Incognito Unlimited's Montreal Canadiens Summer Game Plan

Having to watch your favorite team get knocked out of the playoffs is never easy. This year's version of the Montreal Canadiens was no different for me. On one hand, the team was VASTLY improved over last season finishing second in the Eastern Conference after finishing dead last the previous season. The Habs hired a new GM, a new Coach, and implemented a new attitude. The future is embarrassingly bright. On the other hand, the team lost in the first round, not just to injuries and questionable reffing, but because their remodeling plans started last summer isn't quite a finished product. So, with that said, here is what I would like to see going forward. (Salary 2012-13 in millions)

Let's start with the unrestricted free agents.

Michael Ryder - (3.5) - Goal scorer, twice a Hab, Newfoundlander. I love the guy, but the fact that he is too slow for our "pressure cooker" game plan, means it's time to move on and use the money elsewhere.

Colby Armstrong - (1.0) - Not going to lie, he grew on me over the year, and proved to be a great team player. However, he brings too much injury history, not enough production or physicality. He’d probably get a raise. I wouldn’t give it to him. Happy trails Colby - but I think Therrien brings him back.

Jeff Halpern - (0.7) - No brainer. If he is anywhere near this price tag, bring him back. Intensity, penalty killing, face offs. Awesome fourth line center.

Petteri Nokelainen - (0.575) - He is one-third as good as Halpern for practically the same money. He will find work somewhere.

Davis Drewiske* - (0.617) - I have no idea why the Habs brought him in, talking about his playoff experience to not play him ahead of Diaz who was brutal with pressure on him. Our defense will need some toughness, I would look elsewhere. UPDATE*: Habs re-sign Drewiske to a 2 year/$1.275 contract. My take: As a 6-7th D-man the price is right, however, as stated earlier, I would have gone after a more physical player. He should play spot-time until Emelin returns in December.

Now, let’s check out the restricted free agents.




Ryan White - (0.688) - Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde. When he controls himself, awesome fourth line banger - would be a 150+ hitter in a full season. When he doesn't control himself, it costs the team games. Id offer (0.800-0.850)

Mike Blunden - (0.575) - I really like this guys intensity as the spare/insurance forward type of guy. IF he could be re-signed for (0.60 or under) I'd bring him back.

Gabriel Dumont - (0.572 - Entry Level) - May have a future as a bottom six guy, but nothing special in my eyes. I'd rather use the spot on a more physical player.

Yannick Weber - (0.850) - This is a guy I would move for a draft pick. The Habs have enough small guys who are supposedly "puck moving defensemen" that really are not. Trade chip.

The 2 RFA goalies are so inconsequential, I won’t even mention it.

Turning to the regulars under contract who I would move: (note: I would move Brian Gionta for anything right now, and make the real captain Josh Gorges, the actual captain. However iota is hurt and the team will move forward with him). Salary (13/14 - years left - total dollars in millions).

Travis Moen - (1.850 - 3 - 5.55) - What happened? Did he forget how to skate? No offense, and is a 130+ hitter over a full season. We can get that for much less. Like Ryder, his skating doesn’t fit in. Trade chip #2.

David Desharnais - (3.5 - 4 - 14.0) - Where do I start? If he was English, he wouldn't be here or be stealing an unrealistic salary. He finally got called out by his coach and proceeded to actually show some effort. At that amount of money, shouldn't the team expect that every night? Too small, not a high enough level of compete. GM Bergevin's only big mistake in a magical first season. His encore? Finding a trade for DD. Wish Nieuwendyk still had his job. Trade chip #3.



Tomas Kaberle - (4.25 - 1 - 4.25) - His career is over. End of analysis. Buyout.

Raphael Diaz - (1.225 - 1 - 1.225) - Quickly becoming one of my least favorite Habs player ever. He doesn't hit, can't for the life of him clear the puck, often loses his man in the defensive zone. As soon as he was taken off the first power play, he wasn't even valuable for man advantage points. Apparently teams covet him. Let's find out how much. Trade chip #4.

And finally.......

Andrei Markov - (5.75 - 1 - 5.75) -  I will be the first to admit when I am wrong. I was SHOCKED that he actually played a full year......well, was in the lineup for the full year. His last twenty games or so (in a fifty-three game season and playoffs mind you) he was totally gassed and very ineffective with transition defense. I will take the under on games played in a full season and think that there will be teams desperate for a power play specialist and will probably overpay for it. I want the salary flexibility. Trade chip #5.

So, basically my summer plan would be to bring in another Prust type motor winger, a top 6 forward to replace Ryder, a big rugged veteran defenseman with the Markov money, and give Nathan Beaulieu a shot at making the team as the power play partner for PK Subban. Lars Eller would get the second line and power play center minutes that were wasted on Desharnais. The plan is bigger, faster, more physical. My recipe for success!

I know that many of you will disagree and that’s cool, just please keep the comments civil. Countdown to the Entry Draft is on! :)

Feb 18: NHL Playoff PREDICTIONS. I'm Serious.

Just a quick dabble because I am bored. Just looking at the NHL standings before Saturday's games (Feb 18) and I was thinking into the future of where I believe the teams will fall at the end of the regular season.

