New Canadiens forward Erik Cole, signed for four years and $18 million this afternoon.
Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images
• Carolina Hurricanes forward Erik Cole brings his grit and durability – 26G, 26A in 82 games last season – to Montreal for four years and $18 million in the Canadiens’ major unrestricted free agent signing today.
• AUDIO: Erik Cole conference call | Habs GM Pierre Gauthier
Video of Erik Cole taping his stick. One more thing you now know about him:
• Peter Budaj is in, Alex Auld is out: Budaj is signed to a two-year, $2.3-million contract to back up Habs starting goaltender Carey Price. Auld, meanwhile, returns to the Ottawa Senators for the same $1 million he earned in Montreal last season.
• Roman Hamrlik: 2 years, $7 million to Washington, and possibly a partner for Mike Green; Jeff Halpern: one year $825,000 to Washington.
• Benoit Pouliot in a Bruins jersey, for $1.1 million. Who’d have thought that?
• Jaromir Jagr, who many believed would be wearing a Canadiens jersey next season, signs for a year with Philadelphia. Says here that’s just as well.
• James Wisniewski signed six years and $33 million with Columbus – stunning money. The Blue Jackets had exclusive negotiating rights with the defenceman, a mid-season acquisition by the Habs, until 12 noon ET today, and Wiz agreed to terms an hour before that. This gives Montreal a fifth-round draft pick in next June’s entry draft.
• AUDIO: James Wisniewski conference call
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I had a one-on-one interview with Erik Cole five springs ago, the Hurricanes in town for the playoffs, Cole sidelined with a fractured neck. (A few interesting parallels with Max Pacioretty five years later.) We sat in the stands at the Bell Centre as the Canes took part in their morning skate. Our talk yielded this story:
Young gun on mend
Erik Cole can only watch and envy Hurricanes teammates
as they play Habs in playoff series while he recovers from broken neck suffered eight weeks ago
Published Saturday, April 29, 2006
DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette
On Monday, doctors in Raleigh, N.C., will remove the cervical thoracic brace from around the broken neck of Erik Cole.
And then the Carolina Hurricanes left winger will hold a special ceremony for the plastic-and-steel support that’s been clamped to him almost every minute since early March.
“I’m going to run over it a few times with my Cadillac,” Cole said yesterday. “And then I’m going to drive at least a few miles down the highway, dragging it behind the car.”
He vows there won’t be even a single bolt left to sell on eBay.
It was eight weeks ago today that Cole was crushed head-first into the boards by Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Brooks Orpik. The check produced a compound fracture of Cole’s C5 vertebra, a hit from behind that doctors say came within fractions of an inch of paralyzing one of the NHL’s top young stars.
Monday, Cole will shed the hard brace and be fitted for two weeks with a less rigid collar, “just to remind me that I broke my neck,” he said, “so I don’t snap my head from side to side.”
Yesterday, the 27-year-old from Oswego, N.Y., stood at the boards during the Hurricanes’ morning skate at the Bell Centre, remembering what it was like to be on the other side of the glass.
He’s eager to get back on skates, of course, though there’s no firm timetable for that. Cole was having the best season of his four-year NHL career when he was injured; he had 30 goals, eight of them game-winners, and 29 assists in 60 games.
He is healing well, since the frightening idea of surgery was floated six weeks ago, and Cole’s presence in the dressing room has been an inspiration for his teammates.
“It’s going to be pretty emotional stepping back on the ice with the guys, whenever that will be,” he said.
But sooner will come the joy of again scooping up his children – daughter Bella, 4, and son Landon, 21 months – and of being less reliant on his wife, Emily.
“In the last eight weeks, I’ve put my children to bed maybe five times, and putting my little guy to bed is great, because his personality is really starting to come out,” Cole said. “It’s not easy when he’s trying to climb up your leg and his mother has to say: ‘Let Daddy rest.’ ”
This might be the only way the Canadiens could have kept Cole off the scoresheet. He was poison in three regular-season games against Montreal this year, scoring five goals on only six shots – including a Jan. 31 hat trick – and adding three assists.
