Gomez a Hab

I have heard many Habs fans over the past few weeks....make a deal Gainey, take a risk....well here you go....

Scott Gomez and his $7.357 cap hit until 2013/14 are now part of the Montreal Canadiens organization. Along with Gomez, the Habs get Tom Pyatt and some Busto guy. Back the other way goes Chris Higgins, Ryan Mcdonagh, Pavel Valetenko, and Doug Janik.

One would think that the Rangers would be begging anyone to take Gomez off their hands. They are looking to bring in other big name guys, plus they are right up against the cap. Now I have a soft spot for Higgy, seeing how he has scored at all 4 games I have been to (I will have a post to honor Higgy...I owe it to him...lol). He is a 2nd/3rd line guy who works his tail off, but doesn't have a great scoring touch. Great team guy and a leader. Mcdonagh was the Habs 1st rounder last year and considered to be a top prospect. Valetenko spent a year in Hamilton before bolting back to Russia. Janik is an AHL'er. It just seems like a lot to give up for a guy the Rangers were trying to move. I'm sure that was the asking price, but it is still a little steep. Gainey didn't just throw Mcdonagh in to be a nice guy, there had to have been other teams interested in Gomez.

So Gomez is the Habs #1 centre. Not exactly the monster most fans wanted. In fact, really not much bigger than Koivu. He does possess excellent skating and passing skills, along with 2 cup rings. At 29, he should be entering the prime of his career. It will be interesting to see if Gainey can bring in a scoring winger (ie Hossa, Gaborik, Havlat) to bury some of Gomez's passes.

So I am on the fence on this one. To be honest, I think the Habs gave up a little much, but who knows. Higgy will be missed, and it's tough to predict how good Mcdonagh will be. Only time will tell how this one turns out, but rest assured, Gainey took a chance, don't forget that's what a lot of people wanted.

UFA Preview (D-men)

Mike Komisarek-a key member of the Habs defence corp, Komi is among the league leaders in hits and blocks shots every year. His defensive game has drastically improved from his early years in the NHL, and he has become the shut down guy the team hoped he would be when they made him their 1st round pick in 2001. Some have pegged him as the future captain of the Habs when Saku Koivu either retires or moves to another team. His offensive abilities are non existent and he never seemed to recover from a shoulder injury last season.

>The problem with Komi is that he will more than likely get top end dollars on the open market (some say $5 mill.+), despite the fact he is a one dimensional defensive player. I would love to see him come back, but not at $5 million. I would say $4 mill. would be the max. he should make for what he brings.

Mathieu Schneider-brought in late last season, the now 40 year old Schneider brought on instant boast to the Habs PP. As he did during his first tour of duty with the Habs, Mathieu provided a hard, accurate shot from the blueline, something the team dearly missed. He suffered a shoulder injury late in the year, but was still a big reason the Habs made the playoffs.

>At 40, I'm not sure how many more games he has in him. Bringing him back at a reduced salary as a PP specialist, if needed, would be fine. But expecting him to play 25 minutes a night would be a mistake.

Mathieu Dandenault-Dandy again this year proved to be a valuable player because of his versatility. He started the year playing forward, but dropped back to D to help with injuries. He was among the Habs top d-men before he suffered a broken arm mid way through the year. He is a guy that skates like the wind and works hard every shift.

>After asking for a trade at the deadline, I can' see Dandy being a Montreal Canadien next year. I would love to see him back, I'm not sure why other fans are so hard on him. Having a guy that can go from forward to defence during a game is a huge advantage.

Francis Boullion-Franky B., despite being one of the smallest defencemen in the league, plays like he's 6'6. He is among the Habs top hitters and fearless when it comes to dropping the gloves (example fighting Colton Orr). He is a good skater and possesses a good shot from the point. His one punch of Darcy Tucker will always be one of my favorite Habs moments.

>Franky is a guy that I doubt will be back. With the number of young defencemen in the system, I would guess his 5/6 spot will be given to a younger player. If he does move on, he will be missed as he was a great energy guy.....fearless.

