Audio: Higgins on trade to New York

posted by Dave Stubbs at 19h49 EST on Jun 30


0higgins.jpg

Christopher Higgins has known only one NHL organization. As he moves to the Rangers, he now knows two.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Christopher Higgins's mother, Sue, is thrilled beyond words on Long Island, her son soon to be playing much nearer home. His father, Bobby, is another matter. A Canadiens fan "for 50 years," Higgins says, Bobby Higgins is burying his son's Canadiens paraphernalia. Or at least putting it behind closed doors in the basement for now.

Higgins has played 282 regular-season NHL games in his career, which began at age 20 during the 2003-04 season. Drafted by the Habs in the first round (14th overall) in the 2002 entry draft, the Canadiens is the only organization he's known as a professional athlete.

Tonight, I reached Higgins at his summer home on Long Island, where the day's trade to the New York Rangers was still sinking in. He spoke glowingly of his time in Montreal and of the fans in this city, no matter their voice on any particular night.

New York is a dream come true. But leaving Montreal doesn't happen without many memories being stirred.

Higgins told me his phone hasn't stopped ringing since even before the trade was announced, his first knowledge of it coming in a voice mail left by Canadiens GM Bob Gainey. Higgins's buddy, Mike Komisarek, might yet wind up back in Montreal, he said, though he said the defenceman keeps his cards close to his vest.

Here's a conversation with Higgins tonight as he sets off in a new NHL direction.




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jmsheehy19's picture

man I'm going to miss him. I was really looking forward to a Higgins-Laps-Lats line. Now I'm going to be watching a Higgins-Dubinsky-Callahan line.


Eric Engles take on the trade:

"When Bob Gainey made the decision to move on from Vincent Lecavalier yesterday, the onus was put on finding a suitable replacement. Scott Gomez doesn't quite have the size of Lecavalier, but he has one more Stanley Cup ring, and has proven he thrives in a defensive system.

Everyone is asking for my take on the trade itself. I think the obvious arguments are as follows:
1. Scott Gomez is small, coming off a bad season, and gets paid too much.
2. The Canadiens shouldn't have given up Ryan McDonagh.

Let's be realistic:
Chris Higgins was expected to be traded.
Ryan McDonagh may be great one day, but any time you can get a top-line player and you have to give up a top prospect, you make the deal...ask any GM in hockey. Granted, you don't necessarily trade the number 1 pick overall, but the general consensus is you take what is proven over what is unproven.

Doug Janik, and Pavel Valentenko...throw ins...I doubt anyone is crying over their loss to the New York Rangers.

So, Montreal fans are upset it's not Lecavalier, and upset about trading Higgins and McDonagh for Scott Gomez?

No one will ever be happy in this town "


habrez's picture

You forgot to mention that he is one of the highest paid players in the league. The Rangers would have parted with him for less, only to clear up cap space. 

 

People used to say if you get the best player in the deal, then you win the deal, but this definitely doesn't apply in a salary capped league where finding bargains (i.e. cleary, flippula, hudler...) is what wins cups. Not 7.35 for a 58 point first-liner


ccs's picture

Year after year we are all hoping and praying for big changes for our team. Well this team will be much different come October. Will it be better than last years team? I guess in a few more hours we will be able to answer that question. I am still sitting on the fence with this trade. I feel Gomez will be a really good player for us, overpaid but so are about 90% of all NHL players. I just don't understand the timing of the trade....Why not wait until after the deadline to see who is going where and what you can pick up. Unless Bob thought no player was going to sign here again. Do we keep Kovalev? Is Saku gone? Will some idiot GM give Komisarek 6+ Million per year. I cant wait to see how this all unfolds....HAPPY CANADA DAY FOLKS.


Harani's picture

HAPPY CANADA DAY EVRYONE!


Higgins will get more points than Gomez next year.


rp25's picture

yeah  I,m really gunna miss those 40 ft. wrist shots off the rush..


tony d's picture

happy Canada Day to you too


RJ's picture

What upsets me about this deal is the "fruits" of our last few drafts. We drafted all these D-men and now our stud, McDonough, is gone. Other D prospects have not developed (Fischer) and Russians that won't sign. What does this say about Timmins.


