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Post Info TOPIC: Canadiens Captain Saku Koivu Signs Three-Year Extension
mperra (Admin)


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Canadiens Captain Saku Koivu Signs Three-Year Extension
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Habs lock up Koivu for three more years
Canadiens captain signed through 2008-09 season
(02/11/2006) 
MONTREAL CANADIENS PRESS RELEASE


MONTREAL – Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Saturday that team captain Saku Koivu has signed a three-year contract extension (2006-07 to 2008-09). As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Koivu, 31, is playing in his 10th season with the Canadiens. In 45 games thus far in 2005-06, he's recorded 14 goals and 25 assists for a team-high 39 points, tied with Alex Kovalev. The 5-foot-10, 184-pound centreman from Turku, Finland, enjoyed 12 multiple-point games, including three three-point games, and has scored two game-winning goals. He's registered a plus-1 rating and has 50 penalty minutes.


On October 8, 2005 in Toronto, Koivu took part in his 500th NHL game and recorded the 400th point of is career. On January 16, 2006, against the Dallas Stars at the Bell Centre, he registered his 300th career assist.


During his career, Koivu has played in 542 games in regular season play, collecting 134 goals and 303 assists for a total of 437 points, and 392 penalty minutes. He had his best season in 2002-03, when he registered 21 goals, 50 assists and 71 points in 82 games, all career-highs. He also had a 20-goal campaign in his first NHL season, in 1995-96. Koivu has played in 46 career playoff games, scoring 13 goals and adding 21 assists for a total of 34 points.


On the International scene, starting next week, Koivu will participate in his third Olympic games, in Turin, after wearing the Finnish uniform in Lillehammer, Norway (1994) and in Nagano, Japan (1998).  Through the years, Koivu also represented his country in six World Championships (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2003), two World Junior Championships (1993, 1994) and one World Cup (2004).


In 2001-02, after making a remarkable return to hockey following a battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer, Saku Koivu was named the recipient of the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He was selected the 27th Captain in Canadiens history on September 30, 1999.


Koivu was the Canadiens’ first-round pick (21st overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.



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barry33


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Let me be the first to say that I am happy to see the Smurf sign as a hab. It is still my hope that Gainey, as a knowledgeable coach, will work with Saks to fit him into a more appropriate role than he is in now. As well, I will continue to push Koivu (not that he reads these lol) to be a better and more accountable leader and Captain. Hopefully now that he knows he is staying, it will help him focus more.

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Nil d


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barry33 wrote:

Let me be the first to say that I am happy to see the Smurf sign as a hab. It is still my hope that Gainey, as a knowledgeable coach, will work with Saks to fit him into a more appropriate role than he is in now. As well, I will continue to push Koivu (not that he reads these lol) to be a better and more accountable leader and Captain. Hopefully now that he knows he is staying, it will help him focus more.

Amen to all that.  This is great news for the Hab Nation today!


 



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habgirl


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Whoooo hoooo!


Great news!



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plouf


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barry33 wrote:
Let me be the first to say that I am happy to see the Smurf sign as a hab. It is still my hope that Gainey, as a knowledgeable coach, will work with Saks to fit him into a more appropriate role than he is in now. As well, I will continue to push Koivu (not that he reads these lol) to be a better and more accountable leader and Captain. Hopefully now that he knows he is staying, it will help him focus more.


Well said. I liked your theory though.

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Figaro


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This is great news. Smart move. I've always liked Koivu. And, as I said before, not only for his skill and leadership but also because Saku is Zachary in FInnish.

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Kendich


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Found one source that says he'll be making $14.25 million over 3 years, that's an average of $4.75 million a year. As much as I love Koivu, if that's true, I think that's too much


http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/jaakiekko/200602114091904_jk.shtml



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hockeyman


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There will obviously be some players under 1 year deals that won't be re-signed.

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barry33


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Kendich wrote:


Found one source that says he'll be making $14.25 million over 3 years, that's an average of $4.75 million a year. As much as I love Koivu, if that's true, I think that's too much http://www.iltalehti.fi/osastot/jaakiekko/200602114091904_jk.shtml

WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY too much.  But hey, we already have 5 million in cap room tied up in a goalie who does not play so why not?

-- Edited by barry33 at 10:59, 2006-02-11

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Nil d


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Why is it that "according to team policy", salary figures are never disclosed, yet ultimately everybody knows every player's salary?  Why not simply disclose it from the start?


As to the amount, well to me it seems a little high, but I'm not going to knock it.  There are worse players earning more - even on this team........


 


 



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barry33


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Nil d wrote:

Why is it that "according to team policy", salary figures are never disclosed, yet ultimately everybody knows every player's salary?  Why not simply disclose it from the start? As to the amount, well to me it seems a little high, but I'm not going to knock it.  There are worse players earning more - even on this team........    
See my post above re: Theo. I have no issue with the money if he stays healthy

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mperra (Admin)


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And he gets a no-trade clause in there too!!!!!!!!


If Koivu remains with the club through 2009, and remains captain, he will be the longest serving captain since Bob Gainey's reign from 1980-89.



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Power


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I say that is lousy deal for habs. My opinion, about 2.75/year and 3 years would have been maximum for a 2nd line center, that I hope he is next year. No trade clause!! Ridiculous!


But I am still happy that Habs signed him.



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barry33


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Power wrote:

I say that is lousy deal for habs. My opinion, about 2.75/year and 3 years would have been maximum for a 2nd line center, that I hope he is next year. No trade clause!! Ridiculous! But I am still happy that Habs signed him.
What happens if he gets hurt again Bob? Hey..did you give him an apartment in the Bell Center too lol

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Muller93


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I debated saying anything as it could have gone either way I figure.


I don't want to sound like a jack@##, but what the heck.. YOOOHOOOO AND-O???


