The Gazette’s Pat Hickey reports that if a new collective bargaining agreement results in a $60-million salary cap for the 2013-14 season, the Bob Gainey-Pierre Gauthier era could come back to haunt the Habs and new general manager Marc Bergevin.
Hickey notes that the Canadiens already have contracts for next season with 16 players with a salary-cap hit of $60.1 million. The Canadiens’ situation is made more challenging when you consider that filling out the roster involves more than finding cap room to sign an assortment of minimum-wage players.
Among the players who are not signed for 2013-14 are current restricted free agent P.K. Subban and top-six forward David Desharnais. There’s also a good possibility Bergevin will require a spare million to sign Alex Galchenyuk to an entry-level deal.
Read more by clicking here.
The Canadian Press reports that the NHL and NHLPA plan to meet Monday for the first formal face-to-face collective bargaining session between the two sides since talks broke down on Dec. 6. The league and NHLPA exchanged more information Sunday on the latest offer from the owners before the union left to meet internally.
Read more by clicking here.
In his Monday Morning QB column, Jack Todd writes: “So Bill Daly’s ‘the hill we will die on’ was really ‘the molehill where we’ll take a nice little nap.’”
Todd adds: “Surprise, surprise: it appears that Daly was exaggerating just a tad. From the beginning of this little exercise in league-directed madness, the apocalyptic rhetoric emanating from the owners’ side provided enough hot air to propel the Hindenburg across the Atlantic.”
You can read Todd’s column by clicking here.
Meanwhile, Dave Stubbs looks back on some New Year’s Eve memories involving former Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak, noting that 30 years ago Monday night at the Forum a touring all-star team of Soviets completed a perfect two-night swing through this province, blanking the Canadiens 5-0 only 24 hours after having beaten the Quebec Nordiques 3-0 at Le Colisée. Seven years earlier, to the night, the Canadiens and Red Army had skated to a 3-3 tie in what often is described as the greatest game ever played.
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Let’s waste one more year with Bettman and Fehr duking it out, and the best result of this will be that Gomez’s contract would no longer be valid, in fact very few of the roster of this rag tag bunch of wannabee hockey players from the China Doll Markov to the Loose Cannon Cole and Dismal Desharnais, dismal cause he can’t even get to within 2 feet of the net cause he’s so smurfy, in fact, wouldn’t it be great if we could just clean house and start all over again? Get real hockey players and not this sad bunch who argue and fight and are players no one wants. Time to stop this Molson, sign real players for once.
$60 M must include Gomer’s Pile, si? I’ve heard a lot of reports stating that teams will be offered a one-time buyout opportunity that won’t go against the cap (although it may go against the player portion of HRR). You can bet the mortgage that all teams will have a chance to ditch a dud contract to help with the Cap. And saving Gomer’s pile of dough will go a long way toward PK, DD and Alex G squeezing in under $60 or so, and I’m guessing it’ll be a tad more than $60M.
Loving the Habs since 1965
A $60-million salary cap would hurt Habs in 2013-14!
We all have Bobby Gainey to thank for destroying our once proud franchise.
It will be 3 or more ugly seasons of dismal hockey for our club before we marginally improve back again to respectability and win back fans.
Better give Bergevin plenty of Tylenol, he’ll have many headaches once the season comes back to fold to clean up Bobby’s mess!
“We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets “
Bob Gainey did alot of good things to try and clean up a system void of talent at big league level and minor league level. Not sure I would blame him for everything. be thankful that we had injuries and gave us a chance to draft a good player.
He did trust Carbaneau too much which hurt like the Ribiero trade and of course firing of Julien. This is squarely on the bosses shoulders.
1975 NYE game, happy New Year to all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPacuJ-H5mw
I am not an animal, I just reproduce that way.
BullDogs down 2-0 late in 2nd period against Rochester
Looking at that picture of Marc and something is not right. Is there something on his head? Think I”ll slow down on the hootch.Gotta make it to midnight.Saludos Amigos!
It’s my understanding his favourite TV Character was AlfAlfa on Little Rascals.
No point slowing down now Frontenac GO Hard or Go home!
Thats what she said!Time for the High Octane!
I’m just wondering, if only both the League and the PA would have in fact spoke about this issue before right now (they had the whole month of December, and they chose NOT to speak – w/c is pretty childish or from a standpoint, like a husband and wife fighting for nothing!), would that have been move beneficial than dragging this mess?