Bill J's picture

Another "educated" post <cough cough>

" Other D prospects have not developed (Fischer)" - you name ONE - and did you happen to know a few years ago Fischer's progression took a nose dive because of a REALLY bad case of Mono ? the guy litteraly toothpicked himself while having Mono, his development has not stopped, it was hindered.  Komisarek did not bloom overnight, and O'Byrne is another that has had a hard time.

Point of the matter is, Defencemen take a LOT more time to progress then forwards, only slightly longer then goalies typically take to fully "#1" themselves.

Russians that wont sign ? - uhm did you miss the memo - we dumped one of those on the Rangers.

Ultimately - you "genius of Hockey".... This says LOADS about Timmins, because IMO - McDonagh & Valentenko where drafted by Timmins, and he knows how to find talent.

 

So what does this say about YOU ?

;-)


 ... Larry Brooks/NY Post Take on the Trade : (excerpt) .....  How the Rangers also were able to get McDonagh, who is entering his junior year at Wisconsin-Madison after being selected 12th overall by Montreal in 2007, as a part of the package in return for a salary dump -- and that's what it was -- is a mystery.       ..................  and his article .....  http://www.nypost.com/seven/07012009/sports/rangers/gomez_gone__now_rangers_can_hop_176924.htm


The Cat's picture

As far as Komisarek goes, let him go I say. The bruins destroyed him and theyre in our division, and theyll be tough for a few years.


The Cat's picture

What I dont get is how Suter in Calgary gave up a 3rd rounder for Bouwmeester. I know some players dont want to come to Montreal but I cant imagine that its that many. I mean if you dont speak french, you should be fairly oblivious to most of it.


 ... when Sather signed  Gomez to that contract for 7 years at a cap hit of 7,357 million people said whats happening to Glenn. Now Gainey has obtained the remaining five years on the contract and the kicker is he gave up Higgy's top prospect McDonaugh, Val etc. .............. ?


Bill J's picture

Seems that people also forget OTHER things that where said like:

"Why couldn't Bob land Gomez ?" 

& that was AFTER he signed with the Rangers knowing full well what he received as a salary...

So what exactly is your point Other then trying to stir the pot.

McDonagh (that is how you spell his name btw) will bloom - but it will quite likely take him minimum 3-4 years before he blooms, and let's face it... The Rangers are NOT the Defensive School that the Habs are.  So likely this trade SUCKS for McD because he would have had a brighter future with the Habs.  Now he will end up being a #5 or #6 D-man.

Valentenko ? - LMAO - Yeah I'm crying over that one, NOT!  Sure he was probably going to be good too, but the guy bolted DURING the season for the KHL - I say goodbye & good ridance.... At least Yemelin is being honest to himself and staying close to his family.  I think once Yemelin comes over, it will be because he intends on playing for the Habs.  And the older & stronger he gets in the KHL - the easier the jump to the NHL will be. 

Many slag on the KHL, with every passing season the KHL will become the "Russian AHL" - mark my words, Russians will opt to stay close to home till they are NHL ready as opposed to jumping to North America only to play in the real AHL.

Avstin & Yemelin may never play for the Habs, or they will - we have no clue.  Right NOW. we have Gomez, he is signed, albeit to a hefty contract - but he is SIGNED.  Something we did not have, and seeing as Capt K was likely to leave, this trade was neccesary to fill the gaping hole left by Capt K.

BTW - Capt K a few years ago had apparently approached BG asking him if the Habs where in rebuilding mode, BG had said no that the Habs where making every attempts to be competitive for the Cup. 

I think Capt K likely has given up on the Habs, and believes some of the negative fans.  Ironicaly many of these negative fans are Capt K fans.  Play with fire - you will get burned.

;-)


JIMVINNY's picture

For everyone claiming that Scott Gomez isn't a top-line center, his two rings as the Devil's top center beg to differ.  For his entire career, he has played a leading role in a stifling defensive system.  He had plenty of skill, but the emphasis has always been defence first.  Exactly the type of player that fits into a Jacques Martin type of system. 

Gainey hasn't lost it, but based on his success in the free agent market over the last couple of years, he realized acquiring a top-line talent wasn't going to happen simply by waiving money in a player's face.  His options were limited, and he made a decision to better the team NOW.  I won't fault him for that. 


The Cat's picture

I think youre right in that yes I can see Gomez succeeding in a stiffling defensive system with Martin. The part people dont like is McDonagh. I think Gomez for Higgins straight up would have had people satisfied, Sather was pretty desperate to attain some cap space.


the posters on here listen to too much tsn: blah blah blah: Gomez has an overpriced contract - that is old news. Maybe if you were the one paying the 1st two years.  Now, he is still in his twenties and the contract declines to 4.5 in 2013-14 - not the most overpaid player in the league.  How much is Higgins going to get?


