Hockey Trade Rumors

I am a huge Habs fan and right now the team is sitting in fourth place in the East 5 pts back of Ottawa for first overall. But let’s be realistic, this team is young and improving everyday and we should not put to much expectations on them too soon. I don’t see Gainey getting a rental player this deadline, this years draft is too deep and he doesn’t usually trade first round picks; but I do think this team is on the right path. I would like to see Gainey take a run at Boyle in Tampa because of his injuries he might not cost them a #1 pick and might be able to sign him to a 2 year deal for a good price. So I see this team going into the playoffs with basically the same team they have now for the young guns to gain experience and Gainey will make his moves during the draft and offseason. I see it unlikely that Huet will be back as he will want a longer term contract then the team is probably willing to give and Price will need a strong D in front of him next season if they are going to move on with him as #1. I like Bouillon but I think we should try to move him and his $1.875 mil contract to free up cap space. With O’Byrne and Gorges coming into their own and Valentenko probably being able to make the jump next season and also be able to get Boyle our 08/09 D could look like:
Markov – Komisarek
Hamrlik – O’Byrne
Boyle – Gorges
Valentenko (extra)
Thats a strong d core.

Our forward lines are almost set with a good 4th line of Kostopoulos – Chipchura – Begin; a third line of Latendrese – Lapierre – Streit (Streit still playing d on the powerplay); a great second line of A. Kostitsyn – Plekanec – Kovalev; and two good first line wingers in Higgins and S. Kostitsyn. That still leaves us with our usual problem of a #1 Center. I am not trying to knock Koivu because I am a big fan of his and what he has done for the team; but, he is not the #1 center we need and is paid too much to be anything less. This years UFA’s doesn’t seem to have any big names to take a run at so it will have to come through a trade. The usual names will be Lecacalier, Richards, Jokinen, Marleau, maybe Carter RFA?

Take it easy on me it is my first posting; I look forward to hearing feedback about your opinions on what players could be available for our #1 center postition through trade and free agency this offseason.

In Bob we trust!

Go Habs Go!