Build your 2008-2009 Montreal Canadiens, Build your 2008-2009 stanley cup champions Options

[habfreak]

YOU BROKE UP OUR TOP LINE????? Not sure about that one!!! Sorry Dude!

i think she's a female lol
and i always thought Saku with the twp brothers would make for a great line. not sure abt malone though.

[ryanrdt]

i think she's a female lol
and i always thought Saku with the twp brothers would make for a great line. not sure abt malone though.

He is a guy, Read his sig. Old band name if I remember correctly.

And yes they would make for a great line but as good as AK, Pleks, AK? Not sure!

[jennifer_rocket]

YOU BROKE UP OUR TOP LINE????? Not sure about that one!!! Sorry Dude!

Not only did I, "Break up the top line!"

I made it better!

[AlexK]

You can't beat having all three players on the line with 30 or more goals IMO. Thats AK/Pleks/AK next year.

This post has been edited by AlexK: May 7 2008, 10:19 PM

[Onzeee]

I will assume that BG can re-sign all RFA players currently on the Montreal roster. I will also assume BG re-signs none of the current UFA on the Montreal roster.
Line #1 A. Kostitsyn-Pleks-Kovalev (this line should get better next season)
Line #2 UFA-Koivu-S. Kostitsyn (two great passers with one top scorer)
Line #3 Higgins-Chips-Grabs (this could be a simply amazing line as they could check and score)
Line #4 Kostopolous-UFA-Lapierre (top level checking line with some offense punch)

Line #2 - dream UFA would be Hossa or Jagr or Malone or Sundin (at center with Koivu on wing)
Line #4 - dream UFA would be Holik or Langkow

Defence #1 Markov-Komi
Defence #2 Hammer-O'Byrne
Defence #3 Gorges-rookie

Press box: Begin, Bouillon, Dandenault

defence #3 - rookie would be one of Valentenko, Subban, Weber, Yemelin, Carle

Price
Halak

I think the above lineup would fit into the salary cap because millions in UFA current roster players would be replaced by these two UFA players (one sniper and one checker). No Streit, Ryder, Smoke, or Brisebois would save $6.95 million in cap space. This should cover the cost of the sniper forward. The available cap space and cap increase should leave room for signing a top UFA checker and pay increases for the RFA players this summer.

Odds are very strong that Dandenault will be traded, buyut or waived by Montreal leaving room for another player in the press box.

bouillon in the pressbox lol

[Onzeee]

2008-2009 MONTREAL CANADIENS!

Players under contract (w/ last year's cap hit):
Saku Koivu ($4.750)
Alexei Kovalev ($4.500)
Christopher Higgins ($1.700)
Tomas Plekanec ($1.600)
Steve Begin ($1.057)
Tom Kostopoulos ($0.895)
Guillaume Latendresse ($0.850) - Sent to AHL.
Sergei Kostitsyn ($0.511)
Kyle Chipchura ($0.489)
Gregory Stewart ($0.013)
Matt D'Agostini ($0.005) - Sent to AHL.
Andrei Markov ($5.750)
Roman Hamrlik ($5.500)
Francis Bouillon ($1.875)
Mathieu Dandenault ($1.725) - Traded (see below).
Mike Komisarek ($1.700)
Carey Price ($1.882)

Players w/ RFA status (w/ last year's cap hit):
Andrei Kostitsyn ($0.785) - Resign 5 years @ $4.250/season.
Mikhail Grabovski ($0.403)
Maxim Lapierre ($0.387) - Resign 2 years @ $0.950/season.
Corey Locke ($0.016)
Josh Gorges ($0.495) - Resign 2 years @ $1.000/season.
Ryan O'Byrne ($0.396) - Resign 3 years @ $0.900/season.
Jaroslav Halak ($0.210)

Players w/ UFA status (w/ last year's cap hit):
Michael Ryder ($2.950)
Bryan Smolinski ($2.000)
Patrice Brisebois ($1.400) - Resign 1 year @ $0.700/season.
Mark Streit ($0.600)

Players w/ UFA status (not w/ Montreal in 2007-2008):
Stephen Valiquette (NYR) - Sign 2 years @ $0.725/season.
Ryan Malone (PIT) - Sign 4 years @ $4.000/season.