Bill J's picture

Yes you are VERY correct - Hockeybuzz run... " www.nhlscap.com" even admits they are wrong with numerous Cap hits -

if you wish to see the TRUE Cap hit Gomez brings - please see this link

http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=MTL

You will see as wild flower has indicated that the first two years of Gomez's contract was a Cap hit of 10 Million - (see below for the breakdown for each of the remaining years on Gomez's contract)

2009-10 = 8 Mill // 2010-11 = 8 Mill // 2011-12 = 7.5 Mill // 2012-13 = 5.5 Mill // 2013-14 = 4.5 Mill

So while wild flower was mildly off with the actual numbers - he is CORRECT in the fact that Gomez's contract will decline just in time for our youth to have earned raises. 

at least we didn't sign Gomez as a UFA 2 years agoa, (10 Mill per season for 1st 2 seasons)

 


Chris's picture

Sorry, Bill, but you are the one that is mistaken.

THE CAP HIT IS THE AVERAGE SALARY.  IT DOES NOT CHANGE OVER THE DURATION OF THE CONTRACT.

On the link that you provided, note that the cap hit is $7.357 million, while the SALARY for 2007-08 is $10 million, for 2008-09 it is $8 million, and so on.

We've covered this topic a billion times.  No amount of trying to find alternate sources changes the CBA.


CHsam's picture

Now that I think of it, BG has always been trying to save his own hide since Houle.

Firing Claude Julien? Well thats because Theo, Zednik, and Ribeiro weren't to his tune

And then with Carbo we toss aside Ryder etc etc... yeah Ryder is ok, but why did we hire Carbo in the first place?? the GUY can't coach ! No problem, lets get rid of them both.

And so he fires Carbo when we go on a disastrous streak in the winter... he brings up the AHL kids and he steps behind the bench only to show that we can't beat the Bruins like last time.

So he hires Jacques Martin... and now we're all expecting something... And then....... AND THEN!!!!!!

!@$@$!


NightRyder's picture

What're the odds that Komisarek will now land with the Rangers, thanks to the cap room Bob generously provided them?


Bill J's picture

Who caers - Komisarek was heading out ALREADY.... if not with the Rangers, he would likely have gone to the Islanders (his home town Hockey team)

Why does everyone assume Gainey gift wrapped Komisarek for the Rangers... I could care less on what team Komo lands now.

Last season he woos'ed out against LUCIC... Last season the NHL ruled to eliminate shot blocking in the main way that Komisarek blocks shots.

Komisarek will soon become an albatross contract (See Redden) for a team, and will provide sub-par performance Vis-a-Vis the ridiculous contract that team wll have given him.

4 Mill that BG offered Komisarek is STILL on the table, and I still think that is a FAIR offer. If another team offers more, congrats Komo... Take care.

If Komo pulls a Briere and signs for LESS with another team, I can not wait to see how some fans will turn on a dime and start hateing Komo.

Oh how Hockey brings out the best in people lol


If the Rangers get Komi, he better score some goals because they are going to need some.  Bottom line after the deal the Habs improve for next year and the Rangers are worse. There are reasons why Higgins has been named in every possible Hab's trade - not all of them because the other teams all wanted him. 


Chuck's picture

Fantastic. If the Rangers want to pay him 6+ million/year they can have him!


NightRyder's picture

Bob apparently quietly exercised the little-known "five more years" option on his five-year plan for success.


Vid's picture

Upon first hearing this trade I had a very negative reaction.  We seemed to have acquired an overpriced player and sacrificed some of our good prospects (defensemen with size) and an inexpensive Higgins who despite missing many open nets was a pretty decent goal scorer.

After some reflection the trade seems to come down to Higgins & McDonagh for Gomez.

Disregarding salary that trade doesn't seem totally unreasonable.  We're not getting that big center but we're getting a decent one who's turning 30, is not injury prone and has two stanley cup rings with the potential to get 70pts per season.  With all of Higgin's potential I don't think he'll ever come close to 70 pts but he'll probably be a consistent 20+ goal scorer which is the one area in which Higgins is better than Gomez.  Still, Gomez is a better player than Higgins.

