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Montreal Signs Paul Mara


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I don't know how I feel about this. Bob continues to take away ice time from young players like Chipchura, O'Byrne and Weber. The latter 2 in this case.

It just gives us options, if those guy's force their way in then there's absolutely no harm in sitting/waiving a guy but at the sametime it doesn't put us in a situation where we absolutely have to play kids who may, or may not be ready. It creates competition and gives us the luxury of being patient which are good things IMO.

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He'll do fine, I don't mind the signing in itself, but once again the problem I have is the overall strategy.

So now our D looks more or less like:

Markov-Hamrlik

Gill-Spacek

Mara-Gorges

2 Problems

1. We have lots of #3-#5 type guys, but no #2

2. No spot for youngsters (well 1 reserve spot I guess)

A better strategy in my opinon would have been to go for

Markov - Beauchemin

Spacek - Hamrli

Gorges - O'Byrne/Weber/Carle

Not as much size, but better skilled and more mobile overall.

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He'll do fine, I don't mind the signing in itself, but once again the problem I have is the overall strategy.

So now our D looks more or less like:

Markov-Hamrlik

Gill-Spacek

Mara-Gorges

2 Problems

1. We have lots of #3-#5 type guys, but no #2

2. No spot for youngsters (well 1 reserve spot I guess)

A better strategy in my opinon would have been to go for

Markov - Beauchemin

Spacek - Hamrli

Gorges - O'Byrne/Weber/Carle

Not as much size, but better skilled and more mobile overall.

I wouldn't rule out Spacek as a #2 type d-man. I'd prefer to see the following pairs:

Markov-Spacek

Mara-Hamrlik

Gill-Gorges

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1 year 1.9. Like this signing more and more, this guy is a good player. I'm reading on a Rangers forum and they appear pretty upset to lose him which is always a good sign.

Nevermind the 1.9, apparently it was last year's salary and someone misread the info on NHLPA's website

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I like this because he replaces some size we lost with Komi. He could probably end up playing a lot against teams like the Leafs (spit) or the Bruins (spit). Remember last year when we called up Doug Janik a few times to add size and grit? That could be a role he could fit into, but with more games. Another thing is that people get injured. Last year we had the options of Dandenault, Brisbois, Bouillion (altho injured most of the times himself). It would be pretty bad to find ourselves with (God forbid) Markov or Hamrlik injured for a long period of time an I don't see anyone who's capable to play 17 mins or so continuosly in the system IMO.

Over a safe move, and hopefully for cheap too.

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He'll do fine, I don't mind the signing in itself, but once again the problem I have is the overall strategy.

So now our D looks more or less like:

Markov-Hamrlik

Gill-Spacek

Mara-Gorges

2 Problems

1. We have lots of #3-#5 type guys, but no #2

2. No spot for youngsters (well 1 reserve spot I guess)

You forgot a third problem. All 6 d-man are lefthanded shooters. Maybe Hamrlik is on his way out.

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Hmm... Another left-handed shot. You would think that Gainey would have made it more of a priority to go out and get another right-handed shot for our backend, because right now we have only one defender who shoots right... Ryan O'Byrne. Well, Yannick Weber, too, but I don't think he's going to see any regular time with the Spacek, Gill, and Mara signings. More than anything Mara appears to be our Komisarek replacement. Size, toughness, but with an ability to chip in a point here and there. Potential top-2 candidate to play with Markov?

Andrei Markov

Roman Hamrlik

Paul Mara

Hal Gill

Jaroslav Spacek

Ryan O'Byrne

Josh Gorges

Yannick Weber

I guess that's our defensive core for the coming season. I assume Yannick will start in Hamilton and be called up when someone is injured.

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You forgot a third problem. All 6 d-man are lefthanded shooters. Maybe Hamrlik is on his way out.

That's what I was thinking. I'm disappointed Gainey didn't make more of an effort to get us a right-handed shot on the point. We dropped the ball big time on Kurits Foster, in my opinion. The Babchuk thing was far-fetched, but a little interesting to talk about.

Either way... I wonder, is it possible Gainey is going to move someone? It is, after all, a lot of left-handed shots.

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Meh.... i don't like it that much, yeah we add size, but it's just another year in Montreal yet the same story.... we never give a chance to our young prospects to crack the line up.

I think the overall sense in the forums is to put together a tuff experienced winning team. Although pushing the younger players aside is detrimental to their development, it can also be detrimental to the teams success. I personally don't think you build a winning team around young inexperienced players. They will get time when it becomes available (injuries, etc.) Other then that, this is what Gainey should have been doing all along.

Good pick up. (again though, too bad he shoots left)

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Now we're talking. Mara is a solid signing.

BUT...we're still lacking size up front.

So let's see...we're big on defense...we're small on offense. I'm thinking there will be a lot of 1 goal games played in Montreal this year.

How about trading for Evgeny Artyukhin? The guy is 6'5" and is 254 pounds! The other thing is, this guy can skate! He knows how to use his body. I know he doesn't score that much, but I think for intimidation factor alone this guy would be a good one to trade for.

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