Trades:
To COL:
Mathieu Dandenault ($1.725) - UFA in 2009-2010.
2nd round draft choice (2009)
To MTL:
Ian Laperriere ($1.064) - UFA in 2009-2010.
4th round draft choice (2009)

2008-2009 LINEUP!
RYAN MALONE ($4.000) - TOMAS PLEKANEC ($1.600) - ALEXEI KOVALEV ($4.500)
SERGEI KOSTITSYN ($0.570) - SAKU KOIVU ($4.750) - ANDREI KOSTITSYN ($4.250)
CHRISTOPHER HIGGINS ($1.700) - MAXIM LAPIERRE ($0.950) - KYLE CHIPCHURA ($0.960)
STEVE BEGIN ($1.057) - IAN LAPERRIERE ($1.064) - TOM KOSTOPOULOS ($0.895)
GREGORY STEWART ($0.500)

ANDREI MARKOV ($5.750) - MIKE KOMISAREK ($1.700)
ROMAN HAMRLIK ($5.500) - RYAN O'BYRNE ($0.900)
FRANCIS BOUILLON ($1.875) - JOSH GORGES ($1.000)
PATRICE BRISEBOIS ($0.700)

CAREY PRICE ($1.882)
STEPHEN VALIQUETTE ($0.725)

(1 roster spot available)

CAP HIT = $46.828

BEST TEAM EVER!

on your third line lapierre needs to play on the wing, chip play center

[JL]

Ideally, here's what I'd like to see...

Step one: our own UFAs

Streit, Ryder, Smolinski and Brisebois are allowed to walk.

Step two: sign our RFAs <$4.35M>

• Andrei Kostitsyn signs a two year, $5 million contract ($2.5M/season)
• Maxim Lapierre agrees to a two year, $1.7 million deal (0.850M/season)
• Josh Gorges signs for 2 years at $1 million per season

Step three: sign new UFAs <$15.67M>

• Marian Hossa agrees to a 4 year, $32 million deal
• Brian Campbell signs a 4 year, $22 million contract
• George Laraque agrees to a 2 year, $2 million contract
• Patrick Lalime signs a three year, $3.5 million deal

Step 4: a few trades <$2.2M>

• Alex Kovalev and Ryan O'Byrne to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal ($2.2M)
• Jaroslav Halak, Mikhail Grabovski and Mathieu Dandenault to Los Angeles for Brian Boyle (minors)

Others under contract (cap space in brackets) <$29.575M>

• Saku Koivu ($4.5M)
• Chris Higgins ($1.7M)
• Tomas Plekanec ($1.6M)
• Steve Begin ($1.057M)
• Tom Kostopoulos ($0.9M)
• Guillaume Latendresse ($0.85M)
• Sergei Kostitsyn ($0.511M)
• Kyle Chipchura ($0.9M)
• Andrei Markov ($5.75M)
• Roman Hamrlik ($5.5M)
• Francis Bouillon ($1.875M)
• Mike Komisarek ($1.7M)
• Pavel Valentenko ($0.85M)
• Carey Price ($1.882M)

Total cap hit for 2008-09: $51.795M, well under the predicted $56-57 million bar.

Our potential lines:

Staal - Koivu - Hossa
S.Kostitsyn - Plekanec - A.Kostitsyn
Higgins - Chipchura - Kostopoulos
Begin - Lapierre - Laraque/Latendresse

Markov - Komisarek
Hamrlik - Campbell
Bouillon - Gorges
Valentenko

Price
Lalime

[rob2h]

2008-2009 MONTREAL CANADIENS!

