markierung Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 (edited) It seems as though most rumours the Habs have been mentioned in don't materialize because the other team is looking to land Higgins in return. In my opinion, Higgins is comparable to a couple of guys, one that the Habs have traded in the past, and one that Gainey has already traded. I've heard a few people compare Higgins to John Leclaire. He's a very good defensive forward who seems to be very dangerous around the net, only he hasn't really developed the scoring touch yet. I think like Leclaire, Higgins has the potential to explode, very soon. Although I think this is the main reason the Habs aren't willing to lose the guy, we should Remember the Move that helped Gainey land the cup in Dallas. Gainey traded Jarome Iginla for Joe Neuwendyk(i'm not even going to try to spell it properly). It's clear that gainey has the cahones to trade away a potential star for a better chance at a cup right away. He knew that the window of oportunity was closing with an aging Brett Hull, Mike Modano and Derian Hatcher. We're almost in the same postion: Aging Koivu, Kovalev and Hamrlik. Although I would hate to see Higgins go, I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded if Gainey could land the final peice he thinks we need to win the cup (not that we're only one peice away this year). I wouldn't be shocked, if next year, he gets traded in a package for a superstar winger to give us two deadly scoring lines. Although i have to say that i hope it doesn't go down this way and that he blossoms before it gets to that point. Edited February 18, 2008 by markierung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pei#1habsfan Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 You might be right , Gainey would trade Higgins, but the only thing Higgins and leclair have in common is they are both american. They are 2 different players, Leclair was a big player wasn't the best defensive forward and scored most of his goals by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a small player that doesn't hit a lot and scores most of his goals on the rush not by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a better defensive forward. If you are going to compare Higgins the guy we got back for Leclair would be a better choice. MARK RECCHI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markierung Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 You might be right , Gainey would trade Higgins, but the only thing Higgins and leclair have in common is they are both american. They are 2 different players, Leclair was a big player wasn't the best defensive forward and scored most of his goals by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a small player that doesn't hit a lot and scores most of his goals on the rush not by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a better defensive forward. If you are going to compare Higgins the guy we got back for Leclair would be a better choice. MARK RECCHI I meant to compare them to the fact that Higgins looks like he's about to blossom, kinda like Leclaire did when he was a Habs. But ya, Rechi is a good comparable player too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexstream Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I think Gainey has identified Markov, Higgins and Komi as his young core for building the team last summer. He will sure add Plekanec and the Kost bros to that core. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I know( I hope) he wouldn't trade higgins for a rent-a-player. but lets say florida asked higgins for jokinen, you'd have to think really hard of doing it. players like higgins come and go in this league but a jokinen or a richards...they dont come so often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habsfan Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 (edited) You might be right , Gainey would trade Higgins, but the only thing Higgins and leclair have in common is they are both american. They are 2 different players, Leclair was a big player wasn't the best defensive forward and scored most of his goals by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a small player that doesn't hit a lot and scores most of his goals on the rush not by standing in front of the net. Higgins is a better defensive forward. If you are going to compare Higgins the guy we got back for Leclair would be a better choice. MARK RECCHI Exactly what I was thinking. I'd really hesitate before trading away a guy like Higgins. People on these boards seem to think that he's a power-forward and that he'll score 40 goals. I disagree. Higgins is 5'11", a power-forwad has to be at least be 6'1" tall. PLus I seriously doubt Higgins will ever score 40 goals. He might score 30 in one season, but not 40. But Higgins does have some very good qualities. Not only will he score 30 goals for us, he's very sound defensively, and is not afraid to go ito the corners to fight it out. Let's not forget that he's best buddies with Komisarek (the future captain) if we were to trade him away, it might leave Komisarek a little annoyed and he might be looking to get traded once he becomes a UFA. None of us would want that! Edited February 19, 2008 by Habsfan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thib46 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I know( I hope) he wouldn't trade higgins for a rent-a-player. but lets say florida asked higgins for jokinen, you'd have to think really hard of doing it. players like higgins come and go in this league but a jokinen or a richards...they dont come so often. I have not seen Richard's stats for the last two years but I would look closely to make sure he has not begun his decline before giving up Higgins for him. Just saying not ready to trade Higgins just yet for those two players. Need to complete some research before leaping onto this idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neech Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Exactly what I was thinking. I'd really hesitate before trading away a guy like Higgins. People over seem to think that hes a power-forward and that he'll score 40 goals. I disagree. Higgins is 5'11", a power-forwad has to be at least be 6'1" tall. PLus I seriously doubt Higgins will ever score 40 goals. He might score 30 in one season, but not 40. But Higgins does have some very good qualities. Not only will he score 30 goals for us, he's very sound defensively, and is not afraid to go ito the corners to fight it out. Let's not forget that he's best buddies with Komisarek (the future captain) if we were to trade him away, it might leave Komisarek a little annoyed and he might be looking to get traded once he becomes a UFA. None of us would want that! Yeah, I think Higgins will level out as a 25-35 goal guy, provided he has decent linemates (which it looks like he will have if he stays in Montreal). He's a good all around player too. This year he was given an A, pretty quickly for a young guy like him. Now, if he hadn't been given that A and we were deciding who would get it between him and Komi, I bet almost all of us would say Komi at this point. It may have added a little extra pressure on him. I think next year he will come back as a more consistent player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wamsley01 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Although I think Gainey would trade Higgins, if he does it will have to be for a huge return. If Bob thinks they have a shot this season he will do it, but with the patience Gainey has shown I don't think it will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMMR Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Higgins was given an A this year and although I dont agree with that Carbonneau and Gainey clearly did. Higgins bleeds CH. Gainey wont trade him even if he is only a 2nd/3rd liner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doktor Kosmos Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I think Higgins is the last player Gainey should trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habitforming Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 If the habs are serious about getting Richards, Higgins will have to be part of it. Columbus is expected to offer Brule + for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTH Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 And Vancouver is offering Bourdon, Schneider and a pick. To get Richards, a package like Grabovski, Fischer and Pacioretty/Emelin/D'agostini, etc might be able to cut it. But would he fit under the cap and would we be willing to do it? I believe Gainey told Pat Hickey that young roster players (specifically Higgins) would be safe this deadline, and it's more prospects that he's using as bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psycing Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 If Gainey were to come out big and bring in two guys (Hossa/Tanguay), I believe he'd want to keep Higgins on board to serve as the team's third line LW. Higgins is a great 2-way player and I think he'd excel if placed in a checking role. I think it'd be in Gainey's best interest to keep Higgins around and try to bring in the guys he's after in other ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Ryder Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think that Higgins is asked by every GM that we ask for a player. Why would we trade a player that everybody would happily take in their line up? Why would we trade a player that wants to play for CH unlike Tanguay, Richards , Brière etc etc.?? Why trade a guy that will not have high money inquiries with this so so season? Why not blame the team centers especially Koivu for the lack of results in Higgins, Ryder, Latendresse, now Sergei Kost efforts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFT77 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 From the sounds of BG, it is unlikely that he will deal Higgins, unless some ridiculous offer. Higgins is struggling a little bit lately, but he will be a solid contributor when the Habs are making their run at a future Cup. Send off some prospects and upcoming UFA's but not Higgy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokyohabs Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think that Higgins is asked by every GM that we ask for a player. Why would we trade a player that everybody would happily take in their line up? Why would we trade a player that wants to play for CH unlike Tanguay, Richards , Brière etc etc.?? Why trade a guy that will not have high money inquiries with this so so season? Why not blame the team centers especially Koivu for the lack of results in Higgins, Ryder, Latendresse, now Sergei Kost efforts? Nail. Head. Excellent post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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