On Wednesday, and again last night, Cole inhaled this city’s unique playoff air from the press gallery, wishing he’d been on the ice seven storeys below.
“It’s pretty miserable sitting upstairs,” he said. “You’re so close to being a part of the energy, but you’re not. It’s hard to come to this building, because I love playing here. This is such a great hockey atmosphere.”
Many times Cole has replayed the Orpik hit that fractured his neck. The Penguins defenceman, who was suspended for three games, bristles at charges from the Hurricanes and others who label it a cheap shot, and has suggested that Cole shares the blame, saying he turned and ducked just before impact.
“I didn’t know that my neck was broken,” Cole recalled. “I’ve been hit hard before, and I’ve had stingers. But the jolt that went down my arms was a lot more severe than anything I’ve ever felt.”
He was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital, and returned home the following day wearing only a collar. When Raleigh doctors believed the vertebra might be moving, he was fitted with a more restrictive brace – the same one that will wear Cadillac tire treads on Monday.
Cole says that late last month, Orpik tried to get his cellphone number from Mark Recchi, who had been traded to the Hurricanes from Pittsburgh five days after the check.
“I told Mark to tell him not to bother. I wasn’t interested in his call,” Cole said. “At that point, I felt a call was more for his benefit than for mine, of him trying to clear his conscience.
“It’s up to a player to make decisions out there. Things happen quickly, and you choose to take advantage of situations or you don’t. Accidents will happen, and there are always going to be mistakes and misfortunes.
“But I think his first comments told me how he really felt about this. I definitely look forward to next year, when we get to play Pittsburgh.”
Cole’s rehabilitation did not at first include coming to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 of this series. But when the Hurricanes lost the first two at home, he got clearance from his doctors and was welcomed by head coach Peter Laviolette.
“I think my wife was ready to kick me out of the house, too,” he joked. “She was a little worried about my being comfortable on the road, but she also understood it would be good for me.”
And what fun to goof around with teammates and trainers, “because they run away, knowing they can’t fight back.”
Cole and his family will spend the summer in Raleigh instead of returning to New York state. They’re eager to enjoy the weather and the beaches, and will be close to his doctors, should they be needed.
“This is a week at a time,” he said of his recovery. “I’ll have to get my range of motion and strength back. Then have another X-ray to rule out ligament damage. If there is, it will require surgery. But getting out of this brace will boost my spirits, for sure. With that, healing will come more easily.
“I feel very fortunate that this wasn’t much worse,” Cole said, wistfully watching his teammates breeze around the rink. “I’ll never take for granted being able to pick up my children.”
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Someone was quick on the draw, Wikipedia is already updated with Cole as being a Montreal Canadien.
Price is a little steep, 4 years is a long term for a 32 year old, but in this climate we weren’t going to do any better.
Andrei Markov is looking more like a bargain every minute.
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Let’s do something like this again: 1) Mike Cammalleri 2) Brian Gionta 3) Hall Gill
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Awesome signing. A tad expensive but welcome to july 1st.
Awesome signing im very happy with it! I feel he might be getting a bit too much but I’m still very happy with getting Cole!
Question though how much money do we have left on the cap? Can we sign some bottom 6 guys or do we only have enough to resign Gorges and White???
We got Cole!
Auld to Ottawa
So remember,when we play Washington,shoot the puck in on Hammer’s side and slash him on the way by !
“Wanting is often more pleasurable than having.It is not logical but it is often true.” – Spock
so
aK 47 — pleks —- cam
cole—–gomez—–gio
with pachioretti we have some options here
boom
Cole signs… 4 years 4.5 mil… it’s slight overpay, but only slightly. I love it. Played 82 games last year, big boy, 32 yrs old, 26 goals, 200 hits.
ok, there’s still Gagne, Leino, Fleishscman, Belanger and Konopka
I’m not overly sold on Cole. Was hoping for Fleischman but there you go.