Players under contract (w/ last year's cap hit):
Saku Koivu ($4.750)
Alexei Kovalev ($4.500)
Christopher Higgins ($1.700)
Tomas Plekanec ($1.600)
Steve Begin ($1.057)
Tom Kostopoulos ($0.895)
Guillaume Latendresse ($0.850) - Sent to AHL.
Sergei Kostitsyn ($0.511)
Kyle Chipchura ($0.489)
Gregory Stewart ($0.013)
Matt D'Agostini ($0.005) - Sent to AHL.
Andrei Markov ($5.750)
Roman Hamrlik ($5.500)
Francis Bouillon ($1.875)
Mathieu Dandenault ($1.725) - Traded (see below).
Mike Komisarek ($1.700)
Carey Price ($1.882)

Players w/ RFA status (w/ last year's cap hit):
Andrei Kostitsyn ($0.785) - Resign 5 years @ $4.250/season.
Mikhail Grabovski ($0.403)
Maxim Lapierre ($0.387) - Resign 2 years @ $0.950/season.
Corey Locke ($0.016)
Josh Gorges ($0.495) - Resign 2 years @ $1.000/season.
Ryan O'Byrne ($0.396) - Resign 3 years @ $0.900/season.
Jaroslav Halak ($0.210)

Players w/ UFA status (w/ last year's cap hit):
Michael Ryder ($2.950)
Bryan Smolinski ($2.000)
Patrice Brisebois ($1.400) - Resign 1 year @ $0.700/season.
Mark Streit ($0.600)

Players w/ UFA status (not w/ Montreal in 2007-2008):
Stephen Valiquette (NYR) - Sign 2 years @ $0.725/season.
Ryan Malone (PIT) - Sign 4 years @ $4.000/season.

Trades:
To COL:
Mathieu Dandenault ($1.725) - UFA in 2009-2010.
2nd round draft choice (2009)
To MTL:
Ian Laperriere ($1.064) - UFA in 2009-2010.
4th round draft choice (2009)

2008-2009 LINEUP!
RYAN MALONE ($4.000) - TOMAS PLEKANEC ($1.600) - ALEXEI KOVALEV ($4.500)
SERGEI KOSTITSYN ($0.570) - SAKU KOIVU ($4.750) - ANDREI KOSTITSYN ($4.250)
CHRISTOPHER HIGGINS ($1.700) - MAXIM LAPIERRE ($0.950) - KYLE CHIPCHURA ($0.960)
STEVE BEGIN ($1.057) - IAN LAPERRIERE ($1.064) - TOM KOSTOPOULOS ($0.895)
GREGORY STEWART ($0.500)

ANDREI MARKOV ($5.750) - MIKE KOMISAREK ($1.700)
ROMAN HAMRLIK ($5.500) - RYAN O'BYRNE ($0.900)
FRANCIS BOUILLON ($1.875) - JOSH GORGES ($1.000)
PATRICE BRISEBOIS ($0.700)

CAREY PRICE ($1.882)
STEPHEN VALIQUETTE ($0.725)

(1 roster spot available)

CAP HIT = $46.828

BEST TEAM EVER!

With all that cap space sign Jagr or Campbell as well.

[mcdonald19]

Ideally, here's what I'd like to see...

Step one: our own UFAs

Streit, Ryder, Smolinski and Brisebois are allowed to walk.

Step two: sign our RFAs <$4.35M>

• Andrei Kostitsyn signs a two year, $5 million contract ($2.5M/season)
• Maxim Lapierre agrees to a two year, $1.7 million deal (0.850M/season)
• Josh Gorges signs for 2 years at $1 million per season

Step three: sign new UFAs <$15.67M>

• Marian Hossa agrees to a 4 year, $32 million deal
• Brian Campbell signs a 4 year, $22 million contract
• George Laraque agrees to a 2 year, $2 million contract
• Patrick Lalime signs a three year, $3.5 million deal

Step 4: a few trades <$2.2M>

• Alex Kovalev and Ryan O'Byrne to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal ($2.2M)
• Jaroslav Halak, Mikhail Grabovski and Mathieu Dandenault to Los Angeles for Brian Boyle (minors)

Others under contract (cap space in brackets) <$29.575M>

• Saku Koivu ($4.5M)
• Chris Higgins ($1.7M)
• Tomas Plekanec ($1.6M)
• Steve Begin ($1.057M)
• Tom Kostopoulos ($0.9M)
• Guillaume Latendresse ($0.85M)
• Sergei Kostitsyn ($0.511M)
• Kyle Chipchura ($0.9M)
• Andrei Markov ($5.75M)
• Roman Hamrlik ($5.5M)
• Francis Bouillon ($1.875M)
• Mike Komisarek ($1.7M)
• Pavel Valentenko ($0.85M)
• Carey Price ($1.882M)

Total cap hit for 2008-09: $51.795M, well under the predicted $56-57 million bar.

