2011 Free Agent Fun (Includes Cole to Habs discussion...)

[ButtersSaysNo]

for a 4th round pick according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.

What was he making with Vancouver? What do you all expect he will get per yr with a new contract?

[nccanes]

Figured I'd use this thread to kick off the Free Agent Fun (will it be a Frenzy?).

After all the "NYR can't buy out Drury"....it appears they can, and will today.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/drury_skates_off_SvMhk1nCoGVFmCOprpRIAJ

[KaniacFever]

for a 4th round pick according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.

What was he making with Vancouver? What do you all expect he will get per yr with a new contract?

I think he was making something in the $3.7M range. I heard he turned down Vancouver's offer Monday. It was rumored to be the same exact deal Bieksa got, $4.6M per, 5 years, NTC.

I'm thinking he's looking for something in the $5.5-6M range.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

And, his rights now belong to Buffalo, per Katie Strang.


C'mon Sabres, give him ungodly money for an ungodly term and screw yourself for years! PLEASE!! :evil:

[SoCalcaniac]

Well that crazy Slugs owner probably will. He's doing everything he can to "get legit" so good luck with that.

I wonder what Friday will be like- it seems so all over the map in so many ways with all the teams and their own situations.

Our company chose the Jul 4 holiday as a 4 day weekend this year; I joked with my team, you know, it's Canada Day- Free Agent Frenzy- only to get the blank stare on video conference call no less, til my buddies on the team in Canada were all over it. :lol:

I'll tune in--- I can't help myself.....

[KaniacFever]

I don't know why Ehroff would sign with any team now. He's 1 day from being able to speak with anyone. He's waited for this day, I just don't see him signing with anyone until he's seen all his options. Not saying he wouldn't sign with Buffalo, just that, I think he really wants to test the market.

I have off tomorrow. The on-call schedule came out about 2 weeks ago and lucky me got the duties Monday. So I said screw it and took tomorrow off. I'll be planted on my couch with the laptop on finding any hints on who going where and will have the TV on NHLNet. Can't wait :D

[caneshockeychick]

So...where's Jagr going? No one's talking about this but the talking heads? :lol:

[caneshockeychick]

Agent for Jagr to talk with Pens, Wings, Canadiens (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567803)


For $2 mill, I think the Canes should go after him ;)

[TheMadCap]

TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
Christian Ehrhoff has agreed to terms on a contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

no word on the contract details as of yet...

EDIT: contract reportedly 10 years, 40 MM (unconfirmed)...

[KaniacFever]

Ehroff's contract is just freakin assinine insane:

Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 2: $5M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 3: $4M
Year 4: $4M
Year 5: $4M
Year 6: $4M
Year 7: $3M
Year 8: $1M
Year 9: $1M
Year 10: $1M

Modified NTC included

[StormChaserBH]

Kovalchuk part II?? Are they going to pass the sniff test where Kovalchuck didn't because so much of the upfront is in singing bonus vs. salary?

[caneiacarei]

Ehroff's contract is just freakin assinine insane:

Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 2: $5M signing bonus, $2M salary
Year 3: $4M
Year 4: $4M
Year 5: $4M
Year 6: $4M
Year 7: $3M
Year 8: $1M
Year 9: $1M
Year 10: $1M

Modified NTC included

sluggies owner is nuts

[nccanes]

sluggies owner is nuts

Ah, our "friend" is back.

But I'd correct you. Slugs owner is rich. And you know it.

Congrats.

[TheMadCap]

Kovalchuk part II?? Are they going to pass the sniff test where Kovalchuck didn't because so much of the upfront is in singing bonus vs. salary?

Not a thing wrong with it. All the rules established after Kovie (although you and I both know they are garbage) were followed. Modified NMC meaning that if he wants to play around age 40, looks like the Amerks are gonna get a veteren presence on thier blueline. Cap hit of 4M per, wow...

[TheMadCap]

Ah, our "friend" is back.

But I'd correct you. Slugs owner is rich. And you know it.

