illWill

Let's face it, we are stuck with Darche for the rest of our lives. After his playing days he will come aboard as an assistant coach, then get promoted to head coach. Then he will get fired from coaching and hired on with RDS and work there for 30 years. By that time, there will be a fountain of youth discovered and he will do it all over again. And I will complain every single time I see him.

In the "Habs season prediction thread" I made a prediction that Kostitsyn would get traded to LA when Gagne gets injured. I like my chances.

The problem with acquiring one through trade is that to get a quality #1 D, you have to give up plenty of assets. The problem with acquiring one through UFA is that there wasn't really any available, and it's not guaranteed they would sign here anyway. The Wiz was an option but he was only brought over to fill in for the hole that Markov created by getting hurt. Nobody knew that Markov would STILL not be playing over a year later. PG merely made a choice at the time with the information that he had. Personally, I would have been PISSED if he didn't resign Markov, and still would be. You don't just walk away from your best player who has been with your team for 13 years, getting nothing in return IMO.

Unbelievable!! My jaw literally dropped as I just read this. I wrote the exact same thing, almost word for word a few weeks ago on this site,but erased it before I posted. I forget what topic but I remember I erased it because I figured that somebody was going to chime in and argue with me about that point, while taking away from the original point of my post. I am always sure to remind people about the absence of Markov, our best player, and the impact he has when he is in the lineup. Everything we have done since his rash of injuries has just been a stop gap until he is back. He was/is a top 10 defenseman in the league. There is no question that he would directly be responsible for a better powerplay and better results, standings-wise had he been in the lineup this year.

Fair enough. I just don't think that Weber will bring back what I think is fair value for a 23 year old with a booming right handed shot. I think he would be further along in his development if it wasn't for management tinkering with him at forward. It seems like such a long time that I've been excited for him to be a regular on this team, and the thoughts of him getting traded before his peak disappoints me. That being said, if he were to be moved, I would do so as part of a package to land a bigger asset.

I believe that it does add to the debate because Diaz wasn't good enough to be drafted 8 years ago and was playing in an inferior Swiss league since, and he didn't get signed by an NHL club until the Swiss-friendly Habs took a shot on him. Good for Diaz to be able to come across and step into the NHL without much of a learning curve but the fact that he is 26 helps that process. You failed to address the importance of the age difference. Three years is quite significant in development. Although Weber has been around for awhile now, he has actually only played 87 regular season games. He has been used on the 4th line probably almost as much as a defenseman. Try and explain how that is beneficial to the development of a young man trying to learn a position. And how about the fact that he has more impressive numbers this year than Diaz? 4 powerplay goals puts him second on the whole team, despite being mostly used on the second unit. He has a higher points per game, better plus/minus, more shots, all while seeing less ice time. I just think that when he is put in a position to succeed, that's what he does. 3 goals in 6 career playoff games is pretty good, albeit a small sample size. Weber has a higher ceiling than Diaz IMO, and I don't think we should be so quick to trade this young man before he has been given a true chance.

I've always liked Weber and think of him as a part of the team moving forward. I don't know why everyone seems to be on the trade-him bandwagon. All the guy has done for us is what we've asked of him the last few years. The poor frigging guy gets bounced around from forward to defense as if it was grade school ball hockey. Pretty hard to learn a position if you don't consistently play it, if you ask me. He scored some clutch goals in the playoffs and regular season when called upon. His future didn't seem to be in doubt until his Swiss clone Diaz came along. Now I can understand why a team wouldn't need 2 players who are basically the same, but I don't know why Weber seems to be the odd man out. Weber has slightly better numbers than Diaz, is 3 years younger, was drafted 73rd overall (Diaz not all), and has more NHL/North American experience. If one of the Swiss has to go, ship out Diaz!

I think I remember Selanne tearing his achillies way back in the day. He is still flying around the ice at age 63

It almost feels inevitable that Roy will be back with the Habs at some point, in some capacity. From the jersey retirement ceremony it is clear that both sides have kissed and made up, to Roy himself saying he would listen if the Habs called. But only until he comes back, will the curse of Saint Patrick be lifted from this franchise, and then the Stanley Cups will follow. Montreal needs Roy and Roy needs Montreal, it's just a matter of time.

This is probably the sloppiest game they've played all year, and that is saying alot. I'd love to know their passing percentage over the last couple of weeks and compare how it stacks up against a Peewee house league team.

