Canadiens Sign Jeff Paul to a One-Year Contract

[VodkaFish]

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey today announced the signing of defenseman Jeff Paul to a one-year contract (2005-06).

Paul, 27, played in 54 games with the AHL Portland Pirates in 2004-05. He registered three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and 137 penalty minutes. The London, Ontario native was selected in the second round, 42nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6’04’’, 225 pound defenseman played in two regular season games in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche in 2002-03. Since then, he also played with Hershey, San Antonio and Hartford in the AHL. He ranked amongst the league leaders in penalty minutes.

[JKidd]

i guess i'm not sure what this signing adds to the habs.

[Guinea Fowl]

Originally Posted by jkidd

i guess i'm not sure what this signing adds to the habs.

Nothing to the habs themselves, but just adding depth to their Hamilon farmclub I guess. Maybe he's a replacement for Ivanans who could potentially stick with the Habs' roster this season ?

[Merlin401]

Originally Posted by Guinea Fowl

Nothing to the habs themselves, but just adding depth to their Hamilon farmclub I guess. Maybe he's a replacement for Ivanans who could potentially stick with the Habs' roster this season ?

Wow, this looks good for someone (presumably Ivanans). It would be hard to imagine them starting Ivanans, Paul and Peter Vandermeer in the AHL while having no one in the big leagues...

[Blouin]

This is definately an AHL signing for toughness.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by Blouin

This is definately an AHL signing for toughness.

it must be, because i see nothing he adds to the habs in the nhl.

[KOd]

Originally Posted by jkidd

it must be, because i see nothing he adds to the habs in the nhl.

He adds something for the fans, though . The odds of Jeff Paul making the Canadians' roster are about the same as the odds of him actually weighing 225.

[JF24]

I guess we'll have to wait until the habs training camp to see who will earn the job, probably between Vandermeer and Ivanans. But let's just say that Hamilton will be a much tougher team to play against this year, with the signings of Vandermeer, Paul and Aitken.

[redlight]

I think it makes sense. There no toughness on the blue line and he can fill in as needed. He's always played hard, never backed down. He'll raise some eyebrows

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by redlight

I think it makes sense. There no toughness on the blue line and he can fill in as needed. He's always played hard, never backed down. He'll raise some eyebrows

No toughness on the blue line? Craig Rivet,
Sheldon Souray and Mike Komisarek. Hell, even Jonathan Aitken is a possibility. He has a better shot of making the Habs than Jeff Paul.

[redlight]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

No toughness on the blue line? Craig Rivet,
Sheldon Souray and Mike Komisarek. Hell, even Jonathan Aitken is a possibility. He has a better shot of making the Habs than Jeff Paul.

So true. Souray is tough but do you want a guy that important dropping the gloves. Rivet maybe. Aitken? Come on? When this guy was drafted 1st round it wasn't because he was a fighter. I give him credit. he's changed his game a bit and had some success. Considering the options on D, I'd still say Paul is the best to drop the gloves. (Komisarek? I didn't think those US college were into fighting)

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by redlight

So true. Souray is tough but do you want a guy that important dropping the gloves. Rivet maybe. Aitken? Come on? When this guy was drafted 1st round it wasn't because he was a fighter. I give him credit. he's changed his game a bit and had some success. Considering the options on D, I'd still say Paul is the best to drop the gloves. (Komisarek? I didn't think those US college were into fighting)

Souray drops the gloves when the time is right, otherwise you're right, he is an important assest back there. rivet, he is good for a few fights, aitken, again when he needs to fight he will. komisarek normally doesnt but again, when pushed to it he'll drop'em

plus i dont see what having him adds, they have vadermeer, i think hes about 5 times tougher than paul. i'd rather see vandy up instead paul.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by redlight

So true. Souray is tough but do you want a guy that important dropping the gloves. Rivet maybe. Aitken? Come on? When this guy was drafted 1st round it wasn't because he was a fighter. I give him credit. he's changed his game a bit and had some success. Considering the options on D, I'd still say Paul is the best to drop the gloves. (Komisarek? I didn't think those US college were into fighting)

Aitken is more of an NHL caliber player than Jeff Paul.

Komisarek has been known to drop the mitts from time to time. He's fought the likes of Andre Roy, Dale Purinton and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre.

They may not have a guy on the back end that can or will consistantly drop the mitts. But they do have enough toughness back there. Many teams look much worse on paper.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Aitken is more of an NHL caliber player than Jeff Paul.

Komisarek has been known to drop the mitts from time to time. He's fought the likes of Andre Roy, Dale Purinton and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre.

They may not have a guy on the back end that can or will consistantly drop the mitts. But they do have enough toughness back there. Many teams look much worse on paper.

you're right hordi, i dont think you want a true enforcer as a dman anyway, they're far too valuable to be gone for 5-7 minutes in a game. normally you want the forwards to do the scrapping. that way you can replace them easier.

[the tough]

Jeff Paul was sent down to the Hamilton camp yesterday..