Out of Town Thread - Part XI

[The Great Weal]

Man Aho is a superstar. He's doing it all by himself. Turns out you CAN draft franchise players outside the 1st...

 

[Runner77]

I don't see how we could fail with Bergevin's patented "take it or leave it" and "grind equals dime while talent bends the knee" strategies.

Hopefully we don't see that kind of approach again.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Man Aho is a superstar. He's doing it all by himself. Turns out you CAN draft franchise players outside the 1st...

He's a genius.

 

[koyvoo]

 

[1909]

Maybe Edmonton should try to get Taylor Hall back or Eberle ???

 

[CapSpace]

As a low-cost gamble? You'd have a lot of teams lining up for him. As we've seen from reports this past week, Edmonton believes he's not worth selling low.

I know. I don't put any hopes on this but if it happens, it happens. If not, move on.

 

[Andrei79]

He's a genius.

He's having a Kucherov like progression.

 

[No More Subban]

So Gagner left Edmonton when it was a crap team. He comes back and it's still a crap team

 

[NotProkofievian]

*sigh* we're going to draft after Pittsburgh this year, aren't we?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Classic Crosby. Skate to stick to goal.

 

[ArtPeur]

So Gagner left Edmonton when it was a crap team. He comes back and it's still a crap team

Maybe it's time for Ryan Smyth to come back as well

 

[Tuggy]

Calgary doing good work for us today.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Nice Geno, one more to tie the game.

 

[OldCraig71]

Crazy game in Philly, the wings were down 5-1 and came back to tie it with 7 seconds left, now in OT. Philly wins it!

 

[antoniojr]

Crazy game in Philly, the wings were down 5-1 and came back to tie it with 7 seconds left, now in OT. Philly wins it!

Was hoping Detroit would win it! Wild one.

 

[1909]

Was hoping Detroit would win it! Wild one.

By the way they are playing since a couple of months, Philly will make the Playoffs. Carolina too. Who's out ? Habs , Pens or Jackets too.

 

[Milhouse40]

By the way they are playing since a couple of months, Philly will make the Playoffs. Carolina too. Who's out ? Habs for sure. Pens or Jackets too.

?? Habs are also playing well lately, although it could change and despite Philly terrific play, they are still 8 points away with 1 more games played. It's going to be hard to keep that pace for another month. I doubt it.....but Carolina is a strong possibility.

Crazier things have happened...Pittsburgh and Columbus are both playing badly lately.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I hate that drop pass play, even when it works.

 

[japhi]

I wasn't suggesting that he should be the guy or that we should be specifically targeting Skinner. I am well aware that he has his warts. His name was used within the very limited context of "what if he's the only UFA who shows interest". Other teams may be reluctant to pay him what he's likely to ask for the reasons you mentioned, however, when it comes to the Habs, they can't be choosers. This has never been a destination for prime UFAs and there is nothing to suggest that things have changed.

Totally get that, we sure have a hard time wheeling UFA. In fact I think we will always have to overpay, MTL is an amazing hockey city but I think warm, low tax, low pressure markets are always going to beat us out unless we significantly overpay. I just don’t see free agency as an angle for the Habs going forward and Skinner is a full on trap for any city.

 

[yianik]

Totally get that, we sure have a hard time wheeling UFA. In fact I think we will always have to overpay, MTL is an amazing hockey city but I think warm, low tax, low pressure markets are always going to beat us out unless we significantly overpay. I just don’t see free agency as an angle for the Habs going forward and Skinner is a full on trap for any city.

And this is why when we have players who love it here, and there are always a number that do, you keep them here, unless the $ demands are too much. Think a out fairly recent guys, Weise who is back, Pleks, Markov, Rads ( if he wanted $7M to stay he should have gotten it ), apparently Patches and of course PK.

We talk about why guys wont like it here but there are many who do after having had a chance to be here. Like I said , you keep those guys as long as the $ isnt out of whack with what they bring.

 

[le_sean]

Watching this Avs game. Tyson Jost is absolutely brutal. So glad the Habs didn’t draft him.

 

[Tuggy]

Nice Geno, one more to tie the game.

Gross, cheering for the Pens?

 

[NotProkofievian]

Gross, cheering for the Pens?

I'm cheering for the future. Could you imagine drafting after the pens? Why? Why would we do that?

 

[le_sean]

I'm cheering for the future. Could you imagine drafting after the pens? Why? Why would we do that?

Judging by their recent draft record, it won’t affect us at all.

 

[OldCraig71]

Totally get that, we sure have a hard time wheeling UFA. In fact I think we will always have to overpay, MTL is an amazing hockey city but I think warm, low tax, low pressure markets are always going to beat us out unless we significantly overpay. I just don’t see free agency as an angle for the Habs going forward and Skinner is a full on trap for any city.

Free agents look at many factors when making a decision as to where they want to play on a long term contract and some of those that you mentioned are definitely accurate. I also want to say that the quality of talent on a roster/team looking to attract free agents is probably the largest factor and the Tavares signing proved that. He could have stayed where he was in a relatively low pressure market and took his money but he followed talent and a greater chance to win. We need to establish some young star players before we become a favourable destination for a free agents.