smon

Oh, that's the problem. Well it wasn't directed at you or anyone in particular, just the general sentiment I saw in the thread, and which I usually see whenever there is inaction on Gainey's part. But whatever, to each his own, I was just sharing my opinion. It's not the end of the world.

No in his press conference he said he decided not to trade Ryder despite recieving offers, he felt it would be trading an underachiever for another one. Gainey also said he will use cap space to attract UFA's. Easier said than done.

Look, the point is not the record. I don't think he's not a good GM and that he has not done a good job turning around Montreal. But not every one of his moves (or lack thereof) is golden, and this deadline wasn't good in my books.

No, I don't particularly mind losing Hossa since the Penguins literally gave up a ransom for him. I've never really agreed with Gainey's quest for a knight in shining armour anyway. I thought the fact that he offered Briere so much in the offseason was just a little unsettling. But if you read my post I would have at least picked up a centre who can win a faceoff. There were players out there. I don't like his fixation with impact players because he never succeeds anyway. Why not make a smart and cautious move by picking up a decent veteran?

I'm a little disappointed in the amount of Gainey apologists trying to explain away his inactivity this year. I'm not saying he did a terrible job, but come on. Look, it's all well and good to not bet the house on Hossa. Fine. But at least bring in something to show that the team is trying to compete for the playoffs. Isn't it funny that the Canadiens movement at the deadline was typical of a 9th/10th place team? While last year when we were that, then Gainey kept Souray... The team desperately needed a centre who can win faceoffs. You're joking if you think there was no one available who can fill a checking centre role better than the oh-so-talented Bryan Smolinski. Give Trevor Timmins just a litte credit, would you. I'd wager that he has final say on draft picks.

This may prove to be a big trade in the future The New York Rangers acquired goalie David LeNeveu and forwards Fredrik Sjostrom and Josh Gratton from the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday for goalie Al Montoya and forward Marcel Hossa. Montoya was a very highly touted prospect drafted 6th overall

Ryder has never been a UFA before... I'm not buying the argument. Fine, trade away Huet for a 2nd round pick, but at least do something to keep the team playing well. Since when has a team in a good spot in the East been pegged as a seller? He could have at least acquired a guy who could take a faceoff better than Smolinski. They've only been talking about that one for ages. Gotta say it was a typical Gainey-esque effort. I imagine in a couple of days we will hear how he bet the boat on trading for Hossa and saw it fall through. I like his drafting and vision for the team, but he's been falling over himself for years now trying and failing to land "impact" players.

It's official, start the whining. Dupuis and Hossa to Pittsburgh for Christensen, Esposito, Amrstrong and I believe a 1st.

Ooh, what a day for Gainey. Do the exact opposite of what he says - no defensive centre, no Hossa, no impact player. Bye bye Huet.

Ok hands up, who thought Montreal would be a worse team after the deadline??? Not a single trade, a few points out of 1st means we're "sellers". Cristobal Huet gone, Marian Hossa in. Oh wait, scratch that, Hossa to Pittsburgh.

For a 2nd and 5th.

It's a 2nd round pick. Not Jordan Staal.

Dude...if Gainey does not acquire Hossa or another "impact player" (his own words) within the next 10 minutes I am officially pissed by this trade. What? No love for Huet from anyone on this board? Wasn't his biggest fan, but I don't like trading him to a conference rival, anyway.

He was funny on TSN...gonna score 20 goals a year apparently.

Well, if Grabovski will play who is he replacing? And if he's not being traded, are we getting Hossa? Haha, Pierre McGuire is so funny. ""Just got an e-mail from a player on their team asking where Marian Hossa is going."

I wonder what Grabovski being called up means...

The Prospal deal was somewhat interesting - the Flyers are in freefall, but they still went after a rental. Pretty fair value anyhow, he is a point per game player.

TSN's Jay Onrait is saying that Ottawa has offered Vermette, Schibert and Foligno Montreal has offered Ryder, Grabovski and Lapierre Both for Hossa, of course. He's also saying that Columbus has upped its Richards offer to include Ron Hainsey. Stars are offering Smith, Fistric and Jokinen, and Canucks are Bourdon, Schneider and picks.

Gainey said he will either add an "impact player" or not move at all before the deadline.

The Colorado Avalanche have won the Peter Forsberg sweepstakes, signing the centre to return to the team for the rest of the season - TSN Eklund doesn't have it http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230555&hubname=nhl

I think it depends on Ryder in terms of deals, if the Flames are actually interested in him, they could swap someone like Huselius for Ryder (both are expiring UFAs, and Keenan hates Huselius and waived him in Florida)...or Gainey could get a draft pick for Ryder, and then flip that draft choice for a defensive centre. Maybe a guy like Mike Peca

Man, I hope Gainey does something, if not Hossa, then bring in someone else. It's obvious that there are needs upfront.

Myself - I am Eklund. http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/, The Blue Jackets writer for the local newspaper.

The Blue Jackets' offer to Tampa Bay for Brad Richards is: right winger Gilbert Brule, right winger Dan Fritsche and defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen.

Yeah, they really need to get some secondary scoring going, both 5 on 5 and PP. It was a good sign when Ryder looked like he might have found his touch for 2 games or so, but it's more of the same since then. Improving scoring is what it seems Gainey is working on trades for.