Rivet, Souray, Markov and Niinnima

JohnM · Guru

Rivet, Souray, Markov and Niinnima

doodie · Veteran Member

JohnM wrote:

Ok boys and girls, now these four defenceman will be UFA after this year. If you were BG, who do you keep if possible and what kind of contracts are you handing out?

Personally, I try to keep three at a reasonable cost. I think Rivet should get a 3 yr deal worth 7.5 million. Souray a 3yr deal worth 9 million and Markov a 4 yr 14 million dollar deal. Keep Niinnima at 1.25 per year only if there are no better options.

-- Edited by JohnM at 12:01, 2006-11-01

i THINK THIS IS THE LAST YEAR FOR SOUREY HE WANTS TO GO WEST YOUNG MAN SO HE'S NO WORRY IF THEIR UFA'S I REALLY DON'T THINK ANYONE OF THE OTHERS ARE UNTOUCHABLES i THINK GAINEY WILL BE CLEANING HOUSE THERE.

wright · Veteran Member

JohnM wrote:

Ok boys and girls, now these four defenceman will be UFA after this year. If you were BG, who do you keep if possible and what kind of contracts are you handing out?

Personally, I try to keep three at a reasonable cost. I think Rivet should get a 3 yr deal worth 7.5 million. Souray a 3yr deal worth 9 million and Markov a 4 yr 14 million dollar deal. Keep Niinnima at 1.25 per year only if there are no better options.

-- Edited by JohnM at 12:01, 2006-11-01

John, I think you are being too positive in terms of being able to resign Markov to a four year deal at 14 million. If Kubina is worth 20 million over 5 years, someone will pay more than that for Markov. As well Souray at 9 million over three years seems to low, particularly if he keeps putting up the numbers offensively. Signing Markov is an absolute must, but whether he wants to resign with the Habs is another question.

plouf · Guru

Markov's a must, but seems to want to go. Souray obviously wants out. Rivet will not be as cheap as he should be, but provides veteran presence. Niinimaa, open question.

There is a good chance Gainey is planning wholesale changes on defense.

Ando · Guru

Hard to say what will happen!

Rivet is likely totally committed to be a Hab longterm...so that will depend on Gainey's mindset!

Souray could be 'iffy'...And-o has a hunch that he will either want too much money or he will be moved by the deadline...just a hunch!

Markov is THE must sign guy, although he shows signs of whating to either go home...or leave Montreal at times!

Niinnima......does this matter!? If he plays well for us...and fits in...at the right price...GREAT! Other than that...would anyone really care???

In terms of $$$...Rivet should be capped at $2.5 million per (he'll get wayyy more)...Souray at $3 million per (wayyy more as well)...Markov at $4 million (he may get more as well)...Niinnima at $1.5 million (and that is generous).

wright · Veteran Member

Ando wrote:

Hard to say what will happen!

Rivet is likely totally committed to be a Hab longterm...so that will depend on Gainey's mindset!

Souray could be 'iffy'...And-o has a hunch that he will either want too much money or he will be moved by the deadline...just a hunch!

Markov is THE must sign guy, although he shows signs of whating to either go home...or leave Montreal at times!

Niinnima......does this matter!? If he plays well for us...and fits in...at the right price...GREAT! Other than that...would anyone really care???

In terms of $$$...Rivet should be capped at $2.5 million per (he'll get wayyy more)...Souray at $3 million per (wayyy more as well)...Markov at $4 million (he may get more as well)...Niinnima at $1.5 million (and that is generous).

And-o, in this "new salary cap era" if McCabe can get 5 million a year, Kubina 4 million a year, you can bet Markov is going to get similar if not higher numbers. If Souray cracks the 20 goal mark, even with his suspect defensive play, he to will exceed 3 million a year. Niinnima,total irrelevant, he should not be resigned in order to free up cap space for the impending contractual raises for exisitng players that actually make positive contributions.

Key Lime · Guru

Let's not forget the prospects. Don't we have any D-men in the minors that can potentially be replacements for one or two of these players?

JohnM · Guru

Key Lime wrote:

Let's not forget the prospects. Don't we have any D-men in the minors that can potentially be replacements for one or two of these players?

Nope.

AB Habman · Guru

The only player I'm 100% certain that will stay is Rivet. He'll get 2.5 to 3 mil per on a three year.

Gainey will try in the new year to sign Souray long term. If he can't than he'll be traded at the deadline.

Niinima will start losing ice time as soon as Dandy comes back. He may split duty with Streit. He won't be resigned or even offered a contract.

Markov will stay here and only using the going home thing to his bargaining advantage. He will be signed to 4 mil or more per.

It will be a very tough off season for Gainey. Two or three existing players will have to move on in a trade or dump to afford Rivet, Markov and possibly Souray.

I can almost invision our Defense of Rivet, Dandy, Markov, Striet, Boulion and Cote for next season. I sure hope Souray is there. If I had to choose, it would be Souray over Rivet but I know that will never happen.

plouf · Guru

I'm surprised at how quickly everyone's formed a negative opinion of Niinimaa. The guy just got here. Players, especially defensemen, don't just figure out their new team at the drop of a hat. He has size, mobility and some skills with the puck, and he had some very good years with Edmonton before things went sour. Give him time to regain the confidence he lost last year, and get him to buy into the system and he could fit into the mold of the defensemen who are making Buffalo look so good right now. I'm not saying this will happen, but by all accounts he's already looking much better than he did last year for the Islanders. It's way too soon to give up on him.

JohnM · Guru

Ninniima will be a good 5th/6th defenceman for the Habs. He's getting paid a little high for that right now but nothing we can do about that. He should help come playoff time.

AB Habman · Guru

plouf wrote:

I'm surprised at how quickly everyone's formed a negative opinion of Niinimaa. The guy just got here. Players, especially defensemen, don't just figure out their new team at the drop of a hat. He has size, mobility and some skills with the puck, and he had some very good years with Edmonton before things went sour. Give him time to regain the confidence he lost last year, and get him to buy into the system and he could fit into the mold of the defensemen who are making Buffalo look so good right now. I'm not saying this will happen, but by all accounts he's already looking much better than he did last year for the Islanders. It's way too soon to give up on him.

I'm thinking more of financial restrictions and priorities...he won't be resigned.

Peart_2112 · Veteran Member

I was reading over at Hockeybuzz that the Kings are possibly scouting Souray. Can anyone see the name Craig Conroy written on the wall? I personally hate to see Shelly go because, in my opinion, his offensive output balances out any shortcomings he might have on the defensive side of the puck. I also agree that Rivet wants to stay in Montreal and a deal can be worked out to keep him here. Markov is a bit of an enigma but I think he can be resigned also but the price is gonna be higher. As for Ninny I really don't think he has played poorly so far. He's no superstar mind you but his play has been fairly solid, he has decent puck handling abilities and he isn't scared to go in the corner after the puck. I still think that the addition of a big man up front would ignite this team but the problem is this.....who will we have to give up to get that big center?

MC Girl · Guru

You should post this on the other board.