I don't think Montreal stands a chance to land Briere as some may think. Anyway, we already have enough small speedster on the line-up. So, even if he's really gifted, i'd wouldn't target him. If we sign a small player, he must play bigger than he is.
What we want (and what would help out with our beloved Kovalev...) would be some really gritty forward with a real offensive talent. Not necessarely a 50 goals scorer, but a player who can get 60-70 when playing on a good line.
Here are some interesting picks;
Mike Comrie - Center (will sign for 2,5 to 3)
Ryan Smyth - Left Wing (will sign for 5 to 5,5, highly improbable he ends up in Montral though)
Either of these two players would definitely improve our club. If I were to choose one, though, i'd go with Comrie since we desperately need that second line center (or a real number one, which we can't afford). Yes, we do have Plekanec, but I don't think he's cut out to be a #2 center. He shows some offensive upsides, but I rather have him on the third line, with his sound defensive play.
That'll make our line-up for next season looks like;
Higgins - Koivu - Ryder
Latendresse - Comrie - Kovalev
Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Johnson
Murray - Begin - Lapierre
What I meant is that Koivu wouldn't make it to the first line in many NHL teams. Yes, he's the best and he is really a great player who gives himself game after game. He's probably better than what we've seen so far, though. If only we could find a more consistent scorer than Ryder to complete the line, I think we would be up to something.
I agree that Bonk would be a great loss, especially if he plays like he did last season. However, I do think Plekanec would do just as fine, with some extra speed on top of it and at half the salary.
As for Smyth, you are probably right TylerDCA. I may have underpriced him. Anyway, the point was just to show that we can't afford him AND a 2nd line center.
By the way, do you agree on Comrie being a worthy candidate?
__________________
Jose Theodore at his best...
(Currently waiting for Theodore to wear his new shirt to edit my sig. He won't be better in Colorado...)
I think the biggest issue with tha habs is they don't really have a top line. Koivu is good but needs first line wingers with him which Higging and Ryder are not. If they pick up a top notch winger for Koivu it would take a lot of pressure off the other lines and i would be happy with a Plekance Kovalev and Ryder or Higgins on it. The first line would be up against other teams top lines making it a little easier for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th line. I would love to have Bonk back at a much reduced rate.
Our first line is strange indeed. When you watch it play it kinda feels like a really good 4th line, and energy line, its kind of a 1st and a half line... if you know what I mean... Its not gonna pick up the kinda goals that a contending team needs, especialy on a team that doesnt score alot 5-on-5, that needs to change.
Bonk is alright, but not for more than 1.5 million
No thanks on Comrie..the Habs need more size...
Here are some names to consider...
-Hamrlik, good defender
-Calder
-Walz, speed..good replacement for Bonk
-Asham(bring him back)
-Timonen(play with Koivu, replacement for Souray)
-Dupuis, for a lower end deal
-Ekman, take a chance
-Rivet, only if he would take a paycut
I have a feeling that the Habs will be active in getting a veteran defenseman through free agency, and the help up front will come from a trade.
Rumours are that the San Jose Sharks are front runners in the Chris Drury race and Wilson and Gainey have had talks about Patrick Marleau for a while now... Ryder is rumoured the other way while other source say Plekanec instead.
__________________ "Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.
Free agents Gainey should pay attention to...
Free agents Gainey should pay attention to...
Linear Mode
