Habs Fan in Edmonton

I think everyone has had a chance to share their thoughts on DD and MB. It seems like we are rehashing old points of view again and again. I guess that happens on a slow news day. Time for a trade!

That's what I tend to think. Some great food for thought in the post by hockeyrealist. I think delayed development means it is more of a crapshoot and you are more likely to get some gems in the later rounds, perhaps a good time to have 3 x 3rd round picks like the Habs do.

Good to see the Islanders beat Anaheim for a couple reasons; 1) Habs need to finish bottom 8 to guarantee a top 10 pick and the Islanders have the 9th worst record, now 15 points ahead of the Habs 2) The Habs have Anaheim's 3rd round pick and they are now slipping away a bit from a wild card spot. If they miss the playoffs that pick will definitely be higher

Arber is in a slump, don't worry, he will get things turned around again.

How much space they have also depends on Price/Weber and their situation. The Habs could have a lot of space or very little. As you said, we will know more at the trade deadline and in the summer.

I think where DD failed is accepting their fate early in the year. He was dealt a terrible hand at the beginning of the year and likely felt a lot of pressure to win based on last year's success as expectations are high in Montreal. He should have taken the attitude "lets work hard, have fun, make mistakes and learn from them" and not have been so concerned with winning. The players were tired mentally and physically because of the long run last year and the shorter rest. A long run in the playoffs takes a toll mentally and the Habs don't have the Tampa type talent to overcome that, especially with the injuries. DD was handed a lemon and didn't make lemonade. That would be my criticism of DD and that is just me looking at it from the outside. It's looking like Martin St. Louis is taking the approach that is needed right now.

I agree that his value now is pretty close to it's peak. I also think Arturri is one of those guys who will age well because he is tremendously fit, skates smoothly, plays intelligently and doesn't need to grind like a Gallagher to be effective. I think most are on the same page here, anything less than a 1st round pick or a top notch young prospect and I wouldn't even consider it. I think Hughes-Gorton know his value and will make a good decision.

Not a bad night for Joshua Roy 1G 5A, 1st star. If he keeps that up he might win the scoring title in the Q. Last year in 35 games he had 13 assists, this year in 37 games he has 48 assists. Quite an improvement. Kidney 1 assist, nothing for the OHL guys.

I think in 3/4/5 years he will be filling exactly the same role he is filling now, a shut down winger but hopefully on a much better team then. As I mentioned on another thread the fact he is -3 on a bad team is pretty impressive.

The fact that Lehkonen is only a -3 after 49 games is pretty remarkable.

Lehkonen from Chiarot, not hurting their trade value.

I think Arturri is the perfect 3rd line player, I don't think of him as a 4th line player. He usually plays against the other team's top players, not usually a role given to 4th liners. It's a question of what is he worth to the Habs now? His value is less to a rebuilding team like the Habs right now than a contending team. Depends on the offer they and/or how much it costs them to resign him. I have been following the Rangers fan forums and a lot of their fans have Lehkonen penciled in on their 3rd line. Its interesting to see what they would offer, they know a 2nd alone isn't enough but a 1st is likely too much. They have been offering stuff like a 2nd and Julien Gauthier. At least that's in the ballpark. None of their fans want Chiarot for a 1st. Now the Leaf fans think all their prospects will be superstars and don't want to give anything up. At least the Ranger fans are realistic. It's fun to read the other forums and see how their fans value their own and other players. In the end that doesn't matter though, the GM makes the call.

I agree, I would trade him for a 1st, otherwise keep him. No way I would take a 2nd unless there was something else attached that was attractive. The chances of getting a player as good as Arturri with a late 2nd round pick are pretty low. Far more consistent than Armia, with Arturri you know what you are getting every night,

I will take a stab at that. If you look at his regular season stats he has averaged about 14G/82 games and 30points/82 games. His production in the playoffs is almost identical which is a positive since you are always playing better teams and checking is tighter. He will never be a big scorer (pretty sure about that) but he is one of those players you can always trust to be out there in a close game. Danault got 5.5M/year albeit centre is more valuable position and his numbers were better (averaged 40Points/82 Games) and is recognized as one of the top shut down centres in the league. Maybe this is a bad comparison as I should find a winger for a good comparison. If Lehkonen was a free agent he would likely get at least 3.5M/year given his age as you would be getting a lot of prime years. If the Habs don't trade him I would be happy if the Habs could sign him for 10M over 3 years. Just my thoughts. He is one of my favourite Habs. There will be no lack of suitors in a trade or as a free agent. I think coaches and GM's are very fond of Arturri and what he brings.

I think that sums it up pretty well.

Nice piece about Lehkonen and it describes him perfectly. On a contending team he can be a real valuable player. I have no problem keeping him unless the offer is something you can't turn down.

Ok, let me reconsider Radulov , Age = 36 in the summer, Production = 2 goals in 45 games Defense + intangibles + leadership = 0 Still NOPE

Yup. Those things have to happen before anybody will even consider looking at Price.

NOPE!!!

That would certainly work for me, I just don't see Philly giving up a 1st this year (lottery pick) or next year (potential lottery pick). That isn't going to happen.

Thanks Tom, I sent you a message.

Totally understand.

Are you able to copy and paste the article, need a password to access it. Thanks

This will very likely be Klingberg's last big contract so I assume he is asking 8M plus and will likely get it as he has been a consistent point producer from the back end.

Agreed, no man's land is the worst place to be, not great, not terrible and always getting middle of the road picks. Hard to say what next year will look like, I tend to agree that we won't be at the bottom unless they really clean out the veterans, no Price etc. but who would have thought we would be where we are right now? Not me.