Top 10 Free Agents

1- C Peter Forsberg (NSH)
2- RW Teemu Selanne (ANA)
3- C Alexei Yashin (NYI)
4- D Danny Markov (DET)
5- RW Jeff O'Neill (TOR)
6- C Michael Peca (TOR)
7- RW Anson Carter (CAR)
8- D Andy Sutton (ATL)
9- D Patrice Brisebois (COL)
10- C Josef Vasicek (CAR)

Latest Transactions

17th of July:

- Bruins acquired LW Peter Schaefer from Senators for RW Shean Donovan.

- Hurricanes acquired C Matt Cullen from Rangers for D Andrew Hutchinson, F Joe Barnes and a 3rd round pick in 2008.

- Canadiens re-signed D Josh Gorges, D Jean-Philippe Cote, D Andrew Archer, RW Duncan Milroy, C Corey Locke and G Yann Danis.

League Roundup: 7/10/07 Signings

- New Jerseys Devils signed D Vitaly Vishnevski to a 3-year contract worth US$5.4 million.

- New York Rangers re-signed LW Brendan Shanahan to a 1-year contract.

- Pittsburgh Penguins signed C Sidney Crosby to a 5-year contract extension worth US$43.5 million.

- Washington Capitals signed W Joey Motzko to a 2-year deal.

League Roundup: July 9th

- Detroit Red Wings signed F Dallas Drake to a 1-year contract.

- New York Islanders named F Bill Guerin captain.

- Phoenix Coyotes signed F Mike York to a 1-year, US$1 million contract.

- Vancouver Canucks re-signed D Kevin Bieksa to a 3-year contract, signed D Aaron Miller.

7/8/07 UFA SIGNINGS

9:35 AM- Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

D Bryan Berard (CHI)
D Danny Markov (NYI, CHI)
RFA F Mike Ribeiro (EDM)
D Ossi Vaananen (NYI, CHI)
D Vitali Vishnevsky (NYI, CHI)
C Alexei Yashin (DET)
RFA F Stephen Weiss (EDM)

9:30 AM- Top Free Agents

5) D Brent Sopel
4) C Alexei Yashin
3) LW Brendan Shanahan
2) C Peter Forsberg
1) D Sheldon Souray

Canadiens Prospects: Ryan O'Byrne

Birthdate: July 19th, 1984
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height/Weight: 6'5"/225
Drafted: 2003, 3rd Round Pick (79th Overall)

Assets:

- Big Frame
- Skating speed
- Mobility
- "Can flat out crunch players"
- Heavy shot from the point

Flaws:

- Too many minor penalties
- Needs to improve on his reads and reaction time

2006/07 Stats: 80 GP: 0 G, 12 A, 12 PTS, -7, 129 PIM

Note: With the lack of real depht on defense, O'Byrne has a serious shot at making the team out of training camp.

7/7/07 UFA SIGNINGS

ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Please e-mail me: afi.ville.49@gmail.com

9:00 AM- Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

F Peter Forsberg (DET)
D Sheldon Souray (NJ, NYR, SJ)
D Andy Sutton (NJ)
F Alexei Yashin (DET)

8:55 AM- Top 5 Free Agents:

5) D Brent Sopel
4) C Alexei Yashin
3) LW Brendan Shanahan
2) C Peter Forsberg
1) D Sheldon Souray

7/6/07 UFA SIGNINGS

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ?
Please e-mail me at: afi.ville.49@gmail.com

6:45 PM- Stars sign LW Brad Winchester:
1 year at US$475,000


4:40 PM- Leafs sign G Scott Clemmensen:
1 year, two-way contract


3:40 PM- Wild sign D Sean Hill:
1 year


12:50 PM- Vanek Update:

In a 12:30 PM Press conference, Sabres' GM Darcy Regier announced that the Sabres will match the Oilers' contract offer of US$50 million over 7 years.

12:30 PM- Oilers send Vanek an offer sheet:

According to various sources, the Edmonton Oilers have sent forward Tomas Vanek an offer sheet. The offer is worth US$50 million over a period of 7 years. If the Sabres can not match the Oilers' offer, Edmonton will obtain Vanek in exchange for a compensation, more precisely of 4 1st round drat picks.

12:25 PM- Senators promote John Paddock to head coach.