I do admit I really don't like the cap hit of Gomez (if his cap hit were 5-6M that would've been more appropriate but still a bit much).  I think that's what hurts more so than the loss of defensive prospects who may or may not pan out.  I'm willing to see how Gomez plays in a habs uniform before making any definitive judgment call.


Chuck's picture

What everyone seems to forget is that it's not Bob who gave Gomez that contract. Does Bob think that Gomez is a $7 million player? I doubt it, but that's the contract that the Rangers gave him, so if you love every other quality that he brings to the Habs and want him on the team, then you have to man up and pay him.

And as for McDonagh, the kid wasn't going to be a comodity on the Habs for another three years, in which time his spot on the D depth chart can be replaced by Weber or Subban, or through another draft or signing.

Fact is, the Habs needed to retool their lineup this year, and in that context McDonagh was viewed as expendable.


NightRyder's picture

Or have you shat in your pants, realizing you have allowed your team to reach a situation where it has 10 UFAs and no one seems eager to sign with you, so you grossly overpay for a 15-goal man because you have no other options?


Chuck's picture

Free agency hasn't even started, and the Habs have the second-highest amount of free cap space in the league. How exactly is that being out of options?

 


NightRyder's picture

Bob will now trade Plekanec, Subban and Max Pacioretty for Daniel Briere and his work will be done.


Bill J's picture

Why bother to post this sorta BS ?  Instead of trying to deflect your idiocy onto BG maybe just keep your fingers away from the keyboard a bit more.

 

 


NightRyder's picture

How much is Kovalev going to want now that we have an $8M 15-goal man?


Led's picture
That is one of the additional, not so obvious, problems of this trade. Our team's salary structure is now out of whack. If Gomez is worth 7.4, then Tanguay is worth more than that. Bob'll have a hard time convincing Kovy to take 4. Any sort of home discount is now gone. We will even have to overpay our own underwhelming UFAs.

Chuck's picture

His cap hit will be $6.7 million.


The M's picture

I can't believe this trade happened.  I wish Bob had just sat on his hands like he always does. He finally pulls off a trade and he gets fleeced so badly it's embarrassing. What a joke. 


Robert L's picture

Going....Going...Gomez! The Domino Effect Of A Bad Deal!

http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2009/7/1/931640/going-going-gomez-the-...


NightRyder's picture

Anyone here who wants Gomez to fail just to be proven "right" is an idiot and not a real fan. I hope he gets 95 points.

But Sather had his nuts firmly up against the cap, and Gainey gave him a get-of-jail-free card.

"Let's see Glen, you've got a 15-goal man who makes $8 million a year. How about I offer you a second-round pick to help you ease your cap woes?"

"But Bob, remember those pictures I took back when we played that one year together in '74-75?"

"Ah, I see. How about I give you a younger, cheaper, former first-round pick with leadership qualities who has three times as many 20-goal seasons in his career as your man. And I'll throw in a 20-year-old, cheap defenceman that we took with the No. 12 overall pick just two years ago - and is rated as one of the top 20 prospects in the game?"

"Deal? Deal."


The M's picture
It's kinda like when the Leafs signed Jeff Finger to that 3.5 million contract or whatever, no logic or sense, the conversation must have been so stupid it was incredible

NightRyder's picture

Wow. I go out on the boat and come back to this. I guess I can wait to see what, if anything, comes next, but allow me for the moment to record this as the exact moment that I've figured Gainey has officially entered the panic zone.

Scott Gomez? Scott Freaking Gomez? He of the horrendous contract? He of the one 20-goal season? For Higgins AND two decent prospects, including a former first-round pick? Sather was desperate to dig out from under the weight of that contract, and we throw in McDonagh too? Now, we've given one of our Eastern Conference competitors wiggle room to get even better. Very slick.

Were we so worried about attracting any quality free agents that we had to take this bloated contract just to hit the salary cap floor?

I didn't want Koivu back, but hell, he's a small centre who could deliver us 15 goals and 55 points for A THIRD of Gomez's salary.

Rejean Houle thinks this trade is a mess.


