DON

`if he would take a good salary, i would resign in a second, $6 for 3 years i would say right at deadline Leafs/St Louis/Canucks/Sens/Pitts/Detroit 2nd rounder or late pick and prospect. if the prospect is like Holland, i would want a centre prospect. I would give away Moan for nothing, if that team would take Gomez as well.

for once will they actually give Palushaj a regular shift on one of top 2 lines, to see what he really has, or can do? playing 5-8minutes on 4th line is just a waste of an offensive player. At this point what can it hurt?

I think he is supposed to be back within the week? But, there would be worse things than just resigning Moan,instead of him for a pick/prospect. I feel same about Kostitsyn, if they get good return than trade him today, but if just resign him for a couple years, i would be happy either way. Just as long as UFAs dont walk for dick-all!

I am a Plekanec fan, but if could trade him and extra stuff for a bigger centre of similar value, why not deal him? But i got a feeling he is going no where, which is also fine by me. The only untradeable one i see is Price, cause he just cant be replaced and like Plekanec he aint going anywhere.

Pollack may have been shrewd but that trade proposal aint. Given Columbus's draft track record they would make that trade in an instant. I suppose we will sign Budai long term as a #1 will we?

I would disagree and say Price is untradeable and for Subban, i would want a Tavares/Duschene/Mikko Koivu/Couturier type player, but he aint going anywhere and i bet both he and Price get signed to long term deals. Gauthier has lots of other assets to trade before thinking of dealing Subban.

I dont see a big fire sale coming; but shipping out Moan, Desharnais, Gill, Campoli, Weber, Kostitsyn may clear the way for signing a #1 centre on July 1st possibly, as well as a bunch of picks/prospects? Not a clue how to get rid of Gomez, just the biggest boat anchor in league! Markov "should" be back to play 20 games or so of practice i hope and all will be healed up fine ? Seems many players still havent heard of Yemelin yet and are easily pasted by him; at least he, Gorges, Price and a few others show up to play every night. Only 1 spot out of lottery pick at present. I hadnt thought Habs were bad enough to challange for that, but as lame as they played last night, Grigorenko aint that far off?

Id like to keep Plekanec and am a fan, but to get a bigger top centre of equal value or better, that is worth trading for, he would be bout only top forward with a fair salary that another team might like? If DD was moved to wing, sounds good, but again at his cheap salary and he good production, he might be a wanted valued commodity, that i think the Habs could do without, with a spot for Leblanc needed and most lkely Gallagher/Bournival in 2013, if not sooner if do well in AHL? (but i tend to overly optomistic with most prospects)

Watched Patrick Holland play vs Dumba/ Red Deer, That Dumba is quite a d-man, he scored 2 goals; but 1 was in last minutes of game to tie and next was in first minute of OT for win, i know the Habs dont need a d-man, but you couldnt pass on him unless you had a very top pick. Holland was 3rd star of game without a point. Commentators said he might be best skater in WHL after he rushed puck end to end several times and was all over the ice all game, blocking shots and backchecking. He kind of reminded me of Eller's play. Kristo's play seems OK, but does not really stand out (like a Gallagher/Holland do), but he is producing, wouldnt be a bad idea for him to maybe stay 1 more year in NCAA? Mark MacMillan is doing fine as freshman and he is on both the PP and PK for North Dakota, hopefully next year he can up his production? Bournival and Ellis are both doing great and look forward to seeing them play in memorial Cup in May.

i think you got it 100% bang on and i am looking forward to see how all the guys you noted take to being a pro; ie: will Gallagher's offense translate against bigger/faster players. With Cole/Pacioretty/Bourque/Eller/Blunden/Engqvist/Kostitsyn/White/Leblanc/Moan; the size up front will be quite different next year, but still have 1 too many small centres i think and Desharnais or Plekanec being traded in a package for a big top centre would seem the next move to make. Plekanec and Weber/Moan and/or Kostitsyn for a bigger centre? Like a Getzlaf/Koivu/Stastny/ORielly/Kopitar?

Weber/McDonagh/Subban and Pacioretty all 2007 picks for Habs, the last year they have had a 2nd round pick. And i agree 100% that he may be one that got away and down the road a solid puck moving point producing d-man for some team, Oilers/Florida/Colorado/Islanders may be a good fit for him for a 2nd round pick or forward prospect. But Habs are too small on back end right now and Diaz makes him expendable and a nice asset to trade to another rebuilding team by himself or in a package deal with say a Plekanec or Desharnais? I have followed him since OHL days and would hate to see him go, but Habs dont lack defense prospects.

