Hal Gill; 4.5 Million/2 Years

[leafs_rock_go_mccabe]

Weber, Subban, Carle, Fischer; for every single one of these guys you can state there's only a 30% chance they'll be ready next season. That's true. But we have 4 of them so we expect at least 1 to be ready. Add the fact we need to find out if they're ready or not.

Weber as 7th dman? why? He's better off getting full minutes in Hamilton.

That's why I qualified my statment by saying he could easily come up and down from the AHL (OR) remain on as our 7th d-man.

[sebchenier]

The Gill signing surprised me alot at first, especially for the money we paid him. Although I'm more comfortable with the trade now, I still think he's overpaid.

The habs needed some defense that would be able to clear the front of the net. At his size he'll move the biggest players in the league. Also, this should keep opposing players from taking free runs at Carey Price. I'm sure he's complained about this to the coach alot. I loved Komi but he never protected the goalie or cleared the front of the net when he needed to. By adding some size, hopefully this will intimidate opposing players while he's on the ice. Also, he's considerable less money than what Komi is making now. There is a use for Gill

[jlgib21]

gill better throw his body around thats all i gotta say big body but doesnt use it whats up with that? X.x

Peter Popovic + 2"

[swimmerpuck]

alot of crying over this one. One thing i noticed though when looking at this guys stats is he rarely misses any games

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1661/c...SsXBAo8KZNivLYF

that is something to always consider when signing a player: possibility of losing them for extended periods to injuries (hence why Boulion was let go imo)

Besides if he doesn't pan out we can probably trade him at the deadline when a team won't have to pay that much for him.

I think that's definitely worth noting. As physical as Komisarek is, or should I say was, what did his injury cost the Habs? Number one he was lost for a number of games so there was wear and tear on other D. Number two will he be the same player he was? If the last half is any indication I can't wait for the Habs to play the Leafs. Even if he does improve a nice little deke and he'll hit the boards and take himself right out of the play. Personally I think O'Byrne has the potential to be as physical with more control. I've seen O'Byrne make some nice outlet passes too.

[christinevasselin]

i kinda laughed when i found out Hal Gill was gonna join the Habs. I live in Massachusetts, and the weird thing is, this summer I'm going to Boyles Strength and Conditioning, and he was there working out with a personal trainer. I was kinda shocked that he was even in the same room...but now he's gonna be on my favorite team? the guy's an *****. he's not thatttt great of a player. it's weird to work out with a future Canadiens player. maybe he can get me Sergei Kostitsyn's autograph :]

[DA_Champion]

Subban will not be ready and most likely neither will Fischer.

In 2 years maybe, but not next year D take a long time to develop and both have not played an AHL half-season yet. Carle is the intriguing one in all of this. I prefer him over Weber bc all Weber really brings is a shot and not much of a defensive game like Carke would. If Spacek is manning the point I'd have Carle over Yannick if they're both ready.

Fischer was drafted in 2006.

One would hope he plays 3rd pairing minutes before 2011-2012 season.

I don't think a player should have 5 years after being drafted before playing an NHL game if he's supposed to have potential like the Habs think he does.

I really think that's way too skeptical of his development. 4 years of NCAA and 1 year of AHL? I can't think of any precedents. Perhaps you don't think he's NHL material.

[SteenIsThaFuture]

Fischer was drafted in 2006.

One would hope he plays 3rd pairing minutes before 2011-2012 season.

I don't think a player should have 5 years after being drafted before playing an NHL game if he's supposed to have potential like the Habs think he does.

I really think that's way too skeptical of his development. 4 years of NCAA and 1 year of AHL? I can't think of any precedents. Perhaps you don't think he's NHL material.

I'm pretty sure he only has 3 years of NCAA, drafted out of Apple Valley in 2006, (07, 08, 09).

Look at his classmate (Draft) picked 1 pick ahead Mark Mitera, he just finsished up his Michigan career this year playing 4 years (he was drafted out of college not HS).The year was shortened due to an ACL/MCL inury. They say they'll invite him to training camp but theres nothing banking on him going, and theres a very good chance their 1st round defenseman after 4 years of NCAA will play in the AHL.

Mike Ratchuk, taken 42nd in the same draft and is a Flyers top prospect, played 2 years for the USNTDP which features D1 college games amongst other competetion, two years at Michigan State and opened last year with the Phantoms, where he got to play a large amount of minutes in an AHL role for development.

While people can be like Matt Niskanen as well, not every development is a straight line, Fischer didn't exactly knock the door down with the Gophers like Niskanen did in his final year. I'm not saying he may need a full year, he could very well need 10-30 games, but don't expect David to break camp and prepare for the possibility he may need a full year.

He could very well surprise and break camp, but theres a good chance he won't.

[habsfan-67]

why not Suban and Weber. For those that say they won't be ready my only thought to that is was Price ready?

[HockeyMan86]

why not Suban and Weber. For those that say they won't be ready my only thought to that is was Price ready?

This is a split decision from fan to fan some fans think price was rushed some fans don't but for us we BETTER NOT rush any D men or will stunt their growth better leave suban in the AHL and weber is probably the only safe call up/full NHL player because he just ripped the AHL haha.