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Forums :: Blog World :: Eklund: Habs Hating Ridiculous. Isles Great Signing, Karlsson, Skinner..Buzz@1
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MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 9 @ 1:08 PM ET
Montreal is.
- The_Whale

Touché!
mgriffen
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Toronto
Joined: 02.01.2012

Jul 9 @ 1:08 PM ET
Is sneaky good anything like crazy good?

And Lou doesn't "Love to take chances on players like this"

Name 1 in the past.... Literally Name 1


my thought was he was talking about guys like Zaitsev, Borgman, and whatnot...guys from overseas that he brought over. Those were all super low risk contracts though. What did he pay for Kovar?
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Jul 9 @ 1:10 PM ET
Shea Weber is a good defenseman.

Or... was.

Almost $8 million per year until he's 41 years old?

A big, physical defenseman who only played 26 games last year and is going to miss a significant portion of this season due to injury?

That's not a good situation for a guy making 3 mill per, let alone $7.875.

You'd have a hard time finding someone to take on that level of risk.
willey101
Montreal Canadiens
Location: Am an addict for Habs talk. i
Joined: 10.06.2005

Jul 9 @ 1:10 PM ET
As a Habs fan I am not going to sit here and defend Price's contract. It is ridiculous. He is overpaid and if he does ever get dealt it would be for much less than his value is because of that deal.

With that said, I don't think the Habs are as bad as what people make them out to be.
When I think of last season it was a complete and utter disastter. I am also not the type of person to make excuses but:

1. Weber broke his foot on game 1 of the season. His loss, even for the 25 games he played with the broken foot was tremendous.
2. Danault who is one of the teams top 2 centers missed 30 games.
3. Artthuri Lehkonen who is going to be a 20 goal scorer missed 20 games
4. Price was brutal and will rebound.
5. Pacioretty missed 20 games and was not dangerous at all because of injury.

Do I think they are contenders....no chance. But by that same token I think they can be a playoff team. Not a lock for the playoffs but can contend for them. Simply needs the cards to fall in the right place unlike last season. Their issue right now is lack of depth on D and a lack of centers thereby forcing guys like Drouin and Shaw to play down the middle.

One of the things that nobody gives credit for his that right now they have among the best wingers 9as a collective in the NHL). I know personal bias might lead you to say otherwise but they have Patch/Gally capable of 30 goals, Byron/Drouin/Lehkonen right there for 20 goals. Then add guys like Domi/Shaw/Hudon/Scherbak to the mix and they have the making of a very good group of wingers.

Big question is down the middle and on D.
BALUCHA
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 06.22.2015

Jul 9 @ 1:11 PM ET
lol, MTL suddenly has some negativity and it's atrocious... while Toronto has been that way for at least 10-12 years until Matthews came.
Scabeh
Montreal Canadiens
Location: The Slovakian Jagr, QC
Joined: 02.25.2007

Jul 9 @ 1:15 PM ET
I kinda understand the issue that many have with Montreal, but that is much more of a big picture view. They have the same organizational needs that they have had for the last three years. They moved the most dynamic player that they had in what is in many ways a lateral move, but they did get older. Now, still with the same holes in the roster they are looking at moving another player...and I don't mean Weber or Price.

As for Weber or Price. Right now, even with Weber injured and Price coming off a very challenging season, they both would command a lot on the trade market.

Weber is instantly a top pair player who kills penalties and can play on the PP. He can be physical and add points. He can run the defense on ice better than anyone I have seen since Mark Howe (and that includes Brian Leetch and Nick Lidstrom). He is not particularly quick, but he slows the game down by his presence, much the way Pronger could.

Price, yes, you might need to qualify some of the offers. Yes, he might not get the same as he would after 17-18. BUT, other than maybe Washinton (who had benched Holtby to start the playoffs) or the Jets, I don't know of a team who would not have a long conversation about bringing Price in. He is a technique first goalie and may not fit in some teams, but he is so steady and as we have seen, he makes a mediocre team competitive. A good team he makes a contender.

Those two aside, the general mess that Montreal has on their hands is of their own making. Until they find a way to get not just one, but two real NHL centers who not only want to come there, but who are willing to stay...this will continue to be the case.