Congrats.

nah, I'm always here. :D

[caneshockeychick]

She wasn't talking about you ;)

[KaniacFever]

I do find it quite hilarious that Sabre fans come over here to see what/if we say anything about what Buffalo does :lol:

[TheMadCap]

She wasn't talking about you ;)

hehe. oops! And here I thought people missed me!:o

[nccanes]

hehe. oops! And here I thought people missed me!:o

No worries MadCap. I wouldn't you "quotes" around friend when referring to you. You come in peace. :)

[superdave]

The fun starts in a couple of hours and for once, I'm off work and can be useless at home instead of being useless at work on July 1. It's one of those days that I have trouble concentrating at work. Not as distracting as say, trying to work the afternoon of a Canes playoff game.

[KaniacFever]

Wisnewski signs in Comumbus 6 years, $5.5M per.

Joni is looking more and more like a bargain.

[caneshockeychick]

:crazy:

And JR is looking more sane

[ontheboards]

Duncan Keith's cap hit is something like $36K more than Wisnewski's-- seems to me that after the Commodore signing, CLB would have learned something-- proof positive that owners and GMs still can't protect themselves. Thank you, Joni, for being a Hurricane!

Makes me wonder what Kaberle and Babchuk will get on the open market..

[KaniacFever]

Jose Theodore to Florida, 2 years / $3M.

Looks like Vokoun is out.

[caneshockeychick]

Jose Theodore to Florida, 2 years / $3M.

Looks like Vokoun is out.

Well damn...I wanted a reason to wear my Theodore jersey :(

[cmw00]

Jagr to the Flyers? Twitter says so!

http://twitter.com/#!/NHLFlyers

NHLFlyers Philadelphia Flyers
Per #Flyers GM Paul Holmgren: The Philadelphia Flyers have agreed to a contract with free agent RW Jaromir Jagr.

[KaniacFever]

Jagr to the Flyers? Twitter says so!

http://twitter.com/#!/NHLFlyers

Flyers were my 2nd team, but No Carter, No Richards and now signing Jagr. :hurl:

I think I have to fully divorce the Flyers for awhile.

[caneshockeychick]

I might sign up for Center Ice this year just to watch Pens/Flyers games. :lol:

[nccanes]

I might sign up for Center Ice this year just to watch Pens/Flyers games. :lol:

Be patient....guessing VS grabs those! :lol:

[caneshockeychick]

True...true. Those will be fun to watch though :lol:

[KaniacFever]

Caps traded Varlmov to Colorado. WOW.

[ButtersSaysNo]

Talbot to Philly

[KaniacFever]

Max Tablot to Philly, 5years, 9M.

Pens fans are going to be jumping off bridges. :lol:

[cmw00]

Commodore to the Red Wings, 1 year for $1 million.

[c-girl]

^Wow. Good for Commie.

[caniac97]

commodore signed by Detroit!

[dakuwan]

Cole, 4 years for 4.5 million per in Montreal

[Alicia]

Cole, 4 years for 4.5 million per in Montreal
:( :cry: :wah:

[caneshockeychick]

And he's gone :(

Sounds like a great deal for him though.

[KaniacFever]

Bye Cole. Good luck out there.

Too much and too long IMHO.

[ButtersSaysNo]

Bye Cole. Good luck out there.

Too much and too long IMHO.

Yep.

[caneshockeychick]

Too much and too long IMHO.

Yep. Hope he finds success there. You know how those Habs fans are ;)

[Alicia]

Bye Cole. Good luck out there.

Too much and too long IMHO.:butt:

[caneshockeychick]

:butt:

Now now...its good for Cole. Obviously the Canes weren't going to offer him 4 yrs at 4.5 mill. I was thinking they might have offered him 2 or 3 yrs max.

[Alicia]

Now now...its good for Cole. Obviously the Canes weren't going to offer him 4 yrs at 4.5 mill. I was thinking they might have offered him 2 or 3 yrs max.
Kept me from saying something less pleasant.