What’s interesting, if they’re going to meet-up/have a rendez-vous, they really picked the wrong day (What’s more better, meeting a bunch of ppl. talking about money issues or being with your family and friends?). For crying out loud! December 31st, 2012 – New Year’s Eve? We’re here waiting for a stupid announcement on both the NHL and the NHLPA on whether or not they will agree on a new CBA and kick-start a 48-game regular season, on New Year’s Eve! HAHA!! – What a brilliant Idea from both parties to spend, I’m sorry, “WASTE” their time. Also, the location of this meeting is now taking place in New York City. Rather than being happy bringing the new year at Times Square, their inside a room doing discussions which it seems may go to a cancelled season.
The fact that they may spend a few more days before January 11 to hammer out a potential half-season seems telling that we as fans will hear a lot of bickering between both parties. Now that this counter proposal is presented by the NHLPA to the NHL this afternoon, we’re now keeping our fingers crossed on this.
I’m ok that they’re meeting right now to salvage what is left and possibly get a deal done. But if this drags on till June 2013, i don’t think pro-hockey’s going to be the same in North America.
Both sides on more than one occasion said they would meet at anytime – the only ones who are complaining about the negotiations are the media (via Twitter for the most part) who have to work on New Years Eve Day & possibly night…….
That arena was loud in Russia today.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
Ovechin has became engaged to his Russian girlfriend & tennis player – Future off spring would/should some good atheltic genes….
60 million cap would make things tighter on the habs (as well as tons of other teams). But when you factor in the amnesty buyout of Gomez its really not that bad. Still doable.
Remember Subban is unsigned as well..
My understanding is the 60M would come into place during the 2013-14 season. It would be tight but doable.
It might be best for both sides to have a one time cap hit of 63-64M for that year. It’s really no big deal in terms of the new CBA. Maximum cost would be less than 30M and would help some teams retain the core of their roster going forward.
Galchenyuk had a nice one timer goal vs the slovaks today. nhl.com has the game highlights if you’re interested.
On another note I’m really hoping for a canada-sweden final. fingers crossed.
It seems sweet for all the Junior players from all countries playing the time of their lives at Ufa right now. But then, their future hangs on a big “?”
Word is that Fehr is going to ask that relocation and expansion fees be included as HRR. That will not go over well.
well it does seem like its related to hockey and stuff
I agree, but the owners sure won’t. Jeremy Jacobs might put a hit out on Fehr just for proposing it.
What I’m hoping for is that this is just a bargaining chip for Fehr, maybe to get the compliance buyout to come out of the owners pockets instead of the players, as has been proposed.
When the players start to own teams then they can be part of relocation & expansion fees. Expansion is good for players it creates jobs & extends players careers & relocation saves players jobs as a franchise could possibly fold without moving……
Boomer – If Fehr holds out for that, then the season is lost.
If I’m Bettman I’d tell him to drop dead.
I bet it’s a tactical ploy to be used to try and get the NHL to more easily acquiesce on other key issues…at least I hope.
lovin’ gally! only junior in top 5 not on team canada for scoring, he’s tied for second with 2 goals 5 assists, im sure you all know that tho
With his play on the ice and his points on the score sheet in both junior and the tournament, it is looking more and more like the Canadiens have hit a home run here.
ya, im thinking that gally is more like crosby, playmaker style while yakupov might be more like ovechkin, takes shots like ovechkin anyways. I know thats a pretty bland comparison, but I’m still getting excited about this kid and he’s looking like a good teamguy too
I think Crosby and Ovechkin have or did at certain points reach superstardom. I don’t think Galchenyuk and Yakupov will quite reach that level but both will be stars for sure.
The best thing for the Habs and their cap situation would be for David Desharnais to play very well, when play resumes, and trade him for a high draft pick or a good prospect. There is just no room for Plekanec, Galchenyuk, Eller and Desharnais.
I think you have to go with Plekanec and Galchenyuk as your 1-2 punch before Galchenyuk eventually passes Plekanec as the clear cut number one. And you have Eller as the 3rd line guy, maybe bumping Plekanec down a spot one day.
I think Plekanec still has 4-5 seasons of 55 to 70 points in him. That behind Galchenyuk who will hopefully produce 75 to 90 points.
So will Desharnais’ contact due to expire first and the salary cap being shrunken I think he’s the obvious choice to be moved, especially if he plays well. Not to mention that Galchenyuk, Plekanec and Eller are all better players or will be than Desharnais.
I think what will most likely happen is Gally will be on the wing to start and eventually be eased into the C position.
There isn’t a rush to get rid of any of those players down the middle.
Yet.
I agree Boomer.
Short term I see Gally as the winger.
Long term I see Desharnais moved to the wing as Galchenyuk gets accustomed to NHL speed.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
I can’t see Desharnais playing wing…
Why not?
With the exception of Cliff Ronning, the vast majority of small players in recent history, such as Theoren Fleury, Mike Cammalleri, Nathan Gerbe, Marty St. Louis, Tyler Ennis, and others have all been natural centres who have been transitioned to wing… or like Brian Gionta have been wingers to begin with.