- wbon22


Bang on.

Lemme buy you a beer good sir.
BlackhawkMike
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.30.2011

Jul 9 @ 1:17 PM ET
lol, MTL suddenly has some negativity and it's atrocious... while Toronto has been that way for at least 10-12 years until Matthews came.
- BALUCHA


No, Toronto has been that way since the 1960's and their last appearance in a Stanley Cup.
Scabeh
Montreal Canadiens
Location: The Slovakian Jagr, QC
Joined: 02.25.2007

Jul 9 @ 1:17 PM ET
Shea Weber is a good defenseman.

Or... was.

Almost $8 million per year until he's 41 years old?

A big, physical defenseman who only played 26 games last year and is going to miss a significant portion of this season due to injury?

That's not a good situation for a guy making 3 mill per, let alone $7.875.

You'd have a hard time finding someone to take on that level of risk.

- BINGO!


I disagree.

Weber is a dominating force who would make every single NHL team much better.

Him being seriously injured for the first time of his career doesn't change that. He's also a player that has excellent positionning and never based his game on speed, which usually transitions well into his late 30's (Like Chara or Pronger).
stinger67
Montreal Canadiens
Location: QC
Joined: 07.03.2008

Jul 9 @ 1:18 PM ET
Bang on.

Lemme buy you a beer good sir.

- Scabeh


16 points in 26 games playing on one leg, it's not that bad.

This upcoming season will hurt though...because when he comes back (mid-december I think), he'll be a step behind and will have to catch up.
willey101
Montreal Canadiens
Location: Am an addict for Habs talk. i
Joined: 10.06.2005

Jul 9 @ 1:19 PM ET
I disagree.

Weber is a dominating force who would make every single NHL team much better.

Him being seriously injured for the first time of his career doesn't change that. He's also a player that has excellent positionning and never based his game on speed, which usually transitions well into his late 30's (Like Chara or Pronger).

- Scabeh


Guys like Weber have never had footspeed as an asset. They use smarts, position and attitude as their strength. Players like Stevens, Pronger, Chelios played long into their age because of these strengths. I agree with you in that he might slow down slightly but will remain a top end Dman until he retires.
Stripes77
Referee
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Where ever Matt Ellis allows me to be, NY
Joined: 07.30.2012

Jul 9 @ 1:19 PM ET
Jeff Skinner to the Sabres makes zero sense.
- The_Whale



First of all yes it makes perfect sense a top line LWer to play with Eichel and Reinhart

As far the Price situation goes, paying a goalie $10 million is insane in a cap era.

Shea Weber at $8 million a year is awful, it's even worse since he is going to miss at least half the season.

ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Jul 9 @ 1:20 PM ET
Jeff Skinner to the Sabres makes zero sense.
- The_Whale

I'll PLay.

Which winger do the Sabres currently have that is Jeff Skinner?
Alexzanki
Columbus Blue Jackets
Location: Montreal, QC
Joined: 06.03.2008

Jul 9 @ 1:22 PM ET
Shea Weber is a good defenseman.

Or... was.

Almost $8 million per year until he's 41 years old?

A big, physical defenseman who only played 26 games last year and is going to miss a significant portion of this season due to injury?

That's not a good situation for a guy making 3 mill per, let alone $7.875.

You'd have a hard time finding someone to take on that level of risk.

- BINGO!


With the mileage on Shea , he looks more like a Sheldon Souray , then Shea Weber.
hereticpride
New Jersey Devils
Location: HEY. Does this pole still work?, NJ
Joined: 01.14.2011

Jul 9 @ 1:27 PM ET
Ek, learn how to separate the player from the contract. Weber's and Price's contracts are both complete tire fires and somehow the Habs managed to get themselves stuck with both of them.

Holmgren drew up that offer sheet and is out as a GM for good reason. Bergevin will be gone soon too. No need to defend idiocy.
ImThatGuy
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I AM MY OWN DAMN SOURCE!, NY
Joined: 11.04.2010

Jul 9 @ 1:28 PM ET
Aside from Crosby and McDavid, Contracts that hold an AAV of 9MM or higher are virtually unmovable.

Too much risk in these long term high dollar deals for other teams to take on.

