Steven Hindle: Unfrozen Assets: Habs Buyout Kaberle ...

First!

Wait it's a habs blog. Never mind...

My question toward Bergevin of the "Why, oh Why" variety does not concern Drewiske, but rather one David Desharnais. WHY?!

I'm pretty sure one of Markov, DD or Plekanec will be gone prior to the draft.

Unfortunately, i would like Gionta gone as well but it seems impossible.

But for the objectives of the discussion, if we consider that Markov might be traded for a 2nd round pick or a prospect (ala Ouellet), it will free another 5,75M$ of cap space.

So about 15M$ disponible.

I would try and sign Bickell at 3,5M$ per
Murray at 3,5M$ per

And i would trade Weber for Rupp (1,5M$).

The team is a lot tougher and we still get 6,5M$ for a possible addition at the deadline if we are competitives.

My question toward Bergevin of the "Why, oh Why" variety does not concern Drewiske, but rather one David Desharnais. WHY?!
- kev1586

I think DD will bounce back this season. But even if he does, what will happen in the playoffs??

Bergevin won't trade markov. D like him don't grow on trees. Desharnais is likely a guy he will move since the centre positions will be filled, but look for Desharnais to start the season. As for plekanec getting traded it won't happen this year. Eller is being groomed for that spot, 2 way centres are rare, pleky plays hard mins against top lines and on pk. Bergevin will build his team thru the draft, don't look for a bunch of trades and signings. He will put out offers to iggy, jagr and Horton, but I'm sure hes looking to fill one spot on forward and kick tires on a vet d.

If Bergevin is committed to using what he has, he is not going to get rid of any other major pieces yet. He has the luxury of adding one or two pieces this year, then not renewing Gionta opening more space the following year. I think going after a talented right wing like Briere or Iginla is a great place to start. Adding one more experienced piece in the bottom 6 is about all he is going to do this year. I would also like to see him add a Scuderi or even a Ron Hainsey, but I'm not convinced that will happen.

Habs could use Markov to move into a top 10 selection. Anything else, and I think they hold on to him until the deadline. If they are trying to move into the 11-20 range, then perhaps they could package Gionta+pick 25?

I'm pretty sure one of Markov, DD or Plekanec will be gone prior to the draft.

Unfortunately, i would like Gionta gone as well but it seems impossible.

But for the objectives of the discussion, if we consider that Markov might be traded for a 2nd round pick or a prospect (ala Ouellet), it will free another 5,75M$ of cap space.

So about 15M$ disponible.

I would try and sign Bickell at 3,5M$ per
Murray at 3,5M$ per

And i would trade Weber for Rupp (1,5M$).

The team is a lot tougher and we still get 6,5M$ for a possible addition at the deadline if we are competitives.
- soad_live

would be great, but based on a combination of Chicago's last post cup experience (losing incredibly important key pieces in Versteeg, Ladd and Buff) and Bickell's being the kind of player who shows he's willing to take on someone like Chara, over and over again without getting dirty or taking penalties as well as produce, you'd have to overpay starting at 4.5 to steal him away from the Hawks imo

This GM is a friggin genious

Habs could use Markov to move into a top 10 selection. Anything else, and I think they hold on to him until the deadline. If they are trying to move into the 11-20 range, then perhaps they could package Gionta+pick 25?
- kev1586

Who's going to give up a top 10 pick for your late pick and a 35 year old player with 2 shot knees?

Why not go after David Clarkson? You need some size on that lineup of midgets. He'd be awesome for Montreal, no doubt. Expect to spend at least $5-5.5M on him though.

Who's going to give up a top 10 pick for your late pick and a 35 year old player with 2 shot knees?
- Seabass2012

Exactly.

I would trade Markov and 25th for Abdelkder and 18th.

Habs could use Markov to move into a top 10 selection. Anything else, and I think they hold on to him until the deadline. If they are trying to move into the 11-20 range, then perhaps they could package Gionta+pick 25?
- kev1586

With all due respect, I cant see why a team would trade the 10th pick for an aging D-man with injury history and only a year left on his contract. If i'm, let's say, the team with the #10 pick, I draft a prospect that can play for my team for the next 10 to 15 years.

In a year with the cap going down, teams are well aware that cheap prospects are the way to contend.

