Montreal Canadiens

[ericdaoust]

http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/...d-for-one-year

Nokelainen signs one year one way 575k. Brendon Nash signs two-way deal.

[Carcillo]

My IT contribution: MTL and Carey Price working on a long-term deal. Getting closer but no sense of whether it's hours, days or longer.

There's talk, none of it official, Price deal will be 6 or 7 yrs long with cap hit north of $6M, perhaps in the range of $6.5M. We'll see

https://twitter.com/tsnbobmckenzie

That would be a bit high but nothing too excessive for one of the best young starting goalies.

[ericdaoust]

https://twitter.com/tsnbobmckenzie

That would be a bit high but nothing too excessive for one of the best young starting goalies.

Unfortunately potential factors into the dollar figure. He would essentially get the same contract as Quick minus the three cheap years at the end.

[ericdaoust]

Back to the Nokelainen signing, how the hell does a GM offer him 575k one way and only offer a two way deal to Darche???

I know Darche is not a special player but he is far better than Nokelainen.

[ericdaoust]

http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/...egin-next-week

Some good updates on ongoing contract negotiations. It looks like they will add more this afternoon, so keep checking in. I will update if there is any major news.

So far the plan appears to be to focus on the UFAs (based on Price/Subban negotiations being pushed back), which is sound because offer sheet threats are virtually non-existent.

[ddp]

Back to the Nokelainen signing, how the hell does a GM offer him 575k one way and only offer a two way deal to Darche???

I know Darche is not a special player but he is far better than Nokelainen.

Haha...Cmon!! Far better? You have to be effing kidding!

Darche was a piece of dung. Atleast the Finn dropped the effing gloves! Darche is a tool for rejecting any offer he gets from anyone.

[Brady19]

I'm a little curious how people see Montreal's depth chart looking for next season. Does Galchenyuk play his way into the lineup this season? Does he start as a centre or winger? Is Leblanc part of the top 6?

Just a stab at the depth chart myself...

Cole - Desharnais - Pacioretty
Bourque - Plekanec - Gomez
Leblanc - Eller - Geoffrion
Nokelainen - Moen - White

Don't be too harsh, I'm not a Canadiens expert!

[habs83]

Haha...Cmon!! Far better? You have to be effing kidding!

Darche was a piece of dung. Atleast the Finn dropped the effing gloves! Darche is a tool for rejecting any offer he gets from anyone.

The only reason why Nokelainen was signed and not Darche, is because the former is a center, who is right handed, and pretty good in the faceoff circle. Plus, he is ten years younger than Darche. And he'll be paid close to the minimum salary.

Either way, nokelainen will be the 13th forward, so we should not spend any more time discussing this.

Your guesses for Sunday? Which holes will Bergevin fill first?

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole
Stop gap-Plekanec-Gionta
Moen-Eller-Bourque
White-Tough center/FO/PK guy-Tough winger
Nokelainen

I know, Leblanc is not on that lineup. I think that a full year in the AHL would help him a lot in his development. He'll see plenty of ice time there, while in Montreal, he won't see any time on special teams and limited action on a 3rd/4th line.

My guesses/wishes:
Stop gap: Jagr would fit perfectly on that line. Will he be interested to play in MTL? He publicly said that he was last year, so maybe. Otherwise, I could see the Habs give a chance to Latendresse on a short contract.

Tough center: I have been a Konopka guy since last summer. Adam Burish would be my second choice.
Tough winger: My gut feeling tells me Brendan Prust...

[sparrowtrini]

I'm a little curious how people see Montreal's depth chart looking for next season. Does Galchenyuk play his way into the lineup this season? Does he start as a centre or winger? Is Leblanc part of the top 6?

Just a stab at the depth chart myself...

Cole - Desharnais - Pacioretty
Bourque - Plekanec - Gomez
Leblanc - Eller - Geoffrion
Nokelainen - Moen - White

Don't be too harsh, I'm not a Canadiens expert!

You gotta believe Galchenyuk makes the team(or gets a good look - 1st 10games?). I know people say he lost a year of de velopment due to injury. but watch him play. hes ready. mature beyond his years

[habs83]

I'm a little curious how people see Montreal's depth chart looking for next season. Does Galchenyuk play his way into the lineup this season? Does he start as a centre or winger? Is Leblanc part of the top 6?

Just a stab at the depth chart myself...

Cole - Desharnais - Pacioretty
Bourque - Plekanec - Gomez
Leblanc - Eller - Geoffrion
Nokelainen - Moen - White

Don't be too harsh, I'm not a Canadiens expert!

I don't think that Galchenyuk will play more than 9 games in Montreal this season. There is absolutely no need to rush him and to burn his first year of contract. Let's give him a year to dominate in junior.

You can scratch Gomez from that lineup, he will never play a game for the Habs again.

Bourque is not a top 6 forward, at least not on an everyday basis. The Habs are better suited to find another scoring winger and to slot Bourque on L3.

Geoffrion is probably AHL bound, depending on who the Habs bring in on July 1st. He did not impress me much last season, but he may play in the NHL in a couple of years.

[ddp]

I say hatchoo galechenyuk will be in Hamilton. No room for him now until a trade is made.
I want him to make it but don't think he will.

[habs83]

You gotta believe Galchenyuk makes the team(or gets a good look - 1st 10games?). I know people say he lost a year of de velopment due to injury. but watch him play. hes ready. mature beyond his years

Skills wise, he should make the team. But the Habs should not burn his first year of contract in a year where they are not contending at all. My 2 cents.

[habs83]

I say hatchoo galechenyuk will be in Hamilton. No room for him now until a trade is made.
I want him to make it but don't think he will.

Galchenyuk can't go to Hamilton this year... It's the NHL or junior. He's not old enough to be allowed to play in the AHL.

[ericdaoust]

Haha...Cmon!! Far better? You have to be effing kidding!

Darche was a piece of dung. Atleast the Finn dropped the effing gloves! Darche is a tool for rejecting any offer he gets from anyone.

Darche had nearly double the points, more hits, more blocked shots, more PK time and more overall ice time. He is a far better player than Nokelainen, who shouldn't even be in the NHL. The only thing Nokelainen does well is face-offs (53%, still not great) and the odd fight, although three fights in a year doesn't exactly make you a goon. So I invite you to tell me why he's a better player.

[ericdaoust]

You gotta believe Galchenyuk makes the team(or gets a good look - 1st 10games?). I know people say he lost a year of de velopment due to injury. but watch him play. hes ready. mature beyond his years

The issue with Galchenyuk getting the call right away is that he missed most of his draft year. I think it would be a good idea to let him catch up on some lost time and dominate the lower level. But if he shows up and earns a spot, then nobody should take that away from him. I think they keep him for the nine game trial run and go from there.