8:00 AM- Top 5 Free Agents:

5) D Brent Sopel
4) C Alexei Yashin
3) LW Brendan Shanahan
2) C Peter Forsberg
1) D Sheldon Souray

7:50 AM- Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

LW Martin Gelinas (DAL)
D Sean Hill (MIN)
D Sheldon Souray (NJ, NYR, SJ)
C Alexei Yashin (DAL)

7/5/07 UFA SIGNINGS

11:50 PM- Red Wings sign G Dominik Hasek:
1 year at US$2 million (Without Bonuses)

9:00 PM- Nickle1371 sends in the following:

Do you think Patrick Kaleta will be in the sabres line-up next season? also do you think the sabres will go after comrie or souray. (sorry if we do take souray from u, cuz we want it bad too lol.)"

Dear Nickle,

I do think that Patrick Kaleta has a chance of making the Sabres out of training camp, especially with the losses of Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Dainius Zubrus. He played 7 games for the Sabres, managing 2 assists and 21 penalty minutes. But nothing is certain.

I do also believe the Sabres went after New York Islander Mike Comrie, who could of filled their need of a speedy and gritty 2nd line center. Comrie signed with the Islanders a few moments ago.

As to going after Sheldon Souray, I am not so sure Darcy Regier was too kean on signing a defenceman for over US$5 million, with a lack of defensive ability. I also believe the Sabres lost a big part of their forwards this offseason, and did not need to sign defencemen, but needed to concentrate their money on forwards who could replace the ones who left via the UFA market.

I hope this helps,

I Want It!

8:34 PM- Islanders sign C Mike Comrie:
1 year

8:33 PM- Sabres sign G Jocelyn Thibault:
1 year

5:50 PM- Ducks sign D Shane Hnidy:
2 years

5:34 PM- Islanders sign F Bill Guerin:
2 year at US$9 million

4:20 PM- Canadiens sign D Jamie Rivers:
2 years

1:18 PM- Devils sign G Kevin Weekes:
2 years at US$1.375 million

11:33 AM- Columbus Blue Jackets sign D Jan Hejda:
1 year

2007-08 Canadiens Lineup

MONTREAL-- Having signed our last free agent, I think I should give you fans a look at this year's Montreal Canadiens lineup:

1st Line: C. Higgins -- S. Koivu -- A. Kovalev

2nd Line: G. Latendresse -- T. Plekanec -- M. Ryder

3rd Line: J. Lahti -- B. Smolinski -- A. Kostitsyn

4th Line: M. Lapierre -- S. Begin -- M. Streit

1st Pairing: A. Markov -- M. Komisarek

2nd Pairing: R. Hamrlik -- J. Gorges

3rd Pairing: M. Dandenault -- F. Bouillon

Starter: C. Huet

Backup: J. Halak

Bench: T. Kostopoulos

Notes:

1) J. Lahti and T. Kostopoulos are inter-changeable.
2) A. Kovalev and M. Ryder are inter-changeable.
3) M. Streit could be in J. Gorges place, T. Kostopoulos in M. Streit's place and J. Gorges in T. Kostopoulos' place.

Canadiens sign Kostopoulos

MONTREAL-- Bob Gainey wasn't lying yesterday when he told the Media that he still was looking at some players, on whom to spend his remaining US$2 million.

He has spent, according to TSN, US$900,000 of it on veteran winger Tom Kostopoulos.

The 28-year old will be playing for his 3rd NHL team, after stints with Pittsburgh (2001-2004) and Los Angeles (2005-2007).

He has totaled 70 points (25-45) in 231 NHL games.

Note: This signing surprises me, as I would be tremendously stunned to see Kostopoulos making the team out of training camp, with guys like Mark Streit, Andrei Kostitsyn, Kyle Chipchura competing seriously.

Gainey had US$2 million to spend on a replacement for Mike Johnson, and has wasted half of it on a career 4th line/reserve player. Instead of putting convincing offers on the table for guys like Glen Metropolit, Kyle Calder, Jeff O'Neill... he gave up, and signed a "10 point a season" guy.

