AlbanyHabsMan

For the first time in a long time, I think I finally saw Ribs and Zeds play with some intensity and emotion tonight...Gainey the Great must have put the fear of God into them with the deadline looming today... If they can keep up that level of intensity, we're a lock that no one will want to play first.... Another outstanding game for Huet...We will look back on the Theo trade as one of the crowning achievements in Gainey's tenure....(I hope)...

I just don't see how anyone in their right mind cannot view this as a huge plus for Gainey. Just because the circumstances are similar, Jose is no St. Patrick....The habs free up huge cap space and have either quality trade bait or a very, very solid goaltending tandem.... Theo's Achilles heel was just that...it made him totally expendable.. One thing for sure, Bob is smelling late round playoff run...otherwise he gives Theo additional time to get his head on right... I see a big, big bonus player en route to Montreal! Sweet!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that we should all realize that the job is Huet's to lose....Aebester will not be the starting goalie...you've got to go with the hot hand and Huet has certainly played himself into that position

Wow, Dave from Vamcouver, outstanding perspective! I couldn't agree more...we've shed huge salary...I agree that it is questionable that he can regain his confidence at all...In any event, we've got room to add an impact player and have lost a headcase who (1) can't contribute due to injury and (2) has been a constant distraction since his breakout year...the game has passed him by... My bet is that the habs land Jokenin before the deadline...Koivu and he are tight, his contract is up and his play has improved markedly...the only question is what we give up to get him....

It's about time...nothing personal against Julien, although I didn't agree with alot of his decisions...like not playing the youngsters...Glad to see Carbo and BG behind the bench (where they both belong.)...this move brings instant credibility and, more importantly, accountability to some of the underachieving veteran players...and hopefully additional ice time to some of the hard working younger players... Seems to me that's exactly the formula that won us the cup in 1986?...

I hope that they gave Ribs some ice time yesterday so that GMs could see him play against a depleted Ottawa Senators team....He's gotta go while he still maintains some up side....The Habs need to have high energy and speed on the ice if they are going to be competitive against highly skilled teams like a healty Ottawa Senators...Unlike Zednik, I dont' feel there is much upside with Ribs...I think as the league continues to emphasize speed, guys like Ribs and Dags are going to become greater liabilities...Hopefully, this will happen while they're on another club....

I really like Zednik, but it is clear to me that he has really lost something over lockout. Given the current crop of young, un-NHL-proven talent, perhaps it's time for the Habs to make a deal to open some space. I think that this change signals that Zednik is being sent a message and that the Habs will hold onto Souray (who is really playing his best hockey of the season). While I would not be opposed to trading Zednik for a solid top for D-man, I think we are kidding ourselves if we think we've seen the last of him...he's exactly the type of player that comes back to haunt...In my opinion, he certainly doesn't lack skill, he's just not pushing himself hard enough right now...

Wow, great post and I could not agree more. BG understands that the kids need time to develop and build confidence. It's a huge leap to play in the NHL...A good farm system is huge for two reasons in that (1) it makes the current roster work harder to keep their jobs and (2) it give BG options down the road via trade...O'Byrne is a couple of years away, but he's a fierce competitor...he's also a highly skilled big, big bodied defenceman that doesn't mind using his size....

Theo definitely needs to make at least 1 to 2 more big saves per game and stop giving up rebounds...However, the forwards also need to back check more effectively, especially when the D pinches to hold the puck in the offensive end....the fact that teams are getting such excellent odd man chances, in my opinion, is killing Theo's confidence... Les Boyz need to stop pressing and start playing two way hockey...that is what they did early in the season so well...get offensive chances on the counterattack....there has been little to none of that over the past 5-10 games....and in my opinion, using our speed and youth in this manner does two things...keep the other team honest and provide good offensive (often odd man) opportunities.... right now we're just running around like the teams in my beer league...

Hey all... Hold onto your hats everyone...I think Gainey's makin' a move here soon....