Comments on: Canadiens sign Tom Kostopolous http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/ Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:22:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: TrueHabFan http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-46989 TrueHabFan Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:09:50 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-46989 Well, solidly in the playoffs and division champions. Now, it's been a while since all the experts on this thread gave us their opinions. Time to explain yourselves. Go Habs! Well, solidly in the playoffs and division champions.

Now, it’s been a while since all the experts on this thread gave us their opinions. Time to explain yourselves.

Go Habs!

]]> By: netcase http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-41366 netcase Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:35:03 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-41366 I always waited for Gainey to make that stellar move that makes us understand what he's doing. I'm still waiting. I always waited for Gainey to make that stellar move that makes us understand what he’s doing.
I’m still waiting.

]]> By: nigelski http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-41007 nigelski Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:08:37 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-41007 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213273&hubname= There's Yashin's latest crybaby story, if anyone cares... While I agree that performance based signings would be good, Signings (post#162), the problem is that the collective agreement only allows for such after a player hits a certain age, and has had health problems in the past limiting them to a certain # of games. I don't have exact #s on the requirements, but past incentive laden contract getters include Jason Allison, Lindros, and most recently Hasek last season. By far, the best solution, is to go after guaranteed contracts in the next CBA, and eliminate them altogether. Buyout issues would become a thing of the past, and you're only as good as your last season. It seems to work well for the NFL--the NFL being THE model for pro franchising, revenue sharing, and television contract. To quote Homer Simpson,"...I liked your hustle out there...that's why it was so hard to cut you..." Let the cuts begin! http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213273&hubname=

There’s Yashin’s latest crybaby story, if anyone cares…

While I agree that performance based signings would be good, Signings (post#162), the problem is that the collective agreement only allows for such after a player hits a certain age, and has had health problems in the past limiting them to a certain # of games. I don’t have exact #s on the requirements, but past incentive laden contract getters include Jason Allison, Lindros, and most recently Hasek last season.

By far, the best solution, is to go after guaranteed contracts in the next CBA, and eliminate them altogether. Buyout issues would become a thing of the past, and you’re only as good as your last season. It seems to work well for the NFL–the NFL being THE model for pro franchising, revenue sharing, and television contract.

To quote Homer Simpson,”…I liked your hustle out there…that’s why it was so hard to cut you…” Let the cuts begin!

]]> By: habsandwich http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40992 habsandwich Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:39:22 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40992 still waiting on those t-shirts HB still waiting on those t-shirts HB

]]> By: fan4066 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40990 fan4066 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:00:25 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40990 all comes down to - no playoffs this year either. Nobody wants to play here, thats the bottom line, its obvious all comes down to - no playoffs this year either. Nobody wants to play here, thats the bottom line, its obvious

]]> By: Signings http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40989 Signings Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:23:14 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40989 As far as the awarding of contracts go, wouldn't it be a lot better to pay the players based on performance? For example, a player like Kovalev could have a 1.5 million dollar guaranteed salary. Give him an extra million if he plays at least 41 games. Give him an extra million if he passes the 50 point mark. An extra million if the team makes the playoffs. For what is expected of him this next season, that would earn him 4.5 million, which is what he now gets anyways. That way, he will be sure to really try. One could do this with every player. You get paid to perform, after all. As far as Kovalev is concerned I think he will try hard to have a good season this time because his contract expires by the end of the year and he will be looking to sign for the most possible amount come next summer. As far as the awarding of contracts go, wouldn’t it be a lot better to pay the players based on performance? For example, a player like Kovalev could have a 1.5 million dollar guaranteed salary. Give him an extra million if he plays at least 41 games. Give him an extra million if he passes the 50 point mark. An extra million if the team makes the playoffs. For what is expected of him this next season, that would earn him 4.5 million, which is what he now gets anyways. That way, he will be sure to really try.
One could do this with every player. You get paid to perform, after all.

As far as Kovalev is concerned I think he will try hard to have a good season this time because his contract expires by the end of the year and he will be looking to sign for the most possible amount come next summer.

]]> By: wpgghabsfan http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40988 wpgghabsfan Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:43:12 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40988 I think the solution to the habs problems has to be drastic...as much as i love koivu..i believe we should use him as trade bait for marleau or lecavalieror even richards ....I think we should get rid of kovalev at any cost..and also ryder. I know this sounds like i have no faith in the habs but I really do believe we need a change at the top. I think we need a star centerman...and i dont believe koivu is him. I think the solution to the habs problems has to be drastic…as much as i love koivu..i believe we should use him as trade bait for marleau or lecavalieror even richards ….I think we should get rid of kovalev at any cost..and also ryder. I know this sounds like i have no faith in the habs but I really do believe we need a change at the top. I think we need a star centerman…and i dont believe koivu is him.

]]> By: Dan Im Fed UP http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40987 Dan Im Fed UP Wed, 11 Jul 2007 03:42:23 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40987 Habs#1. First of all I have RDS out in Calgary so I never miss a game. Second two years ago? A lot has changed, I think he's tired of carrying the team and the was evident during druing the HAbs slide last year, remember last year! He was horrible. Taking stupid penalties, not caring, pretty much acting like Kovalev or Samsonov. I give him credit for the end run but by that time it was too late. Souray was a more consistent leader even at -25(?). Now with Shelly leaving and Koivu most likely not caring anymore, who will lead? It won't be Koivu,Gainey gave him no reason to be optimistic. Carbs? Habs#1. First of all I have RDS out in Calgary so I never miss a game. Second two years ago? A lot has changed, I think he’s tired of carrying the team and the was evident during druing the HAbs slide last year, remember last year! He was horrible. Taking stupid penalties, not caring, pretty much acting like Kovalev or Samsonov. I give him credit for the end run but by that time it was too late. Souray was a more consistent leader even at -25(?). Now with Shelly leaving and Koivu most likely not caring anymore, who will lead? It won’t be Koivu,Gainey gave him no reason to be optimistic. Carbs?

