Montreal Canadiens 2007 Entry Draft
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Who will the Canadiens be picking up this Friday at the draft? A future star? …Or stars? Or future duds? Late round sleeper picks? Or an average crop of average players?
Will the Canadiens go with local boy Angelo Esposito who almost everyone is pegging them to take? Will he even be available? Will the Canadiens trade up? Trade down?
McGuire Says:
Montreal is upset about McDonagh coming off the board. That being said, Montreal is dying for a local person to stimulate the fans and the team. The Canadiens are not going to miss this time like they did by passing on Denis Savard years ago. Esposito has some maturing to do, but the Habs think he can do it. Cuthbert scooped me on Couture, and MacLean took McDonagh, so Esposito is next.Bob Gainey shocked everyone by picking Carey Price. Nobody saw it coming and there was lots of doubt and negativity surrounding it at the time. Fast forward 2 years and it appears to be a pretty smart move and potentially a brilliant one.
So…what’s in store for the Canadiens at this draft?
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- Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
- Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
- goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
- Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
- Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
- Avatar37 : «link»
- Avatar37 : go.
- Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
- Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
- Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
- Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
- goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
- goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
- goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
- Avatar37 : «link»
- Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
- Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
- Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
- Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
- Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
- Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
- Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
- Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
- Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
- Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
- goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
- goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
- Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
- Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
- Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
- Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
- Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
- goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
- goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
- goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).
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June 24, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Well the draft came and went and in three years everyone will marvel at Gaineys selections. I don’t know enough about these two American defensmen two even make a comment on them but look what Gainey’s track record at the draft. The Carey Price pick could prove to be unbelievable. The NHL CBA and along with revenue sharing and salary cap has taken away the opportunity for clubs in big markets to go buy a team of allstars and walk into the cup finals. It’s no longer a case of opening the vault the emphasis now is on getting the best bang for the buck. Obviously no one knows Gainey’d ultimite plan except for Bob Gainey, but lets all think back to his Dallas Stars days. He walked in with a plan, exicuted it, and yes it took a little time but the results speak for themselves. Even being a life long Habs fan I still have to be realistic… the world will not turn upside down and we will not win the cup next year. Having said that I do believe the ground work Gainey has already laid spotting up and coming talent as well as his respect in the game of hockey will enable him to sign one or two big free agents immediatly so he can dump so dead wood and compete for a cup in the next three years.
June 25, 2007 at 12:49 am
I loved the Habs picks. I am glad that they didn’t go after Espo. He is too small and I am a little tired of the Habs have players that are too small and don’t go into the corners. They have lots of guys in the minors with offensive skill and they have guys on the current team that are already scoring. Now just need to build around these guys. Ryan McDonagh was blowing all the GM’s away with his interviews and his test at the combines. There is something to say about a guy like that, let alone a defenceman. The Habs are setting themselves up for a bright future. Bob Gainey is one of the smartest people in hockey. Hey, at least we have draft picks to select new young talent to build around. Not like the Leafs. Pacioretty is another good pick. The USHL is becoming a top league in North America and is tough to score in. This kid had 63 points in 60 games. Pretty good for a guy who had a bad first half of the season.
We have some talent that will come up this year and we have some money to get a top 4 defenceman and a top forward. Next season is gonna be a great year. IN BOB WE TRUST.
June 25, 2007 at 8:20 am
The habs use to get all the rgihts to anyone french, hence why they had success with french players over the years. I’m not disputing french Canadians overall maybe more valuable then these Russians.
That wasn’t my point. You draft the best player regardless of his primary language. I don’t believe Quebecers deserve a french superstar because hes french. He’s there to play hockey. So i’ll take a superstar of french or english. I just want a superstar period.
The draft by Gainey this year was outstanding. McDonagh is a stud. Esposito is Daigle all over again. There’s reasons the 1st 19 teams took a pass.
We need a nunber 1 centre we can’t get through the draft, Marleau or Briere. Lets go Bob. The rest we can move through our own system.
June 25, 2007 at 10:23 am
“I don’t believe Quebecrs deserve a french superstar because he is french”. HADS4EVER,YOU DON’T HAVE A VERY GOOD BUSSNESS MIND,EH!! THAT IS THE MOST REDICULOUS STATEMENT I’VE HEARD IN A LONG TIME,WOWZERS,lol!!!!
