pilourse writes "With the signature of Patrick Elias with the Devils, Bob Gainey can spend the 7 Millions he offered on other players.
Gainey is rumored to be trying to sign forward Petr Sykora along with defensemen Brandon Witt or Radoslav Suchy.
Gainey tried to get Sykora and Witt before the trade deadline but was unable to afford other GM's demands.
It's expected also that Goaltender David Aebiesher will be traded but Gainey is trying to add Richard Zednik in the deal. Detroit, Columbus, Florida, Philadelphia and St. Louis are rumored to be interested in Aebiesher."
PLAYER NEWS
Carey Price, G
2010/09/01: Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens are continuing to progress in their contract negotiations, according to Price's agent Gerry Johannson. However, he added that there is still plenty of work to do before anything concrete can be finalized. Reports that the RFA netminder would go on "strike" if he does not receive a deal that pays him $3 million a year appear to be a bit premature, but stay tuned for updates. (Source: TSN.ca)
Carey Price, G
2010/08/31: CBC-Montreal reporter Michel Godbout says that a "very very reliable source" has told him that restricted free agent Carey Price will "strike" if Montreal doesn't give him a contract worth $3 million per season. Take this story with more than just a grain of salt, but it's worth noting that former Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak's deal with St. Louis will pay him an average of $3.75 million per season over the next four years. Of course, despite Price's upside, Halak does have the better track record. We'll keep you posted. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Andrei Markov, D
2010/08/30: Andrei Markov (knee surgery) has begun skating by himself, according to RDS. He was hurt during Montreal's second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Markov required surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee and he is projected to miss the first six to eight weeks of the regular-season. (Source: Habs Inside/Out)
Jarred Tinordi, D
2010/08/17: Montreal prospect Jarred Tinordi was introduced to the London media on Monday. The Canadiens' first-round pick (22nd overall) in the 2010 draft chose to suit up for the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights over playing NCAA puck with Notre Dame this coming season. "You look at a program and an organization like the London Knights and the way they develop players," said Tinordi. "It's a great city with great fans and it's a great place for me to develop as a player and get to the next level." (Source: Sun Media)
Karri Ramo, G
2010/08/16: The Montreal Canadiens have acquired the rights to goaltender Karri Ramo from Tampa Bay in a trade that sends minor-league goaltender Cedrick Desjardins to the Lightning. Ramo has decided to stay in Russia for the upcoming 2010-11 campaign after posting a 21-17-4 record with 2.11 GAA and a .913 save percentage with Avangard Omsk in the KHL last season. (Source: AHL.com)
Carey Price, G
2010/08/04: Carey Price's agent, Gerry Johannson, thinks that his client will sign with the Montreal Canadiens by the end of August or early September. Price is currently a restricted free agent. Johannson said that the Montreal Canadiens and him "are not necessarily close, but it's not that we're not close in a bad way. We're having good conversations and we both are commited to getting things done." Johannson also said that Price is seeking a short-term deal. We'll keep you posted. (Source: Montreal Gazette)
Re: Gainey looking for a forward and defensemen (Score: 1) by Les-Habitants on Monday, July 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
Sykora would be a nice addition, since the Habs need more offensive production, but it still doesn't solve their main problem done the middle. Hopefully, in addition to a skilled winger, we can finally get that coveted large/skilled center (but from where?). Maybe Bonk will finally show up...hey, one can always hope.
As for defence, I like Witt but another alternative D-man to look at is Danny Markov. He is a gritty player who isn't afraid of laying out the body and I believe would fit in well with our line up.
"...but Gainey is trying to land Richard Zednik in the deal."
Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Richard Zednik already with the Canadiens? Why would Gainey be trying to land him in a deal?
Also, Detroit is definitely not interested in David Aebiesher as Chris Osgood's playoff and regular season numbers are better than his - and they just re-signed him as a back-up!
I suspect that the Wings will either acquire Belfour or Hasek, or stand pat with Osgood and bring up Jimmy Howard to back him up.
Its sad but true, no one wants to play in Montreal. Reasons: Higher taxes, everyone speaks french, and to much pressure and bullshit from Canadiens fans. Good luck though.
Re: Gainey looking for a forward and defensemen (Score: 1) by BeeHive on Monday, July 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
Simply put, the habs missed the boat and now it's too late to do anything about it. To get caught up in the panic of being left behind and signing for the sake of signing is ludicrous and Gainey is too smart for that. I'd expect Bob to make a few tweaks through free agency, probably to the defence, then pull off a slightly larger deal involving Aebischer in the coming week or so. (If Gainey manages to pull a couple of deals involving Aebischer and Zednik/Ribeiro in return for some actual roster players, he's done his job admirably.)
Re: Gainey looking for a forward and defensemen (Score: 1) by agent11(habsguru@hotmail.com) on Monday, July 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
I have been reading your postings for a while now and for the most part the postings here are great! I wanted to add my $0.02 regarding free agent signings...Every one is after Gainey to sign someone...anyone. Elias would have been nice but he was lock to stay in Jersey...Jason Arnott is overrated due to the fact that after Elias..Arnott is the only other player labelled as big name. Arnott hasn't done anything to deserve this label as a Big name player...Anyhow, I believe you will see Gainey add a name like Sykora or Witt or a trade to shake things up. I think Gainey made a statement about the club when he signed Begin, Downey and Murray...he is looking for the gritty players...Arnott has never played to his size! I feel Gainey could use the $ 5MM he saved by avoiding Arnott to add the Gritty players he desires I also predict you will see Bonk and Ribiero come to life under Carbo...hang in there guys...it's a long road! Also wanted to add...some JA's are talking about why players do not want to play in Montreal...how many habs are seeking an out through UFA...sure there is alot of pressure on the players to perform...I think we all feel that every day in our jobs...people pay for results...that is part of it. I know a couple of ex-habs personally and they all tell me there is no better "family" in sport...so JA's...stay focused on your crappy Leaf situation!
Re: Gainey looking for a forward and defensemen (Score: 1) by Air33 on Monday, July 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
Theres nothing wrong with keeping cap room for the trade deadline!
Maybe they can take a page from Carolina's books?
Their team will still be better then last year if they stay the same.
Re: Gainey looking for a forward and defensemen (Score: 1) by jayhabsjay on Monday, July 03 (User Info | Send a Message)
well it looks like another year of sweating it out. i cant see how the habs will make the playoffs, now that the bruins have significantly improved their team. with the sabres the senators and now the bruins all in the same conference their is no way possible. i hate sitting around watching other teams get better while watching "les glorieux" do nothing. i for one am losing faith in bob gainey and until he proves otherwise i would not be saddened by his departure
