Fun With the Salary Cap - Building the 2011-12 Canadiens

[RGM81]

Playing around with spreadsheets today and thought it might be fun to play the role of virtual General Manager. A couple of notable free agent acquisitions, key re-signings, and yes I am letting Andrei Kostitsyn and Benoit Pouliot walk. Trades are also acceptable, but I didn't want to go that far with it.

Thoughts, fellow Habs fans?

[stop__dreaming]

You'd pick up Gagne and Upshall, eh? Two of my favourite players.

Did you figure that they'll both get $3.5m next season?

Good work ;)

I'll give this a go soon. I like doing things like this.

[RGM81]

LOL Yeah I thought you may raise an eyebrow over that. I've always really liked Gagne even though he was a Flyer. I don't see him getting another $5M deal - he's 31 now and has had some concussion issues. He may need a "show me" season that could parlay into a longer & larger deal in 2012.

Upshall's a guy that's kind of under the radar playing in the desert and then in Columbus. You never really know what other GM's will offer up to a guy - Upshall now being 27 is probably going to be looking for the big paycheque in his first year as an UFA. Last year was his first NHL 20-goal campaign and he made $2.2M so he'd likely be looking for an upgrade.

[stop__dreaming]

LOL Yeah I thought you may raise an eyebrow over that. I've always really liked Gagne even though he was a Flyer. I don't see him getting another $5M deal - he's 31 now and has had some concussion issues. He may need a "show me" season that could parlay into a longer & larger deal in 2012.

Upshall's a guy that's kind of under the radar playing in the desert and then in Columbus. You never really know what other GM's will offer up to a guy - Upshall now being 27 is probably going to be looking for the big paycheque in his first year as an UFA. Last year was his first NHL 20-goal campaign and he made $2.2M so he'd likely be looking for an upgrade.

Very true, he'd be loved in Montreal. 2 hours from his hometown.

I love Upshall and still sad that he left (for Carcillo - grrr). He was having a great season in Phoenix before the trade. He'll be entering his 'prime' next season so it'll be interesting to see how he pans out. Not sure if Columbus is the right team for him personally. I'd like to see him back in the East. Do you think the fans would take to him in Montreal?

I had a go at my take on the Flyers, but it was too hard. I had put in Rinne as I think we need a stellar goalie who has the 'can do' now, but I think Bobrovsky is the long term guy and with Rinne not being very old either, it's still tough. Removed Carcillo, Zherdev, Versteeg (somehow!), but added Tanner Glass. I like him. Then I found that our depth in 'talent' so to speak was lacking so I gave up, lol.

I must admit, it is hard being a virtual General Manager, haha.

[RGM81]

You ain't kidding! I didn't get into any trades or anything like that, because those are pretty much always unpredictable. Kostitsyn and Pouliot are both RFA's that I let go, basically in return for future considerations/draft picks instead of roster players because that's just too complicated.

On Upshall, they'll take to anybody that can provide a net presence and cash in on his opportunities. If he works hard, that'll win the hearts pretty quickly.