Sergei Samsonov

[Guest FunkyOne]

Though turkey is going overboard with his pro-Ribs rants (I agree with them, but you always tangent your actual arguments) He does have a point, Sammy is going to underachieve (realative to how much you guys expect from him) if he doesnt have a perfect center for him (which by the looks of it shouldn't be a definsive minded one like Pleks or a really really good one like Thorton, then what the hell does he neee?!). But I stilll think that he brings something to this team, as an oiler he transformed from a typical russian (not trying to be rascist, but it is the stereotype of the NHL) to ... a gritty hardnosed yet speedy player. If he brings that side of him out again, then we can expect an okay season but fulfilling none-the-less.

[roy_133]

And everytime in the past people were always like "We dont need to worry bout Sammy, hes over-rated"...But now hes a Hab and its "Oh wait hes not a Bruin anymore, so he is one hell of a player and his 60 points a season doesnt mean anything"...Whateva!...But the fact is Ive seen him play all those years ever game and if he couldnt do much with Joe on his line then do u really expect him to live up to 3.5 million for 3 years. DOUBT IT!

Actually Samsonov was the guy that Habs fans worried about the most, more so then Thornton and Murray because Samsonov always seemed to have succress against us, in the playoffs and regular season.

And if memory serves he's on a 2 year contract.

I think your hate for Samsonov is clouding your view on him, he's a very good 2nd line player, we don't expect him to be our top winger, we don't expect him to score 95 points, we expect 60-65 points (which is right around where his career PPG totals would put him). and we expect him to provide secondary scoring.

And by the way,he very rarely played with Thornton, he was mostly with Allison, Nylander and Bergeron. While Murray was almost always teamed up with Thornton.

He put up good numbers in his few regular season games with Edmonton.

INFACT I'll take his career PPG totals a step further, since he came up as an 18 year old, and the first 2-3 years are obviously a major adjustment for any player at that age(minus really great ones).

Since turning 21 he has a career .83 PPG thats 253 points in 303 games. I think it's realistic to expect good secondardy scoring from him.

[jordi]

Do you think DiPietro will live up to his contract? Players are paid insanely huge amounts nowadays. I thought that was established quite a while ago already.

[roy_133]

So basically u all think getting 60 points out of a guy who is making 3.5 million a year is good? And let me repeat myself. I live in Boston and saw him play all those years and he got killed by the media, organization and press by doing nothing but underachieving while playing on the 1st line, 1st PP unit and playing on a line with Thorton. Give me a break. And what was he traded for? Oh yah thats right 2 4th liners and a 2nd round draft pick...

He was traded at or near the trade deadline, he was a UFA at the end of the season, and Boston was rebuilding, what on earth would you expect to get for him? Look at what we got Kovalev for, even cheaper then the Oilers got Samsonov. What does that say about Kovalev? It says he was on a team that was going no where and he was a UFA at the end of the season...

[roy_133]

If u do the math and divide the total games played with total points and then multiply it by the average number of games in a season which is 82 it comes out to 59. So he basically averages 59 points every 82 games played. That is not worth his contract and that does not make Sammy someone who everyone thinks is a producer! Those are the hard facts and u can not deny that! I coudl have done all the math wrong but thats looks about right

You're counting his years playing in the NHL as a teenager, over the last 6 years he averages closer to 70 points per 82 games. I don't think it's fair to count his years as a teenger, much like in 5 years I don't think it will be fair to count this year for Latendresse. The fact is he's matured into a very capable secondary scoring threat. His numbers more then back it up.

[lindros_jr]

A "point producer" is someone who is in the top 10 maybe top 20 in the league not the top 75 or whereever 60 points lands u...With that being said some of u are saying hes a good secondary option. Thats what Ive been saying all along. Hes a secondary player in this league. He was drafted #8 and he played with Joe all those years with people expecting him to put up 80-100 points a season (And yes he did play with Thorton for the majority of his time there!!) but he did nothing but under-chieve because people expected him to be a first line option and he is NOT that. Never has and never will be. He constantly played on the first line and first PP unit and while he did have some sucess for 2 seasons everyone basically said he just didnt live up to his ability...

