Comments on: Aucoin gets much deserved raise….Niinimaa gone??

By: Lapointefan

Lapointefan — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 15:28:57 +0000

Isles were worried that Aucoin(who made $3.2m,not $2.5m last yr),would be awarded over $5m and they’d be forced to trade Niinimaa.Aucoin’s award is $750,000 less then expected and the isles front office is already saying they want their big 4 d-men:AucoinJonsson,Niinimaa and Hamrlik together next yr.If the Sens want Niinimaa,they’ll have to trade for him.

By: HaliHab

HaliHab — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 10:11:14 +0000

Hey guy I think you’re confused… Komisarek is treated like a future captain in Montreal- and rightly so! The organization feels he started to come into his own last year in the playoffs resulting in the benching and ousting of Quintal. Young, prospect defencemen often need more time adjusting to the NHL, Komi is poised for a breakout season with Montreal. I think the Habs prospect you’re thinking of is Hainsey.

By: NYRules

NYRules — Sun, 08 Aug 2004 11:05:10 +0000

Honestly, that is worse than any leaf fans suggestion. There is no way the isles could get Komisarek. The only way i would even think of a deal happening if it was like Komisarek for Aucoin, Hunter, and a 3rd round pick or somethin.

By: greengiant

greengiant — Sun, 08 Aug 2004 00:00:53 +0000

Niinimaa is a left-shot, but does he play the right side? If so, the Sens might be interested if he becomes a free agent. They've been looking for a partner for Redden for a long time, and Melnyk even said that they may sign a defenseman and/or a winger this summer.

But I do hope that the Isles can fit him into their budget. He's a good player, and their fans have seen enough good players leave the Isle.

By: NYRules

NYRules — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 22:39:47 +0000

Yea being that we played at the same home rink for years ive seen him play for years and he has very good offensive talent, but it will probably be a while before he shows it in the NHL. He is great on the PP

By: rojoke

rojoke — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 22:06:32 +0000

One name that rings to mind has got to be the Habs' Mike Komisarek: A Long Island native, a young prospect that the Canadiens have really lost alot of hopes for due to poor performances durring call-ups would replace Niinimma nicely.

Komisarek got called up once. And he never went back to Hamilton. Hell, he's the reason why they traded Quintal to LA. If you're looking for a blueliner who's disappointed the team, and its fans, then you're looking at Ron Hainsey. He's got all the tools, but not the mindset. He's signed for two years. Maybe he's the guy you were actually thinking of.

By: Kashin

Kashin — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 21:09:07 +0000

If they can trade him I would let him go. They need a star foward for Yashin and maybe another defensemen. They can get by with Martinek as the 4th defensemen as he has played well with Hamrlik. Or they can trade him for a young defensmen. They need to free up money so they can get the money to sign a foward for Yashin

By: Habfan1234

Habfan1234 — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 19:54:27 +0000

The only way I see that trade happening is if Bob Gainey spent his summer here, in Vancouver, smoking some of BC's finest.

Komi isn’t going nowhere, and especially not for a lesser player like Niinimaa. Admittedly, he did have poor performances in his first couple of games this season (needlessly giving the puck away to Antropov earlier in the season for a T.O. goal that cost the Habs the game) but his play in playoffs made up for that in a big way with his rock solid hits (i.e., Thornton) and his admirable defensive play latter on in the series. He will be a stalwart on the Habs blueline for years to come and a potential captain of the team. So he is not going to be traded away by the Habs. Remember, Houle is no longer with the organization.

By: TheCoach

TheCoach — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 18:59:54 +0000

There is absolutely no way that the Montreal Canadiens will let Mike Komisarek go, especially for Janne Niinima. Komisarek is Montreal's best defensive prospect, and I actually thought he played quite well in the playoffs last year.

Also, if they walk from Niinima, I could see him go back to the West and play for Dallas.

By: rydified

rydified — Sat, 07 Aug 2004 18:55:50 +0000

I absolutly agree.

Komisaraus is Exactly the player the habs needed in that position. he is a Physical monster that plays good defensive hockey, now as most rookies he made afew bad choices with the puck so im assuming thats what you are talking about when you say poor performance. But after this years playoffs (where IMO he was our #2 defensemen) I honestly don't see him being moved. And this guy hasn't even tapped into his offensive upside yet.

I would be extremely bitter and upset if he got moved to say the least.