One thing MB could do is move his 25th pick with Diaz to maybe get the 20th pick.

I'm pretty sure one of Markov, DD or Plekanec will be gone prior to the draft.

Unfortunately, i would like Gionta gone as well but it seems impossible.

But for the objectives of the discussion, if we consider that Markov might be traded for a 2nd round pick or a prospect (ala Ouellet), it will free another 5,75M$ of cap space.

So about 15M$ disponible.

I would try and sign Bickell at 3,5M$ per
Murray at 3,5M$ per

And i would trade Weber for Rupp (1,5M$).

The team is a lot tougher and we still get 6,5M$ for a possible addition at the deadline if we are competitives.
- soad_live

Other than Rupp for Weber, Oh dear god am I glad you're not in charge of a team.

Markov: only a 2nd OR a prospect? Did you see the contracts Gonchar and Streit got? Markov would be in demand.

Bickell: Joel ward and Fernando Pisani are surely available instead.
Murray: Slow pylon.

Bergevin won't trade markov. D like him don't grow on trees. Desharnais is likely a guy he will move since the centre positions will be filled, but look for Desharnais to start the season. As for plekanec getting traded it won't happen this year. Eller is being groomed for that spot, 2 way centres are rare, pleky plays hard mins against top lines and on pk. Bergevin will build his team thru the draft, don't look for a bunch of trades and signings. He will put out offers to iggy, jagr and Horton, but I'm sure hes looking to fill one spot on forward and kick tires on a vet d.
- kovey27

Why not go after David Clarkson? You need some size on that lineup of midgets. He'd be awesome for Montreal, no doubt. Expect to spend at least $5-5.5M on him though.
- Orpik44

you answered your own question.

Ryan Jones.

Other than Rupp for Weber, Oh dear god am I glad you're not in charge of a team.

Markov: only a 2nd OR a prospect? Did you see the contracts Gonchar and Streit got? Markov would be in demand.

Bickell: Joel ward and Fernando Pisani are surely available instead.
Murray: Slow pylon.
- muffin_man

so Markov for NYI first??

so Markov for NYI first??
- soad_live

My 2 cents

I don't think Markov is getting traded this summer, not until Beaulieu has proven he can play at the NHL level. If Markov is traded, it will be at the trade deadline.

I'm pretty sure one of Markov, DD or Plekanec will be gone prior to the draft.

Unfortunately, i would like Gionta gone as well but it seems impossible.

But for the objectives of the discussion, if we consider that Markov might be traded for a 2nd round pick or a prospect (ala Ouellet), it will free another 5,75M$ of cap space.

So about 15M$ disponible.

I would try and sign Bickell at 3,5M$ per
Murray at 3,5M$ per

And i would trade Weber for Rupp (1,5M$).

The team is a lot tougher and we still get 6,5M$ for a possible addition at the deadline if we are competitives.
- soad_live

Neither Markov nor Plakanec will be gone prior to the draft you can bet the house on it !!!

Who's going to give up a top 10 pick for your late pick and a 35 year old player with 2 shot knees?
- Seabass2012

A team that has a need on the PP and a scouting department who thinks the steal of the first round will still be available come pick 25. It's a long shot, and I'll agree that in all likelihood, Markov is still a Hab after the draft. But these are conditions for moving Markov if I'm Bergevin. Stars just paid 5M per for Gonchar, so Markov has some value and a second round pick is not enough to get him out of Montreal.

The team with the piece in demand gets to set the price. Otherwise, Habs move on with Markov and PP setting the PP table with Beaulieu learning on PP2 eventually this season. Not a big deal.

My 2 cents

I don't think Markov is getting traded this summer, not until Beaulieu has proven he can play at the NHL level. If Markov is traded, it will be at the trade deadline.
- Symba007

Agreed. No sense moving him as we don't have a replacement yet and we could re-sign him pretty easily after the season if he does well. He loves montreal and would probably go to Russia if he doesnt return.

I can see MB focusing on bringing in vets like Markov for 1-2 years until the kids are ready.

Clearing room for Volchenkov ? I kid

Looking at the long term health of the club, josh gorges would have been the more responsible buyout, from a cap/on ice value perspective. But I guess that wouldn't have gone over well in the room.