If the article on TSN is any indication (and you believe JR) then I'd love to see him in Montreal.  I like the point you made saying he may be a better option than Ribs.  Heck, imagine a line of Begin and JR (3rd player optional lol).  Why not.  We can compete and have fun at the same time.  But, we do need to develop the young guns too.  Anyway, I'd give him his wish.  You know TO will be drooling to get their hands on him so why not take him instead?

 

Great quote:

"It's not going to take much to sign me," said Roenick. "I'm not looking for the $2.5-million to $3-million deals, I'd like to go for a deal for less money and get some bonuses, which I can do at my age. I'd like my play to do the talking, get paid as to how I'm going to perform.

I encourage a read of the full article on TSN.ca

Jay1982 wrote:

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I don't think he'd mesh well here in montreal. You know the french media will give him problems, and it's only a matter of time before he puts on a show that could cause distractions.....

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But he would take pressure off of Koivu the media would probobly leave him alone, they'd have enough with JR, and JR can take it people have been calling him an idiot for some time now. If we signed him i guarntee he would lead the habs in points.

superhab wrote:

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Jay1982 wrote: I don't think he'd mesh well here in montreal. You know the french media will give him problems, and it's only a matter of time before he puts on a show that could cause distractions..... But he would take pressure off of Koivu the media would probobly leave him alone, they'd have enough with JR, and JR can take it people have been calling him an idiot for some time now. If we signed him i guarntee he would lead the habs in points.

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I would sign him to a year at 2 million..what the hell. I have always liked how he played and I think he could be just what that dysfunctional dressingroom needs. Plus I would love to see more interviews with him..boring he is not.

Do you ever post anything but cheap-shots, Ab? C'mon, give Gainey at least a week in free agency before you take your axe to his knees.

Roenick would be a good pick-up for a year, as he can play wing even if we do land Arnott.

Habtastic

You guys all seem to like him, but I could never stand that motor-mouth nutjob myself.  I'd pass, thank you.

Gaw'd you guys slay And-o! 

Seems like you are all more concerned with 'cuddly' than winning!

Who cares if the guy is animated...passionate...yappy!?!?!? 

...'Roe' can bring it!  If the guy wants to sign for a bargain - DO IT!

(Just have a look at this guy's effort in the playoffs!!!)

Ando wrote:

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Gaw'd you guys slay And-o!  Seems like you are all more concerned with 'cuddly' than winning! Who cares if the guy is animated...passionate...yappy!?!?!?  ...'Roe' can bring it!  If the guy wants to sign for a bargain - DO IT! (Just have a look at this guy's effort in the playoffs!!!)

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I agree And-O, I mean this guy would look great centring Kovy at 1.5million.  In fact i think i like him more than Arnott.

Sure he had a bad year last year, but he didn't play during the lockout and had nagging injury problems next year.  He has something to prove and will come back with a big season IMO.  He is this years Teemu Selanne on the free agent market.

If he can be had cheap? yes.

This team has good, talented, young players that need time to develop alongside capable, experienced players willing to teach.  If anything this guy would tell them what they need to do to improve.  I see him as an extra alternate coach, who can still play.

This guy can be had for cheap and has something to prove.  He is a definite upgrade over Ribeiro at every level (except age).  With the passion and grit he plays with he would certainly become a fan favourite.  I think it could work.

Here is a letter from J.R. to the fans. It was posted on hockeybuzz.com as he is a friend of Eklund's.

Habtastic



Hey everyone,

First thanks for taking the time to read my letter. The fans interest and opinion has always been important to me, whether you like me or not, it's all good. Sorry for my typing but I'm not the most educated person in the world as computers go. Eklund asked me to type a quick note to let you all know how I'm viewing free agency this year.

As in past years the excitement is immense however for different reasons. As many of you know my season last year was truly embarrassing and one that I need to put in the past. There were reasons for it but that **** is not important and I hate excuses. I truly believe, scratch that, I KNOW I can still dominate this game and play a very physical brand of hockey that the fans enjoy to watch. The kind of game they are accustomed to watching me play for the last 18 years. Yes, I know it has been that long but I'm not old and have a lot of gas left in the tank.

Anyway, it's very important that I get back to that, so this summer I've rededicated myself to being in the best shape of my life. I'm in LA working out with the trainer guru TR. he trains many players but he's committed to kicking the **** out of me to get that drive back. Boy it has been there. I'm in the gym at 5:30 every morning six days a week. Double sessions three days a week.

I had a meeting with the Kings newGM Dean Lombardi earlier this summer. Dean is a good friend who I've known for years and he put my in my place and made me realize that I haven't been dedicated to the game of hockey the way I should be. Too worried aboutTV appearances, interviews etc. Not about being the best. That is very hard for a pro athlete to hear, but believe me I needed it and my doors were blown off by our meetings. Enough about that.

This weekend is going to be fun because it's a new chance to find a team that I have a shot to win a cup with and also prove to all the people who have thrown me to the wolves. and see me as washed up, that I can I still play this game.This is my chance to make then all eat their f....... words.

That is huge for me because I am a proud person and have had a great career and I think it sucks that people jump ship so quickly. I will have the last laugh or word on that subject, I know that doesn't surprise you...( yes I do have a big mouth. ) but I also do love people and I personally wouldn't do that to anyone.

It has always been in the back of my mind to play for a Canadian city, and really see what it would be like to be around true hockey loyalty. People who live and breath hockey as Canadians do, I've always respected that. I don't know if it will be this year but I do have a couple teams high on my wish list for that to happen. I'm hoping there is interest by these teams in mind, cause as you know, they have to want ME as well.

As far as salary goes and what I'm looking for...I think it's very important that I prove to myself and everyone else that I can demand the high salaries that can still be made. So this year my contract will be modest so to speak but I would like to have bonuses that I can earn more money based on my production. I think that's a win/win situation.

Who knows? I just know that I've wondered if this was time to retire, but since this new birth of motivation and dedication to myself and to the game, I now know it's not.

However, if I work this hard all summer prepare myself the best way I can and I still fail then I know it's time to go with no regrets. But until then whether it's in Canada or the States my goal is to give back to my fans the player that once was and still is the best Jeremy Roenick has. I think I owe that to myself, my fans,my team and to the game of hockey. I pray it works out the way I envision it, but if it doesn't, I know I've had a good run. But I'm not afraid of trying, I embracethe challenge.Thanks for the time, I know I'm long winded, but I do care. It's going to be a blast trying to get that cup and a thrill if I can show all my nay sayers which one of my fingers is the longest.

I wish I could tell youthe teams I'm interested in but that wouldn't be politically correct. Wait, did I just say that? See I have changed already, ha ha.

LOVE THE GAME

JR