Five Burning Questions

[BigTed3]

You can choose to answer any or all of these:

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

[js2]

You can choose to answer any or all of these:

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

1. $8M max. Anything more than that, take the picks and run.

2. Give Tokarski another season in Hamilton as the starter and bring him up when Budajs contract is over.

3. Top 4 defenceman so someone like Subban isn't required to play 30 minutes a night and burn himself out.

4. Trade Desharnais and split top 6 duties between Plekanec and Eller. Galchenyuk can center the 3rd line.

5. Can I say equally disappointing? Briere is getting up there in age and Bourque is Bourque.

[habs_93]

1: I'd match anything up to league maximum. Subban is very nearly the franchise. He's 25 and elite, with a Norris under his belt—right here, right now, in Montreal.

2: Budaj, unless Carey has to deal with a lingering injury that requires more common backup starts.

3: Top 4 defenceman, I think. While our offence was streaky and far too frequently absent in the postseason, the defence was totally exposed. As a complete unit, it looked sub-NHL levels at times. Getting a legitimate modern top-4 defenceman would go a long way to improving that.

4: Depending on viable trade options for either Desharnais or Plekanec, maybe. And then, probably the third. It would obviously be nice for him to be a full time centre already, but I'm not going to stress it too much yet.

5: I'd go with Brière. He improved as the season went on, despite getting almost no playing time. He's had recurring concussion problems, so this could end poorly at any time, but I think he's settling in with the team.

[ColRouleBleu]

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M? 10

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year? Budaj

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman? Top 6 winger. The road may be bumpy for a year or two with our young D but we do have the talent and potential at the blue line. Up front, the cupboard is rather bare.

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line? I'm a bit indifferent. Next season should be the one that they decide to either move him back to centre or to make him a winger permanently though.

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere? it depends on what is meant by better season. If we're talking gross point production, I'll go with Bourque.

[31Careyprice]

1. 8M is the max for Subban, 10M or higher in a salary cap world is a bad contract.

2. I am confident in Tokarski being the habs back up next year.

3. If Markov walks top 4 defensemen is the biggest need, if Markov stays then the biggest need will be a top 6 winger with size and grit.

4. Yes I would play Galchenyuk at centre from camp, he would be on the 2nd line; Plekanec-Galchenyuk-Eller is a strong trio of centres.

5. Briere will have a better season because Bourque won't be back with the habs. GM Bergevin likes character and heart and Bourque only plays for a paycheck.

[musicalhab]

You can choose to answer any or all of these:

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

1 ) 8 million

2) Budaj : True professional and he's one of the reasons we got to the playoffs in as good of shape as we did.

3) Top 6 winger. Time for the youth to take over the defense as others have answered. A Matt Moulson type player would be ideal.

4) Yes, centering Gallagher and Bourque

5) Briere.

[THEBIGGESTHABSFAN123]

1. 10 million

2. Tokarski

3. Top4

4. Yes, third line behind Pleks and Seller

5. Briere

[jedimaas]

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

Whatever it takes. Losing Subban at this point would be a devastating blow to our blue line. I honestly don't think anyone would offer more than $8-9m per anyway. IMHO if you are overpaying, as long as you overpay your best players you should be ok.

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year? Budaj. Not sure if i would trade Tokarski or not but I would definitely go back to Buds for the last year of his contract.

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defence man? Winger. Aside from Patches and Gallagher, we are very very thin on quality top 6 wingers right now. (Id rank Patches as a 1st line LW and Gally as a #2 RW, so we're missing a true #1 RW and #2 LW). Without a trade/signing, we'd be weak on the blue line without Markov but I think Tinordi, Beaulieu and Pateryn should be ok I therrien just lets them play. Mistakes to start for sure, but their ceiling is so much higher than most ageing UFA could bring.

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

Centre, yes. In a perfect world DD gets moved & we can move around Galchenyuk, Eller and Plekanec. Id try Gally right off the gate at the #1 centre spot but if he struggled Id move those 3 around freely until I found combinations that worked.

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

Really depends on where they play (i.e. lines and assignments). I have a sneaking suspicion Bourque won't be on our roster come october.

[RicochetII]

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

From the CBA, for those interested:

Over $6,728,781 to $8,410,976 Two First Rounds, Second Round, and Third Round

Over $8,410,976 Four First Rounds

I would match up to $8,410,976. Otherwise I'm taking the 4 first rounders. I love Subban, and we would miss him at a time when we are entering a window of opportunity, but I'm sure we could figure something out.

