if the canes aren't ready to qualify him next year, and paid a 1st and a 3rd for just 1 season at 6M.... they're (frank)ing stupid.
and if they do qualify him next year, they're pretty stupid too.
bottom line, they're pretty stupid.
- fidopro

They don't have to qualify him. He can sign a long term extension starting on January 1st. And it can be lower than $6M

Danault albeit solid shut down, is not make or break. I prefer replacing Danault than trying to replace Suzuki, Toffoli, Anderson, Petry, Edmundson…

Weber was nothing special in playoffs. He was slow and was not efficient on power play. I think Habs actually improve by not having to play him every night.

Caufield and Romanov can improve dramatically.
Adding Hoffman as a scoring winger is a great move.
I think Habs will have a better season than last year with some players having gelled together during last season.

Call me optimist, but i see them 6th seed
- The_Price_is_right

I think Petry is a number one defenseman, but he will have more pressure now. Agree on Romanov and Caufield, but it takes more time for a defenseman than a winger.

Danault was a good shut down C. Evans could step in, but he's green. I like Suzuki, but he can't play on 2 lines either.

They have some good pieces, but they have some wholes as well.

I think Bergevin has to get a C now if he does not match and I don't think he should. I don't think KK wants to be here long term.

I still don't understand their goalie moves, sending the kid to DET for a pick. puzzling.
- fidopro

They would be much better off having dougie hamilton than KK for almost same salary

They don't have to qualify him. He can sign a long term extension starting on January 1st. And it can be lower than $6M
- mr.peanut

again, why would kk sign that extention? he just has to wait to be qualified and make another 6M.

again, why would kk sign that extention? he just has to wait to be qualified and make another 6M.
- fidopro

or test the market, not sure he would take less

[quote=braidan]
did you expect something like this to happen?


I still think it's a bit childish from the Canes. Aho was as superstar, not KK. Anyway.

They would be much better off having dougie hamilton than KK for almost same salary
- The_Price_is_right

But that doesn't mess with the Habs.

[quote=deadpoulet]
it is what it is.
I think it puts them in a bind for future negotiations with their own RFAs

Should never have gone 3rd overall. Somewhere 10-15 would have been more appropriate. Poor drafting. Getting a 1st and 3rd for him, while not a home run isn't terrible for a player who although young, doesn't seem to be progressing as hoped. He may still turn into a seventy point guy but I'm guessing no
- Hardbalz

It's interesting that the team that had the 2nd overall pick that year was Carolina. Kotkaniemi went just next and, now, Carolina has tried to trade for him and sign him. That suggests to me that Carolina probably had him in the top 5 and someone that they really scouted and came to like. That's not to say that 10-15 wouldn't have been more appropriate, but that, if Montreal hadn't picked him so soon, some other team might've taken him in the top 10. After all, it stands to reason that a likelihood of that is why Montreal didn't just trade down to #10 or so to take him.

I do... Because arbitration would bite him in the ass if he underperforms.
- Darksyde

If he underperforms and gets low balled he can always become UFA

or test the market, not sure he would take less
- braidan

I thought he would still be an RFA? Hence the need to qualify... If they don't qualify, it goes to arbitration, no?

I think Petry is a number one defenseman, but he will have more pressure now. Agree on Romanov and Caufield, but it takes more time for a defenseman than a winger.

Danault was a good shut down C. Evans could step in, but he's green. I like Suzuki, but he can't play on 2 lines either.

They have some good pieces, but they have some wholes as well.

I think Bergevin has to get a C now if he does not match and I don't think he should. I don't think KK wants to be here long term.
- deadpoulet

I would be wiling to trade 2 1st round picks +poehling and ylonen for a quality center

again, why would kk sign that extention? he just has to wait to be qualified and make another 6M.
- fidopro

Listen, the kid took $6M and bet on himself that he would make it a good contract.

