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I can't agree with most of this. 1) The trotter trade also added a defenceman in Garrett Stafford who should be the number 1 Dman on the bulldogs. 2) Ben Maxwell has already been given up on by the Jets, plus I don't know that his skill set is one where he can be a fourth line center. Far too unwilling to be physically involved to centre such a line. Anaheim is giving him a chance right now, but I won't be surprised if he goes the way of Chipchura... its unfortunate because they both lost a ton of development due to injuries. 3) While Draft picks may have been traded away. Last year's 2nd rounders, and the 2010 2nd and 3rd rounders wouldn't even be in Hamilton right now. 2011 and 2010 Draft picks would still be in Junior or in College, so I don't buy that trading these draft picks away is what is hurting the Dogs today. The effect isn't seen yet. The most you'd be looking at is the 2007, 2008 and 2009 drafts, where we made 9 picks in 7 rounds, 5 picks in 7 rounds and 8 picks in 7 rounds. 4) On top of that for all the lamenting of picks traded away, the Habs have also recently acquired Lars Eller (1st rounder); Aaron Palushaj (2nd rounder); Michael Bournival and Ian Shultz (2 x 3rd rounders) and signed some talented undrafted kids such as Brendan Nash, David Desharnais, Andreas Engqvist, and Raphael Diaz; this has replenished the system for every single pick that has been lost such as Greg Nemisz. What we are really seeing IMO is the natural cycle of things at the AHL level. The Habs have a ton of young players up with the big squad. Subban, Eller, Pacioretty, Desharnais, Weber, Diaz, Emelin, White, have all graduated into full time NHLers (though Diaz might come down at some point). Then you have Palushaj and Engqvist who have spent the majority of the year in Montreal due to injuries (Palushaj is down, and Engqvist should go down when healthy). You also have St. Denis and Leblanc up with the team due to all the injuries. At the AHL level you've also lost Nash. The talent level has been depleted. However this is part of the cycle as a huge influx of talent is happening next season. What has happened is that the last group of Bulldogs got real good, a little quicker than could have been expected. Most NHL teams do not have as many 1st and 2nd year players (especially on Defence) with the big club as the Habs have today. You've got a team where their old core has graduated and the new core hasn't gotten to the AHL yet.

I'd argue Eller is playing well becuase of Ak46. I'd keep them together, since Eller has produced well with AK46, but I would like to see them also get either MaxPac or Cole on that line. Having said that, i'd have no issue with him going back with Plex either if they get cold, AK46 and Plex have shown good chemistry. Plex and Gionta have absolutely no chemistry. I'd put Gionta with Cole/MaxPac and DD. Have Cammy, Plex and Leblanc together. I think Plex would be a great guy for Leblanc to learn from. When Gomez comes back, I'd return Leblanc to juniors and give Gomez one last shot on the third line.