Guy Carbonneau was fired as coach of the struggling Montreal Canadiens yesterday, replaced behind the bench by General Manager Bob Gainey. As of this morning the Habs found themselves in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, posting a 36-24-7 record good for 79 points, but only 2 points from being out of the playoffs. Since Jan. 2 the Canadiens are 15-15-1, including losing 10 of 13 in late January and February.
For Gainey these numbers are unacceptable for last years top Eastern Conference team. Montreal entered the season with cup expectations heading into their centennial. Carey Price, expected to be the second coming of Patrick Roy was going to backstop the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup. This years Montreal squad has played inconsistent for the entire season. Injuries have hurt the team, as has Price's poor play, and the distractions of a season long anniversary party. But Carbonneau was calling the shots behind the bench, and no matter what he tried, he couldn't get a consistent positive effort from his players.
Carbonneau is clearly taking the blame for what is only partly his fault. This move wreaks of desperation. GM Bob Gainey is trying to light a fire under his player's asses in the hopes that they don't continue their current nosedive. If he stood by and did nothing he very well could find his team out of the playoffs by this time next week.
Not all hope is lost though- Montreal beat out Edmonton 4-3 in OT on Gainey's return to the bench and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, however the suddenly sizzling Pittsburgh Penguins are a point back with Carolina and Florida 2 points back. Montreal doesn't have the luxury of a massive winning streak early-on to carry the team into the postseason (like my Boston Bruins seem to be doing). They need to win, and it has to happen now. If they continue to stumble and skid they will easily find themselves out of the postseason on April 12th.
I think the Habs will be in the playoffs with a first round exit as the likely outcome.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Trade Deadline Day!
The holiday that is NHL trade deadline day has come to an end, and now that the dust has settled I'll share my thoughts on some of the moves.
Antoine Vermette (F) to the Bluejackets & Pascal Leclaire (G) and 2009 2nd round pick to the Senators:
Ottawa continues their rebuilding effort by getting Pascal Leclaire and a pick in this years draft, while Columbus lands Antoine Vermette who is sure to be centering their first line between Rick Nash and Kristian Huselius. Vermette has 9 goals, 19 assists and is a -12 this year. Vermette is a fast skater in the midst of a down year with the Senators. Finding himself on a line with the potent Nash could easily end his slump. Vermette is on the books through next year for just under $3 million.
Provided that Leclaire is healthy I'd expect him to take the starting job over Alex Auld or Brian Elliot for the 2009-2010 season. Listening to his reaction today he said he was excited to be coming to Ottawa, and looks forward to playing next year. Provided he can stay injury free Leclaire, under contract for $3.6 million next season, and $4.8 million for '10-'11.
This trade has the potential to help both teams. The Bluejackets sit in 6th play in the Western Conference and Vermette could help them lock up a playoff spot. Leclaire won't see the Ice this season, but provided he can stay healthy he will be an asset to the Senators over the next to seasons.
Jordan Leopold (D) to the Flames & Lawrence Nycholat (D), Ryan Wilson (D), and a 2009 2nd round pick to the Avalanche:
This was a great pickup for Calgary. Leopold was one of the most talked about puck-moving defenseman leading up to the deadline. They didn't have much to give up, as Nycholat was picked up on waivers yesterday and Wilson is not considered a top-tier prospect. Wrangling a 2nd round pick in this years draft off the Flames was a good move for the struggling Avalanche as they are clearly looking toward the future. Leopold will be a UFA on July 1 making this a great pick up for the Flames who have lined themselves up to make a serious run at the cup this year.
This was a great pickup for Calgary. Leopold was one of the most talked about puck-moving defenseman leading up to the deadline. They didn't have much to give up, as Nycholat was picked up on waivers yesterday and Wilson is not considered a top-tier prospect. Wrangling a 2nd round pick in this years draft off the Flames was a good move for the struggling Avalanche as they are clearly looking toward the future. Leopold will be a UFA on July 1 making this a great pick up for the Flames who have lined themselves up to make a serious run at the cup this year.
