Buffalo vs. Montreal | December 7th, 2013 | 1900 EST

[comfortfablyHABS]

Call me crazy but I would try to get Yakupov from the Oilers. As much as I like Eller, I would try to ship him to Edm. plus a prospect and first round.

[DON]

Got no complaints, team defense is one of best in league.

Most of teams above the Habs in standings have scored 10-25 more than Habs. So really only tweek might be to bolster offense, but to get a top 6/9 upgrade would cost prospects/picks most likely and just not sure what Bergevin's priority is, still rebuilding or willing to mortgage future a bit, to make a run at cup now?

[comfortfablyHABS]

We are not contenders now. My focus would be to build for the short term future. Our defense is great and Markov is good to play for another 2 years or so. We can ship one of our defense prospects to get a winger that will make the difference for years to come. A duo Galchenyuk - Yakupov could give us a long term success, a good 10 years or more to be a dominant force. To me, Eller will not fly as a dominant player as much as I want him to.

Edm needs a center, Eller might be good for them, send a defense prospect (I'd try Beaulieu) and first round for Yakupov.

[Guest Stogey24]

We are not contenders now. My focus would be to build for the short term future. Our defense is great and Markov is good to play for another 2 years or so. We can ship one of our defense prospects to get a winger that will make the difference for years to come. A duo Galchenyuk - Yakupov could give us a long term success, a good 10 years or more to be a dominant force. To me, Eller will not fly as a dominant player as much as I want him to.

Edm needs a center, Eller might be good for them, send a defense prospect (I'd try Beaulieu) and first round for Yakupov.

We need size up the middle. Eller is a solid 3rd line centre with speed. There is no reason to trade him; especially for a player who -17 right now. They're doing everything in their power to get this kid scoring in Edmonton and its not working. Yakupov is not a team player. He would struggle in Montreal.

[Lovett's Magnatones]

We need size up the middle. Eller is a solid 3rd line centre with speed. There is no reason to trade him; especially for a player who -17 right now. They're doing everything in their power to get this kid scoring in Edmonton and its not working. Yakupov is not a team player. He would struggle in Montreal.

I've talked about Yakupov before, I don't think EDM is going to shop him, and at this point he's a disaster. Imagine if we traded Subban for this turkey?

[PMAC]

Eller or Subban for Yakupov would be a Houlian-puke-a-rama of a trade a disaster that would set us back for the next decade. The secret to success is to get players like Yak when the other GM is antsy and willing to trade for a prospect--not one of our top D prospects--and some middling picks. The idea is to give quantity, not quality for struggling POTENTIAL

[Machine of Loving Grace]

I don't know if it's the Habs, or the East basically imploding on itself that's making the Habs look this dominant. It's a good sign to win three games in a row where we basically look like crap. Bergevin is said to be looking for a big trade, I think a top flight player like Paul Stastny, Marian Gaborik or similar quality is needed to be a true contender. Or someone like Wayne Simmonds, Hartnell or another power forward.

Hartnell has another five years on his contract and is slowing down considerably. No way. We might as well trade for Cole again. Simmonds won't be traded from Philly. They love him there.

It sucks we're in such a weak division because it's more likely that Ottawa, Buffalo and Florida are going to negotiate with the West than the East. That leaves potential trading partners to be Columbus (Gaborik), New York (Vanek), Calgary (Cammalleri), Edmonton (Hemsky), Nashville (Legwand) and Winnipeg (Jokinen). New Jersey was built to be a deadline trader with Brunner, Jagr and Ryder but if they keep doing well they might just keep them and try to make the playoffs.

Just as bad as Hartnell is the rumour floating per Eric Engels that Montreal wants Umberger. Now I'd have loved Umberger back when he was 29. He's having a decent-ish season right now on a struggling Blue Jackets team with three years remaining on a $4.5M cap hit. Not to mention he's made it very clear he never wants to waive his NTC.

Bergevin has a lot of options, all depends on what others are asking for.

[Guest Stogey24]

Hartnell has another five years on his contract and is slowing down considerably. No way. We might as well trade for Cole again. Simmonds won't be traded from Philly. They love him there.

It sucks we're in such a weak division because it's more likely that Ottawa, Buffalo and Florida are going to negotiate with the West than the East. That leaves potential trading partners to be Columbus (Gaborik), New York (Vanek), Calgary (Cammalleri), Edmonton (Hemsky), Nashville (Legwand) and Winnipeg (Jokinen). New Jersey was built to be a deadline trader with Brunner, Jagr and Ryder but if they keep doing well they might just keep them and try to make the playoffs.

