Bob said there would be changes.....and there was. Lots of action with the Habs who always seem to be the bridesmaid when it comes to UFA's. The team was able to attract 4 new UFA's (so many I didn't feel as bad for blowing an entire day in front of the TV & computer). Gone, at least as of now, are all 10 UFA's the Habs entered the off season with. Guys like Koivu, Kovalev, and Komisarek-the faces of the franchise for the past few years, are no longer here. In their place, new (tiny) faces. It didn't take long for BG to burn threw that $33 million+ in cap space, with only $8.8 million and change left. So in addition to Scott Gomez, the Habs newest members are (in order of when they were signed):Jaroslav Spacek (3 years, $11.5 million)-The 5'11, 204 lbs Spacek is a solid 2 way defenceman that can play the PP. Spacek is no spring chicken at 35, especially on a 3 year deal. He spent last year with the Sabres, but has also had NHL stops in Edmonton, Chicago (x2), Columbus and Florida. He put up a very respectable 45 points last year and has topped 30 points 5 times in his career.
Hal Gill (2 years, $4.5 million)-Gill is your prototypical stay at home defenceman. At 6'7, 250 lbs, the 34 year old Gill adds size to the back end and helps ease the blow of losing physical leader Mike Komisarek to the Leafs. Gill won a cup last year with the Pens and has had stops in Toronto and Boston (but we won't hold that against him). Last year he had 2 goals, 8 assists along with 53 PIM's. Career high point total is 24, with 124 career high in PIM's.
Mike Cammalleri (5 years, $30 million)-Cammalleri isn't the biggest guy (5'9, 185 lbs) but possesses excellent speed and scoring touch. Ranked #5 on TSN's top UFA list, he played with the Flames last year where he scored 39 goals and added 43 assists. Now, he was playing on a line with Iginla, but Jerome isn't exactly Gretzky when it comes to play making (although a star nonetheless). Cami, who is 27, began his career with the Kings and has scored 20 or more goals in every full NHL season he has played.
Brian Gionta (5 years, $25 million)-After spending his entire career with the Devils, Gionta moves on to the Habs to play with old line mate Scott Gomez. At 5'7 175 lbs, Gionta is tiny by NHL standards, but has great speed, a strong scoring touch, and some grit (for a little guy). He scored 20 goals and added 40 assists last year, well off his career high of 48 goals in 2005/06 (with Gomez). Gionta is 30 and has had 5 straight 20 goal seasons and won a cup with New Jersey in 2002/03.
BG wanted to change the face of the team, and he did. Size up front is still an issue, but there is no doubting the skill. I really like the Cammalleri signing, especially after seeing Gaborik fetching $7.5 million per year from the Rangers. I think Spacek/Gill will more than makeup for the loss of Komisarek, especially if Komisarek plays like he did last season. Gionta and Gomez should have good chemistry and hopefully they can again put up the numbers like they did in 2005/06. Personally, I would have taken Kovalev over Gionta (if the rumors are true regarding them both getting similar offers and Gionta accepting first). Doesn't appear to be enough cap room to bring Kovy back, but he would be a HUGE difference maker on the 2nd line. The question now becomes who is captain of this team with Koivu (C), Kovalev (A), Komisarek (A), and Higgins (A) all gone. Markov just doesn't seem like the captain type, especially in a city like Montreal.
Gainey made a splash on Day 1, well actually he cannon balled off the high diving board. With so little cap space left (after signing the RFA's) it will be interesting to see if anymore "tweaks" are made.
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