He wasnt the only one who rated Kostitsyn as a top 5 talent, and they only worry at the time was siezures he had, which is why he fell to 10th. I remember Piere McQuire ranting positively about him (which i guess is all he ever does, so goes without saying). I think everyone seems to have favorites, as last year i thought Mark McNeil or Shiefele would fit perfect with Habs, but never had Beaulieu falling to 17th, and McNeil was still available, but time will tell if he pans out with Backhawks. Gaunce seems to be perfect fit this year, but does he have the offense to go 8th-11th where Habs will pick? I also see Forsberg as a possibility for Hab range. But how could you pass on one more top d-man? Can you ever have enough good d-men?

Win/lose, no matter at this stage and i just hope they put forth a good effort and play the young guys a ton. But i got feeling the game will be close and i would almost guess the Habs will win.

I am a fan of Engqvist, love his size and defensive smarts, the only drawback was his faceoffs. But he is only 2nd year pro with bout 80 games under belt, which is far fewer tham most NHLers, such as a Plekanec, who i think played 200 AHL games or thereabout. But i would say he is and will be a nice upgrade over that Finn and may stop the yearly change at the 4th line centre position, although White may end up at centre down the road?

A bit harsh. And if i recall most were 50-50 on whether to either sign the Wiz or Markov, i think you would of been almost alone last july to say we would of let both walk, dont you think? Markov's recovery seems almost unprecidented in length, but all in hindsight sir, who knew? Campoli signing was i bet at request of Martin for another vet on the backend, and he is not a big salary. Also many seem to simply assume, you just offer a Weber or Stamkos the big $$ and you get them, it dosent quite work like that and you must realize some are hesitant to sign in Quebec for obvious reasons. Giving up 4 1st round picks is OK if you have a bunch of highly skilled players already in the farm system and are just looking for that final big piece to really contend and it is a move that is rarly done, with good reason. And unlike you, i am good/pleased with Kaberle signing and he will fit in nicely as a 3rd pairing/PP guy, sure a bit overpaid, but if we can convince Gomez to retire it wont be a big deal.

Diaz is almost 3 years older and has played more games this year and has zero PP goals while Weber has 4? so almost like comparing Apples and Oranges and i would bet you in 3 years Weber will be a valuable puck mover and point producer for some team; but he is a nice movable asset but too bad we will likely trade him. But; i really only see him going to a rebuilding team and maybe could be part of a package deal with a Plekanec or Desharnais (not that i want to move any of them, but 1 small centre should go and both have very fair contracts)? By himself; Weber should be worth a 2nd rounder or equivalent forward prospect i would hope?

yes, bout 20 goals for out of playoffs, what were you expecting a top contender? Add in a healthy Gionta, Markov and delete cull Cammalleri and if had Bourque all year and would be sitting fine and this and that happened..etc. Habs have been a mediocre middle of road team for 20 years, with many GM and coach combos, you think grass is greener with a another new GM, possibly but likely dreaming. You will likely get your wish anyways, but Gauthier has been at least average GM and majority of trades /signings i am pleased with. Bout time for Habs to suck it up and be a seller at deadline, sure some shortterm pain, but in long run could be what Habs really need. And the next month will be where Gauthier can really implement some big changes, but will he get the most for assets or be a Milbury, or even be allowed by Molson to trade for future??

I am all for trading Kostitsyn, Plekanec, Desharnais and Moan if right deal(s) can be had, but i would be just as happy to have all 4 come next fall, with Kostitsyn signed long term. People still quote just his scoring stats, but he is still a top hitter/forechecker on the team and he still makes me laugh everytime he falls down for no reason whatssoever, other than he is simply clumbsy! But i do think trading 1 small centre (at least) is needed and if both Plekanec and Desharnais were shipped out (maybe packaged with a Moan/Weber/Gill) and got a big centre back of Plekanec's calibre and stuff, it would seem logical and a big reshaping of small forward group. I am happy with Kaberle and his experiance will be valuable for next couple years. i am not sure why many seem to want to see him gone? A Subban trade wouldnt be the worst that could happen to team, if the return was worth it, but Price and picks, prospects are only ones i would not want to part with.

