JGC21

Eklund still has Montreal "interested" in players like Moore, Metropolit, and Mara - when months ago Pierre Gauthier stated that they were not a part of their plans. I don't know where he gets these Anaheim rumours? He also said that Koivu might come back and that Bobby Ryan is on the Habs radar. Please. Ducks have $13M in cap space, they're going to sign Ryan. Eklund truly makes this stuff up.

So with BGL retiring and joining the Green Party, how does that affect Montreal's buyout of his contract and their salary cap?

What's this "#1 goalie swap" that Eklund keeps referencing on his site? He says the stalled negotiations with Price have prompted Montreal to consider trading Price for another team's #1 goalie and a top 6 forward. Which team could that be?

I agree. Ryan would cost $6M/year and there's no way they have the room for that, the draft picks necessary AND have the flexibility to sign Price to an extension. Even if they could trade Kosty for picks or bury Hamrlik in the minors, that leaves us dangerously close against the cap and short one veteran d-man. Screw offer sheets, they never work. Just ask Brian Burke and Kevin Lowe.

I'm hearing that trades are stalling any potential signings at this point. I think PG is trying to work a trade, so that they can add Frolov. The Cammy connection is legit and I think Frolov playing with Plex and Cammy is a great #1 line. I think PG will keep Kostitsyn and he'll play with Gomez and Gionta. The trade that I think is in the works involves Hamrlik/Spacek & Pouliot/Lapierre. Any combination of those players would give the Habs cap relief of $4.5M - depending on what they got back. The third line could consist of Eller, Pacioretty and Moen. I wouldn't mind Raffi Torres somewhere on that line either... Plus, they can always sign Mara again ($800k) if Hamrlik/Spacek are traded. Then there's Carle and Weber in the minors.

The thing I'm worried about is the powerplay. With no Markov (until December) or MA Bergeron, who's going to be the anchor on the point next year? It's too early to rely on Subban for everything. Hamrlik and Spacek are okay, but slow. I could see PG trying to ensure PP success by making a move for Kaberle. To do it, obviously Hamrlik or Spacek has to go. What about Spacek and the Kosty brothers for Kaberle and change (pick, prospect)?

So now that the top 6 is projected at this: Cammalleri - Plekanec - A. Kostitsyn Pouliot - Gomez - Gionta ...are we happy? I'd say we definitely need size on the top line and with rumours of the Kostitsyn's being traded, it seems like a good chance to get Cammy/Plex a solid tough winger to open up the ice for them. So, who's available?

Lapierre is a coward. Everyone in the league knows this and the commentators have a tough time describing his plays because they think he's a dirty little bastard. I think he needs to go. I don't want to watch pussies like that on my favourite hockey team.

I don't think I can stay up late again to watch the Habs collapse in the third. Kings win 4-2. Mtl will be 5 pts out of the playoffs be next weekend. Cammalleri can't come back soon enough!

I'm not sure I agree. Markov and Gorges are solid D-men and while Gill isn't Paul Coffey, he's still effective. There's no use spending $9M on aging D when the Habs need to ice 3 solid lines up front. You're forgetting that as of right now, Mtl only has Gomez and Lapierre locked in as centres for next year. That's scary! I'm a big fan of building up the middle and I believe 2 top centres, 2 top D-men, and 1 excellent goalie is the way to go. Simply put, you can't build a team with $17M+ tied up in 4 defensemen, when 3 (Hamrlik, Spacek, Gill) are over 35 years old. No way.

I'm of the mindset that both Hamrlik and Spacek should go. That's $9M right there to be used to sign Plekanec and Price/Halak to extenions. As for the defence, it's time to go with youth: Subban, Carle, Weber, O'Byrne to play with mainstays Markov, Gill, Gorges. Pair one vet with one rookie.

Read a rumour from our friend Ek that Chicago is interested in Jaroslav Halak. Interesting. His stock has risen because of the Olympics and there could be no better time to trade him if PG decides that Price is in fact the route to go. Question is, who would Montreal seek in return? Patrick Sharp's name has always been mentioned in rumours and the Hawks need to dump salary. I wouldn't mind seeing a Halak/Lapierre/Weber deal for Seabrook/Prospect-Draft Pick. Thoughts?

