Habs sign Price for six, lock down others
The Canadiens have signed up Francis Bouillon, Colby Armstrong and Brandon Prust but turned down an opportunity to sign Jaromir Jagr. They also signed Carey Price for six years. New Habs DG Marc Bergevin says he’s happy with his free agent choices so far.
Hamza 01:15 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
Terrible terrible moves… I’ll never forgive nor forget the Halak trade.
Kate 01:22 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
I don’t know enough about those 3 guys to have an opinion of those choices, but getting rid of Halak was just one of a series of mistakes the Canadiens have made. Shuffling Saku Koivu away after years of loyal service was low. Moving to the Bell Centre, destroying a major rail link, was obviously bad for the team and the city. But you know the time my heart sank worst? It was when Patrick Roy took the Stanley Cup in 1993 and skated with it, shouting “I’m going to Disneyworld!” and it was later used in a commercial. I don’t know why that so cheapened the whole thing for me, but it did.
Hamza 01:36 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
it’s def a problem with the front office, not with anglo coaches or what-have-you
Faiz Imam 03:24 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
I personally think all the moves the team has made recently have been excellent.
The 3 players they brought in are cheap, low risk regulars that can be called upon in various roles. Bergevin was asked today why he did not go for any of the big names on the market, and he said the price was just too high,the terms too long and he would rather give those minutes to young developing players that will have a better long term upside. Great answer.
The price move is exactly what everyone expected, with a salary cap of $70 million, its the new reality. Price is a all-star, Canadian national team calibre goalie that can win you a cup. That comes at a cost and we paid it.
And Halak? It’s still to early to tell who won out in that trade, and the mere fact that there is no consensus favorite suggests that the move was not “terrible”.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Halak, but Price was the unpopular choice and it seems to have worked out thus far.
Marc 05:11 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
The main problem is now gone, and that was Pierre Gauthier. One of the worst GM’s in history. He was awful in San Jose, stank even worse in Ottawa, and we all kno what he did here. He’s one of those perpetual failures at everything he does in life yet keeps getting cushier and cushier jobs.
Also, Carey Price for 6 years means at least 6 more years with no Cup. Bergevin was on a good streak last week, then he had to make that blunder.
Matt 07:22 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
Why does everyone hate on Carey? Who else are the Canadiens going to sign? Philly has been searching for a goaltender for years and still haven’t found one. Remember the 2010-2011 season? He was in for 72 games and won 38. Anything over .500 is pretty reliable if you ask me.
Kate 09:52 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
I don’t read a dogpile on Carey Price here. I have to say I thought he was the obvious pretty-boy choice at the time, although a more daring management might’ve gone with Halak, but the choice was pretty even and once it’s made you can’t keep looking back.
Kevin 13:26 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
@Kate
Patrick’s Disney line was worked out in advance.
Kate 13:28 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
I know – that makes it worse.
Steamboat Willie 20:53 on 2012/07/03 Permalink
Halak might be marginally better than Price right now but he’s small, high-strung and prone to injury, as you saw in the playoffs this year. Price has the better Q-rating, half-native Indian pure Canadian boy, girls swoon at his boyish charm while Halak was a scary little fucker from some weird country. And personality does matter cuz it is, after all, entertainment.
Josh 11:06 on 2012/07/04 Permalink
Anyone still complaining about the Halak move isn’t paying enough attention. People who know hockey agree now that Price was the horse to bet on.