With the trade deadline approaching, the Montreal Canadiens are better off than expected. We still need some work though—mostly a center who can actually win draws.
So far, we've had Chipchura (43.84 percent), Koivu (53.82 percent), Lapierre (50.21 percent), Plekanec (46.98 percent), and Smolinski (47.83 percent). Not that great.
I could see bringing back Yanic Perreault merely for the powerplay faceoffs that we need desperately. Jarret Stoll is been another name Gainey has looked into, though acquiring him is tougher than it looks. It's worth the hassle if we come away with his 54 percent winning mark.
Michael Peca has lost the offensive touch but still is amazing the second the puck drops. He has almost a 55 percent winning mark.
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Some other names include Ryan Johnson of the Blues, Radek Bonk of the Preds, and Keith Tkachuk of the Blues as well.
Another need that could be addressed is the lack of veteran defensemen. We have Patrice but he is often out injured due to his age. Rob Blake is having a low season on a low-ranked team and has brought the interest of many General Managers to watch a game or two, but the Kings have been greedy and Blake has a no-trade-clause that will be waved if he wants to enter the 2008 playoffs.
Ed Jovanovski of Phoenix has had a nice year being the man on the powerplay setting up 27 goals, while Adam Foote of Columbus has had only 13 points in 51 games. He still would be a nice pick-up for the Canadiens.
What can the Canadiens offer to get such players?
We have too many good young players which means they will never have a chance with our squad. The list is long: Carey Price, Ryan McDonagh, Kyle Chipchura, Max Pacioretty, Ben Maxwell, David Fischer, Sergei Kostitsyn, Jaroslav Halak, Mikhail Grabovski, Alexei Emelin, Ryan O'Byrne, PK Subban, Pavel Valentenko, Ryan White, Matt D'Agostini, Mathieu Carle, Ryan Russell, and Mathieu Aubin.
Out of that list, Price, Chipchura, Maxwell, Kostitsyns, and O'Bryne are the only ones I see making a roster spot right away. That talent is what teams like LA and bottom-feeders like. Throw in a pick or two and you have a deal.
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10 months ago
no offense but I don;t want any of those players on the Habs....
I don't think they should have let Perrault go, but they did and Bonk has been ably replaced by Smolinski soooo don't want him back maybe if it was last season I would say go after Yanic but this year nah not enough offensive upgrade. Maybe I'd agree Jovo should be on wishlist but can't see him coming cheap. If I was Gainey don't know who would be on my wishlist definitely not Stoll though.
10 months ago
Radek Bonk was an excellent 3rd line center that had the vast majority of face-off wins. I'm still wondering why the Habs let him go. Along with Mike Johnson, they made up a great tandem. I can't recall who the 3rd player was on that line. Yanic Perreault was very well know for his face-off capabilities too, and I'd be happy to see him come back. Brisebois may have been considered a "bargain" when we decided to drag him back to Montreal. But I'm no longer convinced he's worth even that salary.
If you saw tonight's historic (and unbelievable) comeback 6-5 win in a SO over the Rangers, you'll understand why Gainey may not make a major change come trade deadline. This team has heart (especially with Begin in the line-up), and the will to come back from a deficit going into the 3rd period. This is a 360 degree swing from the beginning of the season when their stats only served to prove that a loss was on the way if they were behind by even one goal after the first period.
This is no longer the case. This team is for real, and will be reckoned for the remainder of the season, well into the playoffs, regardless of whether they end up first overall in the Eastern Conference.
10 months ago
a list of near retirement veterans and mediocre players...let's sacrifice our prospects for them...Exactly what any Leafs GM would trade for! But this is Bob (I have cup rings as a player and GM) Gainey who's calling the shots...not Gord Stellick or George Ferguson Jr.)
from 10 months ago
The thing is we've reached first in the East without a big name, why not trade some of our young guys to get some players that won't hurt the chemistry and also are cheap.
With Andrei and Sergei along with others, we really do not have to worry about youth right now considering how lucky we are to be able to let them have so much ice time and still have a winning club.
Very rare you can rebuild and contend at the same time but Gainey has allowed us to do that.
10 months ago
Gainey declared he would look for an impact player...Marian Hossa? Alex Tanguay? Mats Sundin?
10 months ago
but maybe he is going to rethink that after tonight's game!
from 10 months ago
That was a lot of heart and a lot of sucking by New York!
10 months ago
habs don't need to trade just get rid if saku and get foresbueg that's all
10 months ago
saku wont leave...he just said it today, he has got a non trade clause, he is gonna keep it and stay with the habs
10 months ago
Forsberg would not be better than Saku. He may not be having the best year but he still is our leader and the team respects that.
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