June 25, 2007 at 12:55 pm
We dont need someone just because he is french, we need someone who is good. I think we will be fine, I like the way the team is starting to take shape, I am not saying we should not have french canadian players, I am saying we need to take the best players at the time, and not make any choices that involve anything except hockey…
June 25, 2007 at 5:37 pm
These superstars (LeCavalier, etc…) need to want to play here…
June 25, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Actually, I remember just after the habs won the cup, heck, we had some pretty good drafts, and management made the mistake of believing the rookies could dig them outta some pretty old very expensive contracts that were not panning out…hmmmm….hey, we may not have won a cup but we sure as heck celebrated like we did when we were given Gainey and Carbo….
Then the mistakes of getting…Richer….Stevenson….the same rookie coach mistakes of juggling lines…getting all star rookie minor league winner goalies….tall skinny defense….oh the horror! We are repeating the middle nineties all over again! Complete with praise for drafting what looks like winners and movers and shakers…heck we even drafted the Mr.Hockey of Minnesota in those years too!
What the Habs management did not do was bring good veterans in, that is in the few years after the cup…right up to now. We have had great rookies! They have gone on to other teams with cups! Yet, we didn’t get any cups with them!
I still say we can salvage this, this was a great draft year! Probably one of the best the habs have had in a decade! Way to Go Crazy Bob! You have renewed my faith in the future.
For now the present still doesn’t look too promising, complete with not finding a defenseman to protect Price properly. But I too can’t wait to see both Subban and Price and Petrecky! If we can keep Grabby, Laps, Lats and heck Subban and Milroy giving them heck, we can even see the cup again! Yes!
All we need is someone like Nedermeyer, maybe he’d be willing to guide our young rookies to a cup here and retire! Wouldn’t that be great?
June 25, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I have heard a few of you mention Petrecki…..he was not drafted by the Habs folks!! Would have been nice if he was but you need to get your facts straight before talkin it up!!! Petrecki was taken by the Sharks!!
I still think that too many denfenceman were drafted…we needed a big forward like Gillies. I don’t know…..I just hope…………………………
June 25, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Oh just a niedermayer, that sounds simple enough!
June 25, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Oh and by the way….Joshtm….Nedermeyer??????Learn how to spell would ya!! Get a grip goomba! If he doesn’t retire this year he will remain with the Ducks.
Where in the hell do you come up with this s-h-i-t???
Yikes!
June 26, 2007 at 12:23 am
Wow, MadmanPaddy….you really know what you are talkin about man!!! You have some very good points. I’m new to this forum but with people like you on here…I’ll keep coming back 4sur!!
I think the canadiens should go after Tanguay. He would be great with Montreal. I think this draft was a boom man! Good stuff all around!
Everyone on this site needs to leave joshtm alone. He has some valid points himself.
I love life dudes and I love my MONTREAL CANADIENS!!! ROCK ON HABYDUDAS!!
June 26, 2007 at 10:10 am
Not sure what the crying is about not having French Superstar. The reason we do not have a LeCavalier, Crosby, Tanguay, Staal BLa Bla ect.. is that we were not bottom dwellers when these guys were in the draft. These guys were top draft picks in their respected time and we had no chance of getting them. It is as simple as that. When we had our chance to get a superstar with a top pick BOB chose Price. Time will tell but he’s living up to his expectations so far. Obviously, Gainey belives in him by building a top notch D around him in this years draft and last as well. Superstars become the face of their respective organizations and given long expensive contracts to stay with their clubs. I think the New NHL will allow more and more of these guys to be freed up and truely believe we’ll see a LeCavalier type player, if we do not tie up too much money in the mean-time, will become available.
THE BEST PLAYER AT THE GIVEN TIME FOR THE NEEDS OF THE “TEAM” is key to drafting. Although Cherepanov sort of got a raw deal because of comrads actions in the past and Montreal was not going after a Offensive player with their first pick anyway, we got what we needed a future top D-man.
As for stars this years cup winners and runner-ups had a few that were not Quebecois; Selanne, McDonald, Neidemayer(s), Pronger, Penner, Perry, Heatly, Spezza, Alfredson, Fisher, BLa BLa Bla. Point is it takes a mix of players, even if it would be nice to have a local kid in which to identify. we have a good mix and a influx of prospects… There is no need to add more assets that we have an excess in the system. Corey Locke, D’Agostini, Pleckanic, Koivu, all seemed to have the same characteristics as an Esposito and would have been overlap in the organization which probably would have left him on the sidelines especially in the Habs Defensive minded stlye and coaching staff.
