I’m generally an optimist. Gotta be.

In years past there were some things that I didn’t like… like say the constant line juggling that we saw just a few years ago and some signings. I mean, honestly when the Habs first signed Hal Gill, I wasn’t sure how to feel because I could get past his former Leafs and Bruins jerseys… (I think Gill is a valuable asset today, not only on the ice but in the room from what we hear)

When Gauthier was hired, I didn’t know what to think. I was somewhat pessimistic.

But going into the fall this year I’m satisfied with what he’s done. I think Gauthier has done a decent job. Sure, someone can can point at a deal or two they don’t like or that may not have turned out 100%. But I’m not convinced it’s so different on many a team. Trades and drafts are sometimes a crap shoot. It’s like rolling the dice sometimes.

One move that I liked was the addition of Erik Cole.

When people talk about UFAs and over payment, it’s a given that UFAs are getting a pay day. Multiple teams trying to get in on signing players…. it’s a bidding war. It is what it is.

I’m looking forward to see Cole in a Habs uniform. As many have said, he just may be the power forward that the team’s been lacking for a number of years. He also may be a great mentor for Max Pacioretty.

When I think of the forwards I do think he may be a great compliment. Plekanec, Gomez, Gionta, Cammalleri…. speedy guys, they can move the puck…. if Cole becomes an annoyance in the crease of the opposing teams it should give these guys more room to move the puck. And Cole has the hands to score some goals. Habs fans know that all to well.

Plus, he loves playing in Montreal. He’s mentioned that he loves the atmosphere. He’s always been the villain. Now he can be the hero. I think he’ll love it… and that’s an other important aspect of the move. He knows that it’s a media frenzy.

I’m pumped up for training camps to start…. pre-season and the new season.

Here’s a couple of shorts vids of Erik meeting the media in Montreal.

Go Habs Go!

Erik meeting some new fans

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I think Hal is a great piece to the “habs puzzle”. He’s obviously a leader on the team, we’ve heard about his great attitude and his mentoring of the younger Habs defensemen.

While he’s not the fastest skater or the most skilled player in the NHL, he gives his 100% and the amount of shots he directly blocks or alters in the course of a season is a valued statistic.

Glad to see you back Hal!

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Kyle Klubertanz (photo by Wikipedia)

It was announced that Pierre Gauthier has signed free agent defenseman Kyle Klubertanz to a 1 year deal.

Kyle Klubertanz is a former 3rd round pick of the Anaheim Ducks.

From the Official Press release

The 24-year old Klubertanz is a 6’01” 180 lbs defenseman who hails from Madison, WI. In 2009-10, he played with Djurgardens of the Swedish Elite League. Klubertanz was tied for second in scoring on his team, first amongst defensemen with 31 points in 55 games (12 goals, 19 assists).

It’s a pretty minor signing…. but no sooner then the season and playoffs end do we see a little movement. Another US college defenseman to add into the organisation.

Oh yeah that’s right, the playoffs aren’t officially over are they??

Kyle Klubertanz’s Wikipedia

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I wonder what role D’Agostini will play this season. He seems to have a decent shot. Will Jacques Martin play him on the 2nd line? 3rd line? Time will tell.

I’m hopeful that Martin will have success in further developing these young guys just as he seemed to do in Ottawa with the Senators.

After July 1st and the few weeks that followed Gainey has signed many one year deals. That just got me thinking a bit. Here’s a list of players broken down into the length of contracts.

Players with 1 year under contract ’til 2010-2011
UFA – Tomas Plekanec
UFA – Glen Metropolit
RFA – Sergei Kostitsyn
RFA – Guillaume Latendress
RFA* – Maxim Lapierre
RFA – Matt D’Agostini
RFA* – Kyle Chipchura
UFA – Paul Mara
RFA – Carey Price
RFA* – Jaroslav Halak
* = Arbitration Eligible

Players with 2 years, ’til 2011-2012
RFA* – Andrei Kostitsyn
UFA – Georges Laraque
UFA – Andrei Markov
UFA – Roman Hamrlik
UFA – Hal Gill
RFA* – Josh Gorges
RFA* – Ryan O’Byrne

Players with 3 years, ’til 2012-2013
UFA – Travis Moen
UFA – Jaroslav Spacek

Players with 5 years, ’til 2014-2015
UFA – Scott Gomez
UFA – Mike Cammalleri
UFA – Brian Gionta

It’s just my thought but next year will probably bring some more changes. Probably not a whole lot in terms of trades but it’s likely that some of the players we have today will not likely be back.

