Mara signs with Montreal

July 10, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Paul Mara found a new home relocating up north to his third Original Six Montreal. The 29 year-old Ridgewood, New Jersey native was a solid citizen after coming over from Boston in a trade for Aaron Ward.

He was a steady player on the blueline who played mostly as a fifth or sixth defenseman. Never a huge fan of his, Mara changed my mind improving his defensive play to blossom into a better overall player. Unfortunately, the offensive potential he once displayed in Tampa and Phoenix dissipated. Still, he was a very popular Ranger who was a great team guy who always stood up for teammates.

My favorite memory will always be when he avenged a cheapshot from Buffalo antagonizer Patrick Kaleta. After being hit late against the boards, Mara who remembered a similar cheap play dropped the gloves and pounded the hell out of the goon. Though he earned an ejection which led to a Sabre win early last season, it didn’t matter. I just loved the message he sent. I’ll miss that kind of play along with his trademark beard.

Mara signed with the Habs for one year (terms disclosed) where he’ll join a revamped blueline that includes Hal Gill and Jaroslav Spacek. Considering that Bob Gainey also added gritty forward Travis Moen for three years, apparently he’s lost his mind willing to sign as many players as it takes to forget how pathetic the end of the Centennial season was. He also traded for Scott Gomez and signed Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri long-term.

Perhaps the madness will work. But it still doesn’t explain how he gave Georges Laraque three years and played him on the top line with former Habs Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev during a first round sweep at the hands of bitter nemesis Boston. Apparently, he has the same kinda power Glen Sather does here.

In two-plus seasons spent on Broadway, Mara tallied 43 points (8-35-43) with 164 penalty minutes in 156 games. Best of luck in Montreal.