Montreal Canadiens

[ericdaoust]

Yes! Great signing for a team that needs cap friendly committee offense. Hope the D can get sorted out soon. I know this has been posed elsewhere, but do you guys see any chance Wiz signs or is he just waiting for July 01st for a big contract elsewhere?

My guess is that Wiz wants to go to July 1st. He has no roots in Montreal and just had a career year so why not? Markov on the other hand has lived in Montreal for several years and has shown willingness to negotiate prior to July 1st.

[MoreCanadianTeams]

My guess is that Wiz wants to go to July 1st. He has no roots in Montreal and just had a career year so why not? Markov on the other hand has lived in Montreal for several years and has shown willingness to negotiate prior to July 1st.

Yeah, that's my thinking as well. I'm probably just being greedy and dreaming of what a solid D the Habs would have if James were to stay and Marko signed a short term lower $ deal to prove his career was back on track. I also likely read too much into Wiz's episode of "Your Canadiens" where he was making a concerted effort to learn french and spoke of how much he loved playing in Montreal.

[ericdaoust]

Personally I would prefer seeing Wisniewski re-signed because he's healthier than Markov and also has a bit more toughness which helps. But it's my understanding that the Alexei Yemelin signing is linked to Markov staying in Montreal. So who knows.

The idea of signing both players just won't happen. I don't think the cap could handle it unless Markov signed for something close to the league minimum.

[Chicleteur]

Personally I would prefer seeing Wisniewski re-signed because he's healthier than Markov and also has a bit more toughness which helps. But it's my understanding that the Alexei Yemelin signing is linked to Markov staying in Montreal. So who knows.

The idea of signing both players just won't happen. I don't think the cap could handle it unless Markov signed for something close to the league minimum.

Yeah, I really think Yemelin is here because Markov will be here to mentor him. I've hard time deciding if I want Markov or Wis, but even all the health issues he had over the past few years, I think I would to see him being re-sign first. Markov is an Habs soldier and the captain in the ice.

[ross10019]

Interesting regarding the Jagr rumor. I still stand by what I said previously. Jagr, like a few other key players on the Habs, doesn't show up every night. So while he's an improvement overall, he wouldn't do anything to help other players break out of their slumps. When he's cold, he can be useless. Plus it's only a short-term thing.

I would be very disappointed if they bring in Jagr. This team CLEARLY doesn't need help on the PP, but rather on 5 on 5 where Jagr would probably only give limited help. Plus Jagr would probably come at too high a price for such a one-dimensional player.

And then there is my biggest peeve, why bring in a guy who might disrupt what is widely acknowledged as a very solid locker room?

This last point is the main reason why I htink there is no way the Habs sign Jagr, despite the media reprots suggesting otherwise.

[ross10019]

Yeah, I really think Yemelin is here because Markov will be here to mentor him. I've hard time deciding if I want Markov or Wis, but even all the health issues he had over the past few years, I think I would to see him being re-sign first. Markov is an Habs soldier and the captain in the ice.

I have no problem deciding. I really liked what Wiz brought to this team last year, but he will be too expensive (both in terms of dollars and term) and there will be too much competition from other teams for his services given what he brings to the table, plus let's not forget that Wiz has had significant injury problems of his own over the years.

For me it's Markov all the way, he's clearly loyal to the Habs and he's a major part of the core of this team, injury issues notwithstanding, and when I say that I mean in the lockerroom especially, I have never heard anyone suggest that he's had other than a solid/positive impact in the locker room. Plus, if he is over his injury issues, he is one of the better 2-way Dmen in the entire league, elite level.

[Chicleteur]

I have no problem deciding. I really liked what Wiz brought to this team last year, but he will be too expensive (both in terms of dollars and term) and there will be too much competition from other teams for his services given what he brings to the table, plus let's not forget that Wiz has had significant injury problems of his own over the years.

For me it's Markov all the way, he's clearly loyal to the Habs and he's a major part of the core of this team, injury issues notwithstanding, and when I say that I mean in the lockerroom especially, I have never heard anyone suggest that he's had other than a solid/positive impact in the locker room. Plus, if he is over his injury issues, he is one of the better 2-way Dmen in the entire league, elite level.

Oh definitely! I really like Markov, but I guess I'm just afraid of his past issues. But not while ago Wiz missed a few games of his own, so he's not that injury free...

[MoreCanadianTeams]

Good points guys. I too would choose Marko over Wiz, though it would be great to keep them both. However, I think Eric has the right of it that with his career year, Wiz likely needs to cash in. I hope Marko's knees have completely recovered and he can resume his reliable, healthy tenure.

I suppose if we look at the Habs' needs, a top 6 forward with some size, physical presence and scoring ability is more of a priority than the luxury of a 3rd offensive D-man.

[LeTrefle]

From Tony Marinaro (Team 990)

Markov: 2 years extension. 11,5 M$ (rumor)

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321623.html (in French)

[ericdaoust]

From Tony Marinaro (Team 990)

Markov: 2 years extension. 11,5 M$ (rumor)

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321623.html (in French)

That would be the same salary he was given under his last contract. I'm open to the idea. The team knows more about his health today than we do. The injury happened in November (7 months ago) so I assume he must be close to good health.

[ross10019]

That would be the same salary he was given under his last contract. I'm open to the idea. The team knows more about his health today than we do. The injury happened in November (7 months ago) so I assume he must be close to good health.

I love this signing. See the separate Markov thread.

[glorieux]

Markov done deal for 3 years

Le défenseur Andrei Markov s'est entendu pour trois ans avec le Canadien, jeudi.

Les termes du contrat ne sont pas encore connus.

Détails �* venir.

this is from Radio-Canada

[ericdaoust]

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/321726.html

If it's actually 3 years at the full 5.75 million then I don't like it. Very poor player management IMO. I see this as a very similar contract to the one the Senators gave to Sergei Gonchar - and with the same risks involved.

[LeTrefle]

It's 3 years at full 5,75.

[ericdaoust]

I'm worried that by year 3 Markov is considered an albatross contract. He probably won't be as mobile as he was before so he might not be as effective. Then you add in the health concerns... every time he gets hurt they spend draft picks trying to replace him.