The problem is with most of the NHL’s power forwards that they tend to shy away from a lot of defensive aspects of the game. Latendresse is a hybrid between a power-forward and a grinder. He does the little things like blocking shots, coming back and breaking up plays, is responsible with his defensive duties, etc… He’s a great player to have on the ice. He’ll be a 30 goal threat one day and a key to a Montreal cup run.

Give him a few years so he can handle the rigors of an 82 game schedule. It’s not that he needs to bulk up, no way, he’s already got size, but his body needs to be able to handle a full season.

Offensive upside, of course he has a lot more than Garth Murray, but I love what Garth brings to the team. A nasty, gritty, versatile player who could play on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th line. Possibly even the first as a sparkplug, going into the corners and mucking for pucks to get them to the scorers.

Who knows, I would have liked the Rangers to keep him, because he had a great camp and a great preseason, but we have an abundance of that type of player. Hollweg, Ortmeyer, Niemenen, Betts, Rick Kozak, Greg Moore, etc…

There’s nothing won yet for either team being that both players probably won’t be with their respective NHL clubs this year.

Habs past twice on Frolov and Williams in the first round. I’m not saying I personally would have done better than Houle, just that throwing darts might have resulted in better picks.

On a side note, I believe the NHL has discontinued the waiver draft as it previously existed in the NHL. Yes there is still the waiver system as it was, but there is supposedly no longer an actual waiver draft.

I didn’t know Pleks played RW before…which is good news for us.

Put him on a line with Bonk and Perezoghin and we have 3 possibly good offensive lines. The 4th line with Higgins, Bégin and Sundtrom could be a good defensive line.

Lines 1 and 2 are already set.

Oh well…if he continues to develop his game in the minors…he will possibly make the team next year.

Perezoghin takes his place on the 3rd line with Bonk and Bulis.

Though I’d still trade Bulis with Hainsey for some D help. Plekanec played RW before and could be a very good fit with Perezoghin and Bonk on the 3rd line.

Higgins-Bégin-Sundstrom should be the 4th line.