Western Conference
Today                                      Projected Final Standings
1. DET 82                               1. DET 115
2. VAN 78                              2. VAN 110
3. SJS 69                                 3. SJS 96
4. STL 77                                4. STL 106
5. NSH 72                               5. NSH 98
6. CHI 67                                6. CHI 96
7. PHX 65                               7. CGY 90
8. LA 65                                  8. LA   89
-------------------------------------------------------
9. CGY 63                              9. PHX 88
10. COL 62                             10. ANA 88
11. DAL 61                             11. COL 87
12. MIN 59                             12. DAL 84
13. ANA 58                            13. MIN 83
14. EDM 50                            14. EDM 69
15. CBJ 40                              15. CBJ 56

Eastern Conference
Today                                      Projected Final Standings
1. NYR 79                              1. NYR 112
2. BOS 72                               2. BOS 105
3. FLA 65                               3. WAS 94
4. PHI 71                                4. PIT 100
5. NJD 70                                5. PHI 99
6. PIT 69                                 6. NJD 98
7. OTT 68                                7. FLA 93
8. TOR 64                               8. OTT 91
----------------------------------------------------
9. WAS 63                              9. TOR 87
10. WPG 62                            10. WPG 85
11. MTL 58                             11. BUF 82
12. TAM 56                            12. CAR 81
13. NYI 56                              13. MTL 80
14. CAR 55                             14. NYI 78
15. BUF 55                             15. TAM 75

Newfs only: NHL Scoring Race - All Star Break

As a tribute to my fellow Newfoundlanders, I will be updating the NHL scoring race amongst the guys from The Rock!

 As of Jan 25th games:

POINTS:
1. Michael Ryder - Dal - 32
2. Teddy Purcell - TB - 27
3. Colin Greening - Ott - 26
4. Ryane Clowe - SJ - 26
5. Dan Cleary - Det - 21
6. Luke Adam - Buf - 20
7. Adam Pardy - Dal - 1

GOALS:
1. Michael Ryder - Dal - 17
2. Teddy Purcell - TB - 12
3. Colin Greening - Ott - 11
4. Luke Adam - Buf - 10
5. Dan Cleary - Det - 8
6. Ryane Clowe - SJ - 9
7. Adam Pardy - Dal - 0

Braves Baseball Cards: Dale Murphy Dual Jersey - Favorites From My Collection

I was thinking of finding a good way to post some of my favorite Braves cards from my collection of over 20,000 different cards depicting any player who has played at least one inning with the Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves. So, I decided to post a different card at least a few times a week. You will see autographs, jerseys, patches, hats, pants, shoes, gloves, bats and other multi-swatch cards.

Today, I chose a triple jersey card from 2005 Donruss Diamond Kings. Love the powder blue 80's swatch. One of my favorite Braves, and one of the classiest athletes to ever play any sport. Glad I was able to see him play live in 1988. 

Habs Hit Leaders - After 40 Games (15-18-7)

A major stat when building and evaluating a team, in my opinion, is the number of hits that your team throws. Below is the "Hit Race" for both forwards and defensemen - total hits (games played)

Before game on January 7, 2012 - 40 games (9-9-3)

Forwards

Cole 89 (40)
Moen 61 (38)
Darche 48 (40)
Kostitsyn 46 (30)
Pacioretty 43 (37)
Blunden 39 (17)
Plekanec 36 (40)
Eller 33 (37) 
Gionta 32 (29)
Nokelainen 26 (33)
Desharnais 17 (40)
Leblanc 17 (14)
Palushaj 11 (13)
Cammalleri 7 (35)
Engqvist 5 (8)
Gomez 3 (13)

Defensemen

Emelin 108 (29)

Gorges 60 (40)
Subban 49 (39)
Gill 30 (35)
Diaz 23 (38)
Weber 21 (34)
Campoli 4 (8)
Kaberle 2 (11)
St. Denis 1 (8)

Braves Baseball Cards: Brian McCann Triple Jersey - Favorites From My Collection

I was thinking of finding a good way to post some of my favorite Braves cards from my collection of over 20,000 different cards depicting any player who has played at least one inning with the Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves. So, I decided to post a different card at least a few times a week. You will see autographs, jerseys, patches, hats, pants, shoes, gloves, bats and other multi-swatch cards.

Today, I chose a triple jersey card from SPX. 3 of baseball's greatest catchers: Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez, and our very own Brian McCann. Serial numbered 59/75.

Braves Baseball Cards: Favorites From My Collection: Volume 1

I was thinking of finding a good way to post some of my favorite Braves cards from my collection of over 20,000 different cards depicting any player who has played at least one inning with the Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves. So, I decided to post a different card at least a few times a week. You will see autographs, jerseys, patches, hats, pants, shoes, gloves, bats and other multi-swatch cards.

Today, to get us started I will give you an amazing John Smoltz tomahawk patch, and I will even throw in a few that the scan didn't do justice on. Theses cards were in cases, and the scanner picked up on the scratches on the plastic. Anyways, enjoy, and please leave a comment!

And, a few bonus cards!