kfourni Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 What do you guys think? http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=586080&navid=DL|MTL|home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatethosebruins Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 What do you guys think? http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=586080&navid=DL|MTL|home Thought he was a top 4 d-man, but on a 2 way deal. This seems like a depth move, in case Markie goes down we have another defender who can score goals. Now I wouldnt mind bring back mara on a 1 year deal, as further depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfourni Posted August 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Thought he was a top 4 d-man, but on a 2 way deal. This seems like a depth move, in case Markie goes down we have another defender who can score goals. Now I wouldnt mind bring back mara on a 1 year deal, as further depth. He brings some size which i like, but I can't say I know much about his play. It would be nice if he could add some toughness too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever_Habs10 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 ...Welcome to our habs Jeff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIASUN Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Another left handed 6th d-man. My opinion is mehhh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mando Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think it's a good addition. He's a good stay at home D man that in his time in Dallas last year appeared quite composed and rarely coughed up the puck - unlike another D man *cough* Hamirlik that I keep yelling at the TV when he's on the ice... but then again maybe I am focusing on him cause I am more upset that I haven't seen Montreal win here in Edmonton in a looooong time - and I see them everytime they are here. That and some size is certainly what we need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatethosebruins Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I think it's a good addition. He's a good stay at home D man that in his time in Dallas last year appeared quite composed and rarely coughed up the puck - unlike another D man *cough* Hamirlik that I keep yelling at the TV when he's on the ice... but then again maybe I am focusing on him cause I am more upset that I haven't seen Montreal win here in Edmonton in a looooong time - and I see them everytime they are here. That and some size is certainly what we need. Thanks for the assessment and welcome to the forum, maybe you should head on over to teh introduce yourself thread in the general discussion lobby. Nice to have fans from all the way out in Edmonton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizardking89 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Good depth move we needed another d-man in case of injury. Good size and a decent shot blocker. Welcome to the Habs Jeff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEBIGGESTHABSFAN123 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaas Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I'll repost my thoughts on the signing from the free agent thread: Interesting move. I'll be honest that i havent seen much of Woywitka, but on paper he sounds good - great size, 1st round pick, 27 years old. The biggest concern is why has he bounced around so much (3 nhl franchises and even more AHL affiliates in the last 7 or 8 years). He's had stints where he's played over 60 games in the NHL in a single season & then others where he's played most of the year in the minors. I suppose that's why its a 2 way deal, but that makes me think this is another one of Pierre's famous "insurance signings" which is all good and fine, but IMHO we still should have signed a proven top 4 dman vs. putting our stock in a whole lot of "maybes" on the blueline. im quite happy about our top 9 forwards, but more than a little worried about our top 4 dmen. I think Woywitka could be a serviceable addition to this team & certainly there have been plenty of defensmen who have "come into their own" after the age of 27 so maybe he just needs a new change of scenery. Its certainly a low-risk signing, with possible upside. That said, I would feel much better going into the season with most stable/proven commodity in our top 4. Hannan was my choice, but now of course he's signed with the flames. I wonder, due to the timing, if Pierre was indeed trying to land Hannan but it fell through. considering the tiny deal he got from the flames, Im surprised we couldnt get him signed if we wanted to, but I guess we never know what goes on behind the scenes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31Careyprice Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Increase some depbt to the blue line which is always good. He is an nhler 5/6th defensemen he will only help our blue line if its the NHL or AHL. Maybe the habs can also sign Mara to a 1 year deal 2 way contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Don't know anything about the guy, but he can't be that great if he was only able to sign a two-way deal with us six weeks after the start of free agency. I like the size and the age, but this feels like a Picard / Mara type signing to me, and as such it still leaves us with a gaping hole in our top four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't think this is a bad depth signing but I have my doubts that Woywitka will make a significant