One of the reasons is going into next year Carey Price will need to be re-signed and he will get a raise.

All trade rumors and speculation aside going into next year Gainey will once again have his work cut out for him replacing and/or re-signing the RFAs and some UFAs to fill out his roster. Some of those young guys will demand a raise next year.

At the same time it could make it alot easier for him to move them if he finds a suitable trade.

Most of the defense is locked in for 2 years. If Weber and/or Subban don’t come up this year they’ll be up next year.

The message I get from all these 1 year deals is:
It’s time to produce guys.

What do you think?

These are just some passing thoughts that I’ve got…

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When you were first signed, I wasn’t familliar with you at all.

But, over the last 2 seasons in Montreal you showed the kind of player you were. We could always count on you to work hard and stick up for any of your team mates.

You were one of the players that I would have loved to keep in Montreal.

Best wishes to you with your new team.

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Now I’ll start of by saying that about the only thing that I know about Paul Mara is that he’s played with a few different teams, he play defense and he’s about 6’4.

I haven’t really dug around to much for any information on Paul, but I found this great little video on YouTube and I gotta tell you that after watching this video on Mara.. I’ve grown to like him a bit already.

Plus, being a Habs fan, who can resist a guy that fought Tucker.

I’m really lookin’ forward to seeing that enthusiasm in the upcoming season. He could be a solid pick up in the new Jacques Martin system which I’m sure insulating Carey Price is part of the plan.

So welcome Paul Mara!

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One of these is Travis Moen.

Travis Moen will likely be the replacement to Tom Kostopoulos… he’s a real team guy who will try to block every shot he can and certainly won’t back down in the rough stuff.

Here’s a taste of Travis squaring off with Carcillo (from Pheonix):

I’ll say it again, because I have said it before, that I’m impressed with the changes that Gainey has been able to make. In a mere few weeks the team has a new coach and coaching staff, a whole new look when it comes to the players on the roster (10 guys not back…. maybe more to come??)…

Unreal.

The addition of Moen goes to address alot of the early comments that the team will once again be too small…. champions aren’t always the biggest team. But Gainey has certainly added some pieces to make sure they’ll be able to mix it up a bit more physically. So those Montreal VS Boston games, Montreal VS Toronto games will be lots of fun.

Plus, Moen has playoff experience. His name is on the cup. I’m not sure how much that really matters… but at least some experts can say that he is a tough customer… and knows what it takes to win.

So, Travis Moen…. welcome to the Montreal Canadiens!

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Basically, I’ve always loved Kovalev in Montreal. I would have gladly taken him back.

I’m actually a bit sad to see him go… and according to reports, he did want to stay in Montreal… and Gainey did want him back. A lack of communication it seems.

Now, one thing that I don’t understand is that while people have been to the streets in Montreal prior to his (Kovalev) signing in Ottawa, in attempts to convince Bob Gainey to sign him, is that while he was a member of the Canadiens, I would often hear and read comments by people calling him the best player on the face of the earth… and other comments calling him a bum.

The opposite ends of the spectrum.

We all know that Kovalev is likely one of the very top skilled forwards in the world. I don’t think there is any doubt. But, consistency has dogged him.

Mind you, last year has been called a disappoint… but it was far better then the 2007-2008 season. Statiscally, I don’t think it was that bad a year. Since the whole team seemed to go down the drain at the mid-way point. People just see what talents he has and believe (or expect) that he should carry the team… be the offensive leader.