Wonder if Cole can light a fire under Gomez?
Kostitsyn-Pleks-Gionta
Paciorety-Gomez-Cole
?
Cam Barker to Edmonton is a waste. Keep throwing an underachiever into deep water and he’ll eventually drown.
weird how you don’t have cammy in your top 6
Cole! WOW! PG’S doing GREAT!
Agree!
Very happy with the Cole signing!!! Good to see some size on Montreal, to go along with Pac’s size!
boom
Cole signed… 4 years 4.5 mil… it’s slight overpay, but only slightly. I love it. Played 82 games last year, big boy, 32 yrs old, 26 goals, 200 hits.
ok, there’s still Gagne, Leino, Fleishscman, Belanger and Konopka
GOOD STUFF ManApart. If we make summit together I owe you two rounds!
Hey HalifaxHabs! BOOM is right! Couldnt have said it better!
Nice signing, Habs get some size and some goals. I say he plays with Cammy and Pleks.
To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high.
Erik Cole to Montreal, just doubled up our Power Forward count.
Cammy-Pleks-Cole, Pacioretty-Gomez-Gionta, AK-Eller-Desharnais, that’s a pretty first three lines.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
Thought Cole and Cammy were both left wingers.
There may be other teams, but only ONE Club De Hockey…
***K YEAH!!!!!!! NICE.
Cole at 4.5M per for 4 seasons
Budaj, eh? I don’t know, the fact he has Ned Flanders on his mask doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.
Yes! Unnnh! Cole will fit in perfect imo.
Richards now.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Cole done 4.5/yr!! Very nice pay day! And the Hammer with Wash!!!!
Erik Cole 4 years 18M according to Bob. Awesome
Its time to switch to whiskey, we’ve been drinkin’ beer all night
ERIK COLE 4 year 18 mil 4.5 mil
to MONTREEAL !!! yeah baby!!
hammerlik to WASINGTON 2 year 7 mil
OWEN NOLEN WANTS BACK IN THE NHL
Cole done. 18M for 4yrs
Erik Cole to Habs: 4 years at 18 million = 4.5 million per
Cole done 4.5/yr!! Very nice pay day!
McEnzie confirms: Cole with habs 4 year/14 M
Sorry, 18 M.
Cole is intriguing to me. In this market though I suspect we wouldn’t be able to get him for less than 4 yrs at $4m-$4.5m/yr. A bit steep, but I think I could live with that.
I think he’ll bring in something like 20g and 30a/yr. Although it remains to be seen what kind of player he is without Staal.
Attaboy, Hamr.
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
12M$ for Ward. More Insanity.
posters here are funny…clamouring for signings but don’t want to give them too much money or term. If you’re gonna sign someone on July 1, you’re going to give them a lot of money and/or term. IF the Habs sign Cole, I’m guessing the length and amount of the contract will make some people crazy! Either way, it would still be a good move.
The Montreal Canadiens: sporting the best AND worst fans since 1909!
via Erik Cole’s Wikipedia page: Canadien.
wtf?
How I’d like to see today end:
Habs sign Eric Cole and Brad Richards.
Habs then trade Scott Gomez to Florida Panthers for a month’s supply of Tropicana Orange Juice.
Can we send Spacek with Gomez?
Gauthier would then hold out for a month and a half supply.
thats a lot of delicious orange juice, but i don’t think that the habs will be able to get rid of gomers contract this year.
your friendly neighborhood Salted One
Diversion: Charlie Sheen was on steroids when filming the movie ‘Major League’.
I can’t help but think that’s cool. The man tried to look believable as a big league pitcher. Nice.
———————————
Let’s do something like this again: 1) Mike Cammalleri 2) Brian Gionta 3) Hall Gill
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
HIO server running out of gas?
Really slow. Lots of us wags crashing the system.
———————————
Let’s do something like this again: 1) Mike Cammalleri 2) Brian Gionta 3) Hall Gill
http://relentlessineptitude.blogspot.com/
Feed the hamsters!!!