June 26, 2007 at 2:36 pm
The Habs need to be active this summer in the free agent market otherwise Koivu will not be here after the season. Gainey said he was going to be active last summer and wasn’t. He went after Samsonov but that was only because he was trying to make it up to us because he did not make any significant moves and he thought Samsonov would thrive here. He was the biggest bust of all-time and I hope Samso goes and ***** himself because he is a piece of ****!! I hate that loser. Gainey needs to make it up to us otherwise I will be pissed off as will most other Habs fans. I want action this summer. Lates,
Ziman
June 26, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I’m sorry but I got to say this . The Montreal Canadiens play in the Provence of Quebec ;a French province in a Canadian Confederation . Now as far as the Habs go the last French Superstar was Patrick Roy,a long time ago!! Only bone-heads can’t recognize the importance of a Francophone Hockey hero, whether front office or Anglophone fan!Please don’t make me have to spell it out for you all,cause its a NO BRAINER !!!jUST THINK OF ALL THE GREAT FRENCH HOCKEY PLAYERS THAT HAVE NOT PLAYED FOR THE hABS .When the Nordics were in Quebec city it wasn’t an issue ,but that also was a long time ago .Hockey is a business and our team has suffered poor decision making since 1993 and when I see a simple problem not being addressed it gives me reason for great concern !!!! Will somebody get ******* real for **** sakes!!!!!
June 26, 2007 at 10:22 pm
An interesting point of view my good friend Xhabsfan!! I love your passion!
Hey all…take heed….I just was looking over the Habs draft history on their site and guess what I found out……..since 1990 Montreal has drafted 22 USHL players(not including this year)and guess how many have actually made it to the NHL???? Come on, come on, you can do it………ready……..2!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes….I said 2…Craig Conroy and Craig Darby from 1990! OH OH! Not a very good ratio here!!! OH OH!!!
I am not so confident in our draft picks the past 2 years now!!! OH OH!!
I guess we can always hope this is a trend that ends sooner rather than later!
phew……I just don’t know what to think.
P.S.
Bob has stated publicly that Souray is his top priority…he wants him signed……I like Souray but not his league worst -28 last year, 64 points or not!….rumour is Souray wants Markov money and I thinks he gets it…too bad when we could go after Scott Hannan who was a +1 with 24 pts. Not glamourous but solid anyhow!
Hannan is 6’1 225lbs and is only 28!! I’m drooling. He would be an awsome addition to the blueline. Better than Souray.
Listen BOB….use that head of yours that won you all those cups and awards over your career!!!
Go Les habitants!!!!!
June 27, 2007 at 5:34 pm
hey Madmanpaddy do Komisarek and Higgins count?
June 29, 2007 at 1:20 pm
xhabsfan I don’t give a **** what you think the habs deserve because they ply in Quebec a french province. If the best player is English you take him, simple as. Blow it out your ***, go cheer for the nordiques if you want a bunch of french Canadians, oh wait, that franchise went down the toilet because of ridiculous thinking you guys have. Don’t bring that garbage to the habs plz, you ruined your franchise, leave us alone. Rejean Houle and past french regimes almost buried this franchise. I’ll stick with my tough engish canadians rather then you french visor wearing pansies.
June 29, 2007 at 7:39 pm
It’s easy to see what Gainey’s thinking. in goal Carey Price,on D Emelin and Komisarek,up front,Chipchura,Latendresse and CRISTOPHER HIGGINS! The habs are starting in Goal(already done-Price,Halak,Dannis etc.) Going defence -David Fischer, Emelin, Komisarek etc. and then going forward(HIGGINS,Latendresse,Chipchura etc. they have the 2nd Best future in the league(I think 1st) don’t make fun of Gainey.) If you’re mad about the habs not in playoffs 07, don’t blame Gainey, Kovalev got 47 points, Samsonov 26!!! Kovalev should get at least 60 PTS and samsonov-at least 55. so theirs 50 PTS. I thick 50 more goals for montreal would have been a playoff appearence.
June 30, 2007 at 12:32 am
LJ55………..I said USHL…..Higgins and Komisarek were University drafts you #$%!@ MORON!!! Know your facts before you challenge someone you #@!$% idiot!!
It’s posts like yours that really piss everyone off!!!
Know what you are talking about or shut the hell up!