Sure! i am fine with Gauthier and majority of his moves and hope he is still there next year!

i was pleasantly surprised of Shultz's play. Any word on if Nash will be back this year?

Sure, i see Habs finishing maybe 10th in east as they just arnt that bad. So will likely pick 8th to 10th and there are at least 15 great looking prospects, but only 3-5 that are centre pieces for teams to build around/ game changers. But is an interesting topic to discuss as there are 1000 different theories and views as to how to approach the crap-shoot that is the draft.

I saw the game and Gallagher slid on his ass backwards into boards, he looked in pain but not head injury i doubt. although Patrick Holland caught him with his head down and layed him out crossing the blueline, just before that, was a clean open ice hit, and Holland had another identical hit later on in game, which was super to see. Holland is also on a 12 game point streak i think it is now, works the point on their PP and seemed good with puck, skating and average size. I think he should do well in Hamilton next year and role wil be a grinding hard working winger likely destined for 3rd liner status, but is still one of top players on top WHL team with few stars, so Flames did well for 7th rounder!

Again i agree 100% and no way we catch Columbus, Carolina, Oilers, so will be lucky to be in top 5, and i do see a half-dozen super looking forwards, just dont think the natural skill of an almost sure-bet game changing superstar pick like Yakupov or say a Nugent-Hopkins that will be available. But possibly a Sean Couturier-like player should be in Habs range, like a Gaunce, Forsberg, Faksa or if really lucky a Galchenyuk? I still cant see how Sens and Jets both passed on Couturier last year? Shiefele and Zibinajad will be good most likely, but Couturier put up back to back 100 points on a shity team, he already is on Philly's PK and etc etc. time will tell. He was about the only one i thought the Habs should of traded up to get and would of been a PR home run also, a big francophone centre. I am finding the Price criticism as laughable, as i have said before you can just lump the total production of 11, 13, 14, 21 and 79 togeather for the $25-30m they cost and see what is reason for 25th place, no need to look any further and start picking on a guy who's value is "Priceless" (just ask teams like leafs/sens/philly/tampa what they would trade for him)

What is talk about goalies? Trade Budaj, why? He is an adequate back up, which is all they need and he trade vlaue would be dick-all. The Habs have much bigger fish to fry before ever looking at tarding Budaj. Gauthier is having Weber showcased lately and Campoli and that Finn on 4th line are useless spare parts to be jettisoned. Then i see Gill as being the next to go. Up front Moan, Kostitsyn, Desharnais and Plekanec would all be valuable assets that should be at least shopped around, that is if the team is clean house and go a totally different direction under a new GM and coach. Not that i dont want to see them as Habs come next fall, but Plekanec is signed to a fair salary, prime of career and could be a big part of a big trade and Desharnais is signed cheap and other 2 are upcoming UFAs who cant be let walk for nothing. And if Plekanec and Desharnais went and a bigger young centre came back, it would instantly change top 6 look of team. But back up goalie is small potatoes and negative talk about Price, i just dont get it, he is playing for a weak team with a bunch of youngsters leading the way in front of him? Shootouts, sure i grant you that and Price will be first to admit he sucks and same goes for Canuck goalie, who also stands on his head most nights to keep that team in games.

I agree, i would guess the Leafs/Philly/Caps/Sens/Oilers etc etc would give up 1/2 their team for Price. Unless Price can score/check/or work the PP he really cant do much more than he has for the team and i thnik Miller is a scapegoat in Buffalo as well, go ahead Sabres try trading him and see how you do, again many teams would love to see him on market as well. Just admit it. this Habs version is just not that good and cant compete; while the youth up front is holding their own and looking promising, the high paid forwards are not. And the youth on the backend are holding their own, but still are just that, young and relatively inexperianced, but improving. Are Yemelin and Diaz top 4 d-men, no, but give them time and add in Markov and only 1 (Yemelin) will need to play 20 minutes/game next year. And allow Diaz and Kaberle to play 3rd pairing with a bunch of super looking prospects moving to AHL next year to push them and i would say the d-core is pretty set, as is between the pipes. Just need that Gaborick/Hossa high scoring superstar type forward to be added on July 1st, posibly Parise or the like?