A few media folks have stated the extension has been somewhat agreed upon... but even if he does not take it and bombs - he still has $6M and some team will give him a few million the next season.

This is all win for KK.

So whether he takes the extension or QO or goes elsewhere, does not matter.

if the canes aren't ready to qualify him next year, and paid a 1st and a 3rd for just 1 season at 6M.... they're (frank)ing stupid.
and if they do qualify him next year, they're pretty stupid too.
bottom line, they're pretty stupid.
- fidopro

Sure but he will probably not play at this level and sign under that with them. If he gets 4 or 4 4,5 per for a few seasons, I think he will sign. I just don't think he would as a Habs.

again, why would kk sign that extention? he just has to wait to be qualified and make another 6M.
- fidopro

Long term stability.

If he is arbitration eligible and doesn't live up to 6M, why take the chance if you're him?

It's interesting that the team that had the 2nd overall pick that year was Carolina. Kotkaniemi went just next and, now, Carolina has tried to trade for him and sign him. That suggests to me that Carolina probably had him in the top 5 and someone that they really scouted and came to like. That's not to say that 10-15 wouldn't have been more appropriate, but that, if Montreal hadn't picked him so soon, some other team might've taken him in the top 10. After all, it stands to reason that a likelihood of that is why Montreal didn't just trade down to #10 or so to take him.
- Osprey

If montreal had taken tkachuk at #3 as they should of. Their wouldnt even be a debate.
Quinn Hughes is the best of that draft. But Tkachuk at #3 was the logical move at that time

Listen, the kid took $6M and bet on himself that he would make it a good contract.

A few media folks have stated the extension has been somewhat agreed upon... but even if he does not take it and bombs - he still has $6M and some team will give him a few million the next season.

This is all win for KK.

So whether he takes the extension or QO or goes elsewhere, does not matter.
- Mashadar

of course, noone said otherwise

If montreal had taken tkachuk at #3 as they should of. Their wouldnt even be a debate.
Quinn Hughes is the best of that draft. But Tkachuk at #3 was the logical move at that time
- The_Price_is_right

Sure there would... They've already shown that this has nothing to do with the player, it's a retribution attack against Montreal.. Nothing more.

I thought he would still be an RFA? Hence the need to qualify... If they don't qualify, it goes to arbitration, no?
- Darksyde

If a team does not value the player enough they do not have to send them a qualifying offer. However, if a player does not receive a qualifying offer they will become a UFA with the ability to sign with any team of their choice.

Agreed can't blame him for taking the money, but after doing this do you really think he'll take a paycut the following years?
- braidan

He won't have to unless his agent is a complete moron. All he has to do is sign his QOs until he is an UFA.

Long term stability.

If he is arbitration eligible and doesn't live up to 6M, why take the chance if you're him?
- mr.peanut

he's not

I would be wiling to trade 2 1st round picks +poehling and ylonen for a quality center
- The_Price_is_right

yikes, that better be a damn good center.

Long term stability.

If he is arbitration eligible and doesn't live up to 6M, why take the chance if you're him?
- mr.peanut

His draft status will pretty much guarantee he would get offers as an UFA even if he doesn't get a QO.

Listen, the kid took $6M and bet on himself that he would make it a good contract.

A few media folks have stated the extension has been somewhat agreed upon... but even if he does not take it and bombs - he still has $6M and some team will give him a few million the next season.

This is all win for KK.

So whether he takes the extension or QO or goes elsewhere, does not matter.
- Mashadar

Actually, if KK stays in Montreal and underperforms? He'll be crucified by the fans and the press. And I don't know if he can take that.

On the flipside, say GMMB matches, and tells KK, "We believe in you, we always have. Now show us we were right about you." That can be a huge confidence boost for KK. Most of the times where a player of his calibre underperforms, it's psychological. That's why I say put him on a line with Gally and Anderson. Hard work would be the mantra, and they will give him space to create plays for both himself and his linemates.

he's not
- fidopro

oh well. still see him signing an extension