[Signing] Briere Signs 2-Year Deal with Montreal

[HelloHockeyFans]

Got an alert from TSN that Briere has agreed to a 2-year deal with Montreal.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Can't be signed until tomorrow though.

[Buff]

your name isn't sureloss

[TurnedTheCorner]

I wonder if the Habs will get dinged for announcing it on their twitter account after Daly's memo.

[MonsieurFish]

Sounds true - 2 years 4 mil AAV

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=426956

[dammage79]

Bought out players apparently are not affected by the memo the NHL put out about the 48 hour interview period.

Hockey Buzz Eklund ‏@Eklund 2m
Bought out players are not affected...also chasing another big story...be back in about 30 mins

[Iniggywetrust]

Edit: Beat me to it Dammage

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Can't be signed until tomorrow though.

Nah, he was UFA after being bought out. He could sign anytime.

Quick look, I like it from Montreal. Proven playoff performer and adds some size to that roster

If he stays healthy, it's probably a win. If he doesn't, 2 years isn't a crippling contract. Especially as a bunch of teams would be able to use their compliance buyouts next year.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Bought out players apparently are not affect by the memo the NHL put out about the 48 hour interview period.

Oh of course, that makes sense. Same reason Lecavlier signing is already announced.

[Meers]

Montreal signs an undersized player???

Sigh.

[dammage79]

Marketing wise, this is a no brainer for the habs. Small or not he will help them.

[Huntingwhale]

Can't help but feel that Briere was signed for his french speaking abilities, and not his hockey skills.

Regardless, MTL just became a more dangerous team should they make the playoffs.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Can't help but feel that Briere was signed for his french speaking abilities, and not his hockey skills.

Regardless, MTL just became a more dangerous team should they make the playoffs.

Briere is arguably the best big game forward of the last decade. He is exactly the type of player Montreal should be bringing in at this stage of their development.

[_Q_]

haha stupid Montreal. Signing a 35 year old midget 3rd liner will not make you a better team.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by _Q_

haha stupid Montreal. Signing a 35 year old midget 3rd liner will not make you a better team.

Calling Briere a 3rd liner is ridiculous.

[JD]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Briere is arguably the best big game forward of the last decade.

Arguably is right! What big games has he even been a part of?

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by JD

Arguably is right! What big games has he even been a part of?

When he went back to back Conference finals with Buffalo, the Philly Cup run (Including coming back 3-0 vs Boston in the Semi's).

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Calling Briere a 3rd liner is ridiculous.

Being 3 years past your last 20+ goal season makes you a third liner at best in my books. Then again, being under 6 feet tall makes it difficult to play on the third line.

Not sure what Montreal plans on doing with him other than speak French to the local media.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by JD

Arguably is right! What big games has he even been a part of?

Really? Cup Finals against Chicago. Two eastern conference finals with Philly. Two playoff appearances with Buffalo. He's been clutch. Cammy's one playoff run with Montreal was as close to Brieres clutchyness I've seen yet.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Seems to be a pretty hated deal by the Canadiens' fanbase. I would say all that it meant was Ryder was asking for too much money or too long of a term.

Briere is versatile and can play wing if needed so it gives them some options there as well. He's great in the playoffs, and I thought he was a good lockerroom guy. One of the downsides is his size, he's another small forward that the Canadiens have loved to acquire over the years but he's not the worst of the bunch.

Another big one is the cap, but if the Canadiens were willing to do 5M and 3M instead of 4M and 4M, even a bad year this year and with compliance buyouts and retained salary transactions (and I'm pretty sure they might be able to be used in conjunction of each other) it's far from unmovable contract, assuming he isn't given a NMC which could be the case. A good year from him and they don't have to worry.