He may not be in your top 5 or 6 centers but he is mine for what he would bring to the Habs. The guy is a point per game player, 6'4-220lb, right handed shot, gold medal winner, Stanley cup champion and captain of his team. He would single-handedly change the perception of this team being a bunch of smurfs. He is having an off year, but so is the Anaheim team as a whole. Montreal hasn't had a player of his ilk since I can remember. I would trade anybody except for Price to get him. Yes, Subban has potential to be amongst the best defensemen in the league but it is just that, potential. This is all assuming that Getzlaf would sign an extension, otherwise trading for him has disaster written all over it.

I'll say Florida acquires Campoli for a 3rd round pick

I totally agree with these statements. I can see Bourque being a useful player for us moving forward for sure, but it is totally a let down in terms of thinking about what Cammy perhaps could have brought instead. Of course it is easier to play armchair GM and assume that any deal we want to make would get done, but that's not the reality.

There isn't anyone on the Flames current roster that is the least bit appealing, that they would trade of course. Hopefully it is for picks/prospects, otherwise this is horrible news.

Personally, I like Cammy's comments. It's nice to hear something other than what 99% of players are programmed to say in that situation. It is no secret that the team IS playing like losers, so I don't understand why it's such a big deal coming from one if it's players. And all this talk of him wanting out or if we should move him is BS. He has stated numerous times how much he likes it in Montreal and good luck getting back equal value if you trade him. That has horrible asset management written all over it.

I hope he doesn't part with any youth to get a "rental player". Although I don't mind if he trades youth to get someone that will be around for awhile, sort of like when Burke acquired Phaneuf mid season. For example, PG could trade a first and Kristo for Jeff Carter and I would be okay with that. And then he could turn around and trade Gill, Moen, Campoli, or someone for picks back. This team doesn't need a huge blowup, just a few tweaks. There is a slim chance that we get in the playoffs, so yeah, hopefully he doesn't sell the farm to make a late season push to save his own ass.

Again, I agree that ideally we keep Plex and somehow acquire a #1C. But if there was no other way we could acquire a Getzlaf other than having Plex going the other way, I say that we do it. A team like Anaheim that is trading their #1 center is going to want something to fill that vacancy, and Plex can do that. Having Getzlaf-Eller/DD down the middle looks alot better than what we have now. I think that if Eller has a defined role of being a #2C, he will get comfortable and begin to thrive. He has been bounced around so much this year, playing on different lines, that it's hard for him to know what is expected.

I agree totally but if there was an option to move Plex and a pick or prospect for an upgrade (Getzlaf), we would be foolish not to. In a perfect world we can move Gomez for absolutely anything, and then be able to use his cap hit to sign an elite center. But this is way too far fetched a scenario and since there isn't really any premier UFA's coming. Elite centers don't grow on trees and if you acquire one, it's going to cost a pretty penny. I like Plex as much as the next guy, but somebody has to go in order to make a deal.

I'd take 87 any day, even if he was so concussed that he couldn't tie his own skates. I'd also be on board to move Plekanec as part of a deal to get an elite center. There needs to be an definitive upgrade at that position no matter what happens.

I say no thanks to Nash or Bouwmeester. If a big splash is to be made, it must be for a center. My wishlist includes Getzlaf, Staal, Carter, Parise and maybe taking a chance on Stastny (if Gomez can disappear somehow). Plekanec needs to be the second line center on this team, with Eller being the third line center, like Jordan Staal is.

GETZLAF!!! This team isn't as far away as the common perception will have you believe. There is plenty of youth coming and also plenty already in the lineup playing important roles. To have a surefire #1 center would really do wonders. The absolute best way to go about it would be to dump Gomez's salary somewhere, and allocate that money to sign a UFA who actually is worth it (exactly what the Rangers did when they were able to sign Gaborik). But since that probably won't be an option, we have to go the trade route. And even then, it comes down to getting rid of Gomez. I'm not opposed to trading Cammy, but he is an important piece moving forward.

Oh yeah, if anyone is getting Getzlaf, it's going to be Burke. And it'll be something stupid like, Grabovski, Franson and a first.

Lol, I would say that the Vegas line should have the Habs as an underdog going into the third period right now.

I think Habs win 4-2

Perhaps towards the end of the deal it may become a burden. Shot-blocking type of players generally wear down earlier than those that don't. Josh is a warrior so let's hope that it doesn't happen within this contract.