Just as bad as Hartnell is the rumour floating per Eric Engels that Montreal wants Umberger. Now I'd have loved Umberger back when he was 29. He's having a decent-ish season right now on a struggling Blue Jackets team with three years remaining on a $4.5M cap hit. Not to mention he's made it very clear he never wants to waive his NTC.

Bergevin has a lot of options, all depends on what others are asking for.

I still think Matthias would be a solid centre for Montreal. Florida is desperate to clean house. Tallon has ties with Bourque too so...

[Lovett's Magnatones]

Eller or Subban for Yakupov would be a Houlian-puke-a-rama of a trade a disaster that would set us back for the next decade. The secret to success is to get players like Yak when the other GM is antsy and willing to trade for a prospect--not one of our top D prospects--and some middling picks. The idea is to give quantity, not quality for struggling POTENTIAL

Exactly, another year, maybe by summer 2015, if he keeps it up they'll cut their losses for a pick and a decent prospect or a good roster player.

[Lovett's Magnatones]

I still think Matthias would be a solid centre for Montreal. Florida is desperate to clean house. Tallon has ties with Bourque too so...

I've seen Matthias alot over the last two seasons, he's getting a raw deal in FLA. He would be a huge upgrade over White who can play up in the lineup. His ceiling is a third line center with top 6 patch up work, but he's big, he's fast and he checks. As far as hustle and character go, he's a potential MB apple polisher. I think ties to Bourque might be a negative, lol.

[habs rule]

I think a pick and a D prospect would do the trick. MT is supposed to be good with young guys so maybe we can mould him. We really need some goal scoring.

[Lovett's Magnatones]

I think a pick and a D prospect would do the trick. MT is supposed to be good with young guys so maybe we can mould him. We really need some goal scoring.

Only Gainey would trade Yakupov for Greg Pateryn lol

[JMMR]

I've talked about Yakupov before, I don't think EDM is going to shop him, and at this point he's a disaster. Imagine if we traded Subban for this turkey?

I love that you called him a Turkey.

Hahah old man!

[KoRP]

Eller and a prospect for Yakupov? That would be the mistake of this decade.... Exactly what value does Yak have that would make it a deal to trade Eller for him? Agreed, a disaster of a turkey so far....

Eller is a big center, fast, hits, scores and is only young, and Yakupov still hasn't proven he is a superstar in the making. The only thing trading Eller would do is weaken the Habs at center, when we finally have gotten strong there. If there is a part that Eller should be included in a deal for, let it be an established, star, first line winger, or a top 4 D with some size, IMHO of course.....

Matthias would be a great addition for sure......

[DON]

Eller and a prospect for Yakupov? That would be the mistake of this decade.... Exactly what value does Yak have that would make it a deal to trade Eller for him? Agreed, a disaster of a turkey so far....

Eller is a big center, fast, hits, scores and is only young, and Yakupov still hasn't proven he is a superstar in the making. The only thing trading Eller would do is weaken the Habs at center, when we finally have gotten strong there. If there is a part that Eller should be included in a deal for, let it be an established, star, first line winger, or a top 4 D with some size, IMHO of course.....

Matthias would be a great addition for sure......

Mattias, never heard of him? Forward or D?

Yakpov is a scorer with a wicked shot and led rookie scoring last year on crap team, not a bad start to career (just his defensive play sucks at the moment).

[Machine of Loving Grace]

Mattias, never heard of him? Forward or D?

Forward, drafted by Detroit, traded for Todd Bertuzzi.

I think he's getting a little overrated here. He's terrible at the dot.

If we want a fourth line center with size that could be available, Manny "One Eye" Malhotra is still winning 61% of his faceoffs. Marcel Goc is another option as he's great on the draw, UFA and has some offensive skill.

[DON]

Forward, drafted by Detroit, traded for Todd Bertuzzi.

I think he's getting a little overrated here. He's terrible at the dot.

If we want a fourth line center with size that could be available, Manny "One Eye" Malhotra is still winning 61% of his faceoffs. Marcel Goc is another option as he's great on the draw, UFA and has some offensive skill.

Sure thanks, not familiar with him at all.

I thought Malhotra would of been a good pick-up in the fall, for a team that sucked on face-offs (but seems improved this year). But Bergevin likely not looking too frantically to make any trades right now?

[Machine of Loving Grace]

Sure thanks, not familiar with him at all.

I thought Malhotra would of been a good pick-up in the fall, for a team that sucked on face-offs (but seems improved this year). But Bergevin likely not looking too frantically to make any trades right now?

Nobody really wanted to take a chance on Malhotra due to his eye. It was a huge risk, kinda like back when Robert Lang came back from his injury and Phoenix took a late flyer on him. Without the eye injury he would have been in heavy demand, probably never would have left Vancouver. He hasn't been much offensively but as a faceoff specialist he's still best in the league.

