They shoudl definitely not trade Toskala, a good NHL goalie, for a 1 year rental in Havlat. I don’t even think they should do the trade if they can lock Havlat up longterm. He’s still going to want more than Toskala is making and has never shown any ability to perform in the playoffs or maturity whatsoever.

Havlat may blossom into a full fledged scoring star, but that doesnt change the fact that it is only one year of Havlat that they have to barter with because he wants the UFA payday. And the sharks won’t give him that payday because they already have a lot of money to tie up in the many star forwards they already have.

So it isn’t a straight player comparison, and this would make sense for Ottawa, particularly since Toskala is cheap and only a fool would assume that Emery is definitely the answer.

From San Jose’s perspective it makes a lot less sense. Which goalie will they want to keep, the multi-million dollar one, or the much cheaper one who played him out of a job? Clearly they would rather trade Nabakov. Also clearly I think they’d rather acquire a solid D-man than another winger. I could see giving up Nabakov for Havlat. I could see giving up Toskala instead for a really good defenseman. I can’t see the sharks giving up the better of their two goalies and adding 4-5 million in salary without addressing their biggest area of need.

Now, of the two, I would strongly prefer Redden.

better still, I like the idea of picking up 2 decent D-men for the price the top guys are asking, and develop your young D prospects. This doesn’t just apply to the Leafs. I applies to every team.

Carolina had no “stud” D-men.

Havlat will crowd the line up and will be held back again this year, as they don’t want to lose him for nothing next summer. His value will not be as good once they hold him back.

As big a Chara is, he is not deserving of what he is seeking. He has good production, and was a good net crasher/obstructor in 2003-04, but now he is left wanting. He looked like a pylon in the playoffs as he could not keep up with the speed of the younger talented teams. I like him, but not at 6 million+. Any team that pays that is in for a rude awaikening.

Ottawa is better suited, in my opinion, to keep Havlat, and sign another free agent defencemen with some speed and passing. Kubina is good. He has nowhere near the size of Chara but is faster, has a good shot for the PP like Chara, and is a good breakout passer. Ottawa can have both Havlat and Kubina for Chara’s asking price.

The Sens make take a slight dip in the reg. season but will be better off come April.

Havlat is a top line winger, and will not get any higher than 2nd line in Ottawa.

The only way he’ll get a shot on top line is to showcase him for a trade. Personally I think letting Havlat go is a mistake, and I don’t like seeing him leave a Canadian team.

That being said, Ottawa will look to deal him in the west only, as they REALLY, don’t want Havlat to bite them in the ass next season.

And for Leafs fans, its a nice thought, somewhat of a three year personal dream for me, but it will NOT happen.

End of story.