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

Definitely Budaj. Tokarski is trade bait this year, and if not, he can replace Budaj next season.

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

No matter how I look at our roster, our most glaring hole ends up being a top 6 winger.

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

Galchenyuk should be our 1st line center (or at least given the opportunity to fill the role).

He compares favorably with Desharnais, for what it's worth. More shots/60 and better possession stats, but less points/60. Since he plays on 2nd/3rd line, and on the wing, he doesn't get the ice time or offensive opportunities, but is only producing .30/60 less points than Desharnais (Galchenyuk is 3rd on the team, with Patches being 1st).

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

I hope Bourque has a good year ... on another team. I hope Briere has an amazing year for us, as I don't see him going anywhere.

[NewfoundlandHab]

You can choose to answer any or all of these:

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M? Im with Ricochet. I match anything up to that 8.4. When it goes higher, I take the 4 first rounders. I think if he gets an insane offer from another team, it would probably be EDM. I'd love to have 4 EDM first rounders. PK isnt going to fix that team by himself so those could still be high picks

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year? The main reason that this is even being discussed is because TOKARSKI MUST CLEAR WAIVERS TO GO BACK TO HAMILTON. Therefore we need to either trade him or have him in the NHL. I feel that if we keep him for another little while until his trade value is higher we can trade him like La did Bernier or VAN did Schneider and get more for him.

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman? As others have said, at least we have great prospects on D. While they might not be ready for full time top 6 duty, I'm willing to like with the growing pains. We have no one who can fill in as a top line scoring forward and I dont want to have people playing over their heads.

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line? He should. But I doubt he starts there. When he finally does, I'd say he starts on the third and eventually moves up to a top 6 role.

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere? Preferably they'll both be gone by next season so I wont have to care. I'll say Briere though.

[NewfoundlandHab]

Tokarski must clear waivers to go to Hamilton, guys. Waiting until next year to have him replace Buds is not an option. Either he or Budaj gets traded this off season.

[PAPPAPUMPED]

1- 8 mill max for Subban

2- Budaj keep & trade Tokarski for one or two draft picks.

3- Top six forward for sure.

4- Gally @ center playing with Gallagher & Prust

5- Bourque will have a better season than Briere next season for sure.

[RicochetII]

Tokarski must clear waivers to go to Hamilton, guys. Waiting until next year to have him replace Buds is not an option. Either he or Budaj gets traded this off season.

Forgot about that. Doesn't change my opinion that we should stick with Budaj, but it depends on the return for Tokarski.

Budaj for a pick I'm okay with. Tokarski in a package to improve our current roster, I'm okay with. Tokarski for a pick, I'd rather keep Tokarski.

[jedimaas]

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

I would match up to $8,410,976. Otherwise I'm taking the 4 first rounders. I love Subban, and we would miss him at a time when we are entering a window of opportunity, but I'm sure we could figure something out.

This is definitely a tough one, eh? I mean the idea of losing subban is a horrible one. If i woke up tomorrow & he had been trade for Alex Pietrangelo or something, ok, i could live but to lose him for picks. ouch...

but then, have a look at our last 4 first round draft picks:

- McCarron

- Galchenyuk

- Beaulieu

- Tinordi

If they were on different teams, would you trade Subban for those 4 guys? Not to mention that that would mean we'd have 8 first rounders in the next four years...

Id still probably match but wow, what a thought.

4- Gally @ center playing with Gallagher & Prust

its funny, i forgot that in his first year thats what we did. He started at centre with us & then to improve linemates we moved him to wing alongside Eller. Thats all well and fine but i think we're at the point where he and Eller could be our top 2 centres, so its time to make the change imho.

[Guest habs1952]

This is definitely a tough one, eh? I mean the idea of losing subban is a horrible one. If i woke up tomorrow & he had been trade for Alex Pietrangelo or something, ok, i could live but to lose him for picks. ouch...

but then, have a look at our last 4 first round draft picks:

- McCarron

- Galchenyuk

- Beaulieu

- Tinordi

If they were on different teams, would you trade Subban for those 4 guys? Not to mention that that would mean we'd have 8 first rounders in the next four years...

Id still probably match but wow, what a thought.

Problem is, if a power house team submits the offer sheet your first round picks could be from, say, 27 to 30 each of those four years. I don't think that's a suitable return for Subban.

[powerplay2009]

Tokarski must clear waivers to go to Hamilton, guys. Waiting until next year to have him replace Buds is not an option. Either he or Budaj gets traded this off season.