Mikael Tellqvist (G) to the Sabres for a 2010 4th round pick to the Coyotes:
Currently Buffalo sits in 10th place 3 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Starting netminder Ryan Miller is sidelined with an ankle injury, backing him up has been Patrick Lalime who went 0-2-1 in his last 3 starts posting a 2.00 GAA and .925 Save%. Tellqvist has posted a 7-5-1 record in 13 starts this season with a 2.86 GAA and a .907 Save%, will be a perfectly suitable backup to Lalime as Buffalo battles to make the playoffs. Phoenix picks up a 4th round pick in the 2010 draft and for a backup. They continue to look toward the future as the were one of the most active teams.
Currently Buffalo sits in 10th place 3 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Starting netminder Ryan Miller is sidelined with an ankle injury, backing him up has been Patrick Lalime who went 0-2-1 in his last 3 starts posting a 2.00 GAA and .925 Save%. Tellqvist has posted a 7-5-1 record in 13 starts this season with a 2.86 GAA and a .907 Save%, will be a perfectly suitable backup to Lalime as Buffalo battles to make the playoffs. Phoenix picks up a 4th round pick in the 2010 draft and for a backup. They continue to look toward the future as the were one of the most active teams.
Steve Montador (D) to the Bruins & Petteri Nokelainen (F) to the Ducks:
The Bruins are the team I know the best and follow the closest, as they are my hometown team and I will be a first-time season ticket holder for the 2009-2010 season. I like this deal for the Bruins. Montador (4 goals 16 assists +14 in 65 games) is a hard working gritty defenseman who provides depth for Boston's back line. He isn't afraid to get dirty and mix it up. He is also a UFA on July 1 which the Bruins like as they will be trying to resign Kessel, Krejci, and Tim Thomas in the offseason. In Petteri Nokelainen Anaheim is getting a cheap ($850,000 through the 2009-2010 season) defensive minded Center who is good on the face-off, but his skill set never developed to meet the Bruins expectations. Nokelainen is young, and plays his roll on the 4th line well. He will fit nicely into an Anaheim system eyeing development and young talent.
The Bruins are the team I know the best and follow the closest, as they are my hometown team and I will be a first-time season ticket holder for the 2009-2010 season. I like this deal for the Bruins. Montador (4 goals 16 assists +14 in 65 games) is a hard working gritty defenseman who provides depth for Boston's back line. He isn't afraid to get dirty and mix it up. He is also a UFA on July 1 which the Bruins like as they will be trying to resign Kessel, Krejci, and Tim Thomas in the offseason. In Petteri Nokelainen Anaheim is getting a cheap ($850,000 through the 2009-2010 season) defensive minded Center who is good on the face-off, but his skill set never developed to meet the Bruins expectations. Nokelainen is young, and plays his roll on the 4th line well. He will fit nicely into an Anaheim system eyeing development and young talent.
Olli Jokinen (F) and a 2009 3rd round pick to the Flames & Matt Lombardi (F), Brandon Prust (F), and a 1st round pick(2009 or 2010) to the Coyotes:
In what is undoubtedly the deal of the day Calgary landed one of the biggest names to move in Olli Jokinen. Jokinen has 21 goals & 21 assists in 57 games is a top line Center who, at 6'3'' can handle being matched against a teams bigger players. This move, along with acquiring Jordan Leopold shows that Calgary is serious about making a run for the Stanley Cup this year. Phoenix picked up a pair of young players who will be around for many years. Lombardi is very fast and could develop into a high level talent. Clearly the advantage in this deal goes to Calgary.
Mark Recchi (F) and a 2010 2nd round pick to the Bruins & Matt Lashoff (D) and Martin Karsums (F) to the Lightning:
Boston gets a veteran player with cup experience, Recchi has 32 assists in 62 games this season. Recchi will be a nice replacement for PJ Axelsson on the power play, and has the potential to be a great fit with Patrice Bergeron and Chuck Kobasew on the 3rd line. Recchi will be a UFA on July 1. Lashoff has taxied between Boston and Providence (AHL) all season, while Karsums has spent all but 6 games this year in the AHL. Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton likes the acquisition of 2 young players who will help the team down the road. Somehow Boston managed to sneak a 2010 2nd round pick away from Tampa Bay as well, I can't understand how that happened but I won't complain.
