... a franchise player, a player that we should absolutely keep? Would you be ready to offer him a Franzen like contract and lock him up long term?
IMO he's become such a complete player, that even if he never produces a PPG, he will continue to be great at PP and PK, and will be a plus player throughout his career. And honestly, I don't see him anything less than a 2nd line center anymore, and with his defensive awareness it would make him a damn good one. At least that's the way I see it.
I'd be ready to give him at least 45 mil 10 years right now. What about you guys?
... a franchise player, a player that we should absolutely keep? Would you be ready to offer him a Franzen like contract and lock him up long term?
IMO he's become such a complete player, that even if he never produces a PPG, he will continue to be great at PP and PK, and will be a plus player throughout his career. And honestly, I don't see him anything less than a 2nd line center anymore, and with his defensive awareness it would make him a damn good one. At least that's the way I see it.
I'd be ready to give him at least 45 mil 10 years right now. What about you guys?
not a franchise player, but a player our franchise needs, yes. he's complete, if he hit like a train, then he'd be 100% complete (not complaining. great shot (underused), amazing playmaking (thankfully not underused), immense speed, amazing chip'n'skate plays, and to top it off, he's A+ on the PK
I watched him for years in Hamilton. Admittedly I thought for sure that Higgins would turn into the bigger threat, but I never forgot the realization that the highlight of my entire time watching the Bulldogs was the Higgins-Plekanec-Miettinen line. I kept track of stats and Higgins had about 15 goals in the 12 games I visited Copps that year
I like Plekanec. And yes, he truly has value which scares me a bit because he could become involved in trade talks which could maybe distract him somewhat.....
Not a 10 year contract, maybe between 4-6 years yes, but not 10. He's gotten much better, such a complete player like you mentioned now, but we shouldn't give him a 10 year contract.
I just hope we don't wait until the summer to start negotiating. Please Bob, lock him up, and lock him up QUICK.
I would sign him during the season, maybe in January ..i think we can sign him for 3.5/3 yrs
No it can't, but that is not a knock on Plekanec. Plekanec is a great player to have on our team, especially long term. A guy who has a bad season and still manages 20 goals and play a solid 2 way game and shows signs of improvements year in and out, is definitely worth keeping long term.
There are at least 2 players on that list that should not be our "core" and one of them is named Gomez.
It's difficult to gauge. He has the talent but will the cojones be there with a long-term contract?
I don't think money is on his mind at all. Maybe it might be when negotiations start, but if he had job security I don't think this is the type of guy that will just fall off the radar. Sure, "plays like a girl" on occasion (no offense femmes..oops i cant get away with faux-french on a french board), but I think this guy has dependability written all over him when he controls his own confidence, which he does more often than not
Not a 10 year contract, maybe between 4-6 years yes, but not 10. He's gotten much better, such a complete player like you mentioned now, but we shouldn't give him a 10 year contract.
I just hope we don't wait until the summer to start negotiating. Please Bob, lock him up, and lock him up QUICK.
I think it's always good to sign good players long term. We would have been much better off signing Markov to a 60 mil 10 year deal than 29 mil for 5 and seeing him turn ufa AGAIN at the end of next season.
I wish he signed long term last off season. But after the season he had, I wasn't surprised he didn't want to. Perfect example of a player having an off year and bouncing back right after.
I don't think money is on his mind at all. Maybe it might be when negotiations start, but if he had job security I don't think this is the type of guy that will just fall off the radar. Sure, "plays like a girl" on occasion (no offense femmes..oops i cant get away with faux-french on a french board), but I think this guy has dependability written all over him when he controls his own confidence, which he does more often than not
He was also expected to be a #1 centre last year which he is not. He seems to thrive at the #2 spot and is certainly dependable in all zones.
However some team might be willing to throw a nice package at the Habs in order to land him and Gainey should take a serious look at offers. I would not be surprised if Plekanec is offered $5 million a year from some team July 1st. The last thing the Habs need is another player leaving via free agency.
