Hockey Trade Rumors

With the trade deadline looming soon, the Canadiens are on track to have their best season since Serve Savard was general manager. During the Rejean Houle era the Canadiens posted the following record:

1995-96: 40-32-10 90 points
1996-97: 31-36-15 77 points
1997-98: 37-32-13 87 points
1998-99: 32-39-11 75 points
1999-00: 35-34-9-4 83 points

That period is by far the worst in Habs history. As a life long fan I actually stopped watching the Habs. Mr. Houle trading away Pierre Turgeon, Tomas Hoglund and Valeri Bure and the acquisitions of irrelevant players such as Barry Richter and Robert Dirk made me ashawed to be a fan.

Then Houle was finally let go and Andre Savard took the GM spot, he had a lot of damage control to do and his tenure, although not as impresive, still gave us hope.

2000-01 28-40-8-6 70 points
2001-02 36-31-12-3 87 points
2002-03 30-35-8-9 77 points

Despite the losing records, things were looking up. Good drafting brought the likes of Tomas Plekanec, Mike Komisarek and Chris Higgins into the fold. He acquired great veterans such as Joe Juneau and Stephane Quintal. Unfotunately though the signing of Randy MacKay and acquisitions of Sergei Berezin and Marius Cherkawski did not pan out. At least he was trying to improve the team.

Then in 2003 Habs President Pierre Boivin brought in Bob Gainey. A former captain with GM experience and a cup winner in 1999. There was great optimism as Bob was treated as a savior. Since he took over the team has posted the following record:

2003-04 41-30-7-4 93 points
2005-06 42-31-9 93 points
2006-07 42-34-6 90 points

That’s three consecutive 40 wins and 90 points seasons. As well under Gainey the team has not had a losing record. Sure they missed the playoffs last year, but only by a point!.

Bob went out and got Huet and Kovalev who are key players with the Habs. He also assembled a powerful scouting team that drafted the Kotsitstyn brothers, Latendresse, O’Byrne, Price and Halak to name a few. On the downside he did trade Ribeiro for nothing, however it was the best thing for both parties. The Samsonov situation didn’t pan out but hey! It happens.

Habs fans must ask themselves “Are we better off than we were five years ago?” My answer is yes.

Bob also has been very patient with his young players, letting them develop at their own pace and it has paid off. Who need Daniel Briere? when we got Andrei Kotstitsyn making the highlight reels with his amazing goals. No player is worth 8 millions dollars a year unless you’re a Crosby or an Oveshkin.

Yes my friends things are looking up. If they continue their momentum this season the Habs will be a force to recon with during the playoffs. However they do lack a strong center to help them carry some games. The price could be hefty but with a strong farm system the Habs could afford letting go one or two minor leaguers. We all know that playoff success adds experience to a young team and this may be time to see if they have what it takes.

I don’t like to talk about player for player trades but here are a few centers that may be available from here until the February 26.

Mike Peca: Has playoff experience and a change of venue may help him.
Sergei Federov: A three time cup winner who can add a boost.
Mike Modano: Unlikely but could be of help
Shawn Horcoff: Edmonton probably won’t let him go
Mike Cammalleri: He wouldn’t hurt
Pierre-Marc Bouchard: Unlikely
Jason Arnott: Apparently was once offered a contract by the Habs but declined
Patrick Marleau: Hey it could happen
Keith Tkatchuk: Probably washed up
Brad Richards: Yes I know, dream on!
Brendan Morrison: A change of venue may help him
Yannick Perreault: Would be helpful in face off situations but not much else to offer.

We’ll see what happens from here uptil the trade deadline. Again if the Habs continue playing like they are right now there’s no question that we must think of the possibilities that may linger for this team. Habs management has always asked us to be patient but if all goes well I say the time is now to make a splash come April.