7/4/07 UFA SIGNINGS

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ?
E-mail me at: afi.ville.49@gmail.com

5:30 PM- Sabres re-sign D Teppo Numminen:
1 year at US$2.6 million


1:45 PM- Islanders sign LW Ruslan Fedotenko:
1 year at US$2.9 million


1:35 PM- Thrashers re-sign LW Slava Kozlov:
3 years at US$11 million (US$3.66 annually)


11:35 AM- Canadiens sign W Tom Kostopoulos:
2 years at US$1.8 million (US$900,000 annually)


10:05 AM- Flames re-sign RW Jarome Iginla:
5 years


10:00 AM- Maple Leafs re-sign G Vesa Toskala:
2 years at US$8 million (US$4 annually)


8:55 AM- Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

RW Bill Guerin (VAN, CBJ)
D Sean Hill (MIN)
LW Slava Kozlov (DAL, ATL)
D Sheldon Souray (NJ, SJ, DAL, NYR)

8:50 AM- Top 5 Free Agents:

5) D Brent Sopel
4) LW Slava Kozlov
3) LW Brendan Shanahan
2) C Peter Forsberg
1) D Sheldon Souray

7/3/07 UFA SIGNINGS

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
Please e-mail me at: afi.ville.49@gmail.com

9:20 PM- Kings re-sign G Jason LaBarbera:
2 years


8:50 PM- Top 5 Free Agents:

5) D Brent Sopel
4) LW Slava Kozlov
3) LW Brendan Shanahan
2) C Peter Forsberg
1) D Sheldon Souray

Note: There is no Dominik Hasek on the list, since he has indicated that if he does not re-sign with the Red Wings, he will retire, thus making him not "that" unrestricted.

8:45 PM- Sheldon Souray's options (In order of likelyness):

1) San Jose Sharks
2) Dallas Stars
3) New York Rangers

7:55 PM- Kings sign D Brad Stuart:
1 year at US$3.5 million


7:50 PM- Lightning sign D Brad Lukowich:
3 years


7:25 PM- Oilers sign F Raffi Torres:
3 years at US$6.75 million (US$2.25 annually)


7:20 PM- Oilers speak about the Nylander Case:
Per Oilers.com, ex-UFA Michael Nylander's agent had agreed (in principle) to a contract with the Oilers concerning the veteran center, hours before agreeing to one with the Washington Capitals, with whom he will play with during the 2007/08 season.

7:10 PM- Beliveau, not enough to convince Briere:
According to Michael Whalen of TSN, the Montreal Canadiens had HOF Jean Beliveau call and try to convince Daniel Briere to come to Montreal. The attempt was unsuccessful.

6:30 PM- Canucks sign G Curtis Sandford:
1 year at US$600 thousand


6:20 PM- Wild sign F Wes Walz
5:50 PM- Wild sign G Nolan Schaefer


5:25 PM- Islanders re-sign UFA LW Andy Hilbert:
2 years at US$1.35 million (US$675 thousand annually)


Note: Special thanks to "Drew".

5:00 PM- Ducks sign W Brad May:
2 years


5:00 PM- Oilers sign G Mathieu Garon:
2 years


Note: With this signing, the Oilers will let UFA Jussi Markkanen go.

4:40 PM- Wild signs C Eric Belanger:
3 years at US$5.2 million (US$1.73 annually)


3:30 PM- Devils sign C Dainius Zubrus:
6 years at US$ 20.4 million (US$3.4 annually)


3:00 PM- Blue Jackets sign C Jiri Novotni:
2 years


2:15 PM- Devils sign D Karel Rachunek:
1 year at US$1.5 million


1:45 PM- Canucks sign F Byron Ritchie
1:05 PM- Canucks sign G Cory Schneider
1:00 PM- Canucks sign F Brad Isbister

1:20 PM- Predators re-sign G Chris Mason:
2 years at US$6 million (US$3 million annually)


7:45 AM- Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

C Mike Comrie (ATL, BUF, LAK, NYI)
F Bill Guerin (CBJ, OTT, VAN)
G Jamie McLennan (VAN)
D Nolan Pratt (TB)
D Ossi Vaananen (Not COL)

7:45 AM-Top 5 Free Agents:

5) LW Brendan Shanahan: Plays a great two-way game.
4) D Brad Stuart: Very gifted skater.
3) C Peter Forsberg: Outstanding playmaker.
2) G Dominik Hasek: Immune to age.
1) D Sheldon Souray: Fantastic slapshot.

