Excerpt from the TSN article by Bob McKenzie
The only hurdle then would be working out the nuts and bolts of the trade with the Canadiens, who clearly are interested in making this deal. If they weren’t, GM Bob Gainey could have shut the whole thing down today when he addressed the media, but he didn’t.
What the deal might end up being is anybody’s guess, but sources in Montreal say the actual offer the Canadiens have put on the table for Lecavalier does NOT include defenceman Mike Komisarek, nor is it likely to, but would see Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins, prospect P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges and a package of draft picks including more than one first-round pick going to Tampa.
Here’s more source information from Spector: More Lecavalier News.
Habster:
Just what the Hab players need to deal with, yet another rumor situation similar to last year’s Sundin/Hossa scenario hanging over their heads.
Bob Gainey is smart enough not to trade away the future success of his team even in the centennial year.
In my humble opinion, trading a rumored package of “Tomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins, prospect P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges and a package of draft picks including more than one first-round pick going to Tampa” isn’t a smart deal from a Canadiens persective, even if another player comes the other way.
The Canadiens need to strengthen their defense corp, not trade away one of their steadiest defensemen in Josh Gorges.
Gainey had high praise for Josh Gorges during today press conference when assessing who has surprised or impressed him thus far this season:
“I wouldn’t say Josh [Gorges] is a surprise but he’s really climbed up the depth chart over the last 18 months. He’s gone from being a seventh defenseman to fourth”
Gainey even mentioned in his mid-season assessment this afternoon that he thought the team needed to upgrade the blueline as the season progresses.
In the end, Gainey has never been willing to trade away his future, especially in the cap restraint world of the NHL where teams must maintain a delicate balance between development, core NHL players and UFA signings. The days of re-building your team via UFA signings or huge blockbuster deals (i.e- Maple Leafs) have gone the way of the dinosaurs……extinct!!
Trade for Derick Brassard instead. Lecavalier does nothing for me. For that price go for Brassard who is younger, smarter, cheaper, and has more character.
I’m sure the Blue Jackets wouldn’t trade away such a talented, young and salary cap friendly player like Brassard.
Granted, it wouldn’t take as much to obtain him but it won’t happen with so many affordable years left before he can become an UFA.
Brassard has potential but has not yet shown that he is on track to be a #1 centre. In addition, there are concerns about his skating and his strength. Right now, the biggest problem is his fragility. He has missed major time due to shoulder, jaw and wrist injuries, including the rest of this season.
Plekanec, Higgins, Subban, Gorges and more than one first round draft pick is huge. The players coming back to the Canadiens (in addition to Lecavalier) are rumourd to be two former 6th round draft choices: Paul Ranger and Jussi Jokinen. So add about another $2.75 million into the calculations, and not a big add to talent.
The more that comes out about this potential deal, the worse it sounds.
At this point, everything is pure speculation as far as players being offered both ways.
I would be downright shocked if this deal gets done especially with the mentioned names. Gainey will concentrate on upgrading the blueline before he adds more offense to an already potent lineup.
Rocket, Brassard isn’t the fastest skater but is above average and doesn’t have a problem keeping up with the pace of the NHL.
Ken Hitchcock has been more concerned with Brassard’s cardio conditions and taking his shifts beyond the 45-55 second rule than his skating ability.
Honestly, you two guys have covered and watched the Habs probably as long as I did. Don’t we get at least one Lecavalier trade rumour a year? Usually followed by a Selanne one?
Look at what Gainey has done in the past five years, do he look like the kind of guy who would trade 4 young players plus one or two prospects plus more than one first round draft pick?
Hell, he traded a first round draft pick plus a second round for Tanguay and a fifth rounder.
When asked about trade possibilities, he always answers that they have to fill a hole, not create one…
You are right about the annual rumours concerning Lecavalier and Selanne. Teemu is someone I wish that the Canadiens had traded for 5 years ago. In his prime, Selanne was the most exciting hockey player I had ever seen in person. He and Koivu were always dynamite together whenever they played for Finland.
As far as Lecavalier, there have always been rumours, but this year seems different. The potential trade isn’t being speculated about by Eklund or some agenda-driven story in the french press, its being reported by some respected journalists.
You are also correct that it doesnt seem like the type of trade that Gainey would normally do. But this isnt a normal year. It is the 100th anniversary. And besides the media and fan pressure, apparently Mr Gillett would like to ‘make a splash’.
Let’s hope that reason prevails.
Comments are closed.