[caneshockeychick]

LOL...he will be missed. Hate the Canes couldn't or wouldn't do something to keep him. It will be interesting not having him around...again. And totally weird playing him four times a year. But...I like the Habs. They have a lot of my non Cane favorite players on that team :D

[nccanes]

I'm sure there are at least 3 players that are pretty bummed as well: Staal, Skinner, and Corvo. Worries me a bit, but understand it's real money (and too much of it at this point).

[caneshockeychick]

I'm sure there are at least 3 players that are pretty bummed as well: Staal, Skinner, and Corvo. Worries me a bit, but understand it's real money (and too much of it at this point).

Yes, you do have to wonder about the chemistry that was here and how this will affect those three. Sounds like JR made a last ditch effort/offer but no go on Cole's end. I wonder...

[perfectstorm]

Per Twitter.

4 years....18 million.

[ButtersSaysNo]

I know he didn't mean it like it came out, but he just said he is looking forward to going to play in front of passionate fans every night. Damn us sucky un-passionate Caniacs.

[KaniacFever]

I know he didn't mean it like it came out, but he just said he is looking forward to going to play in front of passionate fans every night.

Yeah, i'm like what are we chopped liver.


And JR did try one last time, but he didn't want to be here, so time to move on:

Rutherford on losing Cole: "We took a last-ditch effort at it. We changed our position considerably.

[caneshockeychick]

I know he didn't mean it like it came out, but he just said he is looking forward to going to play in front of passionate fans every night. Damn us sucky un-passionate Caniacs.

LOL...maybe the Panthers gave him an offer too? :lol:

[c-girl]

Ok, $4.5 for Joni but not for Cole. Sure I see the wisdom in that. :(

I guess it probably was more about the length of contract?

Sad about this.

Signed, Obviously Non-Passionate Fan

[nccanes]

I didn't get the sense his phone was ringing off the hook though. When they asked how busy it was, he didn't seem to say it was and then included texts from his teammates.

[ButtersSaysNo]

I guess I can add Erik to the list with Ray of those dead to me who left for money.

Yes, I know they have to look out for their families, but still does not mean I cannot be ticked that they left in the end for the $$$.

[ontheboards]

He's on TSN now. Likes the idea of playing in a storied building with a passionate fan base. While he acknowledges he played his best hockey with Carolina, he also noted that he played his best hockey in that building as well. Reportedly texted Staal and told him of the news and noted that Staal was really hoping that he would be returning. Looking forward to the opportunity. Cole's cap hit is $4.5 million. Did go back to the Canes and Canes not able to match...

[caneshockeychick]

I guess I can add Erik to the list with Ray of those dead to me who left for money.

Yes, I know they have to look out for their families, but still does not mean I cannot be ticked that they left in the end for the $$$.

I just don't get the diss to the fans. Its not like we make the deals. I mean, WTF? Oh sure, play to the Montreal fans and all that. But you could have said you'll miss the Caniacs.

[OswegoExpress]

If JR doesn't give the absurd contract to LaRose, Cole might still be a Hurricane.

Clearly JR was in the 3 to 3.5mil range for Cole....take that money away from LaRose and the Canes are right there with Cole.

There's always another Checker that can come up and hustle like LaRose (and for less money) but there's not a single NHL player that can have an impact like Cole. He's big, fast, draws penalties, and can score the puck. He just had his first full healthy season and he's even stronger now. Terrible decision JR!

Sad day in Carolina! This team is stuck in neutral.

[AbNormal27]

This just feels SOOOOOOO wrong. I've taken down the poster which apolinar had autographed for me, and then I had plaque mounted so I could display it in the Hurri-Den 3.0.

I was holding out hope that JR could get a deal done with #26.

Aaryn

[ButtersSaysNo]

Heard we offered Cole a 2 yr deal at 4 mil per year and he said no. I guess JR will confirm if this is what we offered.

[Jay]

If JR doesn't give the absurd contract to LaRose, Cole might still be a Hurricane.


Really? Twitter is full of people who say Cole's money is insane. I agree with them.

I'm looking forward to getting an AWESOME winger! Maybe someone a touch more consistent?