We're currently 16th in FO%. Only Colorado and Anaheim are worse playoff teams really. Chicago ain't much better, but five of the 10 "contender" teams are in the Top 10. A good place to look to improving, though our top three centers are all over 50%. 2008-2009 was the last time that happened.

[Guest Stogey24]

Forward, drafted by Detroit, traded for Todd Bertuzzi.

I think he's getting a little overrated here. He's terrible at the dot.

If we want a fourth line center with size that could be available, Manny "One Eye" Malhotra is still winning 61% of his faceoffs. Marcel Goc is another option as he's great on the draw, UFA and has some offensive skill.

How is Matthias being overrated? He's young, has size, and comes with a low salary. He's more than capable of a being a solid third line centre.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

How is Matthias being overrated? He's young, has size, and comes with a low salary. He's more than capable of a being a solid third line centre.

Why would we get a third line center when we have Plekanec, Eller, Desharnais and White with Briere, Galchenyuk and Prust all capable of playing center as well? He has to provide something more than all of them, no?

"He's Young"

He's 25. Turning 26. Older than Eller, same age as White.

"Has size"

About the same size as Eller. Really doesn't use his body in a way that makes him bigger than White or Prust.

"Comes with a low salary."

Sure, so does White.

Finally, why would we need a third line center? To improve our faceoffs? Because Matthias is 38.7% on the dot this season. That's only a little better than Galchenyuk at 35%. It's also over 10% worse than White, the guy he'd probably replace.

In other words, Matthias is in no way, shape or form an upgrade to Ryan White. Maybe he's a bit better offensively but his lack of draw wins would counteract any advantage that would have. Pretty clear people are reading "6'3", 200+lbs" and deciding it's a need for us.

[habs rule]

The size thing has been way overrated. Yes we would like to be bigger as a team, but that does not mean we replace everyone under 6 ft tall. Cournoyer was a pretty good player and he was 5 ft 7. Oh yeah and then there were those Richard brothers pretty good but Maurice was the big brother at 5 ft 10. I know the league is bigger but Martin St Louis ain't too shabby.

[Machine of Loving Grace]

The size thing has been way overrated. Yes we would like to be bigger as a team, but that does not mean we replace everyone under 6 ft tall. Cournoyer was a pretty good player and he was 5 ft 7. Oh yeah and then there were those Richard brothers pretty good but Maurice was the big brother at 5 ft 10. I know the league is bigger but Martin St Louis ain't too shabby.

St. Louis is one of the best players in the world but that won't ever stop people from acting like he isn't just because he's small and older. 11 points in 12 games without Stamkos but if you ask anyone last year, he only won the Art Ross because of Stevie. Possibly the best conditioned athlete in the league.

[lazy26]

St. Louis is one of the best players in the world but that won't ever stop people from acting like he isn't just because he's small and older. 11 points in 12 games without Stamkos but if you ask anyone last year, he only won the Art Ross because of Stevie. Possibly the best conditioned athlete in the league.

He is crazy ripped.

[Guest Stogey24]

Why would we get a third line center when we have Plekanec, Eller, Desharnais and White with Briere, Galchenyuk and Prust all capable of playing center as well? He has to provide something more than all of them, no?

"He's Young"

He's 25. Turning 26. Older than Eller, same age as White.

"Has size"

About the same size as Eller. Really doesn't use his body in a way that makes him bigger than White or Prust.

"Comes with a low salary."

Sure, so does White.

Finally, why would we need a third line center? To improve our faceoffs? Because Matthias is 38.7% on the dot this season. That's only a little better than Galchenyuk at 35%. It's also over 10% worse than White, the guy he'd probably replace.

In other words, Matthias is in no way, shape or form an upgrade to Ryan White. Maybe he's a bit better offensively but his lack of draw wins would counteract any advantage that would have. Pretty clear people are reading "6'3", 200+lbs" and deciding it's a need for us.

Comparing Matthias to White, come on. He's a solid centre who adds size to the line up, which we could use. He was on pace for over 20 goals last year and that was on an awful Florida club. At 1.75 a year we could possibly dump some salary in acquiring him.

[Lovett's Magnatones]

Comparing Matthias to White, come on. He's a solid centre who adds size to the line up, which we could use. He was on pace for over 20 goals last year and that was on an awful Florida club. At 1.75 a year we could possibly dump some salary in acquiring him.

Matthias is a much better player than White. He got 14 goals last year, and White might, and I mean might, get 5. Whether we can spend 1.75 million on a 4 th line center is another story. His faceoff percentage is lousy, but that's a team stat. The boys in Florida aren't beating opposing wingers to the puck with moxie en route to 29th place. Matthias is a great addition to any team. Small upgrades like Matthias for White are what great teams do.