Now that the contract thing is behind he and Mr Bergevin, I hope the rust falls off and he can integrate successfully with the team.

Reading articles and twitter I find there’s a bit of a mixed reaction on PK.

Personally, I think when PK said it was partially a “business decision”, he was just being honest. Because that is exactly what it is on both sides. Seems as though we have to see it as such. We, as fans, feel strong loyalty to our favorite teams. Many of us are die hards and won’t jump ship because of a few bad games, years or a decade. (Yes… that’s right.)

But once you lace ‘em up and play for big bucks, get yourself an agent… you better believe you’re in the business. It is on a very rare occasion someone signs somewhere for less because you grew up a “(insert team here)” fan.

PK Subban as a CTV Weatherman

So PK can now put on the gear and do what he does best…. and while he did this fairly well… hockey is what I’m actually talking about.

This is a great opportunity for both. PK needs to try and re-integrate and win the confidence of his team mates.

Subban gets a well deserved raise and although he doesn’t get the big $$$$ $$ $$ $…. he does get a substantial raise with which any man could live well for long if they are reasonable and wise.

Marc Bergevin stands his ground and doesn’t bend with a long contract with major dollars attached.

I love that Bergevin stood his ground and I also love that the team got off to a good start without PK.

With Subban back in the mix the Habs are that much stronger.

There are 2 scenarios with this contract that I think is favorable. Had it gone the other way… there were other possibilities that could have been bad, maybe even for both parties.

The long term big dollar deal. How many players have we seen cash in the last several years and then see their production decline steadily?? This not only frustrates the fans but it can handcuff the team and weaken them long term. Like paying someone top dollar limiting the salary you can pay his surrounding cast and making a deal near impossible.

This 2 year deal I like. I don’t think anyone thought PK shouldn’t get a raise. Obviously, he should. This deal gives him a raise and also gives incentive. If he performs well and shows that he is a great team asset he will get the big pay day. Give a proven player top dollar.

This type of deal gives Bergevin more assurance to pay top dollar and it also is a contract that is movable if issues arise.

Let me make my opinion clear… I hope no issues arise and that PK plays well for the Habs for years to come. 

That’s where I stand.

I saw that because it’s always a possibility that a player be moved. And if you’ve got a contract and numbers like Gomez had, or several of the deal that Mr Ferguson made for the Leafs several years back….. then you’re handcuffed and will struggle to improve or change your team.

It’s all business really.

Glad it’s settled.

Welcome back PK! Go get ‘em! Hope you wear the jersey with pride for years to come.

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But wow. Price is playing with confidence and aggressiveness.

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This is definitely a big season for Price. Everyone knows it.

One thing that I’m waiting to see is exactly how those “passionate” fans… you know, the ones who seem to think booing your players off the ice is gonna help somehow…. and how Price himself reacts to some of the challenges that will certainly present themselves.

There are gonna be games where the team in front of him may let a ton of shots through… again. And there are gonna be games where Price is gonna let a soft goal in… or maybe 2.

Will the fans give him a fair shake? Are they gonna jump on him in true “boo bird” fashion when he plays a bad game? Might they even blame him for a loss where the team lets him face…. say 45 shots…. and only manage 20-ish shots on their opponents? (happened last year)

How is Carey’s confidence gonna hold?

Price, in my opinion, is one heck of a talented goaltender. He’s got loads of natural skill, size… he’s won at every level. He’s got all the tools.

If the boo birds flock to the bell center with regularity this season, how will Price react?

I’m hoping he’s given a fair shot. Yeah, people can voice their displeasure but getting on a guy who’s playing on your team repeatedly… just remember what they did to Brisebois (like him or not), probably did nothing to improve the moral not only of the player but the entire team.

I’m with ya Carey. Hope you have a strong season.

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Seems to be alot of things on the go with the Habs. Rookie camp is all started up… full speed ahead… some of the vets are skating and the full blown training camp starts up at week’s end.

Many things are being talked about…. captaincy, the lineup…etc.

I titled this article “Will Andrei Kostitsyn score 20 or more?” because not only am I wondering, I’d love to know what you think.

At first when I started thinking about A. Kostitsyn going into this season, I started thinking that he would perform better because there would be less of a distraction without Sergei on the team. For the record, I’m not a “Sergei” hater… but for some reason, he just always seemed to be in the middle of something that seemed a distraction.

I think Sergei can still have a solid career if he works hard.

Back to Andrei, I was surprised to see that prior to Sergei joining the team, Andrei’s numbers really weren’t “anything to write home about”. He was just breaking into the league himself.

The 2 seasons prior to playing with brother Sergei on the team, he totaled 34 games played, 3 goals, 11 assists for 14 points.

Here’s Andrei’s averages for the (last) 3 full seasons he’s played. I’ve posted the actual numbers and also the averages per 82 games had he played them.

Real 78 Games: 2007-2008 – 26 G – 27 A – 53 Pts
82 Game Avg: 2007-2008 – 27 G – 28 A – 55 Pts

Real 74 Games 2008-2009 – 23 G – 18 A – 41 Pts
82 Game Avg: 2008-2009 – 25 G – 20 A – 45 Pts

Real 59 Games: 2009-2010 – 15 G – 18 A – 33 Pts
82 Game Avg: 2009-2010 – 21 G – 25 A – 46 Pts

I was surprised to see that there wasn’t a dip but an actual increase for last season’s numbers.

Personally, I think there may have been distractions but I’m not so sure Sergei was “the” distraction. I remember hearing about rifts in the dressing room on sports media back a couple of years ago and I believe that had the Canadiens not been stricken with so many injuries last season (Andrei of course falling to injury himself) Andrei Kostitsyn’s offensive production would have been much stronger.

Last season, as with a couple of previous years, the lineup was, at times, constantly changing. New team mates not quite being able to get the chemistry going until (perhaps) late in the season.

This year, I believe Andrei Kostitsyn will score more then 25 goals. Unless we see another year where the lineup is peppered with injuries (God forbid!).

I can picture a line of Kostitsyn | Plekanec | Cammalleri scoring some goals. There are some puck moving skills and shot taking skills between those 3.

And there are some guys in the dressing room who’s work ethic will rub off on team mates. Cammalleri, Gionta, Gorges….etc.

Show’em what you can do Andrei!

And oh yeah, before I forget…. if you can throw a few hits here and there…. you’ll be a monster.

So…. what do you think?

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Here’s a nice little feature on Dustin Boyd.

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