I thought the first year of his contract was 2-way, and the second year a 1-way?

1-The answers on this one surprised me. I figured we'd see a lot more 10 or 12, rather than 8. I think we as fans still undervalue Subban, as crazy as that sounds. I pay league max, whatever it is. I match anything. Subban could become the highest paid player in the league this offseason, and he's worth it IMO. We're talking about a guy who won the Norris trophy and I think we all agree he can still get better. Not to mention, we lose Subban and we have 0 top-2 guys and only 1, maybe 2, top-4 guys. Ouch.

I guess in a perfect world we can take the picks and build to be a better team with more depth, but what are the odds that the draft picks add up to the value of Subban, even with Timmons at the helm? Pretty low, if you ask me.

2-I trade Tokarski. We have a world-class, Vezina-caliber goalie in Carey Price, and finding a backup to play with him on a team-friendly contract is easy. We had Auld, and we all liked him. Now we have Budaj and it's the same thing. So I trade Tokarski only because I think he has more value. A team may view him as a possible starter in a couple years (Pittsburgh?), and might bite the bullet and overpay.

3-I'll take a top-6 winger. We have a plethora of good, developing defenseman. We also have lots of good, developing forwards but IMO most turn out to be good bottom-6 guys, while the defenseman have the higher ceiling.

4-I'd like to see Galchenyuk get reps at center on a line with Eller (3rd line), because Eller can swap between center and wing, and the two can take advantage of some sheltered minutes to get good production. Don't care much who the other winger is, as long as they don't have hands of stone like Prust or Moen. Bournival might be a good candidate.

5-Whichever of the two gets to play the bigger role on the team produces more, I think. I hope it's Briere, because I think he has a lot left to give, but right now I'd say it's most likely going to be Bourque.

[jedimaas]

Problem is, if a power house team submits the offer sheet your first round picks could be from, say, 27 to 30 each of those four years. I don't think that's a suitable return for Subban.

For sure. Its a gamble - and one I almost certainly wouldnt take - but chances are if a team is stupid enough to actually go the 'offer sheet route' then their picks' may well end up being pretty high Could you imagine if you had gotten Edmonton's first rounders the last 4 years? And Im pretty sure Timmins would have drafted differently - but what he could have done with those high picks!!

[NewfoundlandHab]

I thought the first year of his contract was 2-way, and the second year a 1-way?

That doesn't matter. Players on 2-way contracts can still have to clear waivers to be sent down. It has to do with games played/age/etc im pretty sure. CapGeek and many other reliable Twitter sources have said that he has to clear.

[jennifer_rocket]

You can choose to answer any or all of these:

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

1. I think you have to match whatever any team would offer Subban. We may not find another Subban to play defense in Montreal for 10+ years. He's the type of defender you cannot risk losing for draft picks, IMO.
2. Budaj. Tokarski can continue to ply his trade, while receiving the occasional call-up, in Hamilton for one more year. Budaj has served us well as back-up, and I don't really see him as having much trade value. Let's continue to use him and let his contract run its course.
3. I think most teams (ours included) are better served by improving the defense over improving the offense. If Vanek, Markov, and Gionta walk, AND we don't sign any free agents I think we should trade for a top-4 defender before looking for a top-6 winger.
4. I think Galchenyuk should play center next season. Either as the number 1 or number 2 guy.
5. Probably Briere... Just like this season. Briere had 9 more points than Bourque this year. He did play 6 more games than Bourque, but he also averaged only 12:46 TOI to Rene's 14:11. I think Briere is the better player, and will continue to be the better player. What Bourque showed us in the post-season was an anomaly.

[RicochetII]

That doesn't matter. Players on 2-way contracts can still have to clear waivers to be sent down. It has to do with games played/age/etc im pretty sure. CapGeek and many other reliable Twitter sources have said that he has to clear.

Common misconception, mostly perpetrated by EA from the NHL game franchise.

A two-way contract means you get paid NHL money or AHL money, depending on what level you play at.

Players have a period of time when they are exempt from waivers, depending on their age, games played, years played, whether it is a goaltender, etc.

[Guest mrsmarkov]

1. 8 million max..

2. Budaj!

3. I don't like this question, it makes me sad for the obvious reason. Top 4 d-man!

4. Yes! But it also depends. I really want the EGG line reunited.

5. Um....Briere! Bourque is history! I hope.

[jennifer_rocket]

Subban, for me, is worth almost anything to keep. He won't be replaced if we lose him, and we may end up waiting for a long time to draft and develop another player of his caliber. Easily worth matching any offer sheet. A few first round draft picks could result in absolutely NOTHING after development. ie. David Fischer, Kyle Chipchura, Louis Leblanc, Chris Higgins, Mike Komisarek... Would you want to trade Subban for these guys?