Habitant in Surrey's picture

...I hope I am wrong...and Ian Cobb is right

 

Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049


Fargo Habs Fan's picture

HEY BOB!!!! I just got my custom Vaughn Velocities, and I'm ready for some ice! They're even the right colours! I'll back up Carey for the league minimum! Then after a couple of weeks you can trade Carey, Leblanc and the state of Minnesota for Chris Chelios. That should clear up the necessary cap space to sign André Racicot to back me up! I'm not normally this negative, but I don't understand McD AND Higgy for this guy. Nice message it sends to our UFAs too. We won't pay you what you want, but we'll take on this ridiculous contract.

However, if I'm as wrong as my wife usually thinks I am, this deal will turn out marvellously for us.  Besides, maybe Gainey will sign Higgy to an offer sheet tomorrow for 9.8 Mil and get him back!

Go Habs Go (even if I'm not very happy about things right now!)


theflower's picture

Here is what GOMEZ's 7.3 million will buy you in the NHL today.

Eric Staal 8.25m

Jarome Iginla 7m

Ilya Kovalchuk 7m

Brad Richards 7.8m

Chris Drury 7.05m

Dany Heatley 7.5m

Jason Spezza 7m

Evgeni Malkin 8.7m

Sidney Crosby 8.7m

Joe Thornton 7.2m

Vincent Lecavalier 7.75m

Alexander Ovechkin 9.5m

 

So there you have it the 12 highest paid forwards in the NHL, you want to tell me again that GOMEZ is worth it?  You want to tell me again that he is one of the top 12 players in the NHL?  You want to tell me that he is equal to or better than any of those guys on the list?  You want to tell me that you want a big centre and you go out and get me a pipsqueak?  I mean why did you not at least take Drury if you are taking anyone from the Rangers and you want to spend a bunch of money?  Wow this is what the brain trust of our beloved Habs goes and does and I would dare any of you people out there who think this is a good deal to go cheer for the Leafs because they don't know hockey and either do you if you think this deal was a good one!


A. Berke's picture

Aaanndd YES, ALL of those players are fighting each other to be the first one to come to Habs. Get real will you?

Taking Drury instead???

Disliking Gainey or this particular trade is your choice but you need to use some common sense (if you have any that is) don't you think?

BTW, I believe that this will prove to be a decent trade in time; however you, of all people on this earth are not the one to tell me which team to cheer. GOT IT?

Ali B.


LesFleurs's picture

Gomez's salary could only buy you 5 of those 12. And only 3 of those 5 have a solid defensive game like his.

Bob signed a great all around player, and if any of the out of town gossip is correct, is also trying his *** off to land a sniper.


The M's picture

Gomez's salary could only buy five of those twelve, but i'd spend the extra million or two for any of those players.  Gomez, solid defensive game....for 7.3 million he's supposed to bring a solid offensive game, which he really doesnt.


The Cat's picture

It wouldve been nice to try and get Heatley IMO. I see Edmonton trying to get him, Heatley is the best sniper in the NHL bar none.


LesFleurs's picture

Bob was trying for Heatley but Heater wants to play in the west.
Edmonton came within inches, rumour that Heatley may end up in LA now.
Top 3 for sure. Love that guy.


The Cat's picture

I hope LA doesnt give up too much for him, they got a solid bunch of young guys. I think they would be wise to hang on to them. LA makes the playoffs next year.


avatar_58's picture

Yep. I just don't get it.


The Cat's picture

Good post. Kinda puts things in perspective. Ill say this about Gomez, he can be worth that kind of money. Only problem with him is he only tends to play when hes up for a new contract.


This just in: Every other GM in the League has placed Gainey #1 on their speed dial!


GP HABS FAN's picture

Just wait until tomorrow, we will i be singing his praises!...I hope... :s


If you dudes knew jackall about hockey, you would realize that it's not about Gomez, Higgins or McDonagh. It's all about Busto. Gainey was hell bent on acquiring a guy who would epitomize his tenure as the Habs GM, i.e. "Busto!"


sidhu's picture

FYI, McDonagh is the #18 rated prospect in the league, and was the Habs top prospect before today

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/hockey_top_50_prospects/?start=10


What can I say? Thanks for the memories!


Xtrahabsfan's picture
Did you all hear how much Higgy loved being a Hab .His dad loves (or loved )the Habs for over 40 years.Ya ,that's the kind of cancer that had to go.The only thing that is good bout this is IF AND when it goes south ,some G.M. IS GOING TO BE ACCOUNTABLE....

gwebster's picture

I'm not sure if this has been said before consider this situation:

Higgins tells Gainey he isn't going to resign with Montreal.  Rather than losing this player Gainey puts together this deal and moves Higgins before he loses him.  Thus, as Higgins would have been lost at noon today anyways, our only loss would be the two prospects.  I think we can all agree that McD and Jan are worth Gomez et al, even with the cap loss considering we have so much to spend.  Free-agency isn't where you pick up enough players to make your team a contender, it's where you pick up players for the future or to add one slight touch to bring your team into cup finals contention. 