7:40 AM-Rumor Central (Teams Interested):

G Dominik Hasek (Wants to stay in DET)
D Sean Hill (MIN)
LW Slava Kozlov (ATL, DAL)
C Alexei Yashin (ATL, MTL)

Kings of the free agent market

LOS ANGELES-- The Kings are one of the major players in this year's free agent market.

After a disappointing season despite the great ones of youngsters Alexander Frolov, Mike Cammalleri and Anze Kopitars, Kings' GM Dean Lombardi was poised to make a splash and improve his club.

He did so, by adding veteran forwards Michal Handzus, Ladislav Nagy and Kyle Calder and defencemen Tom Preissing and Brad Stuart.

These signings tranform this club, as so many others have been this offseason, into a playoff team...

These 5 veterans add skill, size, experience, finesse, grit, power, speed, intelligence... to the Kings' roster.

Here are the Kings' expected lines, with these signings:

Frolov -- Kopitar -- Cammalleri
Nagy -- Handzus -- Brown
Thornton -- Armstrong -- Calder
Ivaanans -- O'Sullivan -- Willsie

Blake -- Johnson
Stuart -- Visnovski
Preissing -- Modry

Cloutier
LaBarbera

This is definately a team to be excited about, and to follow during the 2007/08 season.

Message from the great Bossy

From NYI.com:

The Hall of Famer sent the following email this afternoon to forward to fans throughout Islanders Country

There comes a time in an organization when you have to stand up for what you believe. There comes a time also when fans have to believe in who is at the helm of that organization.

I don't think there is 1 fan who was not pleased to see the direction the Islanders took last year. There were ups and downs but I believe more ups than downs. Everyone was truly excited when Dubie performed his miracles toward the end of the season and helped us earn a playoff position. Everyone was truly excited when we really gave Buffalo a run for their money in the playoffs. Yes, we fell short but we all had the satisfaction that everything had been done to go as far as we could given the circumstances.

We believed that Garth made the right moves and that Ted got everything he could out of the players sitting in front of him on the bench and when he couldn't, well, those guys didn't play or received significantly less ice time. We believed that Garth and Ted had a plan for the future and weren't going to waiver from that plan.

Since July 1st the plan hasn't changed. We want players that want to play on Long Island and who will show what we all think Long Island deserves. A team that goes out every night with the right attitude, grit, character and dedication, to themselves, their teammates and fans. We tried to sign 2 of those players who fit exactly that mold. Unfortunately those 2 players chose to play out West instead of here. Whatever their reasons were, it does not matter anymore. What matters is that Garth and Ted are sticking to their guns and will not change their course of thinking.

There are others players who fit that mold. Garth asked us to be patient. Let's give Garth and Ted our support. Let's not succumb to panic or frustration. It's the easy thing to do. I truly believe that their thinking is the right long term approach to building a team that we will all be proud of. No one closed the books yesterday and no one has gone on vacation. Everyone is diligently working on doing the right thing for the organization and you, THE FANS.

It was Garth and Ted's first year last year. Let them continue their work and in the meantime let's continue to support everyone in the organization, from the hockey staff to my colleagues doing everything they can so the Islanders play in front of a full house every night.

Let's do this all together. If in the end I am wrong, you can tell me so – loud and clear. Let's all stick together.

We all want a Stanley Cup, right? And WE'RE ALL ISLANDERS, right?

Have a great 4th of July everyone.

Mike

Note: This message vividly defends the Islanders' front office. This is exactly what any team needs after losing some big pieces of its core to another one, a voice of the past and present sticking with the Team and its management. These words are much more efficient than Sabres' GM Darcy Regier's "One way..." speech, which basically blamed the Market for Drury and Briere's loss, which, weren't the only reasons for losing the pair. No GM can equal these words.

Those are the players you want!

MONTREAL-- Signing defenceman Roman Hamrlik and center Bryan Smolinski were moves Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is not likely regret, as both players are quite happy to be playing in Montreal:

Hamrlik: "I got a few offers from teams in the U.S., but I told my agent I'd love to play in Canada," the 33-year-old Hamrlik said from Zlin, Czech Republic on a conference call, comparing hockey in Canada to playing soccer in England. "It's great hockey."

Smolinski: "Being in Ottawa a a few years and seeing that rivalry with Montreal, it'll be interesting to see it from the other side. "It's a beautiful city and it's an Original Six team. It'll be an honour to wear that jersey."

