Habs Fan in Edmonton

Columbus is now only 6 points behind the Habs with 2 games in hand. They play Buffalo tonight. I hope the game goes into overtime.

I prefer Gallagher but let's not split hairs here.

Mailloux has terrific puck skills (passing and shooting), that is evident. In 2 years he will manning the point on the Habs power play.

Montreal has the toughest remaining schedule although that doesn't guarantee anything. NHL Remaining Schedule Strength | Tankathon

That is true, he is playing with a little more discipline.

So Ottawa loses back to back to Anaheim and Chicago and then takes 5 of 6 points from Tampa, Florida and Dallas, makes perfect sense to me.

It doesn't look good, maybe a groin?

A guy like Pezzetta certainly brings grit but he can also take some bad penalties which can be very detrimental in the playoffs as special teams become even more important. That would be a concern of mine.

They could easily take Savard and he would help this year but looking at Jersey's defense situation next year they have Hamilton, Nemec and Marino on the right side so not sure what they would do with Savard next year. I don't think Jersey is all in this year especially without Hamilton so they may be patient.

That makes sense. Laval could really use Gignac.

It does seem like an odd move. White was a very good prospect at one point but that was a long time ago. He has shuffled around a lot. Obviously Hughes must think he is an upgrade over Gignac or there are other moves coming.

Agreed, I always try and remember that we are all Habs fans that hope for the same thing. Another Stanley Cup. And to crush the Leafs. I don't think Pezzetta is the missing piece either but that is one person's opinion. I actually think Gallagher might be the missing piece for the Canucks. Or maybe Armia. Ok, I am being a smart ass now. My apologies.

Maybe Armia would be a good fit on their bottom 6, we retain or take back a contract, they are also looking for a goalie apparently. I see the making of a deal here, might involve several pieces or other teams as GHT120 mentioned.

I agree that he is the type of player Hughes is looking for, 7th over all pick, highly skilled, has scored 16 goals in 83 NHL games so hardly a bust. He just turned 22 so definitely fits the time frame. Maybe a change of scenery would be what he needs. I wouldn't give up our 1st but maybe Winnipeg's and something. I definitely see the makings of a deal here. I don't know anything about Holtz's attitude. Commandant can probably comment better about Holtz.

Don't forget that many of these players went to contending teams, an opportunity for a fresh start in a different environment (ie. Drouin away from the pressure in Montreal). Petry didn't exactly light it up when he was moved. I think you are looking for things to fit a narrative that just isn't there.

Not a terrible loss from a draft positioning point of view, lose to the Sabres and crush the Leafs.

I don't look at Anderson as being a problem that needs to be solved, he just needs to play better. His salary makes him difficult to trade. If he can get back to his usual type season (ie. 20 goals, 30 points and playing physical) then he is doing about the most we can expect. Whether he does that on the 2nd or 3rd line doesn't matter. Having 3 goalies is a problem that needs to be solved. Getting secondary scoring is a problem that needs to be solved although a healthy Dach could help that a lot.

I think it's wrong to make the assumption that MSL is not good at working with veterans. MSL was a veteran player once too so I think he has a pretty good understanding of what veterans go through. I think Petry loved playing for Marty after playing for DD.

That is another option for the summer. Not sure what is cheaper or better, retain 50% and then maybe you get something for him or a buyout. I guess it depends on the goalie market.

That's when Josh can be effective, go out, skate hard, play physical and let things take their course. Don't want him thinking too much. There aren't a lot of guys in the NHL his size that skate as well as he does. That's part of what makes him so frustrating, he has some great tools but no toolbox and therefore little results. Don't think too much, go out and play hard.

Allen has almost zero value without retention or taking back a bad contract. I think one thing working in the Habs favour this year at the deadline is that there is no clear cup favourite, many teams have a legitimate shot and it looks like the races for the last playoff spot will go down to the wire. Many teams are still in contention so there could be fewer sellers this year.

And maybe we can throw in the last part of Karl Alzner's buyout as a sweetener.

Or maybe Brendan Gallagher as he can have him for several years.

One area where age I think has to be taken into account is when you look at the cutoff date for being draft eligible. A player has to be 18 before September 15th to be eligible to be drafted. For example Artyom Levshunov who is one of the highest rated players in the draft has an October birthday which means he is one of the oldest players in the draft and has had more time to develop. Carter Yaremchuk was born September 29th so he is even older. Cole Eiserman on the other hand is an August 29th birthday so he is close to a year younger and one of the youngest draft eligible players. Dickenson and Helenius were born in June and May so they are definitely on the younger side as well. I think when you are a teenager an extra 8-10 months of development can make a big difference in how you are perceived and another variable scouts have to take into account.

Yup, that's about as excited as Monahan gets. Glad to see him get a hat trick but not upset about Winnipeg losing. It would be nice if that pick was in the 20-25 range.