And I expect him to put up his 50-60 points and thats fine. I obviously have issue with his getting 3.5 million to only put up those 50-60 points but BG did have to over pay for him bc noone was really left on the market and we needed someone to put on the 2nd line...

But for all of u who think he is a point producer etc. then u are mistaken and will be left disappointed bc he will top out at 60 points and thats being generous I think...So when describing Sammy I think he should be described as a over priced 2nd line winger who based on his skill level which is high, will underachieve because he will only get 50-60 points based on his 3.5 million contract. If anyone has issue with that then thats fine, but I really dont see how u can disagree.

[jordi]

A "point producer" is someone who is in the top 10 maybe top 20 in the league not the top 75 or whereever 60 points lands u...

Haha. you're a funny guy. Sorry bout saying it like that. But Top 10? Top 10 barely scratches most top players. Do you think teams win with players in the Top 10? The Canes had a mediocre team and won the Stanley Cup.

Well I don't really know why you keep bringing this down like the hammer of truth, I don't want to argue too hard since I think other members have brought up reasonable points to say that he does produce and he is capable of scoring when most needed (the Ottawa tying goal sort of showed that). Nonetheless like I said before I don't know where that leaves you apart from wanting to throw darts at his head.

[Guest js2]

A "point producer" is someone who is in the top 10 maybe top 20 in the league not the top 75 or whereever 60 points lands u...With that being said some of u are saying hes a good secondary option. Thats what Ive been saying all along. Hes a secondary player in this league. He was drafted #8 and he played with Joe all those years with people expecting him to put up 80-100 points a season (And yes he did play with Thorton for the majority of his time there!!) but he did nothing but under-chieve because people expected him to be a first line option and he is NOT that. Never has and never will be. He constantly played on the first line and first PP unit and while he did have some sucess for 2 seasons everyone basically said he just didnt live up to his ability...

And I expect him to put up his 50-60 points and thats fine. I obviously have issue with his getting 3.5 million to only put up those 50-60 points but BG did have to over pay for him bc noone was really left on the market and we needed someone to put on the 2nd line...

But for all of u who think he is a point producer etc. then u are mistaken and will be left disappointed bc he will top out at 60 points and thats being generous I think...So when describing Sammy I think he should be described as a over priced 2nd line winger who based on his skill level which is high, will underachieve because he will only get 50-60 points based on his 3.5 million contract. If anyone has issue with that then thats fine, but I really dont see how u can disagree.

I dont get it. If someone is producing like 65 points a season how is he not producing points?

The reason for his big contract? Well thats because no free agent wants to play in Montreal. It was either him or no one.

So instead of posting constant hate on here about Samsonov, why don't you go bring it to the Boston boards and giggle in joy that Samsonov is gone?

[lindros_jr]

Haha. you're a funny guy. Sorry bout saying it like that. But Top 10? Top 10 barely scratches most top players. Do you think teams win with players in the Top 10? The Canes had a mediocre team and won the Stanley Cup.

Well I don't really know why you keep bringing this down like the hammer of truth, I don't want to argue too hard since I think other members have brought up reasonable points to say that he does produce and he is capable of scoring when most needed (the Ottawa tying goal sort of showed that). Nonetheless like I said before I don't know where that leaves you apart from wanting to throw darts at his head.

Staal 100 (82 gp), Williams 76 (82gp), Stillman 76 (72 gp), Rod 70 (78gp) ,Recchi 64 (83 gp) , Cole 59 (60gp)...I hardly call that mediocre when they had Staal get 100 points and Cole would have probably been close to 100 if he didnt get hurt. Calling Carolina mediocre, well I dont really think I need to even argue that

[lindros_jr]

I dont get it. If someone is producing like 65 points a season how is he not producing points?QUOTE]

Yah hes producing at a 2nd line winger type of pace. Not a first line winger pace like hes been expected to his whole career. Ive been saying it over and over that if u THINK he is a 2nd liner for his career then yes his 60 points a season for his career is fine. But he was a first liner and first PP unit and played with Joe for his whole career and based on his 82 gams a season he put up 60 points and that is NOT producing for a first liner so he has not produced and has underachieved for his career...Do you see the difference Im trying to make...Being on this team and playing on the 2nd line and 2nd PP unit then his expectation should be nothing higher than 60 points...

