I watched him in a few games. He played they way people complain about Sven - no compete, gives up on the contact, etc. Except he's a big man and could easily win the corner battles.
A team MIGHT give him a shot at a reduced salary and cap hit but at the current salary and cap hit? Not likely at all.
You say "when he's on", Well he is barely on as all of us Flame fans know. And come on Montreal fans think he's one of the dumbest players in the NHL too as did a whole bunch of Flame fans.
When on he is a legit top 6 but that is when he feels like it and he only feels like it about 20% of the time.
Montreal fans had no problems when he put up 8 goals in 17 playoff games last spring. That led Montreal and tied for 5th in the entire playoff scoring race, notwithstanding that 3 of the 4 guys who finished ahead of him had an additional 9 games played.
That's why teams are willing to take a chance on him. Low risk, high reward.
Edmonton should trade Purcell for him.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
I remember him in 2008/09.....he was a force to be reckoned with until Fritsche from the wild slew footed him caused a high ankle sprain. Was a huge loss to our team that year.
Bourque was never the same after getting concussed by a hit from Westgarth when he was still with the Kings. Lost his edge after that.
I can only imagine the reaction if he clears and we were to pick him up as part of a cap clearing trade with an asset coming our way. Believe someone said Burke was at the addy-Hamilton game? Would be very ironic.
his 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 playoff games the year before?
Just evidence that the guy has the ability to raise his play when it's crunch time.
He has not been successful in Montreal and has had 2 really terrible regular seasons there (last season and so far this season). The strike shortened year he was about a 0.5ppg player, which earns you somewhere between 2.75 and $4 Million these days.
His playoffs in the strike shortened season were pretty good. 2 goals, 1 assist in 5 games isn't bad. His playoffs last year were awesome. Fantastic production from a guy down the forward depth chart.
His regular season to start the year in 2014-15 has been awful. He needs a change of scenery.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
I can only imagine the reaction if he clears and we were to pick him up as part of a cap clearing trade with an asset coming our way. Believe someone said Burke was at the addy-Hamilton game? Would be very ironic.
If we get him for free and he doesn't actually play, fine.
BTW, I don't think Edmonton can afford to pick him up without moving someone else.
his 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 playoff games the year before?
Just evidence that the guy has the ability to raise his play when it's crunch time.
He has not been successful in Montreal and has had 2 really terrible regular seasons there (last season and so far this season). The strike shortened year he was about a 0.5ppg player, which earns you somewhere between 2.75 and $4 Million these days.
His playoffs in the strike shortened season were pretty good. 2 goals, 1 assist in 5 games isn't bad. His playoffs last year were awesome. Fantastic production from a guy down the forward depth chart.
His regular season to start the year in 2014-15 has been awful. He needs a change of scenery.
3 points is what JG gets in one game.
He is a lazy player. He underperforms. He is injured a lot. No one who has dibs in the waiver wire is a PO team so they look at his regular season play and that, ain't good. Anyone who is a PO team doesn't need his attitude for the rest of this long season.
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Just evidence that the guy has the ability to raise his play when it's crunch time.
The thing is that most playoff teams already have good forwards in their lineup (that's why they are in the playoffs), so there's really no need for a guy like him. He might fill a hole for a lesser-light light Edmonton or Buffalo...but there sure won't be a lot of big-game action there for a long time.
Even then, that type of "I'll try when it really matters" work ethic is not something I'd want around a young team.
Montreal fans had no problems when he put up 8 goals in 17 playoff games last spring. That led Montreal and tied for 5th in the entire playoff scoring race, notwithstanding that 3 of the 4 guys who finished ahead of him had an additional 9 games played.
That's why teams are willing to take a chance on him. Low risk, high reward.
Edmonton should trade Purcell for him.
Yeah but what does it say when 90% of Montreal fans are applauding this move? They don't want him near the team not even if they make the playoffs.
And I disagree about the low risk. I wouldn't want that cap hit nor him in a dressing room full of kids who are trying to learn how to play on both sides of the ice.
If he was making league minimum he would likely get picked up but he's at the stage of his career where he's no longer a full time NHL player. He's one of those guys that just frustrates coaches to no end and there's just not going to be a lot of interest from teams for a guy that makes so many head scratching plays. I remember when the deal with the Hawks went down I was kind of surprised and checked with Hawks forums a the time and there was talk that he drove Quenneville nuts which is why they unloaded him. It didn't become apparent until a few years here that Bourque's below average hockey IQ is matched by his penchant to just check out for long periods of time. Shame because he has the raw tools to be an effective player.
Edmonton has nothing to lose. Why wouldn't they do it? They are in full desperation, or at least should be, and this could at least have the optics of a bold move. He's relatively local and may even thrive there though I'm not sure he has the inner drive to overcome the culture of that room.