The reason is simple. The Centre has to help out defensively, down low. Which is one area that Desharnais is pushed around by bigger players on the cycle game. Where the Winger is able to stay high in his own zone, defending the point man.
Desharnais home/road split in the +/- stat effectively shows that when given last change, and Cunneyworth/Martin were able to control the matchup he did very well last year, but that his line struggled defensively on the road.
I believe that with Desharnais intelligence he would quickly adapt to being a playmaker off the wing.
Go Habs Go!
Check out Top Shelf Prospects, my Team by Team prospect reports
http://lastwordonsports.com/
The majority of those players you mentioned have better goal scoring ability than Desharnias.
A good small, play making winger, few and far between. We’ll be small enough with Gionta and Gallagher there already.
The rush is fitting under the cap before 2013/14. It is going to be a very tight squeeze even after Gomez is bought out. But yeah, Galchenyuk is looking very good on the wing for the US and Sarnia, I was going to mention that in my first comment as a possibility.
I don’t follow the cba talks very much, is this new cap system set in stone? Are the owner’s not budging on this one?
I see the players bumping it up a bit more before all is said and done to $65 million or close.
Think Calgary was real sorry they traded Martin St Louis,I DO ! Even though I like a much bigger athlete ,I’d have to say that trading D.D. “who’s making under a million” would be done by a persons my people would call a PUTZ! :0
If he keeps putting up noticeable offensive numbers he’s going to be asking for $3 million or more come 2013/14.
Flames did not trade him, they bought him out, and then Tampa gave him a contract. I agree with Hobie, if Eller/Galchenyuk live up to their hype, Habs won’t have a need for DD.
Tricky thing with this is the french stuff….
You must be republican cause you have both skirted the question….do you think Calgary was sorry? As in if they knew St.LOUIS would become one of the best hockey players in the world , that they passed on him? And I’m assuming your answer is NO? Which is a spin-doctors answer if ever there was one…or some-ones Trolling the Ol fishing line ,lol…(Note for Habsolutely: Shouldn’t you be looking for a milking cow instead of asking people from other countries to not watch the news and be as ignorant as you? And after it runs dry you can butcher it with your Bushmaster military weapon.)
With time running out of from both league and players, it seems that this new year’s eve meeting may come as a head’s up to most hockey fans: If the NHLPA will eventually present a counter offer, I think it will come down to the cancellation of this season by the NHL itself.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=412474
According to TSN Ovechkin is engaged to Maria Kirilenko.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81+%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%BE&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=f95&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9tnhUJj5GqPi2QXkmYCgAQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1214&bih=844
Hubba Hubba! Muy Bien Amigo!
The child would be Kirilenkovechkin.
If true, that moves him past Giroux, Malkin, Stamkos and Crosby as the undisputed king of the NHL.
Our boy Gally is tied for second(with Huberdeau)in tournament scoring with 7 points in 4 games. Not bad considering his points have been fairly quiet ones. He just seems to get the job done.
Nugent Hopkins leading with 11 points.
“I think I may have found a way for us to get Griffey and Bonds, and we really won’t have to give up much” -Costanza
Word out of Winnipeg TSN Sports Radio that Kane wants out. Would we want him and at what price?
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
I guess it depends on which Kane wants out.
Patrick Kane? He probably wants to play for Buffalo.
Evander Kane? I dunno, intesting seeing as he just signed an extension didn’t he?
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Go Habs Go!
Evander. Signing extension good way for another team to know exactually what his salary and length is.
Mr. Biter
No Guts No Glory
Heading out to Val Saint Come for a new years party at a friends chalet. Happy new year everyone and all the best to you and yours!
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Russians got Wopa’d Gangnam Style
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL619219058D528CB9
Yeah they did. I hope it was dirty enough for Yakupov’s liking.
The thing about being in cap trouble is always there and always exagerated for any team relatively c lose to the cap. It hardly ever ends up being a problem.
Remember last season when everyone was wondering how the bruins could survive without dismantling the team, or the devils and the flyers for that matter? The only team i can remember in recent memory that had to give away major assets without getting enough back is the Hawks after their Cup win. And since they won the Cup, which is the goal of every team in the NHL, who really cares? They can rest on their laurels for a few years.
I love Desharnais, but either he or Eller is going to be traded, with the emergence of Galchenyuk, so I don´t think it should be too hard to get something back which is fair value and less of a cap hit; quite possibly future assets.
Also, from what I understand, buying out Gomez in his last season, or sticking him somewhere (I assume one of the two options will be available after the new CBA comes into place) could be done without it hurting the team too much.
I think therev are other clubs who are in a much tighter spot than the habs in this regard.