And someone mentioned about how no UFA's want to come to Montreal. So u agree that he is over paid at 3.5 million which I have been saying...

I mean u all keep attacking me and thats fine bc Im a big boy and can argue with all of u bc I love hockey just like the rest of u...

And I got a warning from a mod saying I was offensive and if any writer thinks I have offended them then please message me so I can apologize but I have not once said anyones opinion was moronic or anything like that. I read all ur opinions, take them in their context, and then I argue my point thats all, just like how u all argue ur points after reading what I write.

[jordi]

Staal 100 (82 gp), Williams 76 (82gp), Stillman 76 (72 gp), Rod 70 (78gp) ,Recchi 64 (83 gp) , Cole 59 (60gp)...I hardly call that mediocre when they had Staal get 100 points and Cole would have probably been close to 100 if he didnt get hurt. Calling Carolina mediocre, well I dont really think I need to even argue that

I was saying in terms of the team with overall impressions from people especially when people were expecting them to choke early. There were quite some people who wrote them off quicky. And you put in a prediction to Cole to could have had 100 points when you can't even acknowledge Samsonov's actual points in the past. Cam Ward had an .882 percentage and if you compare Carolina to a team like Edmonton - the points in Edmonton wore more spread among the players.

[lindros_jr]

I was saying in terms of the team with overall impressions from people especially when people were expecting them to choke early. There were quite some people who wrote them off quicky. And you put in a prediction to Cole to could have had 100 points when you can't even acknowledge Samsonov's actual points in the past. Cam Ward had an .882 percentage and if you compare Carolina to a team like Edmonton - the points in Edmonton wore more spread among the players.

Big difference between Coles shortened year and Sammys few...Cole was on pace for atleast a point per game at the minimum while Sammy was not on a point per game pace in any of his injury seasons. In Sammy's injury seasons he was on pace for like I have said all along, about 60 points or so!...And also Edmonton was not a top team last season. They were if I recall the #8 seed and played above their heads in the playoffs....I dont see anythin in either of ur arguments really relating to Sammy tho

[Guest halifax_habs]

Yah hes producing at a 2nd line winger type of pace.

Agreed. That is why he is playing on our second line and getting second line money. Where's the problem?

3.5 mil for 30 points isn't that bad in today's NHL. You could be paying Yashin around 4 million more for 70 points.

[Guest hogtownhabsfan]

Agreed.  That is why he is playing on our second line and getting second line money.  Where's the problem?

3.5 mil for 30 points isn't that bad in today's NHL.  You could be paying Yashin around 4 million more for 70 points.

I'm hoping he gets 60+ points myself.

[Guest habgab]

Agreed.  That is why he is playing on our second line and getting second line money.  Where's the problem?

3.5 mil for 30 points isn't that bad in today's NHL.  You could be paying Yashin around 4 million more for 70 points.

What? Why would Montreal pick up a second line player for 3.525 million when it is paying Higgins a pittance and Ryder 2.2 million. It all has to be comparative, doesn't it, and if Ryder is worth 2.2 million and Higgins less than a million ($673,000), what is Samsonov worth? The same thing goes for Niiminaa($2.5 million) and Komi ($947,000).

As for the point that you have to pay people big bucks to come to Montreal, what does that mean for the good players in the system? So, the bred within the system players are worth less than players that came from somewhere else? Why then would any of them stay?

I am glad that Samsonov got two points last night, and I don't dislike him. But, if salary is based on potential production, he must produce more to earn his keep. Otherwise, next year, what do we pay Higgins - 3.5 million? Ryder - 3 million? The guys eating up the salary cap gotta earn their keep, don't they?

[Guest halifax_habs]

3.5 mil for 30 points isn't that bad in today's NHL. You could be paying Yashin around 4 million more for 70 points.

Oops, I meant 60 points.

[Guest halifax_habs]

Here's some players in the sixty point range last year making pretty big money. These are last years salaries. Samsonov wasn't going to sign for less this year than last year.

