Confirmed with Link: Habs invite Joel Ward to training camp

[Le Barron de HF]

Call me crazy, but I don’t think Ward is here to replace Scherbak, Hudon, or Lehkonen.

Did you look at how many forwards we have? Unless the plan is to have him in Laval as a vet like Ajay Baynes and Mike Keane, yes he's gonna be competing with them as silly as it sounds given what they bring to the table.

 

[Tyson]

?????

Can we see the games and wait until the end of the camp to make a judgment ?

Ok since Bergevin has a viable plan right? My opinion is that Bergevin just Wings it as he goes along. He was probably sitting on the toilet when he said to himself - “more 4th Liners might be the answer, maybe Joel Ward will come to camp”

 

[KKWG11]

Heres a guy who worked his tail off and went the Usports (CIS) path to the show... Cant see him making the team but a great influence of hard work pays off

 

[David Suzuki]

If he makes the team could be a valuable trade piece...

People love Ward. I know a guy who played at UPEI with him and he speaks so highly of him as a person let alone a hockey player.

 

[abo9]

Why?

We already have an abundance of wingers.

Tatar - Galagher
Domi - Armia
Byron - Lehkonen
Hudon - Shaw
DLo - Scherbak
McCarron

I don't see the Habs offering a contract to Ward unless it is to play for the Rocket.

Is that our forward list? Why are people so mad at Ward then lol... Deslauriers is 27, McCarron won't make it to the NHL, Shaw's done, Hudon 24, Armia 25 , Lekhonen ... the best season point-wise is Armia on this list with 29 points on the Jets who are a way better team than Montreal.

For sure they are "young", I would keep some of them for cheap on the bottom 6... but even if we lose 1 to the waivers what do we lose? A 20-30 points player? How difficult is it to find another one lol

We could use Byron as a trade bait considering his last two seasons, Sherbak should be given a real chance to prove himself on the top 6 this year while Tatar Gallagher and Domi form the core of the offense (lol).

So yeah bring Ward for the AHL to lead the new generation of prosect that hopefully will look better than the last crop

 

[Edgy]

You never have enough wingers. Eventually, one of them will surprise you and play center.

You need a backup plan in case Drouin doesn't cut it.

 

[Runner77]

If he makes the team could be a valuable trade piece...

People love Ward. I know a guy who played at UPEI with him and he speaks so highly of him as a person let alone a hockey player.

Ha, so that explains it. He's got what Bergevin claims he values the most:

 

[1909]

Ward is a real professional. Always in top shape. Can still score some and surely can forecheck and backcheck very efficiently. Ideal #12-#13 or #14 player.

But he has to prove it once more during this Camp to get a new contract.

 

[RandR]

Nothing against Joel Ward but... why the hell is our GM going after that kind of player? I know it's just PTO. Then again, we couldn't possibly need a guy like Ward.

I just don't understand the rationale behind. Like when we gave PTOs to guys like Streit or Hemsky.

My only conclusion is that Bergevin sees some value there. And that is kinda troubling.

My guess is that it's Julien who mostly sees something in Ward. After all, Ward was a beast for the Caps a few years back when they knocked out Julien's Bruins in a playoff series, with Ward scoring the series-winning overtime goal (in a game 7 if I remember correctly). That is quite a few years ago, but if Ward is Julien's kind of player, then Julien is probably hoping some of whatever he has left will rub off on younger players.

It is just a PTO, but I agree with most others here that wherever Ward might slot in, I'd rather they go with a player at the start of his career than one at its very end.

 

[Thrasymachus]

How has he looked so far?

 

[mariolemieux66]

The good thing about Ward making the team is that he's always performed in the playoffs so we might get something decent as a return at the deadline for him.

 

[76]

Good veteran presence for this young group of players at camp. I don't see him making the team tough.

 

[Deebs]

[tweet]

 

[eklund the clown]

I am more puzzled by the signing of Peca than by the invitation to Ward.

Peca is exactly WHAT the Habs don't need really.

I am puzzled why we still have this idiot for a GM .Watched about 20 games last year .This year will be less

 

[Price is Wright]

Joel Ward is a great guy to have around this team during a rebuild. He can occupy a roster spot as a scratched player for most of the season and let kids know what it takes to put the puck in the net in the playoffs. He's done as an NHLer but better him in the press box than a guy better fit in the AHL.

Every locker has liked having Joel. He just doesn't have much left as a player. If this is a tryout and if he doesn't have it he moves into a scout role or a player personnel role this club will be better for it.

Also look at the 4RW spot and ask yourself if you want Froese there again.

 

[Miller Time]

Don't mind it at all...

Only becomes an issue if Julien plays him top 9min, but as a 10-12min 4th liner? I like what he could bring to the roster as a 12-13th forward.

Especially if we can ship guys like , Byron, froese out for picks...

 

[Seb]

Yearly washed up veteran, another Bergevin classic.

 

[Runner77]

Says McGuire about Ward:

• Good person, good leader, can teach young players, never causes problems.
• Works every single day but at 37 his best days are behind him.
• Did it the hard way, had varied experiences. Could be a coach or in management some day.

Confirms what a lot of our posters suggested about how Ward was brought in for his intangibles.

 

[Seb]

Says McGuire about Ward:

• Good person, good leader, can teach young players, never causes problems.
• Works every single day but at 37 his best days are behind him.
• Did it the hard way, had varied experiences. Could be a coach or in management some day.

Confirms what a lot of our posters suggested about how Ward was brought in for his intangibles.

It has worked well for Bergevin in the past /s

 

[le_sean]

He’s a great playoff performer who will draw interest at the deadline. Could get a 4th or 5th rounder for just a PTO.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Would have been nice 5 years ago.

If none of the prospects step up and take roles and he does well, why not ?

 

[scrubadam]

I am rooting for the guy. Hopefully he can find a role on the 4th line and get us a pick in the draft.

Pleks/Ward/Byron/Petry could be good assets to pick up a few more picks for this year and next.

Pierre said 2019 and 2020 are big years for drafts so the team should load up with as many darts as it can.

 

[Tighthead]

Aren’t PTOs often about being able to ice the veteran minimum for preseason games?

They likely needed a warm body and he is as good as anyone.

 

[vokiel]

Aren’t PTOs often about being able to ice the veteran minimum for preseason games?

They likely needed a warm body and he is as good as anyone.

Makes sense, because at 37-38 with the kind of last season he had behind him, there's just no way he makes this team.

Maybe they give him some player-coach position on a 2 way in Laval, like they did for Bouchard a long time ago.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

We had so many of those ''good leaders'' look where is this freaking team now

go away old man