NHL trade deadline Q & A

Steven L. If asking Kovi to stay home for a few days really helps him to be an effective leader for the rest of the season maybe Bob should do the same to Komi, Saku, and other struggling players to get them back on track. I have worked long hours for several weeks at a time in a stressful job and it has worn me down and made me less effective.....these guys are only human and playing for the Habs is indeed an honor but very stressful

Tampa Bay beats Boston. No crap teams in the league anymore, just teams that play harder and have good chemistry. I guess Tampa really wanted it last night and Boston slacked off?

Drinking beers here and wishing to thank Stubb's for the cap info and all I got to say bout that is sell ,sell, sell!It's trim the fat time and RIGHT NOW....HABS AT THE GOD DANG TOP OF THE SPENDING LIST for what???the BAND AID SOLUTION ,don't work and never will(look at the goddamn world economy and the States in general)Keep the new wave ,sell the big payroll ,and get us a SUPERSTAR OR TWO....ENOUGH...And as far as the playoff's go...don't get sucked in this time so you can go in fully armed the next time and do SOME REAL HABS DAMAGE!!!

Completely off topic: How good is Ovechkin? Damn dude...

Any news on when Tanguay will be back?

Mr. Stubbs... Just as sort of an aside, but totally relevant to this discussion, would it be possible for you to post here where all of the teams sit in relation to the salary cap? It would help a lot in making sensible trade speculations... "No culture has a monopoly on beauty or value....Just as no religion has a monopoly on truth." --Voltaire

I wouldn't trade any of these guys: - Markov - Komi (resign him pls) - Hamr sign in the summer: big/mean D-Man Price needs d-men that will take away the rebound or make you pay for standing in front of the net. Build from the net out and pick up a (real) top center. Where's our #1 Center?

Rangers got point by scoring with 39.1 seconds left in the game, but then thankfully lost in OT to the Leafs. Big lost point. We need every one we can get. Wish they hadn't scored in regulation: they should consider themselves lucky. Habs, Rangers, and Penguins all look crappy lately. Carolina only one that seems to be turning the corner. Just hope we can get 3 points somehow out of the next three games.

Komi has been our worst d-man since coming back from his injury. I don't want to trade him but he is not worth more than 4 mil per year. We need what we have needed for years, big centre and shut down d-man. It will take a lot to get either one, we're talking Higgins, Pleks, SK74, Halak, MacDonagh and picks. But please not the core of the future, i.e. Subban, Pacs, Fischer and the 2 Russian D-men. Go Habs Go !!

Prediction: Komi gone for either part of a big deal, or for picks. No way would I...or I think, BG sign this guy for the 6 year 6 million he's gonna want. To me he's a big lug who in no way is in the same group as a JBow, or Pronger. He's a 6'5 bullion. Ok...he blocks a few shots, but he's not the all star everybody thinks he is. I'll keep him for 2 million a year tops. 10 points a year?? Trade this guy while his value is there. Package him with the K Bro's for Vinny!

What everyone has to get a grip on is that we are right up against the cap now. Any trade(s) we make have to have an equal return in salary - period. However, given our plethora of UFA's at the moment and the unlikelyhood that we will attract any quality UFA's in the summer (see past history for rational on this one), we might do well to trade some of their salary now for players under contract. If we do not make some moves, we may be sorry next season when we attract no new talent, lose much of what we have, and have to ice the Bulldogs (who have some GREAT prospects, but who maybe are not ready for the show at this time). It would definitely be in our best interests to consider this, but I am sure Gainy is well aware of everything I said - I just hope he has the options available to do something that will benefit the team not just now, but for the future. "No culture has a monopoly on beauty or value....Just as no religion has a monopoly on truth." --Voltaire

Two guys I would look into if I were Gainey, Jokinen and Smyth, can't afford both, but either one would be nice.

Nothing's changed since, well, forever, We still need an impact defenceman who can also hit the net, an impact forward (maybe two), a couple of brain transplants, steady and brilliant goaltending, less penalties, and no off-ice stuff. Other than these, we're set. http://dennis-kane.com/

I'd like to see the team get another center to replace the hole left by Lang's loss. Rather that nobody get's traded though. I still like the current line-up warts and all. My issue is the coaching and the type of game the team plays after they get a lead. That and turnovers. If they played an offense style (without taking stupid caught with your pants down chances) and hemmed the opponent in their zone all or most of the game they wouldn't be so fragile after being down either. The defensive shell game is a breeding ground for frustration and lack of confidence. A big bad D like Pronger wouldn't hurt. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The best defense is a good offense!

TB just beat Boston.

