Confirmed with Link: Nate Thompson re-signs (one-year, one-way contract)

[Fazkovsky]

Solid 4th line center, good deal...

Solid is pushing it. Lets say average.

One guy I wanted for our fourth line is Nic Dowd but capitals got him

 

[Tuggy]

I mean, he's on a contract that can be fully buried and his role here was primarily defensive, at which he was effective (as shown above).

The money and term is fine, but if you are already talking about burying him then why sign him in the first place?

It's also April 25th, they couldn't have waited a little bit into the offseason to make this move?

 

[HabsCowboysOwn]

Glad he got this strategic, essential deal done so soon. We got ourselves a real gem here guys and I know for a fact that he was #1 on most teams’ free agent list. Personally, I don’t want to picture a future without faceoff expert Nate Thompson on this team. Some will tell you he’s a waste of a roster spot but they’re just haters. Real fans recognize real players.

Merci Marc.

 

[Vachon23]

The money and term is fine, but if you are already talking about burying him then why sign him in the first place?

It's also April 25th, they couldn't have waited a little bit into the offseason to make this move?

You need some 13-14th forward I prefer a guy that is a fit with the organization then a other bottom player

 

[The Great Weal]

This.

Wouldn't even be surprised if Julien played him in front of either Kotkaniemi/Poehling, wouldn't even be surprised if one or both were sent to the AHL because of that.

Would having Poehling in the AHL be a bad thing? I'm not a fan of Julien and I'd much rather have Bouchard handle our prospects.

 

[Whitesnake]

I liked Thompson. Not that big of a deal. I'm always struck though by the fact that Bergevin tells us that if we can improve, we will do it...yet, we sign fillers in April. Let just hope that it doesn't mean that we stop looking for improvement because he is just satisfied with those guys.

If not, fine signing. If they don't have a problem burying a contract, fine with me. Thompson was doing a very good job and yes indeed, forming a much better 4th liner than we had for a long time.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Aside from an 80 year old Matt Cullen, Eric Fehr and Marcus Kruger there aren't many cheap options for UFA centres for the 4th line. Rather MB get cheap depth moves like Folin and Thompson out of the way now as opposed to on July 1st.

 

[Tuggy]

You need some 13-14th forward I prefer a guy that is a fit with the organization then a other bottom player

Yes, teams need depth players. I would have preferred to wait until the offseason to see who is available. But it's a Bergevin staple to sign these type of players early.

 

[le_sean]

Everyone remembers but Chaput isn't even with the organization anymore, so what's your point?

The clear difference Thompson made versus him. That people are making him out to be a nothing player when in reality Chaput was a nothing player. You can’t just plug that 4C hole with anyone.

 

[Whitesnake]

What if it means Weal isn't coming back? Thompson or Weal?

 

[Captain Mountain]

The money and term is fine, but if you are already talking about burying him then why sign him in the first place?

It's also April 25th, they couldn't have waited a little bit into the offseason to make this move?

Because injuries happen? players get lost to waivers? Montreal might want to use some of their depth to go big-fish hunting?

And I'm not sure going after centers on the UFA market later in the offseason works out much. Teams always want extra centers. Thompson liked playing in Montreal and was willing to re-up now. I wouldn't be shocked if he got more had he waited until July.

I'm not saying its a good move, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't impede Montreal from doing anything they might want to do.

 

[Agalloch]

Nice contract. The Canadiens aren't afraid to send down players if they can play anymore (see. Alzner, Karl).

Joel Bouchard said himself that nobody is ready in Laval, right now.

My guess is Benn and Weal want multiple years and we need to keep some space for young players for the next years...

 

[The Great Weal]

What if it means Weal isn't coming back? Thompson or Weal?

I'd be surprised if Weal wasn't back. Not sure what else MB would spend money on.

 

[MSLs absurd thighs]

What if it means Weal isn't coming back? Thompson or Weal?

Thompson.

Weal is more of what we already have. Don't get the love, really. There's a reason why two teams have given up on him in the span of a year.

 

[Tighthead]

Would having Poehling in the AHL be a bad thing? I'm not a fan of Julien and I'd much rather have Bouchard handle our prospects.

I’d be fine with that.

If Poehling is up with the big club, play him regularly. Let him make mistakes. Take the long view.

No in and out of the press box, 9 minutes, wing to centre to wing, 2 weeks conditioning in Laval.

No half measures.

There is nothing wrong with this signing. Usage by Julien is a possible concern.

 

[26Mats]

The money and term is fine for Thompson, but I just don't know if they needed to bring him back. We'll see how it plays out.



I sure as hell hope that's not the opening day roster. I'm just so tired of treading water.

Yes I really hope we sign some good UFAs (we have room for 1 to 4 of them). And, we'll see where Suzuki is at.

 

[David Suzuki]

He was pretty bad last year. Marginally effective defensively but a complete black hole offensively which isn't really acceptable - especially given Thompson was actually playing 3C minutes and situations last season even if he was nominally the "4C" on the lineup chart.

If you watched the games you wouldnt have to rely on this atuff

 

[Tyson]

This move can be labeled as stupid, not needed, or something along the lines that this is a solid 4th line veteran addition that can only add value.

Nate Thompson loves playing in Montreal, excellent on face offs and penalty kill.

I see this as a positive signing.

 

[MSLs absurd thighs]

Yes I really hope we sign some good UFAs (we have room for 1 to 4 of them). And, we'll see where Suzuki is at.

Re-signing a 4th line center to a 1M contract just increases the amount we have available to sign a top UFA. You know what would be a really stupid move? Giving 2M to Jordan Weal based on a 20 games hot streak.

 

[Tyson]

I prefer Weal as the 4th line centre, but I don't really mind this signing either. Would rather Thompson in the lineup than being forced to play guys like we did this year (Chaput and such).

Weal made 1.75 mil last season...would you give him this amount or more?

 

[thegoalie39]

Another stupid signing by the buffoon bergevin.

 

[tazsub3]

Awesome signing, this player brought a lot end of the year and i would love to have him there on the team.

 

[Wats]

He was pretty good as a 4th liner. Hopefully he'll remain on 4th line and not take KKs spot (typical of Montreal development)

 

[Multigrain]

Inexpensive solid move, you never know with injuries what can happen. Traded during the year is hard I think he will be decent with a training camp under his belt and time to gel with his linemates. Nothing ever wrong with depth players.

 

[LyricalLyricist]

This.

Wouldn't even be surprised if Julien played him in front of either Kotkaniemi/Poehling, wouldn't even be surprised if one or both were sent to the AHL because of that.

Call me crazy but if we have Domi and Danault as centers with Kotkaniemi/Poehling as the next center I hope the last guy isn't on the 4th line. If Poehling is 4th line C I'd rather him as 1st line C in AHL.