underway in front of the Flyers goalie, Pronger feels the need to lay the lumber on you till you feel like you are part tree. The main question is... "why is that not a penalty?", or when did crashing the net not become a penalty (ask Hartnell who got away with a close one, in my opinion number 19 could have easily controlled his skating)

Finally, sit back relaxs because I think this series is going to seven games, which would make it the 3rd Cup Final to go to seven games since the lockout.