This isn't an unrealistic situation and should it be the case Gainey made an amazing move.  Perhaps he plans on picking up that big centre at a later date when better opportunities arise.  I'm not very satisfied with that centre options I've been presented so far this summer.  Remember that Gainey drafted big impact centres in the draft - perhaps rather than pick one up now he's going to develop and then move these guys up in the future.  Clubs have to think long term.  Remember that Gainey said this year that we won't win next year? (being 09/10) Don't be so quick to bash Bob.  Gomez can be moved, and in a couple years when we're actually a cup contender (don't fool yourself and think we will win this year or probably even next) Gomez will be easier to move in a couple years because teams will have to pay him less than he gets now. 

Think long term.  We won't win this year.


Gomez has a 7 year contract for $51.5 million signed in 2007. That works out to around $7.36 million a year. If any other team is willing to take him in a trade prior to 2014, they have to honour the existing contract terms. They can't "pay him less than he gets now". Unless the salary scales and cap range increase substantially, I really doubt that any other team will jump at the chance to land this 'bargain' anytime soon. Unless of course our GM, whoever it may be a couple of years down the road, sweetens the deal with even more generous dollops of roster players and prospects. 


gwebster's picture

They can literally pay him less money - not suffer less cap space consequence.  His deal has him being paid less in the final years of the contract despite taking the same contract space.  Think about a low income American team that has lots of cap space and no veteran talent. 


sidhu's picture

" I think we can all agree that McD and Jan are worth Gomez et al, even with the cap loss considering we have so much to spend."

No way.

Let's say Gomez was a UFA.  The question then is whether we would have wanted Bob to sign Gomez to a 5 year deal worth 7.37m each year.

The answer there is no. Hell no.

On top of that, we lose a blue-chip prospect in McD.


Mike T's picture

the majority of users on this board only saw McD in world juniors....the rest have never seen him play...i for one was not overly impressed with his play in that tournament....and he was a minus again this season. Higgins (underperformer) and Mcdonagh (unproven) are probably worth Gomez. That contract is hideous, but we're in a position to adopt it...and we'll see if he can live up to these 7.3 million reasons for high expectations


Fargo Habs Fan's picture

I saw him in high school.  He was a man amongst boys then.  I also got to see him play some NCAA games.  Yeah, he was a keeper.  But then again, what would I know?  I'm just some j-off sitting in front of a computer.


habsguy's picture

thats what I've always thought !!!!!


Fargo Habs Fan's picture

Wow.  That's all I can even say.  While we're at it, maybe Boston would take all of our prospects off our hands in exchange for that #73...


Now, don't be raggin' on Gainey. This is all part of his master plan to tank and get a few first round picks over the next few years! Oh, he traded away one of them? WTF!!!


j2c's picture

Provided he doesn't then trade those first round picks for rental players (ie. Tanguay)


Really,not a big fan of this deal but with Higgins being qualified an offer,which i'm sure he'll take to arbrition,do you think bob wanted to spend 3 or 4 million a year on a 3rd or 4th line player.But an 7 million dollar gomez.Yikes


boy from school's picture

man i'm sad christopher higgins isn't a canadien anymore. best of luck in NY higgy.


doug's picture

A must read courtesy of Shakey on the Boone blog. . . copied here for your reading displeasure. . .

Dobber Hockey's take on the deal - suffice to say he does not like it from the habs perspective:

The Canadiens get: a skilled, but expensive pivot who is often miscast as a first liner. Gomez is probably at his best on the second line, posting 70 points (even though he had 84 once). That being said, if he clicks with a sniper this could work out. The other two players will probably not be NHLers, although Pyatt is ranked 283 among forwards on the DobberHockey Fantasy Prospects List.

The Rangers get: more than they could have imagined. This deal is unbelievable. A $7.3 million (cap hit) player who has averaged about 62 points over the last three years would normally get a team an obese contract in return and very little in terms of quality. Not only do the Rags get Chris Higgins, who will probably command similar money as Dave Bolland (around $3.5), but he has the ability to get 62 points and add leadership. Uh, isn't 62 points the same offense that they just gave up? And they got youth and a salary cutback too? Sign me up!

