Montreal seems to be solidly positioned with a playoff berth. Although by team officials' own standards the Canadiens are not yet ready to truly contend for a Cup, there has been positive progress with some of their prospects.
What one may wonder concerning the Habs is what they need and what assets they are willing to deal in order to challenge in the playoffs, not only this season but in the future as well.
There are rumors, surfacing during yesterday's Flames game on TSN, that a deal between Montreal and Calgary is in the works. Earlier it was rumored that a possible trade could happen between the clubs involving Kovalev for Tanguay.
This trade would not really benefit Montreal, posing advantage in neither the short nor the long term. Recently it was reported Kovalev was actually happy this season and he is putting up more than solid numbers points-wise. Tanguay, while a talented young player, is not as young as he once was (obviously), so it is not like the Habs could build their team around him.
If they could gain Tanguay without sacrificing Kovelev, Koivu, Streit, or the Kositsins, I say more power to them.
So what players can Montreal trade? Perhaps Halak, a talented young goaltender languishing on the depth chart behind Huet and Price. Ryder, although a young point producer, would have value to other teams and would theoretically be able to deliver a return better than the exchange that Gainey acquired for Ribiero.
Although the Canadiens have had some really productive games and lead the league in the power play, Gainey should not get too comfortable with the offense. If there is one thing the Habs need in order to contend for the Cup, it is size and goal scoring. Their goaltending is solid and their defense has just enough experience and skill to go farther in the playoffs than they did a couple of seasons ago.
Hopefully Gainey is able to add these traits before or on the deadline.
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7 months ago
"Earlier it was rumored that a possible trade could happen between the clubs involving Kovalev for Tanguay." What is your source for this?
from 7 months ago
I read it in National Post Sports back in November or early December, though the reporter(forget who not Spector though) admitted it was a rumour.
7 months ago
Ryder needs a change in scenery to resurrect his NHL career. Halak needs to play before some team takes a flyer on him. Despite his ups and downs, Kovalev is too talented to trade. It's too bad the Habs let Ribiero go. Do you think the pressures of playing in Montreal with the French Canadian got to him? I think so.
7 months ago
Good read. Ryder definitely needs the change of scenery. I think they could pull out a really good deal with Halak because they can't keep Huet, Halak, and Price. Halak and Price are both potential starters in the NHL and Huet is the #1 for now. Halak to TB? San Jose to back up Nabokov? LA?
from 7 months ago
I think you're right about Ribeiro Dino I his move to. I live in Toronto so much is made of pressure
media puts on franchise here but Montreal is as hard if not harder franchise to be attached to I think because there are always expectations for the Habs due to their rich winning tradition.
7 months ago
If I hear the “we should have got more for Riberio” line one more time I’m going to snap. He was junk here. At first I was a big fan. I though he was going to develop into a great player. But as the years went he never developed. We had to many small players on the team that and he was a cancer in the dressing room. That’s why Saku had to punch him out at practice. I would have traded him for a used bag of pucks. No doubt he’s having a good year, maybe even a better one next year, but at the time it was a move we had to make. Montreal is a world class organization. It does not need the likes of Mike Ribbs sullying its good name; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNw8ZZT8tOU
"Do you think the pressures of playing in Montreal with the French Canadian"
No way. He is helped by the new NHL and its feminine rule changes. Somthing we could not have know was going to happen.
7 months ago
Yeah, Bob McKenzie on TSN just reported that the Habs would send Michael Ryder to Calgary in exchange for Alex Tanguay. Tanguay's cap hit for next season is $5.2 Mil, and Calgary is looking to shed that so they can re sign Langkow and Huselius. By getting Ryder Calgary gets a guy who CAN score, for some reason he hasn't this year, maybe his style clashes with Carbo? I dont know for sure, Im not a habs fan personally.