Samsonov- 23 goals 30 assists 53 points in 74 games 3.525 million

Lehtinen- 33 goals 19 assists 52 points 2.77 million

York- 13 goals 39 assists 52 points in 75 games 2.85 million

Sykora- 23 goals 28 assists 51 points in 74 games 2.9 ,million

Doug Weight- 15 goals 42 assists 57 points in 70 games 3.5 million

My point is 3.5 million is a big salary, but I don't think it's ridiculous considering the player we get and other salaries around the league. Personally it's Bob Gainey's problem how he manages the cap. As long as the teams winning and playing well I don't really care to much who gets paid what.

[Guest Hab_in_Bermuda]

I like Samsonov, he scores pretty goals and can be very exciting to watch at times

[tommyv]

How on earth is 60 points not point producing? this is quite hilarious, so basically what your saying is last year, Ryder didnt produce, Kovalev barely Produced, Koivu didnt produce? I dont care how much you dislike Samsonov, 60 points IS production, and if he can grab that from the second line then i will be quite pleased.

I mean you say well he will only get 60 points on the second line but he is expected to get 1st line points? that makes no sense at all, do you honestly believe a guy like Samsonov wouldnt benefit from playing on the top line, do you honestly believe Samsonov would only score 60 points if he was centered by Koivu? i highly, very highly doubt it.

fact is he is paid a hefty salary no doubt, but put into the right situation, he could earn it, but from the second line its very difficult to earn 3.5 million, it will be difficult for Kovalev to earn 4.5 from the second line, but thats the way the cookie crumbles, Gainey signed these guys to have them available, they are second liners now but what if Ryder goes down? what if Higgins gets hurt? do you honestly not feel better knowing Carbo has a guy like Samsonov to plug in top line holes during inevitable injuries down the road?

[Guest habs_fan1160]

He seems to be off to a bit of a slow start this year, compared to his previous years in the NHL.

I think he'll pick it up once he's more comfortable with the team, city and atmosphere.

[Guest Un_Lavalois]

2 great plays between Kovy ans Samsonov in the Avs game, I think it's gonna get ugly when the chemistry is installed!:twisted:

[amp73]

four pts in 7 games --on pace for 47 pts or more as the season progresses

I think people's expectations are un realistically high

He 's never got more than 29 goals and 75 pts, he'll do fine

[roy_133]

four pts in 7 games --on pace for 47 pts or more as the season progresses

I think people's expectations are un realistically high  

He 's never got more than 29 goals and 75 pts, he'll do fine

People expectations are unrealistically high? I see everyone saying they expect 60-65 points and for him to provide secondary scoring behind the Higgins Koivu Ryder line.

4 points in 7 games, yes that would put him on pace for 47 points, but that really isn't even worth mentioning, he's coming over to a new team, and it's only been 7 games. (Anyways Souray and Koivu are both on pace for over 100 points so we'll be ok if Samsonov only scored 47 :D)

My point is, over the last 6 years his PPG average come out to about 70 per 82 games, and if he can get 60 playing on our 2nd line I'll be very happy. I don't think that's expecting too much, do you?

[Guest habgab]

four pts in 7 games --on pace for 47 pts or more as the season progresses

I think people's expectations are un realistically high  

He 's never got more than 29 goals and 75 pts, he'll do fine

I really knew nothing about Samsonov until he was raved about as a new Habs player. When I look at his salary and all the hype, I have expectations - is there something wrong with that? If management did not create the expectations, and then pay huge salaries to support the "Second Coming" concept, there would be no problem. After all, he was the BIG acquisition this year, was he not?

Look at Johnson, for example. He was not given the hype or the big salary, and I would think that everyone is pleased with his play. If Samsonov was being paid $2 million, he would be flying under the radar. As he is not, and as we were led to expect a team leading winger, there is a problem.

[Makal22]

I always knew That Johnson would be the better all around player, because they showed the stats of last year, and i was like woah...and he's big...and he's got some offensive talent...So yeah he is the man...Sammy is breakin in still...i see him tearing it up in the few coming months...if he stays healthy...