Canadiens Gm,Bob Gainey,acquired former Habs defenseman, Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Trashers. In return, the Trashers acquire Montreal's 2 round draft choice in 2009 (from Washington) and 3rd round choice in 2010.Atlanta also sent a conditional pick along with Schneider. This deal should not really come as a surprise to anyone,as Gainey has been looking all season for such a veteran defenseman. A lot of critics will say, why Mathieu Schneider ? Why not, he is still capable to help the Canadiens. How much, that remains to be seen, but he can't do any worse than the present defense corps on the powerplay. I think he will be a good addition to the team.It's not like he has never played in Montreal before. I don't think he wanted to leave Montreal, just as Kirk Muller, when both were traded in 1995. Both will be reunited along with Guy Carbonneau, who was captain when Canadiens won the cup sixteen years ago, along with Brisebois, who was up to now the last surviving and still playing member of that team. Schneider will also recognize some familiar faces in the traveling press corps, in Benoit Brunet, who is now a commentator on RDS, along with analyst and coach of the Canadiens in 1993, Jacques Demers. Mathieu is well aware of the pressures in playing in the fishbowl that is Montreal, and that the team is celebrating it's 100th season. I think Schneider can be a calming force and will be helpful in long run.
Welcome Back Mathieu !
At least one person from the Montreal Press, sees Schneider as a good thing for the Canadiens.
Former RDS comentator, Yvon Pedneault gives his take on the trade.
While Schneider was making his way to Montreal, his former team beat the Kings 7-6 in the shootout.
Not too long after seeing his team get trounced in the third period by the Maple Leafs, Michel Therrien was notified that his term of employment as head coach of the Penguins was going to end. This is not the first time Therrien has been fired. In January 2003, then coach of the Canadiens, he was notified that he no longer had a job, and was replaced by Claude Julien, who suffered the same faith three years later, when Bob Gainey also pulled the plug, and took over for the remainder of the 2005-06 season.
After leading the Young Pens to the Cup finals, Therrien signed a new three year extension, so I doubt that he is too worried about his financial security for the next two years. Guys like Therrien who eat and breath the profession they practice, don't usually sit home and feel sorry for themselves. If Therrien needs comfort, all he has to do, is look at Claude Julien.
I doubt that he stays unemployed for too long. As Stephen Knight puts it, some job will come up sooner than later. As coaches like Andy Murray, Tony Granato and yes even Gretzky, could be on the bubble and dismissed in the off season.
After leading the Young Pens to the Cup finals, Therrien signed a new three year extension, so I doubt that he is too worried about his financial security for the next two years. Guys like Therrien who eat and breath the profession they practice, don't usually sit home and feel sorry for themselves. If Therrien needs comfort, all he has to do, is look at Claude Julien.
I doubt that he stays unemployed for too long. As Stephen Knight puts it, some job will come up sooner than later. As coaches like Andy Murray, Tony Granato and yes even Gretzky, could be on the bubble and dismissed in the off season.
As far as his replacement goes, Dan Bylsma, I doubt that he will be a long term solution. I think the front-runner, even though it has not been mentionned, is Pat Quinn. Quinn impressed a lot of people in his handling of Team Canada in the WJC tournament, and has a pretty good relationship with Pens Owner Mario Lemieux.
Could Therrien's dismissal be the beginning of some shake up trades for the Pens ? Possible, the next two weeks will tell us that.
Could Therrien's dismissal be the beginning of some shake up trades for the Pens ? Possible, the next two weeks will tell us that.
McGuire's Team Canada Selections
Last night on the NHL on TSN pre-game show, Pierre McGuire released his choices for team Canada in Vancouver next year for the Olympic games. When you look at the composition of the team, you can see that Pierre learned from the old master himself, Scotty Bowman. Good speed, grit, well balanced offensif and defensif minded players.Strong down the middle and on the wings. On defense, a combination of both rushing and stay at home defensemen. In goal, was a no brainer, how can you miss with Marty Brodeur, backed up by Luongo. This will be a good learning experience for Carey Price, hang around a guy that has made his living at winning and collecting Stanley cups, you should learn a thing or two about winning, pressure, but best of all, having fun doing it, when that happens, Brodeur would most likely tell you, the two first will take care of themselves.
