Renaud Lavoie of RDS, mentionned last night during the Montreal and Phoenix game, that talks had intensified between the Wild and the Habs. Of course we all know that Minnesota's gm Doug Risebrough was a teammate of Montreal's gm, Bob Gainey, along with Jacques Lemaire and Mario Tremblay in the glory years in the 70's. That friendship is there, which most likely helped in getting talks started, but it might just be that, talk. We all know, that Gainey keeps his cards close to the vest, and rarely comments on rumours. There is a General managers meeting this week, and Gainey may have called Risebrough to get his take on certain issues that will be discussed. Who knows.
Let's say for sake of argument, both Gm's are talking to make a deal. It does not mean that once both sides agree on something, that a trade will be done immediatly, this could a wait and see agreement, between Gainey and Risebrough. Once Gaborik comes back to the active roster, the Canadiens gm will appoint a scout, most likely Pierre Gauthier is asst gm, to scout the Wild and see if there can be a deal to be done. Gainey can also ask Guy Carbonneau to give Mario Tremblay a call and get some inside info on Gaborik's attitude in the dressing room. One thing Mr. Lavoie may not know, either do I, that they maybe a third team involved and it could be three way deal in works, and Gaborik never even lands or plays in Montreal. Even if there is no third team involved, there is the cap space issue that Gainey and his CBA specialist, Julien Brisebois, must solve before making a deal. as mentionned in Lyle Richardson's rumour round up this morning, both Higgins and Halak total up 2.7 million in cap space, so the habs have shave off 4 .2million in space in order that Gaborik 6.333 cap hit fits in to Montreal's cap salary structure.
Ok you trade Halak, who is Carey Price's back-up, you then have to call up a goaltender from Hamilton, which will most likely be Marc Denis, and his cap hit is 600 k according to cap central. It will be interesting to see how all of this pans out in the days or weeks to come. Oh yes, of course all cap salaries would be prorated, as in the remaining money owned the players involved.
Let's say for sake of argument, both Gm's are talking to make a deal. It does not mean that once both sides agree on something, that a trade will be done immediatly, this could a wait and see agreement, between Gainey and Risebrough. Once Gaborik comes back to the active roster, the Canadiens gm will appoint a scout, most likely Pierre Gauthier is asst gm, to scout the Wild and see if there can be a deal to be done. Gainey can also ask Guy Carbonneau to give Mario Tremblay a call and get some inside info on Gaborik's attitude in the dressing room. One thing Mr. Lavoie may not know, either do I, that they maybe a third team involved and it could be three way deal in works, and Gaborik never even lands or plays in Montreal. Even if there is no third team involved, there is the cap space issue that Gainey and his CBA specialist, Julien Brisebois, must solve before making a deal. as mentionned in Lyle Richardson's rumour round up this morning, both Higgins and Halak total up 2.7 million in cap space, so the habs have shave off 4 .2million in space in order that Gaborik 6.333 cap hit fits in to Montreal's cap salary structure.
Ok you trade Halak, who is Carey Price's back-up, you then have to call up a goaltender from Hamilton, which will most likely be Marc Denis, and his cap hit is 600 k according to cap central. It will be interesting to see how all of this pans out in the days or weeks to come. Oh yes, of course all cap salaries would be prorated, as in the remaining money owned the players involved.
The Hit on Kostsitsyn
The debate is what is it a shot to the head ? Mike Milbury from Hockey night in Canada, it was fine.Coming from him, we should not be surprised. He also mentionned that it was Laraque that went after Thornton on wednesday night. He and his buddy Cherry, have been going pretty strong on the wacky tobacco. Well Mr.Milbury, look at this and tell me who went after who ? It's pretty clear. Ok let's get back to the issue at point here. I have seen it a few times already, but I will let you be the judge, don't forget to be objective about it. I have to admit that Mike was right on the hit, so was Benoit Brunet from RDS. Did Sauer deserve a penalty ? Maybe a roughing penalty, but not for the hit itself. As they say, blood is thicker than water, well while brother Andrei was being looked after by the excellent medical staff of the Canadiens, one of, if not the best in the league. I can't remember where I read it, but players on other teams that have been seriously injured in games in Montreal, have mentionned, they where well taken care off by that staff. I know it may sound dumb, but maybe they should of had a place in the ring of honor, espacially Dr. Mulder, who has been the team physician for over forty years.
First coaching casualty
After only four games, the Chicago BlackHawks fired Denis Savard on Thursday, and replaced him with Joel Quennville, former Avalanche and Blues coach. Now, is Quennville's Keaneen authoritive style good for this young BlackHawks team ? In his first game behind the Hawks bench, Quennville saw his team lose in a shootout. Yes you can say they got a point, but a loss remains a loss. But of course you have to let Quennville get his system in place. Tonight (Sunday) they play the Canucks in Vancouver, should be interesting. Pierre Lebrun on Hockey night in Canada's hotstove, said that he talked with the legendary coach, Scotty Bowman. Bowman told him that, he was not interested in the Gm job if ever Tallon was fired. Bowman also stated the two reasons he came to Chicago. One to work alongside his son Stan, who by the way was named after the cup that bares Scotty Bowman's name 11 times, 9 as coach and 2 has an executive. The second reason he invoked, was that he could hold the same kind of title he had in Detroit, work from his home in Tampa and see games around the league. Speaking of Bowman, he will be honored by the Canadiens during the celebrations of his former team's 100th season. When will this take place, not sure, but you know he will get a standing ovation by the crowd in Montreal. He was the coach of the last Canadiens dynasty of the 70's.
That's all for now folks.
That's all for now folks.