That's not all. That's not even the KEY to what the Rangers got here. There are some scouts who feel that McDonagh is - er, was - the best prospect in the Montreal organization. And that's if you include P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty in their thinking. He is an all-around player and leader who will be in the NHL in two or three years as a No.3 guy. He'll be a 30 or 35-point defenseman, but he'll be that guy that every team craves to own.

We're not done yet. Pavel Valentenko is in Russia for good. At least, so the Habs think. But does anyone believe that the Rangers can't get him back across the pond? Anyone? This is the one team in the NHL who doesn't fear a lack of a Russian transfer agreement.

Wow, Montreal just solved a lot of New York's problems. Somebody had to have been drinking - the Habs have a lot of cap money to spend, but that doesn't mean it should be wasted. If you can't find a better free agent than that for a similar price, then just forget free agents and build through the system. There are a lot of great kids there. Well, two fewer now."


G-Man's picture

Higgins was a 40 pt. player on the #1 line, then the #2 line, then the... where the hell do you play a guy with 1st line hustle and wheels, but has a 3rd line scoring touch? Answer: The Rangers. He wanted out, so he and the circles under his eyes can go to the city that never sleeps.

Why trade McDonagh? You have to give to get.

Valentenko? Won't come to Montreal anyways.

Gomez? Too expensive, sure, but with the Vinny trade vetoed and Koivu's time done, a move had to be made to fill the hole.

The Rangers got some much needed cap space and a future ace in McDonagh, while Montreal filled a hole and rid itself of a player that didn't want to stay and 1 that wouldn't come.

Some school.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Beliveau is the best that ever was.


You read something like that and reflect that Gainey traded Mike Ribiero for Janne Niinima and it all makes sense. He doesn't know what the f'k he is doing. And, if you think something good is gonna come out of this, you are simply stupid. (I wanted to use another word, but civility prevents me.)


It's becoming ever more painfully obvious. Bob Gainey is no Sam Pollock.....he's more like a Rejean Houle. Absolutely brutal.


crabvader's picture

Heatley says no to Edmonton trade? http://www.rds.ca/senateurs/chroniques/277518.html


stanley25's picture

What a jerk!


doug's picture

What a prick!

They will take this $4M bonus thing to arbitration somehow, I bet, though not sure Ottawa has options.


ZepFan2's picture

What a lousy GM Murray is, he couldn't even trade Heatly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999


Exit716's picture

Poor Gomez. He has no idea the wrath and fury that is going to be heading his way this fall.

 


Chuck's picture

Why's that? Did you manage to cop his cell number and email address?


ZepFan2's picture

He doesn't sound like he's to worried...

"I have always loved the pressure. I had the chance to play for large organizations where the pressure exists and people are passionate about hockey," said Gomez

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999


Exit716's picture

He played in NJ and NY where hockey is an after thought.

He's going to be flat out crucificed this year if the team is as bad as anticipated.

 


Chuck's picture

Never been to a game at MSG, eh?


$7.3MM per year whether I suck, f__k or cluck! Why should I be worried?


ZepFan2's picture

Geez, the World hasn't ended for crying out loud. Hockey's only a business these days. Deal with it!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999


You deal with it. Your only franchise in a major sport hasn't won jack in over a decade an a half and is headed even deeper in the shitter as a result of this deal. I, on the other hand, have the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Devils, Isles and now the Rangers to keep me entertained. Ah, options!


ZepFan2's picture

There ya' go. Enjoy, you've got lots of options. Take a breather, there's steam coming from your posts.

 

btw, Keith Moon sucked. *runs away*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999


Moon never bored us with a drum solo though, did he?


ZepFan2's picture

Actually, he did. On Don Kirshner's rock concert.

And it was just a joke about Moonie. I figured maybe you'd get a chuckle. I guess not.

Go ahead, piss and moan if it makes you feel better. It's not going to change anything.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The patience that Bob Gainey showed me when he could have gotten rid of me years ago, I am just really grateful for it." - Mike Modano, June 30, 1999


Hey, did you see that they are auctioning those "Habblebee" kits on the teams website? Get 'em while there hot!


andrewberkshire's picture

No kidding. He`s never had anything to prepare him for the hatred he`ll soon face.