I think Boone is moonlighting as The Gazette’s IT professional.
I think Boone is moonlighting as The Gazette’s IT professional.
yep!
So we sign Peter ”the toker” budaj…..way 2 go goats!Baaahahhahhhh
…..You’ll never get to heaven if you’re scared of getting high…..
Habs are having serious talks with Cole, apparently. He would be a good addition to the team if the price is right.
Great news. He was my number one wish since the end of the playoffs.
ArponBasu tweeted: Of course, Cole is not signed by #Habs
More idiocy: Roman Hamrlik signed for two years @3.5 million per with the Washington Capitals
Good for Roman, gets to hang in a bit longer. Would be nice if he could finish his career with a title. Albeit as long as Boudreau is there…
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
TSNBobMcKenzie: Last dispatch I got vis a vis MTL and Erik Cole: “Very close.” and ward to caps
ArponBasu tweeted: Of course, Cole is not signed by #Habs
I’m jazzed by the prospect of Cole. He won’t get to be #26, though, just like Budaj won’t get to be #31.
During the long summer, we all get to be pretend GM.
As an aside on Budaj, many of the habs on twitter are welcoming him to the team, some called him a great guy and teammate so that may have been another reason for signing him. He’s got a good locker room rep.
I really wish we could’ve kept Auld. I think he’s as good, if not, better than Budaj and would’ve come at a cheaper price.
I really wish we could’ve kept Auld. I think he’s as good, if not, better than Budaj and would’ve came at a cheaper price.
Budaj or Auld, it’s pretty much a wash for me. Issue will be how healthy the D is this year so it’s less dangerous to play the backup.
- I shall always remember Captain Koivu. Habs and Hockey.
SF09 on Twitter
My only concern with Cole is how much term we give him, if we sign him. He’s already 32 and I hope it’s isn’t anything longer than 3 years (4 MAX).
- Honestly yours
I would do 2 and and option for a third!
That would be cool, but NHL contracts don’t have those kind of options.
- Honestly yours
I wonder if PG was going after brian bouche, ahh welllllllllllll
Come on PG, Cole and Joel Ward and I won’t bash you anymore.
I’m so holding you to that ManApart
Ward’s off the table…. Toronto I heard.
No Washington is the new address.
To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high.
We still have not taken care of our greatest need, toughness and size.
Budaj is pretty big and tough enough. I wouldn’t fight him. Pretty sure he can take Thomas.
ID love to have erik cole 20 golas and 200 hits he he he
Do we remember towards the end of last season when exactly no one here had any faith whatsoever in Alex Auld to win a game? He got blown out in 2 or 3 games in a row.
I thought that was a bit of an over-reaction but I also don’t think that Auld was the answer going forward at backup. Budaj should be an interesting backup – his numbers last year were awful…but he was playing behind a truly awful defence too.
I think he’ll do no worse than Auld did – and can start between 15-20 games (which should help ease the wear and tear on our Franchise)
the question is how good is budaj when he does not play for 3 weeks…some goalies cannot come in cold….
Cole has been injured a lot lately! about 4 or five years too late
played all 82 last year and had a strong season. would be a good signing imo
he was mostly healthy last year, no major issues, and put up 26 goals.
Did not realize that and maybe with a setup guy can close in 30 or 35 ish!
i.e Scott Gomez?
ok, new update for the good guys we can still get that could have an impact on our line up
top 6 – Gagne Leino Cole
bottom 6 – Belanger, Ward
am I forgetting anyone?
I like Tomas Fleisch
for sure, both Fleishschman and Konopka could be on my list as well
Konopka ?
ALWAYS Habs -
D Mex
I like Vokoun!! Not sure he would have come for backup money!
Dregger and Basu reporting Habs close to inking Cole.
If this happens, it would be great…e need his size in our top 6..
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
If this happens, it would be great…we need his size in our top 6..