 And-O...? Comments?



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barry33


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Muller93 wrote:

I debated saying anything as it could have gone either way I figure. I don't want to sound like a jack@##, but what the heck.. YOOOHOOOO AND-O???  And-O...? Comments?
It is not a deal I would have made..3 years with a no trade clause. In fact, other than maybe Markov, I cannot think of one player on the team I would give that deal to right now. Having said that,  In Bob We Trust! (we have no choice )

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Muller93


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barry33 wrote:

Muller93 wrote: I debated saying anything as it could have gone either way I figure. I don't want to sound like a jack@##, but what the heck.. YOOOHOOOO AND-O???  And-O...? Comments? It is not a deal I would have made..3 years with a no trade clause. In fact, other than maybe Markov, I cannot think of one player on the team I would give that deal to right now. Having said that,  In Bob We Trust! (we have no choice )

Yes barry. Even I was saying I doubt Koivu would be back. I love the way he plays but his injury track record makes me quesy on a three year deal.


Actually barry, if I recall, you and I were on the same page about Theo before the big deal. I too did not think he had shown enough consistency to be rewarded with a big contract. I thought they should have done what they did to Ribby and give him a one year contract to prove himself.


However, I still think Gainey pretty much had to sign the guy like that. The french media would have had him castrated if he hadn't.


I hope koivu stays healthy. He deserves to stay in Montreal for all he does for the habs and the community. Good for him. I like him even more that he chose to remain a hab rather than test free agency. Shows real heart and class. what else is new?



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Key Lime


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I agree, the salary is too elevated but it's still a good day for Habs fans. Maybe we'll have a Habs player begins and finishes his career in MTL. First time in a while.


I have a feeling Gainey is thinking of eventaually getting rid of or trading several high salary players...Bonk, Zednik, Souray etc...



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JohnM


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MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed captain Saku Koivu to a $14.25-million US, three-year contract extension through the 2008-09 season.


The deal also includes a no-trade clause.


Koivu could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1. His average salary over the new deal is $4.75 million, up from the $3.42 he is making this year.


Good signing. A little high in by books but I always thought he would retire a Hab. Nice to see BG made the right move. And-o and AB better get used to Saku for another 3+ years.



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Ando


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3 Years...no trade clause...at $4.75 mln per...wayyyyyyyyyyy too much money!!!


And-o is glad though that Bob has finally shown his cards and taken a direction!!! This move will define his regime (...Teflon Bob is no more)!


...anyone else think that having $15 million per year tied up by the likes of Theodore, Kovalev and Koivu almost borders on "Ballard-esque-ness"?


NO MORE EXCUSES for Saku...TIME TO PRODUCE NIGHTLY!


(...Saku's agent should be charged with theft!!!)


 



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Johab


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Nil d wrote:

Why is it that "according to team policy", salary figures are never disclosed, yet ultimately everybody knows every player's salary?  Why not simply disclose it from the start? As to the amount, well to me it seems a little high, but I'm not going to knock it.  There are worse players earning more - even on this team........    
hey Nil d, its BARELY earning...i think we can all agree its more like collecting...

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Ando wrote:

3 Years...no trade clause...at $4.75 mln per...wayyyyyyyyyyy too much money!!! And-o is glad though that Bob has finally shown his cards and taken a direction!!! This move will define his regime (...Teflon Bob is no more)! ...anyone else think that having $15 million per year tied up by the likes of Theodore, Kovalev and Koivu almost borders on "Ballard-esque-ness"? NO MORE EXCUSES for Saku...TIME TO PRODUCE NIGHTLY! (...Saku's agent should be charged with theft!!!)  
Uh-oh, Mr. Andy is bailing on BG. There goes his love for Gainey, too funny. Go cheer for the Leafs.

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Ando


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Hey JohnM...And-o's hero IS Bob Gainey!


...but "Teflon Bob" is no more!  He finally made a regime defining move...and everyone (including you and And-o) are going to benefit and suffer from this one for three years!!!


...so, if you wanna analyze the core of this team now...it is as follows; $15 million per season for Theo, Kovy & Koivu...$3.5 per season for Rivet...$2.5 per season for Bonk...$+2 each for Souray and Markov.  And-o hopes everyone is comfortable with that!?!!


And-o had NO PROBLEM with the length of Saku's deal...but wayyyyyy too much money!!!



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JohnM


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It is too much money, I agree. But so is what he's paying for Theo, Kovy and Bonk with the way all of them are playing right now. I guess he believes that they will all start playing better and we as Habs fans (I guess I should include you in there) should do the same or we are in 3-4 years of trouble.



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habs93


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Ando - What is Ballard-esque-ness ? He was cheap except to Salming. What Gainey is doing is keeping his so-called three best most talented players happy & secure and hopefully for The Habs all three will earn the pay checks in the future although it may not be happening right now and it shows other players if they step up they can be rewarded as well - when it is contract time.........

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JohnM


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Also remember next years cap is supposed to go to 42+ million.

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Ando


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And-o agrees John...these long-term deals could handcuff this franchise to mediocrity for years!


...all And-o is trying to say though is that all of Habdom is going to hold Bob 110% accountable for these deals!



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jeanthehabtiste


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Hi guys,


I just heard this news this morning and I'm really relieved the Canadiens signed the little guy.


I'm really new here, but I sure am happy that I found this board dedicated to the Greatest Hockey Team on earth.


Les Canadiens Toujours!


 



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Habtastic


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Welcome to the board, Habtiste!  Signing Koivu is great, no-trade is no-prob, but usually a no-trade means less money, no?  Great signing, but I never would have given him more than 4 mill.


Habtastic



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jeanthehabtiste


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I'm just happy we got him. The guy's got wheels!

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