]]> By: BarrieHabFan http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40986 BarrieHabFan Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:46:43 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40986 I agree that Hamrlik certainly is a step down from Souray on offence and he may be slightly overrated, however he is a big upgrade defensively. Not to say Hamrlik is one of the best defensive players in the game. But for as good as Sheldon Souray was offensively, he was that bad defensively. The key this year may be how much offence the habs can pick up from the forwards. They will lose offensive production from the defence, so they have to pick it up somewhere else. And you're absolutely right, nigelski, when you say that AHL success doesn't necessarily turn into NHL success. But to elaborate on what I had said about the farm team, I think they are drawing form a pretty large pool of AHL talent (relatively speaking)and although many will turn out dissapointing, some will undoubtedly turn out to be legitimate NHL talent. A strong farm system is a key to most if not all of the strongest and most successful teams in the NHL. They suplement their lineup with trades and free agent signings, but the base is made through the draft and farm team. I think Montreal finally has a good development system. The rest will follow. It's hard to be patient, but the best is yet to come. I agree that Hamrlik certainly is a step down from Souray on offence and he may be slightly overrated, however he is a big upgrade defensively. Not to say Hamrlik is one of the best defensive players in the game. But for as good as Sheldon Souray was offensively, he was that bad defensively.
The key this year may be how much offence the habs can pick up from the forwards. They will lose offensive production from the defence, so they have to pick it up somewhere else.
And you’re absolutely right, nigelski, when you say that AHL success doesn’t necessarily turn into NHL success. But to elaborate on what I had said about the farm team, I think they are drawing form a pretty large pool of AHL talent (relatively speaking)and although many will turn out dissapointing, some will undoubtedly turn out to be legitimate NHL talent. A strong farm system is a key to most if not all of the strongest and most successful teams in the NHL. They suplement their lineup with trades and free agent signings, but the base is made through the draft and farm team.
I think Montreal finally has a good development system. The rest will follow. It’s hard to be patient, but the best is yet to come.

]]> By: nigelski http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40985 nigelski Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:30:43 +0000 http://www.habsblog.com/2007/07/04/canadiens-sign-tom-kostopolous/#comment-40985 I expect a tough season, myself. Replacing Bonk and Johnson with Smolinski and Kostopolous is still not guaranteed to be an upgrade, to me at least. Smolinski has probably a better offensive sense than Bonk, but Kostopolous is an unknown factor. The media say good things about his work ethic and drive, so I'm hopeful... Hamrlik isn't an upgrade, he's a stopgap. He's coming off a season in which he had 26 fewer points than Souray, isn't a factor on the power play, is no more physical than Souray, and isn't appreciably faster. He gets too much credit for the play of Dion Phaneuf--I saw Phaneuf at the world juniors, hitting everything in sight, scoring and setting up plays, and Hamrlik was nowhere to be seen. If you ask me, he has been insulated by playing with Phaneuf, not the other way around. Phaneuf is a star, and future Norris winner. Hoping on our rookies from Hamilton to make a big difference has some basis in fact, as they just won the Calder Cup. Or Price won it, I should say. When I was reading the boxscores during the 'Dogs playoff run, I thought I was looking at Canadiens' stats. They were outshot almost every game, just like the Habs usually are, sometimes by more than 20 shots. And AHL stardom doesn't always translate into NHL success--just ask Jason Ward, former AHL scoring Champion. I don't believe the team's most glaring weakness, the lack of a big offensive threat, was addressed. I certainly hope that we see improvement from guys like Higgins, Plekanec and Lantendresse, number-wise, but will it be enough? The pessimist in me says no. That said, nothing would make me feel better than to be wrong. I hope I am... I expect a tough season, myself. Replacing Bonk and Johnson with Smolinski and Kostopolous is still not guaranteed to be an upgrade, to me at least. Smolinski has probably a better offensive sense than Bonk, but Kostopolous is an unknown factor. The media say good things about his work ethic and drive, so I’m hopeful…

Hamrlik isn’t an upgrade, he’s a stopgap. He’s coming off a season in which he had 26 fewer points than Souray, isn’t a factor on the power play, is no more physical than Souray, and isn’t appreciably faster. He gets too much credit for the play of Dion Phaneuf–I saw Phaneuf at the world juniors, hitting everything in sight, scoring and setting up plays, and Hamrlik was nowhere to be seen. If you ask me, he has been insulated by playing with Phaneuf, not the other way around. Phaneuf is a star, and future Norris winner.

Hoping on our rookies from Hamilton to make a big difference has some basis in fact, as they just won the Calder Cup. Or Price won it, I should say. When I was reading the boxscores during the ‘Dogs playoff run, I thought I was looking at Canadiens’ stats. They were outshot almost every game, just like the Habs usually are, sometimes by more than 20 shots.

And AHL stardom doesn’t always translate into NHL success–just ask Jason Ward, former AHL scoring Champion.

I don’t believe the team’s most glaring weakness, the lack of a big offensive threat, was addressed. I certainly hope that we see improvement from guys like Higgins, Plekanec and Lantendresse, number-wise, but will it be enough?
The pessimist in me says no.

That said, nothing would make me feel better than to be wrong. I hope I am…

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