[ButtersSaysNo]

F***, Versteeg (sp) to the Panthers.

[KaniacFever]

F***, Versteeg (sp) to the Panthers.

Panthers are starting to look legit.

Good thing they beefed up their defense, cause that goalie situation is questionable.

[nccanes]

i don't think I can delete for good, so that'll have to do.

I just had a funny-ish thought. Remember when Cole went to EDM and he talked about how pissed his daughter was. She's probably a tween by now....Good Luck Erik!

[cmw00]

If JR doesn't give the absurd contract to LaRose, Cole might still be a Hurricane.

Clearly JR was in the 3 to 3.5mil range for Cole....take that money away from LaRose and the Canes are right there with Cole.

There's always another Checker that can come up and hustle like LaRose (and for less money) but there's not a single NHL player that can have an impact like Cole. He's big, fast, draws penalties, and can score the puck. He just had his first full healthy season and he's even stronger now. Terrible decision JR!

Sad day in Carolina! This team is stuck in neutral.

Shouldn't you be brushing up on your french and looking for a good Habs board already? :D

[caneshockeychick]

i don't think I can delete for good, so that'll have to do.

I just had a funny-ish thought. Remember when Cole went to EDM and he talked about how pissed his daughter was. She's probably a tween by now....Good Luck Erik!

Yeah, but it's Montreal...you can smoke pot there right? ROAD TRIP!!!! :smoke:

[caneshockeychick]

F**k...Leino to Barfolo:sick:

[ButtersSaysNo]

F**k...Leino to Barfolo:sick:

6 yrs/27 mil. WOW

[caneshockeychick]

6 yrs/27 mil. WOW

I know right? :sick:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

My only problem with losing Cole (especially at that money!) is that it hurts Staal.

And from what I've read on Twitter on my way home (yes, I tweeted from the car....but I was at a stop light!), JR says they were exploring replacing Cole with a signing but it might be a trade. To me, that is JR speak for "don't hold your breath." :lol:


I don't think I can agree that Cole left for money. Sure, he's getting more money there. But I think he also went where he thought he had the best chance of winning. Montreal tends to make the playoffs....we tend not to.


ETA: Buffalo has lost their effing mind. Jesus, I hope this throw money at it tactic fails miserably.

ETAA: Jagr to the Flyers has me on the edge of killing myself. And after I was all happy about Talbot.

[KaniacFever]

6 yrs/27 mil. WOW

I wanted him as a Cole replacement but not at $4.5M. Guess with these GMs smoking crack and overpaying, he wanted to cash in as well. Earlier this week he was just looking at a 2-3 year deal paying $3-3.5M per.


And from what I've read on Twitter on my way home (yes, I tweeted from the car....but I was at a stop light!), JR says they were exploring replacing Cole with a signing but it might be a trade. To me, that is JR speak for "don't hold your breath."

There have been 'rumors' that we are looking to move SJ 2nd + prospect for the replacement. This came out earlier in the week when there was questions if Cole would resign or not.

[ButtersSaysNo]

Money will not be an issue for Buffalo with their new owner, that is for sure.

[SoCalcaniac]

I know he didn't mean it like it came out, but he just said he is looking forward to going to play in front of passionate fans every night. Damn us sucky un-passionate Caniacs.

Yeah. He said it on XM was he on somewhere else?

Good luck, all that fuzzy stuff. I've been a Cole fan since his rookie year. Loved his guts, snarl, whatever you want to call it. He's been good for this franchise. I think I may just be overdosed on Erik Cole over these last few days so I'll need a little time to digest.

But I'll add: Mike Brophy on Rogers Sports was on XM and he said "do the Habs think they signed Eric Staal & not Erik Cole? you know that was where the magic was" and then he went on to talk about how habs got the big body, but who on that squad is going to be the Eric Staal. Pierre Maguire was less flaterring- "If it's Lars Eller - Habs have some trouble to work out" :lol: Classic Pierre.

Wish him the best... that's about all I can say. time to move on. Cause don't ya'll know? it's a business.