[habs_93]

Subban, for me, is worth almost anything to keep. He won't be replaced if we lose him, and we may end up waiting for a long time to draft and develop another player of his caliber. Easily worth matching any offer sheet. A few first round draft picks could result in absolutely NOTHING after development. ie. David Fischer, Kyle Chipchura, Louis Leblanc, Chris Higgins, Mike Komisarek... Would you want to trade Subban for these guys?

This is my thought process as well. There's a reason another team would be willing to give up those four picks.

[BigTed3]

1. I'd pay whatever it takes to keep him, reluctantly. Ideally, I think we pay him something in the 7-8M per season range (although we could have had him for 5-6M if we had signed him long-term two years ago!) and I don't see Subban signing an offersheet. He could have done that two seasons ago when he was locked out and he didn't, so it tells me he really does want to be here. I think he also knows that if he's earning 10-12M, as is the case with the two guys in Pittsburgh eating up the payroll, there won't be much on the roster to help support him. If the goal is a Cup, Subban will take a reasonable cap hit for a superstar. Ultimately, if he does sign an offersheet though, I think we're forced to match. Even 4 first round picks is not sufficient, and those picks would be staggered over four rounds and for a team that would be decent enough to lure Subban and pay him, in addition to having his help towards winning a Cup. Those picks probably wouldn't be very good, and if we're waiting for four years to reap their benefits, we're going to zip by the window we have to win with Price, Pacioretty, Eller, and so on. We have a good enough team to compete NOW, so that has to be the plan, not delaying the plan another four years. Would I trade Subban for 4 top-five picks? Maybe, because you might get an instant impact from one of those, particularly if you can scoop up Connor McDavid, but otherwise it's not worth it.

2. I don't think it's a given that Tokarski has that much trade value. You look at Viktor Fasth, who played well for Anaheim and got two mid-round picks when he was dealt. Dubnyk got next to nothing. Yes, Fasth is older, but goalies in general don't have much trade market value unless they're stars. I'd be fine with dealing Tokarski if we really got a player who could help us now, but if it's just for a pick, I'd rather not. Tokarski is cheaper and he's younger, so he'd be the guy I keep. If we keep Budaj, we're likely looking to get a new back-up in a year anyways.

3. To me, a top 4 defenceman is paramount. I always believe you build winners from the back end out, so as much as we need scoring, you can make do by committee (as the Bruins do). I'd like to give more ice and responsibility to Beaulieu, Tinordi, and Pateryn, but young defencemen make mistakes and take longer to learn than forwards. I'd rather have a veteran presence there who can help, so going after a player like Bogosian or Yandle makes more sense to me than pursuing a forward.

4. I'd play Galchenyuk at center on an offence-oriented line, similar to what the DD line gets as starts and PP time now. Doesn't mean it's necessarily the first line, but it gets the best opportunities offensively. It's time to make the move. We haven't had a true #1 center in years, and we have a chance to make that happen.

5. I'd say Briere would have the better year, but I just don't see him getting the ice time from Therrien. I think Bourque has more opportunity to break into a top 6 role if Vanek isn't back, so I'd see him having more chance to put up points.

[roy_133]

1. If another team comes along with a 7-year offer sheet for Subban, what's the maximum value you would match on a per year basis: 6M, 8M, 10M, or 12M?

Yeesh, when it comes to an offer sheet there's a few variables. I mean, if it's a potential bottom feeding team offer it I'm more likely taking the picks, right? 8 mill is no problem, I'd match that. 10 mill is very tough and 12 mill is a nonstarter.

2. Budaj or Tokarski next year?

I'm pretty sure Tokarski has to clear waivers to go back down next year. I'm not sure he actually has much value, the story was neat but he's not exactly a big time prospect. He's a guy. I'd probably go Tokarski because he's cheaper but I'm largely indifferent. Budaj has proven he can respond well to playing 1/10 games, so that's comforting.

3. If we don't succeed in re-signing any of Vanek, Markov, or Gionta and don't sign any key UFA's, is it more pressing to trade for a top 6 winger or a top 4 defenceman?

Top 4 DMan, easily. Even if we DO resign Markov it's an issue.

4. Should Galchenyuk play center out of training camp next year? If so, on what line?

5. Who will have a better season next year, Bourque or Briere?

lol ugh.