Habs goaltending prospect 19 year old Robert Mayer stopped 43 of 45 shots for 5 - 2 win as the Saint John Sea Dogs defeated the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, a top ranked CHL team in a QMJHL game today. He looked sharp all game and was solid as the Dogs killed off successfully two 5 on 3 penalty situations in the 2nd period. Signed as a free agent last fall, perhaps another Jaroslav Halak in the offing?

I think management is committed to Price as the eventual #1. Halak has a lot of value now and deserves to be a starter. I don't know which other teams may be looking for goaltending now, but I think he is one of our best recent performers and might actually get us some return value. -- GK

After going through a dismal patch, Markov, Hammer, and Gorges are playing better,or at least it looks that way to me. Breezer gives you what he can, but Komi just seems off. what do you guys think?

Trade the Hab players that were struggling who are now hot and GET Vincent Lecavalier!

With the recent addition of Schneider i don't think we need another D, someone i think we could go for is Jokkinen, depending on the price. I used to be for trading plecks for him but at this point i wouldn't, he's too hot right now. The only reason i would go for him is because i think he might be interested in resigning here because koivu is a finn as well.

Here is what the Habs should do: Get Jokinen from Pheonix, he would be a great pickup. Carbo better start Halak in net for the next couple of games. Get Chris Neil, and get rid of George Laroque.

The Syaracuse Crunch beat The Dawgs 3 to 1 as Marc Denis stopped 29 of 32 shots for the loss. Kinssewich scored for Hamilton and Andrew Conboy picked up his 1st AHL point and Sergei has no points on 9 shots and is minus -1 after three games.

The avatars are too small to convey the imagery. The Wizard of Habs has Gainey as the Lion. Kovalev as the Tin Man. Carbonneau as the Scarecrow. Sergei K is Dorothy and Koivu is Toto. Before you go crazy, as we all know the story ends with Gainey getting tough, Kovalev playing like he means it, Carbonneau coaching well, Sergei K back home (on the team) and Koivu exposing the man behind the mask (meaning he finds a hot goaltender's weakness come playoffs). If I Only Had the Heart When a man's an empty kettle he should be on his mettle, And yet I'm torn apart. Just because I'm presumin' that I could be super-human, If I only had the heart. On the goaltender - wont be gentle and my shots will be so mental I'll tear his glove apart. I'd just swoop in like a sparrow and shoot the puck quick like an arrow If I only had the heart. Picture me - on the bench seat. Above a voice sings low. you're on a roll, go score a goal? I hear a beat.... How sweet. Just to register emotion, intensity - devotion, And really feel the part. I could play young and not sleepy win the Cup and then MVP, If I only had the heart ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The best defense is a good offense!

IMO its essential to get a number 1 center of a certain age at this deadline for 2 reasons: number one we need the help, number 2 Koivu and Kovalev are getting old, and the younguns we have are just too young to carry the torch just yet. So we need Jokinen or Lecavalier for continuity.

There are only a few big, strong centremen available. BG hopefully will not sell the farm for a UFA just to try to have a good run at the playoffs. If he can't get a guy like VL on a long term deal, I hope he stands pat. Look at what happened last year with Streit. BG didn't offer him a contract because of the hpe of getting Sundin. THe Habs lost big on that one. BG dealt for Schneider lately to make up for that one. That non-move in the summer has cost the Habs an enormous # of points this year. More of that kind of dealing the Habs do not need. Deal for a good player you're sure you can get and keep Bob. And don't let the talent you have now leave with no compensation. I'm one fan who can wait another year. 46-14-27 Best Line In Hockey !! The Cup in 3 years or less !! Young Guys Have Got To Step UP !!!!!

who's getting shipped out?! i ask this question every time cause gainey has a track record shipping someone out - does carbo bargain for the right Price before games?

Blah blah blah.

The trade DL is over hyped by the media..TSN, SNET, ESPN, etc. There may be 1-2 deals of any significance and the rest are bottom of the barrel.. I have been one of the many that sat and watched countless hours of insignificant deals such as Mike Sillinger for a 4th rounder in past years, but I am not holding my breath this season.. With the state of the salary cap and more importance on younger/cheaper talent, DL day just doesn't deliver like it used to.. I can, however, see Gainey making a deal or two to pick up a few future assets in trading a few of our UFAs, though... Dandenault and Begin may grab a mid to late round pick to counter the lost picks used in acquiring Schneider.. Maybe a little depth on the BL or down the middle.. What I am trying to say is, don't hold your breath for the "Big One" in MTL..Gainey likes having assets and isn't about to trade off the farm unless a "no brainer" comes along.. _____________________________________________________ "We don't hang Division Conference Champions banners in this city, we hang Stanley Cup Champion banners!" - Carey Price, Goalie the Montreal Canadiens