As you may have seen with the previous quotes, both skaters are tremendously motivated to be playing for the NHL team with the most Stanley Cup wins, an emotion that wasn't necessarily present last season when the Canadiens signed winger Sergei Samsonov, who was just happy somebody signed him. He was never welcomed in Montreal after his slow start and his bad mouthing of the French media.

Bob Gainey has played it "safe" this offseason, adding players who's "no.1 choices" were Montreal, and who have put up consistent numbers throughout the years.

On the other hand, Samsonov had been plagued by injuries and had put up incosistent numbers over the seasons, when he was signed by the Canadiens last offseason.

Gainey has changed his strategy this offseason, going after hard working players who bring team spirit and leadership to the dressing room, instead of over-paying for selfish players.

Canadiens add Smolinski

MONTREAL-- After falling short in the Briere and Smyth cases, there was no way the Canadiens were going to fall short for a third time.

Bob Gainey didn't, as he signed UFA center Bryan Smolinski to a 1-year contract, worth US$2 million, with a no-trade clause.

Smolinski's role is undetermined as of yet, as he may be the team's 2nd or 3rd line center.

It all depends if the Canadiens sign another center, more like if they sign Alexei Yashin.

This signing pushes Tomas Plekanec and his impressive 06/07 season aside. To get the playing he desires, he might even play the wing in 07/08.

This signing creates plenty of questions, who will surely be answered over the next week.

Smolinski had a good o6/07 as he totaled 18 goals and 44 points in 82 games with both the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks.

The 35-year old adds one main quality profoundly needed over the last past few seasons at the center's position: SIZE.

Smolinski has a big frame at 6'1" and 208 pounds.

The 14-year NHL veteran will be playing for his 8th NHL team, having scored 266 goals and 360 assists in 992 career games, with his 7 previous clubs.

Both Smolinski, and new acquiree Roman Hamrlik will, "hopefully", be playing their respective 1000th games in the NHL as Montreal Canadiens.

7/2/07 UFA SIGNINGS

ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
Please e-mail me at: afi.ville.49@gmail.com

8:30 PM Flames re-sign D Robyn Regehr:
5 years at US$20 million (US$4 million annually)


8:30 PM Coyotes buy-out C Dave Scatchard:
Making him an unrestricted free agent.


8:30 PM Flames sign LW Owen Nolan:
1 year at US$2 million (including bonuses)


8:30 PM Kings sign LW Kyle Calder: 2 years at US$5.4 million
4:00 PM Kings sign D Tom Preissing: 4 years at US$11 million


7:35 PM Ducks sign LW Todd Bertuzzi:
2 years at US$8 million (US$4 Annually)


7:30 PM Canadiens sign C Bryan Smolinski:
1 year at US$2 million with a no-trade clause


7:05 PM- Souray's options
After rejecting a contract offer from the Canadiens, here are Sheldon Souray's options (a.k.a. teams who have offered him a contract, per RDS):
Dallas Stars
San Jose Sharks
New York Rangers

6:45 PM Kings sign C Michal Handzus: 4 years at US$16 million
6:43 PM Kings sign LW Ladislav Nagy: 1 year


6:40 PM Predators sign F Radek Bonk and D Greg de Vries:
2 years


6:35 PM Thrashers sign D Ken Klee:
Multiple years


6:00 PM Blackhawks sign C Robert Lang:
2 years
Note: Michal Handzus' re-signing now seems unprobable.

5:25 PM Canadiens sign D Roman Hamrlik:
4 years at US$22 million (View Article Below)


5:20 PM Capitals sign F Michael Nylander:
4 years at US$19.5 million (View Article Below)


5:05 PM Rangers sign D Jason Strudwick:
Terms undisclosed


5:00 PM-Handzus has a deadline
According to blackhawks.nhl.com, the Chicago Blackhawks have told UFA forward Michal Handzus that he has until tonight to accept a Blackhawks' contract offer, unless he wants to hit the open market and explore other options.

4:30 PM-Hamrlik a Target
According to RDS.ca, the Montreal Canadiens have been negotiating a contract with UFA defenceman Roman Hamrlik. Check out my article below this post.

2:25 PM-Preissing to L.A. ?
According to the Ottawa Sun, UFA defenceman Tom Preissing has signed a 4-year contract worth an approximated US$11 million dollars (US$2.75 million per season). No official announcement has been made, of yet.

