Did The Habs Make The Best Signing Of Free Agency? | The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro July 1 2024

Habs management is doing exactly what they need to do. No need to do major free agent signing today. They need to save the money for future

Tony, as a very proud québécois... I don’t give a dam about people criticizing the absence of pics from Québec... You get the best players you can get... end of story... If the players can learn a couple of french words... that I really do appreciate... and a lot of people do... Keep on the good job Tony

Just out of curiosity, I did look out where the contracts of Nick, Cole and Slaf would stand for this upcoming season. And among forward, they are 51st, 52nd and 54th highest paid forward. These positions among points/game for forward is roughly 70pts/season. So, as of this year these "pay now, benefit later" type of contracts are already in the zone of fair value, it will only get better.

I love this version of Tony, when he just speaks his mind with no filter

A superb Hughes masterclass in disciplined development and team buy in for the long term! Great job so far this offseason.

I tought Slaf would get close to 8.5 so getting him for 7.6 is amazing. I think Slaf accepted a bit less to respect the salary structure in place.

Juraj spoke about the contract: "We agreed very quickly, it was accompanied by a lot of discussion, but I knew that if the chance presented itself, I would sign. I focused on eight years, if I wanted more money I could have waited longer." "Now I want to focus on success. I feel like we're on the right track and we're creating something special in Montreal. I want to be a long-term part of the Habs. I don't think about the money so much, but I'm enjoying it. I have smarter people around me, so I'm sure they'll help me with that ."

slaf signing is epic. this team is going to be a powerhouse. Rutger McGroaty would make us cup contenders in 2026 LFG!

Eric is one of your best regular guests for sure, great content as always! To his question as to whether or not this year will require the most patience from fans, all I care about is that my young kids will know a winning Habs team!

Damn I love Eric! I wish every fan would listen to him! He is so smart and rationnal!

The core is still young and while I want them to succeed and establish a winning culture I think they could GREATLY benefit with another top 5 pick. Another year of developping the younger guys and rookies, working on the PP, getting the right people in place till the bad contracts are shed off and cap space is available to sign a big FA that’ll be part of a Cup aspiring roster. Not next off season, the one after. Just my opinion.

Part of what Hughes and Gorton are doing is drafting players who are not only highly skilled, but connected or wanting to be in Montreal. If Wright had the exact trajectory, no way he’d sign for this, but Slaf would. Look at the picks this year… the first four all had Montreal as the top choice.

I agree with Tony on having too many small players.

Here’s my pulse: Slaf was a good signing. Maybe too much, maybe a steal time will tell but getting it done takes the gossip away and probably the distraction. But the team hasn’t changed much, and may be slightly better than last year, but that means Dach has to be healthy and impactful. Otherwise we have to wait until Gallagher (probably his last year) Dvorak, and Anderson are gone. That opens up money for a FA next year as well as another top 10 pick. Teams can change so quickly with cap space. Ride it out, get out of those contracts and get some big names next year.

This is a great deal. Habs take the risk, Slaf takes the paycut if he develops well. Its on Slaf to make this deal a bargain.

We will remain patient, we are on the right track. the future has never been this bright since I started watching hockey in 1992

Stamkos’ contract will look terrible after the first year.

Totally agree guys . Great episode

talking about size regarding marchessault is pointless. habs cup window isn't the next 3 years, its the years after that. so who cares if habs have undersized jobbers like harvey pinard today? he's not with the habs when theyre competing, and neither is gallagher or even marchessault himself.

Patrick Laine is still out there, Hughes might make a move before September