Patrice Brisebois-after getting run of out town by the fans, Breezy returned to add experience to the blueline. He didn't play bad for the Habs, and was able to add some skill to the 2nd unit PP. But at times he was overused, playing too many minutes for the player he now is. His decison making in his own zone can be questionable at times, but it always has been.

>I would think that at age 39 his time in the NHL would be nearing the end. I would be surprised if he was offered another deal, but didn't think he would get one last year either.

UFA Preview (Forwards)

Bob Gainey enters the off season with many decisions to make. 10 regulars are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, and with over $33 million in cap room, this could be a season of change in the organization. Some call it poor management for leaving so many of these players unsigned, others see it as a great move considering how many teams are up against the cap....only time will tell. This could be a great opportunity to drastically change the franchise after a disappointing year. Here is a run down of the Habs current UFA's.

Saku Koivu-for this first time in his career, it appears Saku Koivu may be putting on another teams jersey next year. He has spent his whole career as a member of the Habs, and team captain since 1999. The knock on Saks has always been his size, never his heart. His courageous battle with cancer touched every fan, whether you cheered for the Habs or not. He also suffered a serious eye injury and again came out on top. He's truly one of the good guys in hockey, raising funds for numerous charities around the Montreal area. His inability to speak French has led to constant criticism with the media around the city, something that is totally unwarrated.

>I would love to see Saks come back and centre the Habs second line. He has been forced to be a first line centre his whole career, despite the fact he is better suited as a second line guy. He leads by example and has the heart of a lion, it would be great to see him finish his career as a Hab.

Alex Kovalev-Kovy has become the most popular Hab as fans have fallen in love with dazzling moves with the puck and highlight reel goals. The knock on him, as has been the case his whole career, is his consistancy. In 2007/08 he put it all together and was the consensus team MVP as the Habs surprised the hockey world by finishing first in the East. Despite having an up and down year last year, he still is one of the most dangerous players on the PP, and forces the opposition to always pay attention to him when he's on the ice. He has publically stated he would like to remain a Hab and seems to have a bond with BG.

>Kovy is a guy you have to bring back, in my opinion. He's a guy that can win games, almost by himself. Obviously doing it night in and night out would be good, but guys with his skill aren't a dime a dozen. You have to take the good with the bad.

Alex Tanguay-Tanguay came to the Habs as a draft day deal last year. A French star, Tanguay had an injury plagued year in Montreal, but put up solid numbers when he did play. There is no doubting his speed and skill, but some question his heart along with his willingness to play a physical game. He's a guy who has a cup ring and should just be entering the prime of his career at age 29.

>I am on the fence on this one. I have nothing against his game, but for $5.75 million, which was his salary last year, I would pass. If he would take a discount, I would be open to him coming back. He is a guy that can play on your first line and put up points. But I don't think he is a star to build a team around.

Robert Lang-picked up in the offseason for a 2nd round pick, Lang was arguably one of the Habs top players until he suffered a season ending injury. He added size up the middle, something that was desperatley needed, and gave the PP a boast. Lang has never had a problem putting up points throughout his career and is a good teammate. The drawback is the injury (achilles tenden was severed) coupled with his age (38).

>I think bringing back the Robert Lang of last year would be a no brainer. But the jury is still out on how he will recover from the devastating injury. A reduced salary would be needed, regardless, as he made $4 million last year.

Tom Kostopoulos-an offseason signing a couple of years back, Kosto is a tireless worker perfectly suited to play on the 4th line. He's a guy who never stops skating and will stick up for his teammates regardless of the size of his opponent. In all my time watching the Habs, I have never seen a guy take so many beatings and keep coming back for more. The drawback on him is his skill, but no one can ever doubt his heart.

>He would be great to bring back, but his spot may be given to a younger player. If he is offered another contract, I am fine with that. He is a guy that gives 100% every night and will have a reasonable cap hit.