[caneshockeychick]

My only problem with losing Cole (especially at that money!) is that it hurts Staal.

I don't think I can agree that Cole left for money. Sure, he's getting more money there. But I think he also went where he thought he had the best chance of winning. Montreal tends to make the playoffs....we tend not to.

I think Staal, (and Corvo and even Skinner) will just have to man up. EOS. We've all learned that most players do not stay with a team forever. Players need to do the same.

With that said, I think you are spot on with your last comment. Why wouldn't he go to Montreal? They are a really good team. They have been a consistently good team (we just beat them when we do make the playoffs :evil:). But I think it was years too. He got a deal that will carry him over the 35 yr old mark and I think that's what he was also really seeking.

[Deke]

I know he didn't mean it like it came out, but he just said he is looking forward to going to play in front of passionate fans every night. Damn us sucky un-passionate Caniacs.

He made (at least one) similar comment when he got traded to Edmonton. Something along the lines of it's better to play in front of a packed house every night than a 12,000 crowd on a weeknight game in the middle of the season. He's just singing to the choir wherever he goes. With that kind of media and fan pressure he's not going to have the luxury of taking shifts/nights off like he did here over the years. It's not that big a deal though, we all know JR will trade for him in two years ;)

[Solracer]

I am a huge Cole fan, but I think 4.5 for 4 years was a bit much for him here, 4 years sure but not 4.5 mil. The only issue I had is.... we have no physical players again, and after Staal pretty smallish forwards.

[livinthedream]

I wanted Cole back. But not at $4.5m and not at 4 years. I think that's too much of both from this organization. If Butters is correct at $4m times 2 that's more in line with what I would have expected as a stretch offer from JR.

If I were Erik Cole I'd have taken that deal too, in a skinny minute, and I don't begrudge him or anything he's said on accepting the offer. $18m. That's big money at the stage of his career and with his history. I just hope it's not one of those "be careful what you wish for" deals and that he's successful there (although please suck when you play against us).

No doubt they'll figure something out, but he's going to leave a big void in a lot of areas, fershurr.

[KaniacFever]

Hawks sign Dan Carcillo, 1 year @ $775K.


Wonder what SoCal thinks about this one.

[caneshockeychick]

Ok, is it my imagination or did the Panthers just go crazy today?

[caneshockeychick]

According to DeCock, Erik got an NTC too.

[Alicia]

According to DeCock, Erik got an NTC too.
fml

[KaniacFever]

According to DeCock, Erik got an NTC too.

Risky. Like Cole, but already giving him 4 years is crazy with his style of play and that you top it off with a NTC. His deal is making it easier to let him go.

[SoCalcaniac]

Hawks sign Dan Carcillo, 1 year @ $775K.


Wonder what SoCal thinks about this one.

Was in the car and not driving, but was cussin' up a storm which made hub's ears bleed. ;):lol:


Seeing the Canes Now post & the NTC Cole got, it really made me think back to earlier this week when I felt this sinking feeling 26 was gone. This time around was 'different' to me than all the other times we dealt with Team Cole when it was time for a new contract. I wish him well, just not against us; I'm not big on former players being dead to me- I've just had too many good memories of most every single Cane, especially ones who were drafted and groomed by our org, like Cole- or the dudes who won the Cup in 2006. It gets more difficult each time one goes, but I just can't bring myself to just hate em. Gotta do what you think is right for you.

Ya'll will laugh, when I saw that it was offiical and #26 was gone, I went looking for my BBC tee from 2002. The lone dude left from that line, is gone. The tee shirt is almost in like new condition, I wore it to maybe two playoff games that year, always thought I might bust it out one time and just wear it so it's been in a drawer, but today I put it away for good with a bunch of Cole related momentos I have in a storage box. :(

I'm ready to close the door on this chapter, I suppose.

