TIME FOR A TRADE
I believe now is a perfect time for a trade. At the start of the hockey season, I thought (like most) that Plekanec would not be a good fit as #2 center with the Habs… well, Plekanec is proving everybody wrong! Along with Kovalev and Koivu, T.P. has been one of the most consistent forwards on the Habs this year.
So then, whom would I trade? Ryder, no doubt. This seems like a lame-duck season for him. We all know that he will be gone at season end one way or another (trade or lose him to free agency). All whom have seen him play this year can come to the conclusion that his head and heart just isn’t there… maybe he has personal problems, who knows… but he just isn’t the same player as in the past couple of years. In fact, it almost looks like he would welcome a change of scenery at this point in his career.
Top 5 potential players whom are/will be available:
1. Hossa-Atlanta. This guy is a natural scorer, sniper, something Koivu never had on his RW. We all know Hossa is a UFA at season’s end and if Atl can’t sign him soon, he will be available. However, Montreal would have to give up much more than just Ryder to get him… This deal is obviously the most unrealistic since A) Gainey is conservative when making trades B) Doesn’t want to let go of prospect (s) for a player whom we might lose at year’s end. With this said, it would be fantastic to see Koivu playing with a star player (finally!!).
2. Lehtinen-Dallas. This would be a good trade for both clubs… Dallas just promoted Hull to co-GM (with Jackson) and I’m sure he wants to shake things up. Moreover, Montreal does have a history of making trades with Dallas. At the Torino Olympics, I had a chance to see several games involving team Finland and was amazed at the Chemistry Koivu had with his linemates, one of whom was Lehtinen (the other was obviously Selanne). Lehtinen is not a star player but a good veteran that can play great two-way hockey. I would take him over Ryder anyday.
3. Hemsky-Edmonton. A good young player with the potential to be a star in this league… how many of you seen the highlight goal he scored against Colorado last week? I could see him playing great with Koivu on the top line… has good size and skills. Edmonton has had a very dissapointing start to the season (in part due to injuries, granted) and surely K.L. is looking for a spark… maybe Ryder is the right fit for Edmonton…
4. Bernier-San Jose. Once again, a big young forward with lots of potential. Has less natural talent then Hemsky but makes up for it with toughness and good hockey sense. Maybe Gainey will finally pull the trigger on a trade with SJ, just not for Marleau!!!
5. Cheechoo-San Jose. If Ryder is a two time 30 goal scorer, Cheechoo is 50 goal scorer!! Yes, a big thanks to Thornton for setting him up and making “space” on the ice, but Cheechoo still had to finish the play. How many times has Koivu set up Ryder this year? Cheechoo had an off year last year (had him in my pool*&^%$#@!) and isn’t tearing up the league this year either. This is why I think he could be had for Ryder straight up.
What do all these players have in common? They are all big RW that could help the “koivu line” and their respective teams are having either a mediocre or poor start to the NHL season, which would make for a good trading partner.
If Gainey does not finally trade Ryder (which he probably won’t), then I would love to see S. Kostitsyn get a chance with the big club since Kostopoulos is not the answer and we do have a roster spot available by Murray being claimed on re-entry waivers by Florida.
What do you think? Is now the time to trade Ryder? Whom do you think is the best RW available? Should Gainey keep Ryder instead?
Thanks for reading,
Cheers!