Our potential lines:

Staal - Koivu - Hossa
S.Kostitsyn - Plekanec - A.Kostitsyn
Higgins - Chipchura - Kostopoulos
Begin - Lapierre - Laraque/Latendresse

Markov - Komisarek
Hamrlik - Campbell
Bouillon - Gorges
Valentenko

Price
Lalime

As much as I admire your creativity, I don’t think it’s a good idea to trade 5 players, including our best player and 3 which are good prospects in return for only two players? As good as the two players are I doubt Stall could fill in the gap in creativity that trading Kovalev would leave. I would much prefer signing Hossa to Campbell as in my opinion we probably won’t get both? We need Hossa’s scoring abilities much more than we need help at defence where I think we are strong and will improve next season after the experience of this year.
If for whatever reason Halak isn’t with us next season, Lalime I think would be a good veteran backup. I guess a Laraque type player wouldn’t hurt either?
Not a bad attempt!

[habsrule4eva3089]

After all Kovy did...ppl still want him out...sheesh.

[Proudones]

Are you joking? Trade Koivu and make Dumont captain?

And pay Ryder $3.5 mill? Never happen.

[PrimusPilus]

Kostitsyn ($0.785) - Resign 5 years @ $4.250/season.

Ryan Malone (PIT) - Sign 4 years @ $4.000/season.

I like the signings and also agree with the dollars. The most realistic I've seen so far. With the cap increase, players salaries are going to increase, and looking at RFA and UFA past signing history, I agree that it's going to take around 4mill to sign AK.

Trades:
To COL:
Mathieu Dandenault ($1.725) - UFA in 2009-2010.
2nd round draft choice (2009)
To MTL:
Ian Laperriere ($1.064) - UFA in 2009-2010.
4th round draft choice (2009)

Nice idea, but I don't think this is going to happen. I expect to see Dandenault bought out, and other GM's suspecting that will not be interested in a trade, but who knows .

Rather than a trade for Laperierre (who I really like BTW), I would rather see Mr. Gainey sign Jay Pandolfo. He's a UFA, is a veteran, has won cups, can skate and is still one of the premier checkers in the league. We need that.

I like that you have just 'tinkered.' I also think that this is what Mr. Gainey is going to do. We will not see whole sale changes, or even a big name free agent sign here, in my opinion, and why would we to start the season? Mr. Gainey knows not to mess with the chemistry of this team too much. Now, during the season, or perhaps closer to the trade deadline, you may see Mr. Gainey acquire a big name for the rest of the year, depending on where this team sits in the standings. With all of that said, I still think we need a centerman. This off season will be interesting.

[NewfieHab]

I don't think there will be much change to the D in the off season, and hope I am right, for our D is solid and will only improve next year.
Up front I would like to see Bob sign 2 players - a big, strong forward who can put the puck in the net to play on one of the top 2 lines, as well as a big physical player who can drop the gloves and be intimidating. I would love to see Laraques in the Red white and Blue of the Habs!
The only UFA of our own that I would expect back would possibly be Striet, as long as he doesn't ask too much.
Ryder, Smolinski and Briesbois will likely walk.

[jennifer_rocket]

on your third line lapierre needs to play on the wing, chip play center

Lapierre has a better faceoff potential than Chipchura at this point. Chipchura could eventually switch to centering a line of his own! But yeah, good idea! Once Chipchura can hold his own in the faceoff circle in the NHL, definitely get him in that position!

With all that cap space sign Jagr or Campbell as well.