impact on the team this year. If you look at the current roster of D men, JM has already stated that he believes Markov, Subban, Gill, and Gorges will form his top 4. Emelin has essentially made the team because of the terms of his contract, as has Spacek because of his 35+ deal. And I cannot see the Habs giving up on Weber and exposing him to waivers just yet. Finally, JM and PG both seem quite high on Diaz too. Even if Weber moves up front, it will still be a battle for Woywitka to make this team as the 6th or 7th D man. Throw Mitera into the mix and there is absolutely nothing that says Woywitka has to start the year with us. It's always nice to have depth with size, but Woywitka is another lefty and the likelihood is that he spends the upcoming year shuffling back and forth between the big club and the minors. That said, it will be interesting to see some of those guys on the bubble in camp and internal competition for jobs can help to step up everyone's game, so if Diaz or Spacek or Weber plays better knowing Woywitka might steal their playing time, it still works out to our advantage. Nice depth signing, but nothing to get overly excited about at this moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIASUN Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 I don't think this is a bad depth signing but I have my doubts that Woywitka will make a significant impact on the team this year. If you look at the current roster of D men, JM has already stated that he believes Markov, Subban, Gill, and Gorges will form his top 4. Emelin has essentially made the team because of the terms of his contract, as has Spacek because of his 35+ deal. And I cannot see the Habs giving up on Weber and exposing him to waivers just yet. Finally, JM and PG both seem quite high on Diaz too. Even if Weber moves up front, it will still be a battle for Woywitka to make this team as the 6th or 7th D man. Throw Mitera into the mix and there is absolutely nothing that says Woywitka has to start the year with us. It's always nice to have depth with size, but Woywitka is another lefty and the likelihood is that he spends the upcoming year shuffling back and forth between the big club and the minors. That said, it will be interesting to see some of those guys on the bubble in camp and internal competition for jobs can help to step up everyone's game, so if Diaz or Spacek or Weber plays better knowing Woywitka might steal their playing time, it still works out to our advantage. Nice depth signing, but nothing to get overly excited about at this moment. Dead on. However, that top 4 STILL leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully we package some of our "depth" d-men for an established NHL defenceman capable of making a breakout pass, playing the body and handling 20-24 minutes a night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Anybody have actual dollars involved yet? I'm assuming it's under a mill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewfoundlandHab Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 From HockeyInsideOut: The Canadiens signed defenceman Jeff Woywitka today (here’s the official announcement) and the obvious question is what does he bring to Montreal? A 27 year-old native of Vermilion, Alberta (he’ll be 28 on Sept. 1), Wyowitka was a UFA who played the last two seasons with Dallas and averaged nearly 18 minutes a game in 2010-11. He didn’t play much at the start of last season, a healthy scratch for 16 of the Stars’ first 19 games. But he was inserted in the lineup by then-Coach Marc Crawford on Nov. 24 when Mark Fistric went down with a groin injury and Woywitka earned a permanent spot with consistent play. “He’s done exactly what you want him to do,” said Crawford in December. “He’s taken advantage of an opportunity and he’s performed very well. That’s a great sign from any player, and I definitely think that he has gotten more comfortable playing every game.” He’s a strong skater, perhaps his best asset, is a lefthanded shot and right now probably qualifies as a depth defenceman although he can obviously handle regular minutes in the NHL and perhaps needs to play regularly to be at his best. He likes to move the puck and can play a decent physical game. How well and consistently he does those things has always been the big questons with him as an NHLer. Considered a two-way defenceman with good size (6-foot-3, 227 pounds), Woywitka was originally a Flyers first round pick, 27th overall, in 2001, the same year he played on the Memorial Cup champion Red Deer Rebels. He became something of a point producer in Red Deer, and a WHL All-Star in each the next two seasons. He averaged nearly a point a game in 2002-03, his last junior season and was selected as the WHL’s top defenceman. He also played for Team Canada’s Silver Medal entry in the 2003 World Junior Championships. He was ranked 13th among North American prospects by Central Scouting in their final ranking, rising from 17th at midseason. Central Scouting praised his “strong passing skills,” his “ability to join the rush” and his “hard accurate shot from the point.” But he has not developed as a consistent offensive threat in pro hockey. His Red Deer coach, Brent Sutter, said in the NHL’s 2001 Entry Draft Guide that, “Jeff is a solid defenceman that can play the game any way you want to. He is a 17-year-old that plays against the opposition’s top lines. He’s an intelligent player and also a great team guy.” Wyowitka didn’t make the NHL until 2005-06 with the Blues, at 