I must be getting old or Habs GM Marc Bergevin and his team see more in Torrey Mitchell and former Oiler D men than I do?
His signing of Mitchell and re upping of Jeff Petry are kinda boggling to this scribbler.
Mitchell essentially replaces the role that Manny Malhotra was to fill. He nowhere came close to Malhotra in the face off circle, and has no real offensive upside. His $1.2M is not a deal breaker or cap killer, but doling out three years is kinda confusing. The Nathan Beaulieu signing was fine in that it gives the team flexibility without putting pressure for the rookie to live up to big $$$ and also makes him a trade chip.
I like Jeff Petry. To me he makes a good 3rd or 4th Dman. You’re not going to get a lot of offense out of him and he should hold his own. He had a good play off for the team that was fumbling when Andrei Markov remembered that it was play off time and that he was Andrei Markov. But the long term commitment at that cash point is a bit scary.
It’s not the worst of deals, but it certainly ties up a chunk of cap without addressing the team’s anemic offense.
Montreal still doesn’t have a number one line. Max Pacioretty still needs a true centre. Some of the buzz was a possible trade for Mikko Koivu. Montreal still needs a #1 centre and the market is slim. If Alex Galchenyuk is ready to fulfill his drafted role that may fill a hole.
Of course with the draft only a few weeks away there are some trade options as well.
What are the teams plan for Tomas Plekanec? If it’s not to resign him then he might be a part of a package to try and attempt to land that centre.
Could the Leafs possibly flip Phil Kessel to Montreal and does that make sense? Pure goal scorers are hard to find and that’s what Phil brings to the table. Personally I’m not afraid of the contract. It comes down to what goes to Toronto if the Leafs would swap their right winger to the Habs?
Patrick Sharp is also mentioned as a potential fit. Lesser contract and older player with an injury history makes it potentially scary. He also plays the same wing as Pacioretty.
The money is that the team will play it safe. There aren’t that many assets in the cupboard that could land the players that Montreal could use. Ryan O’Reilly from Colorado is an interesting fit. He’d be an upgrade on David Desharnais, but he’d need wingers to feed to have real success and what would Montreal have to give up even with only one year left on his contract?
What do you think Hab fans? Who is on your dream list as the draft draws upon us?