For sure! I left one roster spot open, and I read somewhere on the board that the cap might reach $56 million next season. With that extra room there's definitely a chance to make a pitch for Campbell, Jagr, etc.

I like the signings and also agree with the dollars. The most realistic I've seen so far. With the cap increase, players salaries are going to increase, and looking at RFA and UFA past signing history, I agree that it's going to take around 4mill to sign AK.
Nice idea, but I don't think this is going to happen. I expect to see Dandenault bought out, and other GM's suspecting that will not be interested in a trade, but who knows .

Rather than a trade for Laperierre (who I really like BTW), I would rather see Mr. Gainey sign Jay Pandolfo. He's a UFA, is a veteran, has won cups, can skate and is still one of the premier checkers in the league. We need that.

I like that you have just 'tinkered.' I also think that this is what Mr. Gainey is going to do. We will not see whole sale changes, or even a big name free agent sign here, in my opinion, and why would we to start the season? Mr. Gainey knows not to mess with the chemistry of this team too much. Now, during the season, or perhaps closer to the trade deadline, you may see Mr. Gainey acquire a big name for the rest of the year, depending on where this team sits in the standings. With all of that said, I still think we need a centerman. This off season will be interesting.

Thanks for the positive response. The Laperriere/Dandenault deal was the largest "Fantasy" aspect of my wheelings and dealings. It was based on the fact that Colorado have several UFA d-man coming up this season. I have always thought Laperriere + Begin would make one of the most formidable energy lines in the league! I'm not too familiar with Pandolfo, but if what you say is true, he might be a perfect fit in a checking role with our club. He currently plays for who? New Jersey?

[jennifer_rocket]

Ideally, here's what I'd like to see...

Step one: our own UFAs

Streit, Ryder, Smolinski and Brisebois are allowed to walk.

Step two: sign our RFAs <$4.35M>

• Andrei Kostitsyn signs a two year, $5 million contract ($2.5M/season)
• Maxim Lapierre agrees to a two year, $1.7 million deal (0.850M/season)
• Josh Gorges signs for 2 years at $1 million per season

Step three: sign new UFAs <$15.67M>

• Marian Hossa agrees to a 4 year, $32 million deal
• Brian Campbell signs a 4 year, $22 million contract
• George Laraque agrees to a 2 year, $2 million contract
• Patrick Lalime signs a three year, $3.5 million deal

Step 4: a few trades <$2.2M>

• Alex Kovalev and Ryan O'Byrne to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal ($2.2M)
• Jaroslav Halak, Mikhail Grabovski and Mathieu Dandenault to Los Angeles for Brian Boyle (minors)

Others under contract (cap space in brackets) <$29.575M>

• Saku Koivu ($4.5M)
• Chris Higgins ($1.7M)
• Tomas Plekanec ($1.6M)
• Steve Begin ($1.057M)
• Tom Kostopoulos ($0.9M)
• Guillaume Latendresse ($0.85M)
• Sergei Kostitsyn ($0.511M)
• Kyle Chipchura ($0.9M)
• Andrei Markov ($5.75M)
• Roman Hamrlik ($5.5M)
• Francis Bouillon ($1.875M)
• Mike Komisarek ($1.7M)
• Pavel Valentenko ($0.85M)
• Carey Price ($1.882M)

Total cap hit for 2008-09: $51.795M, well under the predicted $56-57 million bar.

Our potential lines:

Staal - Koivu - Hossa
S.Kostitsyn - Plekanec - A.Kostitsyn
Higgins - Chipchura - Kostopoulos
Begin - Lapierre - Laraque/Latendresse

Markov - Komisarek
Hamrlik - Campbell
Bouillon - Gorges
Valentenko

Price
Lalime

Nice JL!
Some comments:
-Hossa, Campbell, Laraque! Great idea. Scoring, top 4 D, and toughness!
-Trading for Staal. Great idea. I like that you're not afraid to trade Kovalev at his peak. We shouldn't be afraid. If we can make a good deal, let's take it, and make ourselves stronger for the future. Staal will be a keeper!
-Lalime. I don't like this. As per my recent post, we could maybe sign Valiquette, who played well for NY this season, for much less.
-Allowing the UFA to walk. That's fine. Exactly what I did, except I signed on Brisebois for one more year as a spare.

