Poll: Which D-Man should Bergevin target?

[BigTed3]

Quite a number of D men have been linked to the Habs... of them, which do you see as being the best target to fix our massive hole at left D?

[habsisme]

Won't vote, i'm fine with any of the above at right price

[H_T_L]

Price is the main factor for me too. Preference would be Leddy or Gost  

[maas_art]

Im on the fence.

Part of me thinks we should go after the best available defensman on this list (which to me is one of Ghost, Klefbom or Matheson).  But the other part thinks "why mess with our forward depth" which is what it would undoubtedly cost to get one of those guys.  Rather than moving Drouin or Shaw or even Byron, would signing Gardiner or Edler make more sense?

Im not sure.    Murray worries me because of his history of injury.  Leddy to me isnt a big enough upgrade to warrant a trade (id sign him if he was UFA).   The term would definitely have to be right for me to want to sign Edler or Gardiner. 

 

After the very good article at EOTP Im almost more inclined to sign Gardiner & hope that Weber as a stabilizing force brings out the best in him. 

[habs1952]

I'm going with Leddy. Only 28 and I think he could be had for a decent trade. I'd really prefer Matheson but I think the cost would be too high unless it was straight up for Drouin.

[campabee82]

My vote at this time is none of the above as we may already have a solution in Leskinen I would prefer to give him a 10-15 game stint beside Weber or Petry through training camp and into the season before attempting a trade to acquire the LHD. If he doesn't work out right away you can send him to Laval for further development, but if he does the need is filled and we didn't give up anything.

[ChiLla]

Intended to click on Gostisbehere, clicked on Gardiner by accident

[BigTed3]

I'd be concerned with the numbers floating around for Gardiner. Some experts have him pegged at getting 6-7.5M on a long-term deal, which could handicap us even if we don't give up assets to sign him. Based on some of the recent trades, it feels like we might be able to deal for a top 4 D man without giving up too too much. Maybe Shaw, maybe Juulsen, maybe a 2nd rounder in some combination... we need a guy who can take on decent minutes, who can skate, break out of the zone, and help the PP. I like Ghost as the primary option, especially since Chuck Fletcher seems to have no clue what he's doing. Niskanen? 50M for Hayes? Braun for two decent picks? Could be an opportunity to steal Ghost there. My second choice would be Ryan Murray, who could be a classic buy low option. Columbus needs picks, so Murray for a 2nd and a 4th for example might be enough to get it done. I like Leddy and Klefbom too, but they maybe don't provide as much offence as the first two guys. Matheson is not terrible but he's a bit overrated in my opinion.

[jennifer_rocket]

I voted Edler. On a short-term contract. I'm getting repulsed by the money free agents are getting, but I could live with Edler if it's a one or two year contract. Might not be possible, but... I guess we'll have to wait and see in July.

[tony5775]

I like Edler but he does not want to leave Vancouver so pretty sure he will resign there. I put Ghost down but am actually leaning toward T.J. Brodie who maybe on the block. Not on your list.

The thing that worries me the most is MB will wait and do nothing and every other team will get a head of him grabbing the guys that they need. Ending up with the left overs which will not take care of our main concern. 

[jennifer_rocket]

18 minutes ago, tony5775 said:

I like Edler but he does not want to leave Vancouver so pretty sure he will resign there. I put Ghost down but am actually leaning toward T.J. Brodie who maybe on the block. Not on your list.

The thing that worries me the most is MB will wait and do nothing and every other team will get a head of him grabbing the guys that they need. Ending up with the left overs which will not take care of our main concern. 

I think you're probably right on Edler. If we offer him three years, I'm sure he would consider us. I'm just not sure three years is what's best for the Montreal Canadiens.

[HabsAlways]

So a bunch of posters saying Edler, yet only one vote for him ... and 6 for Leddy

Leddy is good, but he doesn't fit what we need and the cost would be young players.  He's more of a defensive dman these days, though he has the speed/passing to change that I don't think he's good enough offensively to give us what we need.

 

Gardiner/Edler are UFA ... Gardiner is 28, an offensive defencemen that would slot in beside either Weber or Petry.    Gardiner for me.

[maas_art]

11 hours ago, campabee82 said:

My vote at this time is none of the above as we may already have a solution in Leskinen I would prefer to give him a 10-15 game stint beside Weber or Petry through training camp and into the season before attempting a trade to acquire the LHD. If he doesn't work out right away you can send him to Laval for further development, but if he does the need is filled and we didn't give up anything.

The problem with this plan is that you're more likely to get an impact player in the summer.  Going into the season with yet another "maybe" on LD is ideally not what we want.  I think Leskinen has promise but he hasnt been tested at the highest level yet & that makes it a pretty big gamble.   If you're sure he has a shot then maybe you make a lesser deal for a guy like Leddy too & hope that between  Leddy, Leskinen, Mete and Kulak (and possible Olafsson who has been written off but really, when healthy, should actually be better then Kulak)  you have the right guys.   Still not ideal. 

 

2 hours ago, BigTed3 said:

I'd be concerned with the numbers floating around for Gardiner. Some experts have him pegged at getting 6-7.5M on a long-term deal, which could handicap us even if we don't give up assets to sign him. 

Yeah my interest in Gardiner ends at $4.5-5m.    If he wants $6m +  no thanks unless its a 1-2 year deal. 

 

2 hours ago, jennifer_rocket said:

I voted Edler. On a short-term contract. I'm getting repulsed by the money free agents are getting, but I could live with Edler if it's a one or two year contract. Might not be possible, but... I guess we'll have to wait and see in July.

I feel like the reason talks have fallen apart between Edler & Vancouver is term.  I think he wants 3 years.  I think if we just offer him 1-2  then he stays with vancouver. 

1 hour ago, tony5775 said:

 but am actually leaning toward T.J. Brodie who maybe on the block.

The problem with Brodie is that even though he shoots left he prefers (and is more effective) at RD.  One of the few in the league.   So while you could get him (and i agree he's a good player) Im not sure he'd be the right fit.

 

[BigTed3]

8 hours ago, maas_art said:

Yeah my interest in Gardiner ends at $4.5-5m.    If he wants $6m +  no thanks unless its a 1-2 year deal. 

 

I feel like the reason talks have fallen apart between Edler & Vancouver is term.  I think he wants 3 years.  I think if we just offer him 1-2  then he stays with vancouver.

 

Kypreos says Gardiner's camp has told teams negotiations start at 7 years and 50M total money. Maybe no one bites at that, but that's an unrealistic starter for me.

As for Edler, there are some rumors going around that he's already agreed to or is very close to signing a 3-year deal with Vancouver for about 5-5.5M a season and that the last sticking point was whether or not he'd be exposed in the ED. Elliotte Friedman suggested they may even be looking at a 4th year, and 3-4 years there is also a non-starter for me with Edler.

I think that takes both guys off the table completely and if anything, I wonder if Bergevin will aim more for tier two free agents like Stralman or Methot for example.

[maas_art]

1 hour ago, BigTed3 said:

Kypreos says Gardiner's camp has told teams negotiations start at 7 years and 50M total money. Maybe no one bites at that, but that's an unrealistic starter for me.

As for Edler, there are some rumors going around that he's already agreed to or is very close to signing a 3-year deal with Vancouver for about 5-5.5M a season and that the last sticking point was whether or not he'd be exposed in the ED. Elliotte Friedman suggested they may even be looking at a 4th year, and 3-4 years there is also a non-starter for me with Edler.

I think that takes both guys off the table completely and if anything, I wonder if Bergevin will aim more for tier two free agents like Stralman or Methot for example.

I agree.   I do wonder what MB will do.  I cant see him overpaying for Gardiner or Edler and he's show in the past that he's weary of term for UFA (Alzner will only solidify that feeling after the huge misstep).  

I feel like he's going to either: Do everything in his power to move up to draft Byram (if the scouts feel he's truly ready. I think he's maybe the only LD who might be ready next year) or, more likely, trade one or more of our forwards for a dman.  The question is going to be what quality of dman that is. Do we aim for the fences with one of the guys mentioned above or does MB try to sign a mid tier dman.   I wouldnt put it past him to look at a 28-32 year old 'band aid' solution either - and if the player can perform for a couple of years, honestly it may not be a bad choice. We have Mete, Romanov, Harris, Leskinen, and more - plus i'll bet we draft a few solid LD this weekend - maybe if we can get a guy with a few more years left in the tank, like a Jeff Petry on LD, it makes the most sense. Probably wouldnt cost nearly as much as a LD in his prime.  

Should be an interesting few weeks. 

[ChiLla]

6 hours ago, BigTed3 said:

Kypreos says Gardiner's camp has told teams negotiations start at 7 years and 50M total money. Maybe no one bites at that, but that's an unrealistic starter for me.

As for Edler, there are some rumors going around that he's already agreed to or is very close to signing a 3-year deal with Vancouver for about 5-5.5M a season and that the last sticking point was whether or not he'd be exposed in the ED. Elliotte Friedman suggested they may even be looking at a 4th year, and 3-4 years there is also a non-starter for me with Edler.

I think that takes both guys off the table completely and if anything, I wonder if Bergevin will aim more for tier two free agents like Stralman or Methot for example.

Right, Jake Gardiner for 50M spread over 7 years. That's the market these days I guess but there's no way I'd be willing to negotiate if that's the starting point. I just don't see him being an effective defenceman 3-4 years down the road. I'm thinking Tomas Kaberle, completely falling of a cliff in his early thirties.

[26NCounting]

Gardiner all the way, while he does have defensive lapses he is the best offensive D man on the board IMO. And we need more goals

[jennifer_rocket]

5 hours ago, ChiLla said:

Right, Jake Gardiner for 50M spread over 7 years. That's the market these days I guess but there's no way I'd be willing to negotiate if that's the starting point. I just don't see him being an effective defenceman 3-4 years down the road. I'm thinking Tomas Kaberle, completely falling of a cliff in his early thirties.

Oi. Money.  Free agency is so disheartening.

[xxdocxx]

I did vote for Leddy But i wish you had to put an other their in the pole.  

[jennifer_rocket]

I believe Edler has extended his stay in Vancouver for two more years. $6 million per season.

[maas_art]

13 minutes ago, jennifer_rocket said:

I believe Edler has extended his stay in Vancouver for two more years. $6 million per season.

Ya, Bob McKenzie confirmed it and he's about as reliable a source as there is. 

[caperns61]

Klefbom. Only 26, good size, good skater, reasonable cap hit at 4 million and could easily be moved if it does not work out. 

Drouin/Hudon for Klefbom/Puljujavi

Edmonton needs skilled wingers to play with their skilled centers and both Drouin and Hudon have the skill they are not in the mold of Lucic Kassian etc. the latter players are not skilled enough to play with MCdavid, Draistal and Nuge, Droiun and Hudon would fit in really well with that group.  

We need LHD deeman and  Puljujavi would be a nice risk possible reward. 

It just looks like a good solid trade for both teams.  

[jennifer_rocket]

4 hours ago, caperns61 said:

Klefbom. Only 26, good size, good skater, reasonable cap hit at 4 million and could easily be moved if it does not work out. 

Drouin/Hudon for Klefbom/Puljujavi

Edmonton needs skilled wingers to play with their skilled centers and both Drouin and Hudon have the skill they are not in the mold of Lucic Kassian etc. the latter players are not skilled enough to play with MCdavid, Draistal and Nuge, Droiun and Hudon would fit in really well with that group.  

We need LHD deeman and  Puljujavi would be a nice risk possible reward. 

It just looks like a good solid trade for both teams.  

I like that idea. I've been a proponent of keeping Drouin, but something like this could make sense for both teams. I wonder if Hudon (as the complementary piece) would be enough to get it done. I wouldn't be surprised if, hypothetically, Edmonton would want one of our defensive prospects instead. Like a Juulsen or a Brook.

[BigTed3]

8 hours ago, caperns61 said:

Klefbom. Only 26, good size, good skater, reasonable cap hit at 4 million and could easily be moved if it does not work out. 

Drouin/Hudon for Klefbom/Puljujavi

Edmonton needs skilled wingers to play with their skilled centers and both Drouin and Hudon have the skill they are not in the mold of Lucic Kassian etc. the latter players are not skilled enough to play with MCdavid, Draistal and Nuge, Droiun and Hudon would fit in really well with that group.  

We need LHD deeman and  Puljujavi would be a nice risk possible reward. 

It just looks like a good solid trade for both teams.  

 

3 hours ago, jennifer_rocket said:

I like that idea. I've been a proponent of keeping Drouin, but something like this could make sense for both teams. I wonder if Hudon (as the complementary piece) would be enough to get it done. I wouldn't be surprised if, hypothetically, Edmonton would want one of our defensive prospects instead. Like a Juulsen or a Brook.

Agreed that this is not a horrible trade for both teams. At this point, I think Puljujarvi's value is a 2nd or 3rd round pick, which Edmonton is probably meh on. But they're not getting more than that for a guy who hasn't shown anything and is now threatening to hold out. Drouin IMO has more value than Klefbom and by a decent amount. So if you break it down as Klefbom plus a 2nd/3rd round pick for Drouin, that's probably about fair. Hudon is a throw-in. Factor in as well that Edmonton is very high on Broberg at #8 and they may not see Juulsen as being a necessary acquisition if they're drafting a D. Their major wish right now is a scoring winger to go with McDavid or Draisaitl. Drouin could fit that bill, although they have been linked to having interest in Corey Perry as a UFA as well.