Not to mention the assets these other teams would want.
Crushers68
New Jersey Devils
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Joined: 02.17.2009

Jul 9 @ 1:29 PM ET
Is sneaky good anything like crazy good?

And Lou doesn't "Love to take chances on players like this"

Name 1 in the past.... Literally Name 1


If I recall, he took a chance that nobody else wanted to when he found Rafalski? Or maybe my memory isn't what it used to be.
BINGO!
Carolina Hurricanes
Location: I'll always remember the last words my grandfather ever told me. He said, "A Truck!", SK
Joined: 09.21.2009

Jul 9 @ 1:33 PM ET
I disagree.

Weber is a dominating force who would make every single NHL team much better.

Him being seriously injured for the first time of his career doesn't change that. He's also a player that has excellent positionning and never based his game on speed, which usually transitions well into his late 30's (Like Chara or Pronger).

- Scabeh


Okay, well, he turns 33 in a month and will have missed around 100 straight games by the time he comes back.

Going to be a bit difficult to get back up to speed.
mgriffen
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Toronto
Joined: 02.01.2012

Jul 9 @ 1:33 PM ET
Ek, learn how to separate the player from the contract. Weber's and Price's contracts are both complete tire fires and somehow the Habs managed to get themselves stuck with both of them.

Holmgren drew up that offer sheet and is out as a GM for good reason. Bergevin will be gone soon too. No need to defend idiocy.

- hereticpride


Yeah but, and it's been said a ton of times on here, the team that's taking the biggest risk with Weber is still Nashville, right? Yeah he's got a big contract, but if he was healthy then I don't think anyone would be complaining. He's still an elite d man, just hit some bad luck with injuries. Everything went wrong for the Habs after the trade.
Scabeh
Montreal Canadiens
Location: The Slovakian Jagr, QC
Joined: 02.25.2007

Jul 9 @ 1:35 PM ET
Okay, well, he turns 33 in a month and will have missed around 100 straight games by the time he comes back.

Going to be a bit difficult to get back up to speed.

- BINGO!


Are you saying he won't ruin the Habs chances of getting another top 3 pick?

Because that would be great.

spatso
Ottawa Senators
Location: jensen beach, FL
Joined: 02.19.2007

Jul 9 @ 1:35 PM ET
Local media in Ottawa has gone dead on Karlsson talk. They are making sounds suggesting we should expect to see him in training camp. I believe this is only possible with a change in ownership
stinger67
Montreal Canadiens
Location: QC
Joined: 07.03.2008

Jul 9 @ 1:37 PM ET
Are you saying he won't ruin the Habs chances of getting another top 3 pick?

Because that would be great.

- Scabeh


Lose for Hughes

sliprock65
Joined: 08.20.2010

Jul 9 @ 1:41 PM ET
Okay. Ek probably loses most credibility when he launches a blog that defends the Habs not being a total shyte show, especially when he provides so much “rationale”..
- FinnGod



Ek loses credibility every day just by writing..

MnGump
Minnesota Wild
Location: Columbus, MN
Joined: 06.21.2012

Jul 9 @ 1:41 PM ET
Aside from Crosby and McDavid, Contracts that hold an AAV of 9MM or higher are virtually unmovable.

Too much risk in these long term high dollar deals for other teams to take on.

Not to mention the assets these other teams would want.

- ImThatGuy

Ala Zach Parise/Ryan Suter...
icemen
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo, NY
Joined: 11.14.2006

Jul 9 @ 1:42 PM ET
It is ridiculous to pay a goalie 10M. And only the dumb Canadiens would do that. They would trade them if they could but NO other NHL team want a 10 M dollar a year goalie. It restricts everything else you can do. Come on Eklund get a clue, and dont just write nonsense bc you like a player.
xShoot4WarAmpsx
Philadelphia Flyers
Location: Hamilton, ON
Joined: 06.25.2010

Jul 9 @ 1:42 PM ET
Ottawa's odds are 150 to 1 to win the Cup. Think I'll put $25 on that and hope they can pull off a Vegas like season with a team of misfits. $25 is basically pocket change anyways.

I have never gambled before so I dont know if there is a minimum limit or if that meets it
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