[Shell]

well my Cole is very sad to see Cole go and so am I :( I was really hoping it was the normal posturing BS and thought Erik learned his lesson about green grass when he went to Edmonton. We'll see how much he likes the passionate fans when they are passionately against him when he gets into one of his slumps. He'll miss how easy we are. As much as I love him, I know he will go slump style- especially with a long contract in place and they will be rough with him and the media will be asking him why he sucks every day.
Really hate losing that chemistry with Skinner too.
Bye Erik, hope to see you back someday. Thanks for being nice to my kid when our kids played hockey in the same org.

[Convert]

Market pretty much settled at 4.5M per for top 6 forwards---Cole, Fleischmann, and Leino all got it.....

And its probably about 1M per too much for each of them.

it is what it is.....waiting to see what we do to get to the floor.

[KaniacFever]

well my Cole is very sad to see Cole go and so am I :( I was really hoping it was the normal posturing BS and thought Erik learned his lesson about green grass when he went to Edmonton. We'll see how much he likes the passionate fans when they are passionately against him when he gets into one of his slumps. He'll miss how easy we are. As much as I love him, I know he will go slump style- especially with a long contract in place and they will be rough with him and the media will be asking him why he sucks every day.
Really hate losing that chemistry with Skinner too.
Bye Erik, hope to see you back someday. Thanks for being nice to my kid when our kids played hockey in the same org.

This is what i'm afraid of. I'm sad to see him go, but I think i'm more afraid for him, than sad. They are going to eat him alive. He is a good dude and I'd hate to see that happen to him, but we all know it will. The first slump he gets into, they'll want to burn him at the stake.

[TheMadCap]

Saw this posted on Twitter, looks like Richards to the Rangers (duh)

DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
9 years at $6.5 AaV for Richards and Rangers.

DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Deal not signed, but Richards chooses Rangers.

[superdave]

Saw this posted on Twitter, looks like Richards to the Rangers (duh)

DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
9 years at $6.5 AaV for Richards and Rangers.

DarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Deal not signed, but Richards chooses Rangers.

TSN shows it as a done deal. 9 years at 6.5. I'd love to have Richards at 6.5, but not for 9 years. Richards is 31 yo and that is paying him until he is 40. We all know how that one plays out.

[TheMadCap]

I am kind of glad non of my teams picked him up. Yeah, good player and all, but certainly not worth what it would have cost to sign him away from NY. Does anyone think he would have really accepted that deal from anyone else other than the Rangers? Thought not.

At any rate, after all that talk about "want to win a cup" and he goes to NYR? Ok, Brad, whatever! I don't think anyone believes the Rags are the team to beat with this addition. More likely, we'll be seeing this contract bought out in three years or so. Rags to Richards indeed...

[nccanes]

A thought just occurred to me.

Didn't Luke profile a really pissed off Cole fan (a girl/lady) when we traded him to EDM. Wonder how that lady felt yesterday? :lol: Oh, I suppose she's got her JR voodoo doll back out since he didn't back up the money truck.

[caneshockeychick]

I believe there was a lady that wrote a letter to the N&O after the Cole trade to Edmonton. She was giving up her season tix. Can't remember if Luke profiled her or not though.

[livinthedream]

Y'all should check Facebook. Just sayin.

[caneshockeychick]

Y'all should check Facebook. Just sayin.

CH page?

[Alicia]

Vokoun to WSH...fantastic.

[KaniacFever]

A thought just occurred to me.

Didn't Luke profile a really pissed off Cole fan (a girl/lady) when we traded him to EDM. Wonder how that lady felt yesterday? :lol: Oh, I suppose she's got her JR voodoo doll back out since he didn't back up the money truck.

Coles agent was on HTM Friday and he mentioned he got his first ever hate email from a Cole fan and was telling him Cole better not sign anywhere but Carolina :laugh:

Some people are insane. I have my favorites, I'd be sad if they left, but to act like some of these Cole fans are, ridiculous.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I certainly agree some of these folks seem psychotic, but from what I know and have heard from others, anyone who ever had a chance to run into him out and about in Raleigh has like the most glowing, gushing love story ever to tell.

He's a beloved guy in this community, not just on this team.