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
I hope so!!
i would love to see cole with us
but i think we still need to sign 1 or 2 more forwards
(unless we get richards but the chances of that are between slim and none)
Now that i like to hear. He was my number one wish since the end of the playoffs.
Closing in on Cole?
I hope so, it will make up for the Budaj signing
Erik Cole???
Gone figuratively fishin filibusts L. B. Potter, esq.
Hold your breath…ERIC COLE just maybe????
DarrenDreger:
Sounds like Montreal is closing in on Erik Cole. [via Twitter]
PG. Hopefully you are not done. If you cannot get Richards, go after Cole and Konpka.
*Listen to my instrumental tribute entitled “Habs at War” at http://web.me.com/ptolias/Music/OtherOriginalMusic.html
Well, at least Richards is still out there… as are Erik Cole and Anthony Stewart
George McPhee has done a tremendous job so far in Washington. Getting the 266(league leading) hitman Troy Brouwer to provide that skill team with grit, locking up Laich longterm, adding faceoff specialist and hustle player Jeff Halpern, along with last seasons additions of Dennis Wideman and Scott Hannan on D to solidify their back end and provide great mentoring for Karl Alzner and Jon Carlson. And now he gets a 1st and 2nd round pick from the Ave’s to make way for future stud Braden Holtby to take them where Varlamov never could.
Oh yeah, and need I mention Wash’s equivalent of the “Big Three” are still in tact on their top line.
These caps are starting to look like a team that will certainly handle the Bruins. And unless Crosby picks up right where he left off will handle the pens as well…
If only PG had the brains to put the puzzle pieces together…
Habs sign Aebischer 2.0
Next…Janne Niinimaa 2.0
Budaj, strange signing!
At least it proves Goatier isn’t out BBQ’ing vegetables or similarly preoccupied by non-hockey issues.
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…..My empire is crumbling, my international sponsors are deserting me, my authority is questioned, I am held in contempt wherever I go.
Who am I: Mohamar Ghadaffi or Gary Bettman.
Actually, what this might prove is that PG is capable of multitasking.
Handzus and Cole are still available, bring those guys in and forget about Marchand – who may be just one headshot away from retirement
Its time to switch to whiskey, we’ve been drinkin’ beer all night
Rupp gone! First piece of bad news! DO IT PG DO IT!
Peter Budaj, a devout Christian with a son and wife.
slovikian.
he also has a thing for hockey maskes, no kiddding, something him and carey have in common
OMG PG signed someone?! Quick, break out the pitchforks and torches!
Based on this signing, PG is thinking RIGHT! Youth with potential.
Love the signing. Even at that price.
You doing great PG. KEEP IT UP! I got your back!
You are tellingme that you smell early success!
DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE GHOST IS COOKING?
GO HABS GO!
LMAO @ “DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE GHOST IS COOKING?”
good stuff
Not sure I like the Budaj signing…. But not sure who else is left for a back-up either.
Would like to see the Habs get Erik Cole and (no I’m not crazy) Simon Gagne! If he can stay healthy, think he’d do good in Montreal.
Rupp gone to NYR
Nevermind, Rupp has signed with the Rangers
I’m hoping PG signs Rupp
Budaj has been a starter in his career…Surprise McGuire doesn’t like it..*rolls eyes*..
Guys, it isn’t as though he will play a lot, anyway..lol
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Yes, I’m a Hab fan..Wanna fight about it?
Budaj? Ok, fine. So here’s hoping that will assuage some of the maniacs on here who insist we sign someone just so that we sign someone.
hahahhahhahah Budaj.
Keep drinking the koolaid Hab fans. Current management is incompetent.
There goes Rupp….OH WELL!
Habs sign Peter Budaj (G) for 2 years, 1.15M AAV, went 15-21-4 last year in COL, 3.20 GAA on an 0.895 SV%
I think it would have been better to keep Auld as the chemistry between him and Price was good, but Budaj should be an adequate backup especially with a reduced workload
Its time to switch to whiskey, we’ve been drinkin’ beer all night