Bill Guerin (F) to the Penguins & a 2009 conditional draft pick to the Islanders:
Pittsburgh is competing for a playoff spot and Guerin could help, or he could be an absolute flop. I am not to keen on Dollar Bill, but he left Long Island for very little. It is certainly worth taking the chance on him in the stretch run. We will see how this one plays out.
Nik Antropov (F) to the Rangers & 2009 2nd round pick and 2010 conditional pick to the Maple Leafs:
In full rebuilding mode Toronto picked up a pair of picks and the Rangers snagged a young lefty Center/Winger who can dish the puck. Antropov's size is great asset and will come in handy as he crashes the net on New York's power play. He should provide some spark for the Rangers, as will the next trade...
Derek Morris (D) to the Rangers & Dmitri Kalinin (D), Nigel Dawes (F), and Petr Prucha (F) to the Coyotes:
Morris is an aggressive, solid defenseman who will be a UFA on July 1st. The Rangers are currently tied for 7th in the Eastern Conference, the acquisitions of Morris and Nik Antropov might help the team. With some movement made GM Glen Sather is leaving it to newly signed coach John Tortorella to stop this team from free-falling right out of the playoff race. Phoenix lands a trio of young players as they continue to focus on youth and development.
Travis Moen (F) and Kent Huskins (D) to the Sharks & Nick Bonino (F), Timo Pielmeier (G), and a conditional 2009 4th round pick to the Ducks:
San Jose made a great pickup in Moen and Huskins, who were both on the 2007 Stanley Cup Championship team in Anaheim. The Sharks get a pair of depth players with deep playoff experience who will undoubtedly help their run to the cup. In return the Ducks look toward the future getting a pick, prospects Nick Bonino and Goalie prospect Timo Pielmeir. Bonino was the top freshman goal-scorer in Hockey East for the 2007-2008 season, in 33 games this year Bonino has 13 goals 24 assists and is a +19 for pereniual contender BU.
Patrick O'Sullivan (F) and a 2009 2nd round pick to the Oilers, Justin Williams (F) to the Kings, & Erik Cole and a 2009 5th round pick to the Hurricanes:
Edmonton got a rising star in O'Sulivan, along with a 2nd round pick in this years draft, all while unloading a UFA to the Hurricanes. The question is whether Cole can help Carolina land itself in a playoff spot before he tests the free agent market. Williams is on IR so LA won't know what they are getting until next year.
Winners: Calgary was the biggest winner today, setting themselves up to make a legitimate run at Detroit and San Jose in the Western Conference. Boston got a solid defenseman as well as a veteran left handed shot. Edmonton picked up a young talent & a draft pick for a UFA. San Jose added depth and playoff expeience without giving up too much.
Time Will Tell: I liked the Rangers moves picking up Antropov and Morris should help the team lock down a playoff spot. Columbus made a good pickup in Vermette who should fit nicely with Rick Nash. Will Bill Guerin help Pittsburgh get to the post season? Only time can tell how the acquisition of draft picks and young talent helps Toronto and Phoenix. Leclaire is excited to be playing in Ottawa and if he stays healthy should help the team. Anahiem has a ton of UFAs at season's end and they did a good job moving afew players and bolstering their system with prospects and some solid defensemen.
Losers: Islanders gave up a low pick for Guerin. Capitals did nothing to improve the team heading into the stretch. Vancouver didn't make any moves. Bob Gainey didn't make any moves to help Montreal which won't sit well with the fans.
Closing Thoughts: For all the talk of moving Pronger, Bouwmeester, Khabibulin, Tkachuk, and Kovalchuk all of them stayed put. Overall this year's deadline was pretty anticlimactic. Alot of the big names floated around the league leading into the deadline didn't get moved. Solid moves from a few teams.
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