Habs Fan in Edmonton

How is the St. Louis trade or all those other names relevant to this? There is always some uncertainty/risk when trading a player who hasn't fully developed yet. There is no reward without some risk. I just think the trade put forth by GHT was the most interesting trade proposal I have seen yet. Most of the ones I have seen usually involve Montreal getting far more than they are giving up. This was a major trade proposal that could actually work for both teams involved.

There are a lot of unknowns with this trade. How far will Mailloux develop, how much further will Zegras develop, what will the #3 pick turn into? This is also another factor regarding this trade. I think in the back of Hughe's mind there is the thought that Mailloux will have an easier time away from the spotlight of the hockey mad Canadian cities. California would be perfect for that. I just think there is a deal possible between Anaheim and Montreal because there is a fit of complimentary pieces.

I don't think Hughes wants to trade CC, I really like CC but it's actually the best proposal I have seen recently to improve the Habs in my opinion. Is there a better trade proposal out there that's not one sided in the Habs favour?

I think it's a very fair proposal. I see benefits for both sides. What I don't want to see happen at the draft this year is when Montreal comes to draft at #5, all the forwards they covet are gone and the BPA is yet another defensemen. Hughes has to make sure that doesn't happen.

If I was convinced Mailloux would be an all star then perhaps I would not make this trade. I am not as convinced as you are. If you make this trade a) you are almost guaranteed to end up with a stud forward at #3 (Demidov or Lindstrom) b) you have more choices at #5, a stud defensemen or maybe Iginla, Helenius c) plus you have Zegras who might be really motivated to prove himself with a new team It hurts to give up CC but overall this might be a better team. Trades like this are fun to talk about. In any event I do see possibilities of an Anaheim/Montreal trade as they do have pieces that compliment each other.

It's a lot more than Caufield for Zegras. If you break this trade down into 2 components. a) Caulfield for Zegras b) Mailloux and Winnipeg's pick for the #3 pick I think you would do part b) all day long. But you would probably not do part a) Overall I think it's a fair deal. I know everyone on this board would like to give up a couple tugboats for a battleship but that's not how it works.

I don't think it's a massive overpayment. The #3 pick could turn out to be an absolute stud.

That is an interesting trade proposal. It certainly gives Anaheim something they are looking for. To get something you have to give something up and CC is certainly a very good piece. This is actually one of the better trade proposals I have seen as it made me think a lot about who is getting the better deal. I think it's pretty fair. Well thought out. I would think both teams want to see how the ping pong balls fall before entertaining something like this.

Not always multiple years. It's not also easy to find teams willing to give up top 4 right handed D in a trade. Unless you are willing to pay a premium.

Yes, I took it to assume both, trading or drafting.

That makes perfect sense as almost all of their good young defensemen and forwards shoot left. They would be less likely to draft a guy like Lindstrom and more likely to draft a Levshunov.

Absolutely, as I have said many times, fan is short for fanatic, absolutely no logic behind being a fan. You are either a Habs fan or you are not, there is no middle ground.

A lot of folks are high on Buium. If Eiserman falls to 15 then the Habs should definitely try and trade up. Demidov seems to be #2 on a lot of lists now.

Sure, I would top it up with a 4th and a 2nd. Get it done Kent!!

The craziest rumour I have seen in a long time. I would be embarrassed to go to LA with a proposal like that. Might have to top it up with a 4th round pick. LOL Obviously some crazy, delusional Hab fan came up with this.

The Leafs were the hungrier team and deserved to win. The Hurricanes were relentless after being down 3-0, Patrick can't be too happy.

We need Winnipeg to lose in the 1st or 2nd round but you simply CANNOT win with mediocre goaltending this time of year so I think we will need the winner of the Dallas-Vegas series to take out Winnipeg.

Maybe hiring former coaches of the same team will become a new trend. I wonder what Therrien is up to??

No, no, no. We can't have the Leafs gaining confidence from beating their arch nemesis in the playoffs. Who knows what could happen after that. The sooner they get eliminated, the easier I can sleep.

For me the key is Dach. It's a shame he got hurt so early in the year. It robbed us of the opportunity to see if he is a long term solution at center. If Dach can stay healthy (hardly a certainty) then we could be set at center. It would have been nice going into the draft this year with a little more certainty about Dach but that's the way it goes.

I think the Jets win this in five, Hellebucyk is just so much better than anybody the Avs can throw in there. The Jets are also pretty deep in goal scorers.

Schadenfreude is a miserable trait to have but I will admit to being guilty of this when it comes to a certain hockey team and their fan base. Guilty as charged, maybe I am just a miserable human being?

I tried to find something in your statement I could even marginally disagree with but I couldn't. If (heaven forbid) the Leafs win the cup my use of any type of media will plummet substantially.

The media and fan base is more than enough for me. I never had anything against Cam Neely, tremendous power forward, the kind of player any team would want. It's true Jack Edwards is a huge homer, can't stand him but not a fan of Reaves either, acted like a big tough guy with Arber out of the lineup.

I agree that Kovacevic is not worth a lot, but a lot of young defensemen have been sent to the AHL and have turned out OK. I think Xhekaj was sent to the AHL this year to work on things and I am pretty darn sure he has a lot of value. Getting sent to the AHL is certainly not a kiss of death for a young defensemen.