I have no issues with keeping Markov a couple of more years.

Now if you wanna talk about moving on from players... Gorges ?
- WaterBoy

agree.

Tired of this "size and physicality" narrative.

The Kings are not winning because they are grinding. They are winning because they are a skilled team that can break out of their zone, enter the offensive zone with the puck and shoot more often then their opponents.

It's not Regehr, Green, Mitchell, Brown and Richards that make this team.

It's Doughty, Kopitar, Carter, Williams, Toffoli and Gaborik.
- DrRecchi

Dougty is a physical beast.
So is Kopitar.

And the point of the blog wasn't to say it's just the big and nasty. It's the big and nasty doing what they need to do so that the skilled guys can prevail.

Chicago is the anomaly, not the norm. As someone else mentioned, they have two of the clutchest players on Earth in Toews and Kane (both of them are tough as nails too) and Duncan Keith on the backend.

I have no issues with keeping Markov a couple of more years.

Now if you wanna talk about moving on from players... Gorges ?
- WaterBoy

Emelin should go first IMO.

agree.
- DoubleDown

What I like about Markov is his ability to skate the puck and his vision... something we don't really have after PK on the back end.

Beaulieu should be eased in this season.

Tinordi ain't the same type of player as Markov... Looks like we have enough shutdown D's on this team to send Gorges packing.

Not intended to be a slight to you, but it doesn't matter what you think.
He's almost a ppg player, he's got great hockey sense, and his compete level was tremendous in the playoffs. He's got a cap-friendly contract. There are more than a few teams who could use him -- especially those who are paying too much for players who do less.

On his own, he could definitely fetch an excellent prospect, or even a 1st round pick. Packaged, as he's likely to be if he's traded, who knows...
- EricEngels

ppg player?? hummm

I agree his compete level was pretty much all there in these playoffs but, thats exactly my point, didn't we see the best he could do in the playoffs??

I still think we better keep DD as the future 2nd line center and trade Plekanec to get more in exchange.

Emelin should go first IMO.
- Puckers

Agreed.. but I think he stays because he can actually hit like a truck.

Something Gorges can't do.

i don't see the point in trading him. he's a good player. Gionta, Briere, Bouillon... gotta go. just have to.
- DoubleDown

Exactly...a small-skilled player is fine... but a small player who brings nothing (or not much)?

What I like about Markov is his ability to skate the puck and his vision... something we don't really have after PK on the back end.

Beaulieu should be eased in this season.

Tinordi ain't the same type of player as Markov... Looks like we have enough shutdown D's on this team to send Gorges packing.
- WaterBoy

i have nothing against Markov and if he could be signed for one year, that would be amazing. MAYBE 2 years. maybe. but 3? not a chance.

i worry that Gorges will be the next captain and will stay in the top 4 for the next 4 years.

ppg player?? hummm

I agree his compete level was pretty much all there in these playoffs but, thats exactly my point, didn't we see the best he could do in the playoffs??

I still think we better keep DD as the future 2nd line center and trade Plekanec to get more in exchange.
- soad_live

Try and trade for E.Kane.

Exactly...a small-skilled player is fine... but a small player who brings nothing (or not much)?
- TouenneTiiTree

and even long term, DD and Gallagher... that's enough children up front.

which is why i'm quite content with Pacioretty. though i'm seemingly alone in that sentiment... but no i think it's good that we're slowly running him out of town. i don't think that guy is crazy about playing here to be honest. he makes a lot comments about the criticism he gets in Montreal.
- DoubleDown

I think he loves playing here. He's just a bit more honest about the things that nobody likes about playing here. Price was too at one point, and that doesn't change that he loves playing here too.

i have nothing against Markov and if he could be signed for one year, that would be amazing. MAYBE 2 years. maybe. but 3? not a chance.

i worry that Gorges will be the next captain and will stay in the top 4 for the next 4 years.
- DoubleDown

Quite sure Markov can help this team for 2 years. ( don't play him 25+ a night...)
3 years ? Risky but if you manage his minutes (3rd duo + PP) I'm quite sure that he could still be efficient enough.

What I like about Markov is his ability to skate the puck and his vision... something we don't really have after PK on the back end.

Beaulieu should be eased in this season.

Tinordi ain't the same type of player as Markov... Looks like we have enough shutdown D's on this team to send Gorges packing.
- WaterBoy

The problem with Markov is that he wants long term.

I can't imagine MB signing him for more than 2 years. If he wants more, we better let him go and pass the torché.

And it's not like Markov is a playoffs beast.

I think he loves playing here. He's just a bit more honest about the things that nobody likes about playing here. Price was too at one point, and that doesn't change that he loves playing here too.
- EricEngels

i don't blame Pacioretty for being frustrated. i think the heat he takes is a joke. if he played in Toronto they'd be fitting him for a bust in HHOF next to Kessel. but here he's too soft!!!!

Try and trade for E.Kane.
- WaterBoy

Yeah

Plekanec and a 1st??

The problem with Markov is that he wants long term.

I can't imagine MB signing him for more than 2 years. If he wants more, we better let him go and pass the torché.

And it's not like Markov is a playoffs beast.
- soad_live

There's nobody out there available to replace what Markov brings to this team.

Not even Boyle.

It's a risk the Habs need to take ( the 3 year contract if they can't get 2 years).

Yeah

Plekanec and a 1st??
- soad_live

Nope.

I'd do Ladd for Plek...

but it wouldn't work for the Peg.

and even long term, DD and Gallagher... that's enough children up front.
- DoubleDown

I would tend to agree...but there may be exceptions...it depends on the player...

Quite sure Markov can help this team for 2 years. ( don't play him 25+ a night...)
3 years ? Risky but if you manage his minutes (3rd duo + PP) I'm quite sure that he could still be efficient enough.
- WaterBoy

also thinking $$$ wise. team needs to maintain flexibility. the one thing i don't want to see as a fan is MB spend to the cap just to keep this team together. as currently constructed, they're good but not good enough, so i don't see the point.

The problem with Markov is that he wants long term.

I can't imagine MB signing him for more than 2 years. If he wants more, we better let him go and pass the torché.

And it's not like Markov is a playoffs beast.
- soad_live

It's Chelios all over again...we'll let him walk and he'll play for another 20 years!!!

NOTE: I'm kidding! But I wouldn't be afraid to give him 3 years...I think the 4th would be the real gamble...

also thinking $$$ wise. team needs to maintain flexibility. the one thing i don't want to see as a fan is MB spend to the cap just to keep this team together. as currently constructed, they're good but not good enough, so i don't see the point.
- DoubleDown

Agreed.

Markov could have a cheaper cap hit if he gets that 3rd year.

Cap will also go up in the next 3.. so the impact won't be as bad.

There's nobody out there available to replace what Markov brings to this team.

Not even Boyle.

It's a risk the Habs need to take ( the 3 year contract if they can't get 2 years).
- WaterBoy

Markov brings alot yes, but he also has evident flaws that you can solve with someone out there.

Markov brings alot yes, but he also has evident flaws that you can solve with someone out there.
- soad_live

What are you talking about ?

also thinking $$$ wise. team needs to maintain flexibility. the one thing i don't want to see as a fan is MB spend to the cap just to keep this team together. as currently constructed, they're good but not good enough, so i don't see the point.
- DoubleDown

Exactly my point.

4 years is too much.
3 years is a big gamble
2 years still can be managed.

What are you talking about ?
- WaterBoy

Stop playing with me donk.