Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Habs are Filling Gaps

The Montreal Canadiens jumped into the free agent pool with a splash over the weekend. They managed to snag both Roman Hamrlik and Bryan Smolinski off the wire. Both veteran players should each play key roles in hopes that the team can make the playoffs once again.

Hamrlik should assume the spot that Sheldon Souray may or may not leave behind, but with more defensive responsibility. Hamrlik only scored 7 goals for the Flames last season, which is much less than his predecessor. Hamrlik isn't the type of player that changes the level of play to what city or surroundings he finds himself in, so I could safely tell you that his stock won't rise or fall with this move.

Bryan Smolinski is the same sort of player as Hamrlik, but plays a solid centre. Playing in all 82 games with Chicago and Vancouver last season, Smolinski re-affirmed everyone that he is still a valuable member of any team and seems to work at his own pace. He should stay right about where he is in the standings when it comes to draft day.

Alexei KovalevSaku KoivuMichael Ryder
Guillime LatendresseTomas PlekanecChristopher Higgins
Alexei PerezhoginBryan SmolinskiAndrei Kostitsyn
Garth MurrayMaxim LapierreSteve Begin
Andrei MarkovRoman Hamrlik
Mark StreitMike Komisarek
Francis BouillonMathieu Dandenault
Cristobel Huet
Jaroslav Halak



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