Good work.
What we need is for Bob to start allowing us to recommend managing initiatives to him!

[PrimusPilus]

Thanks for the positive response. The Laperriere/Dandenault deal was the largest "Fantasy" aspect of my wheelings and dealings. It was based on the fact that Colorado have several UFA d-man coming up this season. I have always thought Laperriere + Begin would make one of the most formidable energy lines in the league! I'm not too familiar with Pandolfo, but if what you say is true, he might be a perfect fit in a checking role with our club. He currently plays for who? New Jersey?

Pandolfo does indeed play for New Jersey. Look here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Jay_Pandolfo/

You're right with Laperriere and Begin, it would be fun to watch .

We need to establish a strong checking line with skilled penalty killers. There is a difference between a checking line and an energy line and I think sometimes people don't understand that (not impying that you don't, just a general comment). Our weak checking line and terrible PK last year hurt us and it hurt us in the playoffs. In my opinion this needs to be adressed. also, I still think we have needs at center, but only see this being adressed via trade, there just aren't any on the UFA market that I would like.

[jennifer_rocket]

Pandolfo does indeed play for New Jersey. Look here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Jay_Pandolfo/

You're right with Laperriere and Begin, it would be fun to watch .

We need to establish a strong checking line with skilled penalty killers. There is a difference between a checking line and an energy line and I think sometimes people don't understand that (not impying that you don't, just a general comment). Our weak checking line and terrible PK last year hurt us and it hurt us in the playoffs. In my opinion this needs to be adressed. also, I still think we have needs at center, but only see this being adressed via trade, there just aren't any on the UFA market that I would like.

You are right.
I am hoping, based on my team building, that Lapierre is ready to be the foundation of our checking line. He has made vast improvements over the past two seasons and I truely believe he could form a good checking line. Chipchura would a part of this line, too... If he were ready.
Laperriere I think can also handle that role, but plays the same style energy game that Begin plays, making them an obvious tandem for energy, energy, energy! Can you imagine how many hits would be thrown? Not to mention, additional French presence, easily a fan favourite, and tons of grit.
Pandolfo seems very, very interesting though! And like you said, whatever Bob does, he needs to make sure our checking line is up-to-par before next season starts. Smolinski didn't do the job this year.

[fansince1975]

I understand trading away Kovalev while he is at maximum value in a trade but with that said I would not trade Kovalev. I believe that the A. Kostitsyn-Pleks-Kovalev line will be even better this coming season. Therefore unless the player is as good TODAY as Kovalev any trade would hurt Montreal chances of winning in 2008-09

Jordon Staal is a very good player but he is not nearly as offensively talented today as Kovalev and might not be as good offensive in the near future. IMO.

If we are trading Kovalev the player coming back needs to be Vinny, Malkin, Thorton, Kovalchuk, or similar impact player that WILL put up 75+ points on the #1 line in Montreal. I realize that to get these type of players that Montreal would have to include other players/prospects/picks but Montreal has a few spare players that we could trade as part of a package.

[jennifer_rocket]

I understand trading away Kovalev while he is at maximum value in a trade but with that said I would not trade Kovalev. I believe that the A. Kostitsyn-Pleks-Kovalev line will be even better this coming season. Therefore unless the player is as good TODAY as Kovalev any trade would hurt Montreal chances of winning in 2008-09

Jordon Staal is a very good player but he is not nearly as offensively talented today as Kovalev and might not be as good offensive in the near future. IMO.

If we are trading Kovalev the player coming back needs to be Vinny, Malkin, Thorton, Kovalchuk, or similar impact player that WILL put up 75+ points on the #1 line in Montreal. I realize that to get these type of players that Montreal would have to include other players/prospects/picks but Montreal has a few spare players that we could trade as part of a package.

Arguably, Staal could have that breakout season at ANY moment.

[brianw6]

Can anyone remember what the cap hit is for a player you buyout for the remainder of their contract? 1/3, 2/3, 1/2?