Is a so-called ‘project’ player in the works?

Ando · Guru

Is a so-called ‘project’ player in the works?

barry33 · Guru

And O- do you not think that we have enough "projects" on this team already? Where do I start. Ribs. Johnson (And- O called him a "project" when w eaquired him). Murray. Downey. Bonk, Streit. This team does not need any more "longshot" players that may, or may not, develop into something (a la Huet). In a way they are safe bets because, except for Bonk and his overinflated contract, you get these projects at little cost and therfore, in the eyes of the fans and the media, have nothing to lose. If they actually do turn into something you are a hero. If not, you have not gone on a limb. What we need are impact players at key positions to help the kids. I know, I know..there were no UFA centers available, the media, the weather, the beer, the fans, the price of gas, the price of milk the......

macneil · Guru

i dont see bob going that route , he likes the team as it is now , he'll reevaluate during camp and into the season , but i believe this is the lineup we will see on opening night. as for your list of project you got some wrong , murry and downey and johnson dont belong on that list , the first 2 are what you see is what you get players , hard work little talent and will go to war for a teammate , johnson is the perfect 3rd liner , is defensivly responsible , can pot a few points and can play center-wing , and even fill in on a top line when needed for short spells , the others you mentioned are projects , bonk and ribs are so much better than what they have shown ,and striet , well i dont know why we signed him in the first place .

chelii chilli · Member

The only way we can land that bonafide star is if we are willing to trade a lot for him, then pay him the 7.5 mill he is earning.

Once that is done, we will then mentally abuse him in every newspaper/radio show because he never played up to his 7.5 mill contract.

Then we blame Gainey for bringing him to Montreal.

Then we are forced to trade him for little return.

Does anyone see the viscious cycle here?

barry33 · Guru

chelii chilli wrote:

The only way we can land that bonafide star is if we are willing to trade a lot for him, then pay him the 7.5 mill he is earning.

Once that is done, we will then mentally abuse him in every newspaper/radio show because he never played up to his 7.5 mill contract.

Then we blame Gainey for bringing him to Montreal.

Then we are forced to trade him for little return.

Does anyone see the viscious cycle here?

So then the alternative is for us to wallow in medocrity, criticize every team that signs someone as having "overpaid", and hope and pray that players who have a history of underperforming suddenly "get it" and start playing like they are capable of? That, and sit and wait for the youngsters to develop.

I am all for the young talent we have. But unfortunately in the "new NHL", once your young talent gets to the point where you have a contender for a year, you lose them all to the cap...just ask Buffalo. Like it or not, but you still need the combination of young talent and the occassional overpaid and overpriced UFA to make a run at anything remotely resembling a champoinship.

davidb · Guru

Right on barry. I spoke to a Bruins fan today. He told me he has not been this excited since the 1970's, he is expecting big things with Chara Savard and Bergeron and this new kid Kressel (think thats right). He did say he felt they overpaid Chara, but he also said he is glad they did. He will help this team win a cup within the next few years. I do not mind over paying for someone. Especially if the player makes the big play now and then. I know i have posted at nauseum about the Bruins signings and im sorry. I am sometimes of the opinion that I want what the next guy has. Sometimes I feel other teams have the better line up. Still, I am a Habs fan thru and thru and will now enjoy my 37th year as a habs fan. When I thought about it, in the 37 years I have enjoyed 9 Stanley Cups. What other fan can boast their team winning the championship 25 percent of the time

barry33 · Guru

davidb wrote:

Right on barry. I spoke to a Bruins fan today. He told me he has not been this excited since the 1970's, he is expecting big things with Chara Savard and Bergeron and this new kid Kressel (think thats right). He did say he felt they overpaid Chara, but he also said he is glad they did. He will help this team win a cup within the next few years. I do not mind over paying for someone. Especially if the player makes the big play now and then. I know i have posted at nauseum about the Bruins signings and im sorry. I am sometimes of the opinion that I want what the next guy has. Sometimes I feel other teams have the better line up. Still, I am a Habs fan thru and thru and will now enjoy my 37th year as a habs fan. When I thought about it, in the 37 years I have enjoyed 9 Stanley Cups. What other fan can boast their team winning the championship 25 percent of the time

David- the fact that some players are overpaid is nothing new. Montreal has a few on their roster to be honest. I still feel that you are going to have to go out and pay too much for the odd superstar. Guys like Zedno Chara are game breakers. Pronger same thing. You cannot put a price on what these guys bring to your team. Imagine a guy like Komisarek playing with a Chara or a Pronger? These guys elevate your team just by being out there. Kovalev has that ability and shows it way too seldom. Personally I give full marks to Boston, Nashville, and Anaheim for going out and spending the bucks to get it done. It may not be the "safe route" if it backfires, but at least they had the canoles to take the chance.

Fatherhab · Senior Member

The Padre thinks that there is no need to bring in a project player to fill the apparent lack of centremen on this team. We have a 3rd overall draft choice who prior to last season, scored 23,23,25,22,and 12 goals over his past 5 seasons prior to coming to the Habs. Last season, he had 6 goals as a Hab. He too, is in his last year of a contract and needs to be productive and accountable. In order to do so, the coaching staff has to give him the opportunity to reach those numbers. His salary demands more than being a defensive specialist. I speak of Radek Bonk. I say give him an opportunity to centre Kovalev and Samsonov. At least someone on that line would have an idea about playing both ends of the rink.

barry33 · Guru

Fatherhab wrote:

The Padre thinks that there is no need to bring in a project player to fill the apparent lack of centremen on this team. We have a 3rd overall draft choice who prior to last season, scored 23,23,25,22,and 12 goals over his past 5 seasons prior to coming to the Habs. Last season, he had 6 goals as a Hab. He too, is in his last year of a contract and needs to be productive and accountable. In order to do so, the coaching staff has to give him the opportunity to reach those numbers. His salary demands more than being a defensive specialist. I speak of Radek Bonk. I say give him an opportunity to centre Kovalev and Samsonov. At least someone on that line would have an idea about playing both ends of the rink.

I hope you are right Cardinal

Johab · Guru

Forget lecavalier. He will not be coming to the habs UNLESS he is traded here. He currently is under a 4 year contract ( second year now ) with tampa. YES the habs want him, and he wzants to play here one day BUT taxes and biased friends and family persuaded him to do otherwise. ( This is all according to Boivin by the way ) We ALL would love him here, but unless Gainey is working on becoming a magician AND gynacologist ( sp? ) we might as well forget lecavalier cuz hes gonna need to pull a rabbit out of his @$$.