Confirmed with Link: Habs invite Joel Ward to training camp

[Le Tricolore]

Canadiens invite Joel Ward to training camp

Neat. I like him as a player. I assume he's not as good as he once was, but could be a nice vet to have around.

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[Le Barron de HF]

He seems like a good guy but he's redundant (and washed up) here. I hope it's only to complete the roster for some intrasquad games. Given how many new players and how many interesting pieces we have, I would prefer that we invest in energy elsewhere.

 

[Habsawce]

Yeah, I'd have no issue with it. However, it's another depth winger which isn't a need. Although, if they were to keep the kids in the minors together to grow together and go for a championship in the AHL then I'd be all for having Ward sign a contract.

 

[L4br3cqu3]

He seems like a good guy but he's redundant (and washed up) here. I hope it's only to complete the roster for some intrasquad games. Given how many new players and how many interesting pieces we have, I would prefer that we invest in energy elsewhere.

Given the glaring lack of size of our lineup, a big grinder like him may push the kids around enough for some of them to grow some grit to start the season.

That's honestly the only thing I could see.

Damn we have small forwards...

 

[Habs 4 Life]

I like the guy but I'd rather they just play the kids, unless they want to flip him at the trade deadline if he is worth something

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I mean, I don't really care about this in the long run, I just hope that it means that they're looking at him like a vet who could help out in the minors a la Ajay Baynes or Eric Manlow, the type of vets that contributed in the minors back in our good AHL days. I would want him on an AHL only deal tho, not sure if he'd accept that.

 

[Tyson]

He turns 38 in December, why not simply give the kids a legitimate shot? Ward had 5 goals last year in 52 games

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Given the glaring lack of size of our lineup, a big grinder like him may push the kids around enough for some of them to grow some grit to start the season.

That's honestly the only thing I could see.

Damn we have small forwards...

Ward in his prime would have been a solid addition but I prefer giving that token role to a guy like DLo who's younger, hungrier and a local guy.

On a different note, I think the team should look at finding more Fleischmann's than guys like Logan Shaw or washed up grinders who have nothing left to offer.

 

[Mrb1p]

Yeah ... like we need a other 4th liner...

 

[EagleBelfour]

I like it. He was still a pretty effective player a few years back. If the youngster can’t outplay a 37 years old Joel Ward, perhaps they’re not ready to play fulltime in the NHL.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Nothing to jump for joy about. But I don't mind this guy one bit. Good use of a PTO.

 

[Laurentide]

Could be worse. They could have invited Jason Ward instead of Joel Ward. Only Grant McCagg would have been happy with that move.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Don't see him making it, but if he does then something has to break with the winger logjam.

 

[The Great Weal]

I dont mind this, but there has to be a trade going on. Way too many forwards.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I like it. He was still a pretty effective player a few years back. If the youngster can’t outplay a 37 years old Joel Ward, perhaps they’re not ready to play fulltime in the NHL.

Well the issue here, as posters like LaP have been adament about over the years, it's that we tend to keep the guy like Ward, with no upside whatsoever based on the fact that we need someone to warm the pressbox. But if we keep sending the younger player down the waivers and he never gets his chance, then what's the point in drafting these kids?

 

[llamateizer]

In case of Byron not ready to play?

 

[donghabs98]

I like it. If he shows that he has any gas left in the tank he could be a good trading piece at the deadline and good mentor.

While I would like a full youth lineup we also need vets around to guide them and Ward is the type of guy you can take out of the lineup at any time anyway

 

[Habs Icing]

Larry Carriere: Marc, we're short on decent defense especially the left side.
Mellanby: And we still have no experienced legit #1 or #2 centers
Lapointe: And we have too many wingers. How will I develop them?
Bergevin: (Winks at Timmins) I got it covered guys. We just picked up Ward.
Mellanby: Joel effing Ward!
Carriere: Effing A
Lapointe: Effing double A
Timmins Who the ef is Joel Ward?

 

[scrubadam]

Its a PTO he may not even make the team.

Shaw/Byron are injured so there is need of some depth even with all the youngsters.

If he is on the team he could maybe be flipped for a 5th/7th rounder or something.

No problem with free assets. This team is young and we will need vets to help the guys in the dressing room on how to be a professional.

 

[Captain Mountain]

In case of Byron not ready to play?

Looks like Byron will be ready.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

In case of Byron not ready to play?

All signs are making it seem like he'll be ready for Monday, he's no longer training with the other injured players.

 

[The Great Weal]

Trade Byron+Wsrd at the deadline for a better Weise like return.

 

[Le Barron de HF]

I like it. If he shows that he has any gas left in the tank he could be a good trading piece at the deadline and good mentor.

While I would like a full youth lineup we also need vets around to guide them and Ward is the type of guy you can take out of the lineup at any time anyway

To play devil's advocate, what's the most a guy like Ward will fetch you realistically speaking (expecting an even bigger regression than his stats from last year)? A fifth? A fourth if you're lucky? I'd rather we keep DLo and Peca around since the payoff is bigger and they are younger if we decide we want to have them around when we start making some noise again.

 

[Tyson]

Going to be a season to forget

 

[Sterling Archer]

Think it's more a way to show the younger kids how they have to compete in camp from a veteran. Besides him, not many vets in camp as forwards. Byron is the oldest at 29 and he has a roster spot. Like it only as motivator but rather give a youngster the spot.