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!!