22, and by that time he had been traded twice, once from Philly to Edmonton in the deal that sent Robbie Schremp the other way, and from Edmonton to St. Louis in the deal that sent Chris Pronger north. As Blues property, he shuttled back and forth between St. Louis and their Peoria AHL team for the next three seasons before landing a regular spot in 2008-09. He had a few scraps in his final season playing for St. Louis, but is not a frequent fighter and readers of hockeyfights.com have never given him a victory in any of the six NHL fights listed on his card. He had the reputation of a physical d-man coming out of junior with triple digit PIMs in his last two junior seasons. But once he turned pro, he focused more on his positional play and, according to Hockey’s Future.com, wasn’t considered a physical defenceman by the time he became a regular NHLer. Dallas signed him as a free agent before the start of the 2009-10 season, after the Blues did not give him a qualifying offer as an RFA. The Stars gave him a one-way contract for the first time in his career. Terms of his deal with the Habs have yet to be made public, but he made only $700,000 last season, so he’s probably something of a bargain. His parents own a farm in Alberta, according to this Q&A on the Stars website from 2009. He likes camping and golfing in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Dead on. However, that top 4 STILL leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully we package some of our "depth" d-men for an established NHL defenceman capable of making a breakout pass, playing the body and handling 20-24 minutes a night. Why would another team trade us a better d-man for a bunch of spare parts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Don't know anything about the guy, but he can't be that great if he was only able to sign a two-way deal with us six weeks after the start of free agency. I like the size and the age, but this feels like a Picard / Mara type signing to me, and as such it still leaves us with a gaping hole in our top four. Picard is the first name that came to mind when I learned about this signing today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest archey Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 his parents own a farm in alberta? has my vote. case closed right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Regis2 Posted August 15, 2011 Report Share Posted August 15, 2011 Why would another team trade us a better d-man for a bunch of spare parts? Because we are the Montreal Canadiens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Dead on. However, that top 4 STILL leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully we package some of our "depth" d-men for an established NHL defenceman capable of making a breakout pass, playing the body and handling 20-24 minutes a night. I fully agree that our top 4 is inadequate, with the only hope being that Emelin is ready for the NHL now (unlikely). Gorges can be a number 4 guy with a bit of a stretch but this team is lacking a number 3 guy. To get a top 3 D man is going to take more than depth players. More likely an established player like AK46 or a prospect/high pick would be the starting point for anything going back the other way. For my money, I still believe Braydon Coburn is the player PG should be targeting right now to fill that role. Picard is the first name that came to mind when I learned about this signing today. Woywitka is a bit stronger on his skates than Picard. Diaz, to me, is the guy who sounds like he's going to be this year's Picard/MAB/Patrick Traverse. I see Woywitka as being more of a Paul Mara type, a solid stay-at-home player with a rare burst of offence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Because we are the Montreal Canadiens I understand that fantasy trade talk is always going to be popular, and I participate in it too, but I've never understood the "let's package a bunch of mediocre players for a star" line of thinking. If we can see these guys are spare parts, I'm sure GMs around the league can see it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 Cap Geek has the hit as $650,000. Not bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FirstStar Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 depth move... good pick since there's a big question about the health of our d. Probably will start in hamilton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIASUN Posted August 16, 2011 Report Share Posted August 16, 2011 I understand that fantasy trade talk is always going to be popular, and I participate in it too, but I've never understood the "let's package a bunch of mediocre players for a star" line of thinking. If we can see these guys are spare parts, I'm sure GMs around the league can see it too. Well, I stated it as an afterthought but since you feel obligated to challenge every statement, I meant to say be part of a package for a top 4 d-man. Something like Desharnais + 2 of weber/diaz/woywitka/mitera/nash/insert umpteenth left handed depth d-man here to a cash strapped team in need of NHL players. Of course, we could have signed Scott Hannan but that ship sailed. Bottom line I don't care about how it gets done but the team needs another top 4, if thats your idea of fantasy than so be it. Point is we keep refurbishing the basement in our house without paying attention to the kitchen and family room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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