And while some people were calling to put the “C” on Kovalev in Montreal. I’m not so sure. In a way, if he would have signed, it certainly would have been major motivation for him. In another way, I would put the “C” on someone who brings it every night without a doubt… someone who buys into the system the team is playing… etc.

Kovalev might indeed have been a good captain and player in Montreal for the proposed 2 years / 10 Million. But, we’ll never know.

Alex, once again. Have a great year in Ottawa. Loved your time in Montreal and I will keep watching you play for Ottawa. But I hope you understand, I gotta cheer against you when you’re playing against Montreal….

No hard feelings right??

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Going into “Free agent frenzy”… I was “super looking forward” to that date.. to see what if anything was gonna happen with my loved Montreal Canadiens.

I was floored when Gainey pulled off that trade for Scott Gomez. I was totally floored…

I didn’t like that deal at all. Gomez comes with a hefty price tag. Mind you, I do think that he comes with considerable puck moving skill… but it was obviously a commitment to take on that contract.

By noon time, July 1st…. I had a doom and gloom feeling… and couldn’t shake it… but as soon as the signings started (not montreal’s… but in general) I felt much better.

Montreal’s day started with the signing of Jaroslav Spacek, an offensive defenseman from the Buffalo Sabres. I was not thrilled at this signing…. 3 years for a 35 year old… but after checking out his numbers… he has seemed very durable… and fairly consistent… he has pretty much always been a “plus” player in +/-… except in his Columbus years…

Then later… Hal Gill… which I didn’t like at all either… essentially, I had gone through about 2 days of Mr Negativity in regards to the Habs after the draft. Then when I thought about Gill, I actually felt a bit better. He’s big…. and what sold me a bit on him, was that he made it to the cup finals 2 years in a row and won last year. And he was used in both playoff runs. He could be effective in clearing room for Price… which we need.

I was ready to step out.. and go with the family to the July 1st fireworks… when all of a sudden, I saw that the Habs signed Mike Cammalleri.. at first I thought.. “wow.. Gainey landed Mike Cammalleri!”.. all of a sudden, it was looking better. I was starting to become very optimistic.

When I got back late that night… what??? Gainey signed Brian Gionta?? Now, I was floored.. the face of the team was changed… and changed much more dramatically then anyone could have guessed.

Now, most of these guys are small…. which seems like a problem. But I gotta say… 2 years in a row… 2 puck possession teams won the cup. Some of their most important players weren’t huge in stature… (think of Crosby and Maxim Talbot)

It surely didn’t seem to be a problem when the Canadiens finished 1st in the east 2 seasons ago and all the “experts” picked them to contend for the cup.

There are many variables that come into play for a team to succeed. Is the team well disciplined? Do they really play within their coach’s plan? Are they having an injury free season (Habs 2 seasons ago)? Are they having an injury filled season (Habs last season)? Do the players get along? How is the dressing room? etc…etc.. etc..

If rough and tough teams won the cup every year… then Philly should have won several years running…

Talk was about re-signing Kovalev… which I had hoped for … some talked about Tanguay.. Koivu… Even though there has been an overwhelming consensus about changing the team’s core. But that wouldn’t really “changed” the face of the team.

I would certainly welcome back any of those guys if Gainey and Martin think they fit. I’m hoping that Martin runs a tight defensive system this year… and shots on goal go down…. Gionta and Gomez played their best years under such a system.

I love Kovalev… I love Koivu… Koivu has been one of my favorite players for years and years. I would take them back in a heartbeat.

Tanguay… if it’s true he chose not to play in a little pain in last year’s playoff… I don’t mind him going.

After a couple of days to think all this over… I’m very positive about this year’s team. Although, there are still a couple of holes to fill. Gotta have 1 more D-man.. And, get a bigger center.

I’m really lookin’ forward to the pre-season camps…. really really lookin’ forward to it.

So we have 3 new core guys locked in for 5 years….. next year, I believe there’s only 1 guy who will be UFA… so this will be the core for a few years.

I’m optimistic.

Go HABS!

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