More craziness from EK: *Is Price on the way out? "Quite possibly," a source added... Amazing as it sounds, Jaro Halak has won the spot in many minds. Do you remember when I put out a rumor a few months back saying the Habs had a deal Habs fans would love, but Price would have to be sent away? (ah, the memories...great times...the hate...so much wonderful hate) Well the deal is...still available, however, the names are different. In the original deal Montreal would have received a serious #1 goalie in return. While I can't say the name of the team, Montreal now is getting their #2. but a much better top 6 forward...(and a serious prospect who will be adored in that city) So, is this secret team Edmonton? I don't see how. Edmonton has no goalies whatsoever so I doubt they could provide Montreal with a true backup. I'm guessing it's St. Louis. To Montreal: - David Backes, C - Ty Conklin, G - prospect To St. Louis: - Carey Price, G - draft pick

Sorry, I thought you were paying attention to my previous posts. Edmonton wants Plex and a goalie. Look, I love Plekanec but I'm a realist and there's no way the Habs can afford him for $4.5-5M+ per season. If BG decides to keep Price, then he gets a raise to $3M+ in the summer. Same with Halak. If we're going to lose Plex and a goalie, I'd have no problem acquiring Cogliano, Brule, or O'Sullivan. Ethan Moreau's name has been mentioned since he's become expendable with Edmonton's rebuild. He's the captain of the Oilers and at $2M, he's a pretty good player. I would love him and Moen as our "grinders". He's an upgrade over Lapierre too. I truly believe BG has two paths: 1. Do nothing and hope the current team can play better than they are. Keep both goalies and sort out the RFA mess this summer. 2. Make a trade, shake things up and create a better picture for the team going into this summer's draft. Squeeking into the playoffs at #8 does nothing for me. I'm leaning more towards option 2.

Moreau would bring some toughness up front, especially on a line with Cammalleri and A. Kostitsyn. If we're going to lose Plekanec (via trade or free agency), I'd like to see some grit added to Montreal's top two lines & some scoring punch on the third. Here's what I'm thinking: Pouliot-Gomez-Gionta Moreau-Cammalleri-A. Kostitsyn S. Kostitsyn-Cogliano-Moen White-Pyatt-Lapierre This would also give us some breathing room - $3M+ (minus all the UFA's we don't sign; Metropolit, Mara, Bergeron). I see Carle joining the team in 2010-11, while players like Pacioretty, Maxwell, Weber & Subban will challenge to make the team.

I just read this as well. I'm thinking that Edmonton has their sights set on Price & Plekanec. I speculate the Habs are definitely asking for Hemsky and more in return. Perhaps Cogliano and Brule & a draft pick/prospect as well. Moneywise it works since you can send D'Agostini back down and release Metropolit. This trade is basically for next year (since Hemsky's hurt). That's why Montreal's waiting, to see how they do in the next 3-4 games.

I stopped reading your post after this paragraph because it doesn't make any sense. So I guess we can start comparing Sidney Crosby to Wayne Gretzky since age doesn't matter? You sound like my Dad comparing the Canadiens of the 60's to the Canadiens of the 2000's - different game, different players, different style. Wamsley's original post makes perfect sense. Go read it again.

I just read that Montreal's bottom two lines for the Vancouver game on Tuesday are: Lapierre-Metropolit-Moen Darche-Bergeron-D'Agostini Sweet fancy moses! Those lines are brutal! I don't know what to hope for at this point. A trade seems in order for a top-6 forward but with Cammalleri and A. Kostitsyn out, will it matter? I like the defense pairings for tomorrow's game: Markov-O'Byrne Hamrlik-Gorges Gill-Weber I think Martin should be trying to grow O'Byrne and playing him with Markov is a good start. I still say BG should try and move Hamrlik and Gill via trade and incorporate Carle and Subban into the mix. It's time to rebuild the defense core. Man, still can't stop thinking of those forward lines...

Agreed. I don't think trading all the guys that were signed last summer is the answer. I still think this team is capable of more with a few changes and with everyone healthy. I think players like Hamrlik and Gill can be traded at the deadline because playoff bound teams are always looking for depth on the blueline. That's a savings of $8M. If Halak gets moved, then maybe he's part of a package deal that nets us a good top-6 forward? I think a series of moves is needed to better the team for next year. Don't give up on all the new players just yet, they haven't even played together for a full year.

According to EK, Montreal has a deal in place that could go down today. No doubt it involves Halak and the Habs getting a scoring forward in return. With the loss of Cammalleri and the fact that they can't score 5-on-5, help should be on the way.