Can the editor of this article please take the “Galchenyuk entry deal needed” out of this column? He’s already been signed. That is really sad the columnist didn’t even know that or research it.
Timo, I need to quote you from 2 days ago: “Subban Jr. reminds me of Tokarski in 2009 – couldn’t stop a beach ball to save his life. That crazy semi final game against russia where Eberle tied the score with like 8 seconds left – Canada could have coasted to an easy win were it not for Tokarski who let every shot in.
Subban will be/is the same – the only hope that the forwards can score 5 or more goals every game.”
Spot on Timo. Spot on.
Glad you liked it.
So I think the choice for Subban as #1 was the right choice. Having said that, is there any risk that one of the backups should have gotten a bit more gametime just in case?
I would of liked that. Nothing against Subban but having options is always a good thing.
Here’s something for discussion.
20 Years from now, who will be considered the better goalie? Carey Price, or Malcolm Subban.
And here I thought it would be Halak or Roy.
Dont forget how good Pogge looked at the world juniors.
December 31st 2032. Noted in my calendar for discussion at that time.
i think price will be considered the better goalie especially for his play in the wjc
Yakupov? Canada did its talking on the ice!
While I agree, and I love the win, we haven’t won anything yet. Boys need to keep going with the momentum and disciplined play. The team has shown they CAN be the team to beat, they just need to make sure they dont beat themselves.
CHeers Amigo, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A perfect game by Canada. They get the much needed bye with only two more hurdles to cross.
Today’s poll question is: which crisis will be resolved first, the fiscal cliff in the USA or the lockout stalemate in the NHL?
Which begs a second question. Who’s the bigger arsehole, Bettman, Fehr or Boehner?
All things considered, it looks like the first week of 2013 should be pretty interesting.
Good job Team Canada – Bring it Home
OKAY. This is really pissing me off, I’ve seen this a couple of times and now in a figgin column… ALEX GALCHENYUK WAS SIGNED ALREADY. Don’t believe me? DO YOUR RESEARCH FFS.
http://capgeek.com/player/2339
Funny story. Yesterday I tweeted a comment about NY Jet Coach Rex Ryan. I have given him a nickname, Coach Foot Fetish and called him that yesterday. This morning I wake up and my direct message box is filled with picturs of women’s feet. At least I think they’re women’s. Why didn’t I nickname him Coach NiceLegs or Coach boobies or something. Man, I am dumb. CHeers and Happy New Year.
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Another typo Jim? Did you mean babies? LOL
Oh i think he meant boobies! LOL, CHeers L and Happy New Year Friend!!!
It’s funny how he can spell the important things.
Happy New Year to you too Burly! And all of HIO and our loved ones.
Oh Jim, that could only happen to you! Happy New Year my friend.
Beautiful flag.
Empty-netter from 190 feet, lovely.
Woohoo, this game is over!!!
Canada is still very fortunate for the early major penalty. If we end up facing Russia again, i expect a closer game.
Good Shift there by Yakupov.
Watching Boone Jenner, reminds me of how good our former draft pick Kyle Chipchura looked at the WJC when he played.
LOL. Chips was awesome. Was he not a captain as well?
He was indeed I think. He looked can’t miss to me. Too bad.
Without looking, I think Jenner must have more of a scoring touch than Chipchura? Jenner was/is? leading the OHL in goals?
McGuires a cheerleader?
Canada has played a strong game. Russia starting to show a little push back here, but the depth of Canada is so impressive.
dollarama..ha..for cheerleaders they are pretty ugly outfits…I thought they were hired for what is on the outside not the inside
First time I really noticed Grigorenko
What a shift by Jenner and his line. Eating up precious minutes by dominating in the Russian end. Awesome.
amen to NO McGuire…
Great work from McKinnon in the corner, took a while but got a good chance out of it.
So, if (huge IF) there is a season this year, what will happen with PK contract, Mr. Bergevin? No problem wasting money signing other useless stiffs, but your best dmen now and for a foreseeable future… what about that guy?
Oh is PK not signed yet?
So while I don’t really like Ferraro as a hockey analyst, way better than listening to Pierre MacGuire overhype every single play. Thanks NBC for hiring the blowhard.
DOUBLE DIONNED!
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Man, how would I have loved to be in Ufa now. Look at the women? Le sigh.
Timo did the cheerleaders in UFA get their outfits at the Dollarama store?
Hey, it what underneath the counts (their mind and soul, despite whatever you were thinking)
Stupid question, has the Russian goaltender been drafted by any team in the NHL?
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I was wondering about the costumes too WTF..time to eat before the 3rd…
I think masked balls or parties for new Year celebrations are becoming a bit of a trend. I saw a news item yesterday about Toronto area costumers doing big business on masks.