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Montreal Canadiens’ Free-Agent Moves

By Lissa Albert |
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Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

When Montreal Canadiens’ general manager, Marc Bergevin, called a press conference, it was clear that the deals were over for the Habs. At least for this week. After all, it’s probable that he would abstain from talking to the press if there were still moves he was going to make waiting in the wings.

So, how did the Habs fare this free-agent frenzy?

Let’s look at the players they signed:

The biggest news of the day was the trade. I wrote about it here.

Kassian held a conference call after the day had calmed down, and here are some of the things he said:

I couldn’t be happier. Original 6 team, best fans in the league. Coming in playing in front of that home crowd was always a pleasure. It was an emotional day. My mom was very excited and Montreal is my dad’s favorite team. It was a pretty special feeling. I consider myself lucky to be a Canadien

Asked about the type of player he would like to be, he replied:

Big body, skates well, physical, but I can also put the puck in the net when I’m on my game. I can bring all those elements. I feel I can help Montreal if I bring that consistency.

Consistency is a word often used where Kassian is concerned; many feel his inconsistency is a problem.

I still believe he can rise to the occasion here in Montreal. Put on the right team, with the right linemates, one year older and more mature, he has the potential to break out the way Dale Weise did when he was brought to Montreal from the Canucks.

Other concerns about Kassian revolved around his injury; he had a back injury that sidelined him. But he isn’t concerned:

Asked whether he sees himself as a Top 6 forward, his answer was thoughtful:

Montreal is a good, deep team. Anywhere I can fit in and help the team win, I’m more than happy to do so. I don’t look at it as Top 6 or Bottom 6; if you look at the teams that are winning nowadays, they have four lines that all play. Anywhere the coach wants me, I’ll thrive in that role and try to make the team better.

He admits that maturity is a factor that he lacked but that he’s up for the challenge and ready to prove himself in Montreal and is excited “for a fresh start and become the player I can be.”

There will be consternation about this trade until the season begins, and even afterward. Many were attached to Brandon Prust – for good reasons. Prust is all heart. But I believe we must give Kassian a chance to prove himself and we may be in for a pleasant surprise.

Asked about the above photo that he tweeted, one journalist teasing that this jersey clearly doesn’t look like a new one, Kassian said he got it from a friend who came over as soon as the trade was announced. “It felt good putting it on.”

I think his attitude is the right one, and I believe that can be converted to performance on the ice.

(Continued next page)

May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward

Lars Eller

(left) and teammate

Dale Weise

(22) face the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

George “Bud” Holloway was born in Saskatchewan, and has recently played in the Swiss National League where he recorded 13 goals and 24 assists.  27 years old, 6′ even, he was a 3rd-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 2006, but hasn’t yet played at the NHL level.

In Bern, Holloway played for former Hamilton Bulldogs’ coach Guy Boucher, where he finished third in regular season. In eleven post-season games, he scored 4 goals and 4 assists, finishing first on the team.

Here is the assessment of Holloway from Elite Prospects:

Holloway is a skilled winger with a great shot and playmaking ability. Plays a well-rounded game and can fill in at any forward position. Has good leadership qualities and work ethic. Excellent when manning the power play point, he can also kill penalties.

Holloway received a one-year, two-way contract (no further details were disclosed by the team). He will likely start the season at the AHL level, to be called up if, or when, the need arises.

Mark Barberio made his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012-13, playing on the blue line with that team until he reached free agency this week.

Barberio signed a one-year, two-way contract as well, with a reported $600,000 NHL salary and a guaranteed $325,000. A Montreal native, the 25-year-old had been a healthy scratch for much of last season.

He was not extended a qualifying offer by Tampa Bay, which surprised some who followed his career so far. Barberio can add depth to the blue line and is said to have a great deal of potential.

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Barberio can offer defense on the Habs’ farm team, should he clear waivers, and be available to the club as an extra d-man should that be needed. He comes with the reputation of an offensive blue-liner; in fact, in his first full season with the Bolts, he scored 5 goals and had 5 assists in 49 games.

Barberio was a good pick-up for the price, and for the team to acquire at this time of the year.

Joel Hanley, a 24-year-old defenseman, also received a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens, his introduction to the pros. He will likely spend the season with the AHL in St. John’s, but adds defensive depth that is well needed now that the Habs have signed Greg Pateryn and Nathan Beaulieu.

We will have an exciting, in-depth look at Hanley in the coming days.

(Continued next page)

May 17, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens general manager

Marc Bergevin

gives a press conference before game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

For now, it looks like Marc Bergevin has done the dealing he had intended to; still left on the checklist is a contract for RFA Alex Galchenyuk, which is said to be in the works.

Some highlights of Bergevin’s press conference, which he opened by thanking Brandon Prust:

Prust was Bergevin’s first signing as a GM and it was, no doubt, a good one.

He addressed the issue of Kassian’s back injury:

The ever-present questions about Galchenyuk’s role as centerman:

And is there something else he wants to do this summer?

Knowing Bergevin, there is always the possibility of a surprise sometime during the summer, or closer to the beginning of pre-season.

(If you’re on Twitter, you know that fans are restless, unhappy, and questioning a man who has only done good things for this team)

But some fans are keeping a cool head and understand the man, and the business:

In fact, Bergevin stated that he is not done:

Bergevin did confirm, however, that his efforts to improve his lineup certainly aren’t done yet. The free agent period has just begun, so he’ll continue to explore any and all viable options to give his hockey club a chance to take another important step forward next season. Nevertheless, Bergevin insists he’ll also be looking within the fold for additional help, meaning that youngsters like Charles Hudon, Sven Andrighetto or Christian Thomas might just get a chance to strut their stuff with the CH on a consistent basis next year.

He also plans to give prospects like Nikita Scherbak and Memorial Cup winner Michael McCarron their chances to demonstrate their talents leading up to the season. It’s the reason for a draft, it’s the reason for development camp, and Bergevin has a good grip on how the pieces must fall into place.

The Canadiens have depth in prospective players. There are a lot of young, talented prospects coming up very soon. And while right now is a priority, Bergevin has one of the keenest minds in the hockey world today.

Personally, I am hoping he chooses to change the special teams staff; the Habs’ power play needs a lot of work and that isn’t just from last season. And I’m not the only one:

We’ll bring you news as it develops.

Meanwhile, enjoy Mark Barberio’s first NHL goal, scored in January 2014.

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