Sunday, January 1, 2012

Press Release - Habs sign Josh Gorges to a 6-year extension

9:13 PM  Unknown  4 comments

MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Sunday the signing of defenseman Josh Gorges to a six-year contract extension (2012-13 to 2017-18). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Gorges, 27, one of the team’s assistant captains since the start of the 2011-12 season, played in the Canadiens’ 39 games this season, collecting 10 points (1 goal – a game-winning tally at Phoenix on November 10 - and 9 assists) and 24 penalty minutes. The defenseman ranks first on the team with a +6 plus/minus differential and leads all NHL players with 101 blocked shots. Gorges has recorded 60 hits while averaging 22:35 seconds of ice time per game.

In 307 career games with the Canadiens, Gorges has posted 59 points (9 goals, 50 assists). Three of his goals were tallied on the powerplay. He displays a +16 plus/minus differential and served 150 penalty minutes. Gorges was the 2009-10 recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy, awarded annually to the member of the Canadiens who played a predominant role during the regular season, without earning any particular honor

Since his NHL debut back in 2005-06, Gorges has registered 69 points (10 goals, 59 assists) in 403 NHL regular-season games. The 6’1’’, 201 lbs left-shooting defenseman has recorded 207 penalty minutes and maintained a +18 plus/minus differential. Gorges recorded three of his goals on the powerplay. He has accumulated seven assists in 46 career NHL playoff contests.

A native of Kelowna, British Columbia, Gorges first signed with the San Jose Sharks as a free agent on September 20, 2002 after four seasons with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets and a silver medal at the 2004 World Junior Championship. He was acquired from San Jose on February 25, 2007 along with a first-round draft pick in 2007 (Max Pacioretty), in return for Craig Rivet and a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.

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4 comments:

Question is whether this is another Gauthier mistake or a man who finally did right?

I know there are those who argue that this deal should have been done in the off-season and we could have saved $500-$900k per year but doing so was too much of a risk (see Markov).

Instead we have Gorges locked up for 6 years at a salary that is better than what we would have payed for any up coming UFA.

I think this is an absolutely great deal going forward.

@Bryan: You're bang on! This IS an overpay but a slight one.

I find that Gauthier explained the decision to sign Markov long versus Gorges short (this past summer) very well in his presser.

He said as an UFA they had to give more term to Markov, while with Gorges as an RFA they had the luxury to wait and see.

The bottom line is Gorges is one of the prime leaders on this team. So much so that I think the captaincy is his when Gionta"s contract is up or he's traded.

It's nice to see a player developed in the Habs system become a lifer. This is a great signing...

Hello gentlemen. Yes, I still work and write here. Enough holiday.

I like this signing, although it is a bit high. I'm especially thrilled that the team ditched its wrong headed policy of not negotiating in-season.

As if watching the Sabres roster fall apart a few years ago (and then matching Vanek - they should have taken the pics) was not lesson enough.

What I especially like is that assuming Markov does in fact come back then our top 4 D-men next season will potentially be:

Markov-Gorges, Emelin-Subban.

As it is I am assuming it will be:

Markov-Gorges
Kaberle-Subban
Emelin-Diaz.

I actually see alot of promise there.

Gorges is arguably my second favorite player in the league so I am glad he's here for a while.

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