I actually saw a kid burst into tears when he heard the news yesterday, too. I'm sure that's been a freakin' barrel of laughs for a lot of parents.

[KaniacFever]

^Kids are one thing, but grown adults are another.

[nccanes]

From the Montreal Gazette:

Cole said he had mixed feeling about leaving Carolina, where he has spent of his career. Before signing with Montreal, he talked with Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford but Carolina was unwilling to match the Montreal offer. His $4.5 million annual salary is a substantial raise from the $2.8 million he earned in Carolina.

He said his agent was also in contact with Boston, Washington, Buffalo and Philadelphia. During the course of the negotiations, the Canadiens increased the length of their offer from three to four years and surprised Cole with a no-trade clause.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/need+sell+Erik+Cole+Montreal/5037446/story.html#ixzz1RElfaNIM


Based on how this reads, it certainly sounds like MTL was going to everything to sign him.

And this also from Montreal Gazette from Pat Hickey:

Cole jokingly suggested that his biggest problem may be getting up for road games, saying: "I told my agent I'm gonna be a heck of a homer because every time I go on the road, I'm not going to feel that great."

The 32-year-old said he's looking for a chance to win and contribute to that effort. He's played most of his career in Carolina said he was ready for a change.

"People will say he's won a Cup and he likes it in Carolina and these things are true but I want to win and I want to be part of something," said Cole.

"When we won the Cup in 2006, I only played two games in the Cup run and I know how hard you have to work and how lucky you have to be and I wasn't part of that. I even debated whether I'd touch the Cup if I didn't play any games."

Cole said the Canadiens and some of other teams his agent talked with Friday - Washington, Boston and Philadelphia were on the list - offered the opportunity to be in the playoffs where he could "be a difference maker when it's crunch time."

He said Carolina which has an internal budget, is concentrating on younger players and that he might be relegated to a reduced role when the team reaches a competitive stage in its rebuilding.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Contending+sold+Cole/5038923/story.html#ixzz1REmi1jT4


And from this, it sounds like Cole was ready to move on. No use crying over this one, I don't think. Doesn't seem like there was much of a chance once MTL set their sights on him.

[ontheboards]

I'm reminded of the saying, "More tears are shed for answered prayers than unanswered prayers." Truly, good luck in Montreal, Cole and Montreal, good luck with Mr. Cole.

[KaniacFever]

he talked with Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford but Carolina was unwilling to match the Montreal offer.

You know JR might get alot of slack for thinking with his heart and not his head, but this is one where he thought with his head. Am I ever so glad he didn't match. No the contract likely would not hurt us this year. But in 2 years, we'd be hating his contract.

After seeing who esle was interested: Philly, Buffalo, and Washington, I'd have to say glad he chose Monteral. If he went to Buffalo, he'd be dead to me :lol:

[nccanes]

I hadn't opened the paper-paper when I posted above.

A Cole-centric article from todays N/O.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/05/1321247/cole-wont-forget-canes.html

And it sounds like Cole/Corvo where eat/sleep/play/hang when on the road....please no emo joe.

[SoCalcaniac]

And it sounds like Cole/Corvo where eat/sleep/play/hang when on the road....please no emo joe.

I feel it comin' already. There was so much chatter last season about how #77 and Cole were joined at the hip and really close, etc. etc. When this happened with MTL, I felt doom around Joe. I could be wrong, hope I am, but I'm not feeling great about it.

KF- I told someone the same thing about "if" Cole had ended up with BUF. Dead to me wouldn't even cover it. :lol:;)

In other news, WOW on the Havlat to SJ, Heatley to MN news late on Saturday night. I feel like the Sharkies got the better end of that deal. I'm already excited for them.

[KaniacFever]

In other news, WOW on the Havlat to SJ, Heatley to MN news late on Saturday night. I feel like the Sharkies got the better end of that deal. I'm already excited for them.

We are going to be Cali enemies now that LA not only has my boy Williams, but now Richards. And the pick up of Gagne, yeah gotta cheer for the Kings :lol: