Home Feature Out of the Red, White and Blue: Briere, Parros, McCarron, Morrow

Out of the Red, White and Blue: Briere, Parros, McCarron, Morrow

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Out of the Red, White and Blue: Briere, Parros, McCarron, Morrow

By Joce, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PENTICTON, BC. — Here are a few thoughts on different topics surrounding the Habs’ and the NHL over the past few weeks. We’re touching on Briere, Parros, the Draft, McCarron, Waite, Dumont, Lecavalier and more. Feel free to post your comments as they are always welcomed.

OutoftheRedWhiteBlue

1- When the Canadiens announced the signing of UFA Daniel Briere for two years at $4 million per season, many fans including yours truly weren’t impressed. Not only did Briere reject the Habs offer and chose to play in Philadelphia back in 2007, but he is (generously) listed at 5’10” and 179 lbs. This means that on the team’s top 6, you now have Gionta, Briere, Desharnais and possibly Gallagher. For a team trying to get bigger, this signing is somewhat mind boggling… unless Marc Bergevin is planning on trading one or two of them?

2- This Briere signing isn’t without reminding me of when the Canadiens acquired another diminutive offensive forward, Donald Audette, back in 2001. Prior to joining Montreal, Audette was going through a tougher time offensively with both the Sabres and Dallas. He averaged 0.39 goals/game and 0.74 points/game over his career. Briere has had a couple of tougher seasons with the Flyers and he’s averaging 0.34 goals/game and 0.79 points/game. Here is hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself.

3- Bergevin did, however, try to address the team’s toughness in trading with the Florida Panthers and acquiring heavyweight George Parros. This was much needed as teams were all over Brandon Prust and because Travis Moen now seems to think that fighting isn’t for him unless he absolutely has to. Parros and Moen were teammates in Anaheim when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup back in 2007. Further, the Canadiens didn’t give up much to get Parros (forward Philippe Lefebvre and a seventh-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft), who has one year left to his contract. What was Prust’s reaction when hearing about the trade?

4- Georges Laraque made the news once again and he drew the ire of many Habs’ fans in doing so. He stated that Parros is not scaring anybody in the NHL anymore. “I know him and he’s a good guy – he will defend his teammates,” Laraque told La Presse. “I’m sure that when the Canadiens signed Parros, the Bruins and Shawn Thornton were relieved. In Ottawa and Toronto, they were relieved… Florida wouldn’t let Parros go if he was doing the job.” So Georges, why did the Habs let you go? Were you doing the job? This is nothing but a way to get into the media for Laraque, who is trying to earn a seat in the House of Commons for the Green Party. I asked Gino Odjick what he thought of Laraque’s comments on Parros’ acquisition by the Habs: “I love the Mr. Parros addition. George is a winner who stands up for his teammates and he can play.”

5- The least talked about signing could very well be the most important… At 6’2” and 230 lbs, the 28 year old Nick Tarnasky is a big body with NHL experience, and who is not afraid of dropping the gloves. He will do everything to help his team on the ice and he will want to stay in Montreal. He brings immediate competition to a guy like Ryan White. People aren’t talking about him much, but he could be the one who impresses the most at camp.

6- Speaking of Ryan White, he decided to file for arbitration this week. This is somewhat mind boggling considering his stats and his utilization throughout last season. The only thing I can think of as a reason for him to go that route would be in an attempt to get a one-way contract. I’m not so sure that he has much leverage however.

7- After parting ways with goaltending coach Pierre Groulx, the Canadiens have announced that former Blackhawks’ goalie coach Stephane Waite will be taking over in Montreal. His main goal will be to fix Carey Price, who had more than his share of struggles at the end of  last season. Waite, brother of former NHL goalie Jimmy Waite, has worked with Stanley Cup winners Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford (among others.) Waite, who was a fan of Marty Turco, says that Carey Price is very sound technically, but he wants to work on his compete level by incorporating more react-and-compete drills into practice.

8- The 2013 Draft is over and the Canadiens tried to fill some holes in their talent pool. They were able to add size with Michael McCarron (6’5” 228 lbs), Jacob de la Rose (6’2” 190 lbs) and Connor Crisp (6’4” 225 lbs), goaltending depth in top ranked Zachary Fucale, and skills with Artturi Lehkonen, Sven Andrighetto, Martin Reway and Jeremy Gregoire. Most of all, the main quality which seems to be common with this year’s entire picks is that they are work horses, character players with excellent compete level. It is also very interesting to note that four of those picks come from the QMJHL.

9- Speaking of Mike McCarron, the team announced that he has signed a three year, entry-level deal. This also means that the giant forward will be playing for the London Knights in the OHL next season, for Mark and Dale Hunter. The Knights are hosting the Memorial Cup next season, giving McCarron some great experience. Come to think of it, McCarron’s path isn’t without reminding Habs’ fans of another giant format prospect when Jarred Tinordi abandoned College to join the Hunter’s team in London, also making it to the Memorial Cup. This should be a very interesting season for McCarron and he is in good hands in a great hockey program with the Knights.

10- The Canadiens have also announced the signing of prospect Gabriel Dumont to a two-year, two-way deal. The 5’9” center finished the season with 13 goals in 59 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs while adding three points in 10 games at the NHL level while called up by the Canadiens.

11- Once again, Habs’ fans had to go through the Vincent Lecavalier saga this summer and once again, fans who desperately wanted him in Montreal are disappointed. The Canadiens were apparently in the running but Bergevin said he was unwilling to match both the term and salary Lecavalier received in his five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Flyers. It’s pretty hard to blame him for that. Should we take bets as to when the next rumours “Lecavalier to Montreal” start again?

12- While I usually try to stay away from rumours, this one is very interesting, considering the source. Guy Carbonneau has stated that his son-in-law Brenden Morrow and his agent have approached Marc Bergevin stating their interest in playing for the Canadiens. Carbonneau added that the Habs were surprised Morrow was open to the idea of playing in Montreal. The 34 year old Morrow recorded 12 goals and 25 points in 44 games last year between Dallas and Pittsburgh, including 14 points in 15 games with the Penguins down the stretch. Morrow’s agent said he’s had a good discussion with Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin and will likely have another.

It’s summer time, Marc Bergevin will soon be taking a vacation and discussions around the Canadiens could slow down a little bit. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be anything to talk about on All Habs Hockey Magazine however, so stay tuned… Go Habs Go!!!

En français: Repassage en famille: Brière, Parros, McCarron, Morrow et plus.

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J.D. is a Senior writer for All Habs as well as Associate-Editor for the French version Le Magazine All Habs, while one of three Administrators of the fan forum Les Fantômes du Forum. He has created the handle Habsterix as a fictional character for the sole purpose of the internet. It is based on the cartoon Asterix of Gaule and his magic potion is his passion for the Montreal Canadiens. How old is he? His close friends will tell you that he’s so old, his back goes out more than he does! He was born when Béliveau lifted the Cup and remembers the days when seeing the Habs winning was not a wish, it was an expectation. For him, writing is a hobby, not a profession. Having moved to beautiful British Columbia in 1992 from his home town of Sherbrooke, Quebec, he started writing mostly in French to keep up his grammar, until non-bilingual BC friends pushed him into starting his own English Blog. His wife will say that he can be stubborn, but she will be the first to recognise that he has great sense of humour. He is always happy to share with you readers his point of views on different topics, and while it is expected that people won’t always agree, respect of opinions and of others is his mission statement. || J.D. est Rédacteur-Adjoint sur Le Magazine All Habs et il est un Rédacteur Principal sur le site anglophone All Habs, tout en étant un des trois Administrateurs du forum de discussion Les Fantômes du Forum. Il a créé le pseudonyme Habstérix comme caractère fictif pour l’internet. Celui-ci est basé sur Astérix de Gaule et sa potion magique est sa passion pour les Canadiens de Montréal. Lorsqu’il est né, Jean Béliveau soulevait la Coupe Stanley et il se rappelle des jours où gagner n’était pas un espoir, mais une attente. Pour lui, écrire est un passe-temps, pas une profession. Ayant déménagé dans la superbe Colombie-Britannique en 1992 en provenance de sa ville natale de Sherbrooke, Québec, il a commencé à écrire en français pour garder sa grammaire, jusqu’à ce que ses amis anglophones ne réussissent à le convaincre d’avoir son blog en anglais. Son épouse vous dira qu’il est têtu, mais elle sera la première à reconnaître son grand sens de l’humour. Il est toujours fier de partager avec vous, lecteurs et lectrices, ses points de vue sur différents sujets, et quoi que les gens ne s’entendent pas toujours sur ceux-ci, le respect des opinions et des autres est son énoncé de mission.

3 COMMENTS

  1. While it would be great to see Brenden Morrow in a Habs’ jersey, I’m more inclined to think that the Canadiens are being used as leverage by the player and his agent to extract a more generous contract from another team. This has become a common tactic lately. I hope I’m wrong.

  2. It’s definitely a possibility Derek, no doubt about it. Time will tell I guess. I’m all for Morrow in Montreal, but not on any term and amount. As a matter of fact, I’d much rather have him than Jaromir Jagr at this stage in their career. Someone would have to be moved however…

  3. Daniel Briere is a Canadian Professional ice hockey player. He plays for Montreal Canadiens of NHL. Habs offer Daniel Briere for two years contract at 4 million per seoson. Daniel Briere signed in Habs with this offer.

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