Good Read BTW
from 7 months ago
I'm not saying we should have got more for Ribiero neccesarily at the time I thouht it was good move adding depth to Habs blueline, however I am not sure all the young guns in Montreal get a fair shake at producing points before they are either demoted in lines or dealt. Samsonov wasn't very good in Montreal but do not think he had a chance to really prove what he had being on either 4th line or scratched during majority of his time here. I like Montreal's management coaching overall but their are little things like nplaying skill players together for offense I think they should do more of.
7 months ago
As noted by others - definitely a good read. Two reasons at the root of the Kovalev-for-Tanguay rumour may be that Mtl is seen as needing a high-profile Francophone player; and Kovalev gained Mike Keenan's favour in his former incarnation as a Ranger. Myself, I'm not sure if the Flames would go for a Ryder-Tanguay swap. If they make a trade of this scale, I say the Flames will look for a proven centre (ie -yes, they need offence, but they could especially use some punch up the middle). TSN has floatd the seemingly annual Ollie Jokinen deadline rumour; this time in connection with Calgary. And I have to say, Florida needs to shake things up some more as it looks like they'll be out of the playoffs again. Meanwhile, Jokinnen would look awfully nice next to Iggy on the powerplay.
7 months ago
thank you all for comments here is anotherr question...do you all think Koivu is going to stay a Hab past the deadline. I really hope so as he is my fav hab and has been since he was drafted. However the fans and media has been on his case earlier this season and he is another rumoured trade bait.
7 months ago
Jokinen in Flames Red would be pretty unreal.
As far as Koivu, I think he will still be a Hab come deadline day. In a way I feel for him, and sometimes wish he would be traded out of there. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he loves playing for Montreal, but the way some fans and most all the media gets on him. Like come on! The guy is a warrior, battles hard every night, has come back time and again from adversity. He deserves more respect. So what if he doesn't speak french, you don't need to be bilingual to score goals.
7 months ago
derek you have a point I guess the best comparision is Sundin as he is a Canadian capt that maybe deserves better than the market/team he is commited to, the surrounding media and fans are giving him. I'm just torn cuz I bleed red white and blue(Canadiens colours not American lol) so thought of Koivu playing for someone else hurts but after all he's given to the franchise your point is made maybe for his sake its time for him to move on.
7 months ago
I say it's time to trade Koivu. He's past his prime as a goal scorer, and the 2nd line should be the 1st. Plus, we can use a change of Captain, Komi & Higgy being my top picks for locker room spokesman. Forv get the Kovalev trade. Won't happen. Should not happen. Resign the guy. He's proven that he can motivate the kids and be a leader as well on the ice.
7 months ago
I agree Kovalev should be resigned hope Gainey sees it that way not sure Higgy is ready to wear C yet Komi may be good captain though. He is arguably their most consitent D man. I am Markov fan but think Komiserak may be better overall.
7 months ago
p-s. I think some on 2nd line should e on #1 line but dont think Plekanac(great talent/potential though he has is #1 center)
6 months ago
the Kovalev-Plek-Kostytsyn line is on fire this year.. Gainey would be a dick to trade Kovy to Calgary. Tanguay would be a great addition to the habs in order to have an even stronger offence.. but we would have to give up Ryder. He wants out. i remember his stating that this summer. That also might be a reason hes not puttin up the points like he used to. he just doesnt wanna play for montreal any more.. So if this Tanguay-Ryder trade falls into place. the Habs would have a great chance at the cup this year.. and for Halak.. San Jose would be great to go.. but who would you honnestly give up for a goalie? Cheechoo? i dont thnk that the Sharks would give him up
6 months ago
I don't think Sharks would give him up either... all the Tanguay talk is hearsay and speculation he may be headed to Habs or not I just think they need More scoring and if Ryder has to be sacrificed for it that is no skin off my nose.
5 months ago
why did montreal trade huet for a draft pick?
4 months ago
good question
from 4 months ago
apparently the caps would not give anything more.
huet is an UFA during the summer, and there are risks that he would leave, then Gainey would be left with nothing in return (like sheldon souray last year)
plus gainey want to play all his cards as soon as possible: price and halak
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