12:47 PM-Top 5 remaining free agents
5) C Peter Forsberg: Outstanding playmaker
4) D Tom Preissing: Very smart with the puck
3) G Dominik Hasek: Immune to age
2) C Michael Nylander: Great vision
1) D Sheldon Souray: Fantastic slapshot

12:36 PM Canucks re-sign D Lukas Krajicek:
2 years at US$2.2 million (US$1.1 million annually)


11:57 AM Maple Leafs re-sign LW Bates Battaglia:
2 years at US$1.3 million (US$650 thousand annually)


11:26 AM Predators sign F Jed Ortmeyer:
2 years at US$1.5 million (US$750 thousand per season)


11:07 AM-Rumor Central (Teams Interested):
F Brendan Shanahan (NYR)
F Alexei Yashin (WAS)
F Wes Walz (MIN)

Note: The Rangers could sign Shanahan if they offered him a contract of US$2 million with, let's say, US$2 million in performance bonuses. At 37, the bonuses, of a respectable amount, would
not count against the salary cap and would easily satisfy Shanahan. He would basically sign for US$2 million but would end up with US$4.

10:07 AM-Rumor Central (Teams Interested):
F Mike Comrie (LAK, NJ, TOR, WAS)
F Slava Kozlov (ATL, DAL, OTT)
F Michael Nylander (EDM, WAS)
D Tom Preissing (COL, LAK, SJ)
D Karel Rachunek (BOS)

1:18 AM-Penguins sign RW Petr Sykora:
2 years


1:02 AM-Penguins sign D Darryl Sydor:
2 years at US$5 million (US$2.5 million per season)

Canadiens sign Hamrlik

MONTREAL- Today, the Montreal Canadiens signed defenceman Roman Hamrlik to a 4-year contract, financial terms undisclosed.

"Roman Hamrlik established himself as a solid NHL veteran,'' Habs GM Bob Gainey said in a statement. ''The acquisition of Roman fills a very important need in our organization. He is a strong defenceman with a powerful shot and excellent hockey skills. He brings to our club a solid experience and an excellent reputation.''

The 33-year old Czech "power-play quaterback" will replace Sheldon Souray on the Canadiens' powerplay and as the Habs' no.2 defenceman.

Hamrlik has played in 999 career NHL regular season games with 4 teams: the Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-1998), Edmonton Oilers (1998-2000), New York Islanders (2000-2004) and most recently the Calgary Flames (2005-2007).

As soon as the 14-year NHL veteran hits the ice as a Montreal Canadien, he will have already hit a milestone, playing in his 1000th NHL game.

This signing puts an end to Sheldon Souray's possible return to Montreal.

Capital Changes

WASHINGTON-- After signing another quality forward, the Washington Capitals seem to be committed to complementing their young star Alexander Ovechkin, and to turning their team into one that could make the playoffs next season.

The Caps added veterans Tom Poti and Viktor Kozlov yesterday, at annual salaries of over US$2 million per season.

Today, they continued their free agent shopping, signing "playmaker extraordinaire" Michael Nylander.

Nylander will certainly be feeding the puck to the 2005/06 Calder Trophy Winner next season, and might even exceed the point totals he had last season while playing with Jaromir Jagr.

Who knows, the Capitals might be back in the playoff front, for the first time since... 2000/01.

Should we re-sign Sheldon ?

MONTREAL-- Eventhough defenceman Sheldon Souray will command a salary over US$5 million, why wouldn't Canadiens' GM Bob Gainey retain him?

With the loss of Daniel Briere and Ryan Smyth to the Flyers and Avalanche, there are no more US$6 million players on the market, therefore the Canadiens have the money and cap space to re-sign Souray, and a couple of tier II/III forwards.

Add to that the fact that all defencemen who could of replaced Souray are off the market, like Mathieu Schneider, Scott Hannan, Tom Poti and Brian Rafalski, and the Canadiens basically have no choice.

Although Souray has some serious defensive issues, his offense is irreplaceable. He led all defencemen with 26 goals, 19 of which came with the man advantage. He also ranked 3rd among blueliners with 64 points.

The question is, does Bob Gainey think that his offense makes up for his defense?

The answer is far from being known, but I can say that I do not think it does.

But let's face it, he's the best option we have.