The Trade Deadline Arrives Early, Did Gainey Miss Out?
by Robert L on Feb 1, 2010 2:15 AM EST
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Darn, so how was your weekend? Mine was a mixture of highways, freezing cold hockey rinks and winter hibernation surrealness. My youngest was in a hockey tournament in Nepean from Friday to Sunday, so whipped, I didn't get a whole lot else done, or get to witness much NHL action. As is custom with yours truly, the brewskies were pouring well into the Saturday late evening. When I awoke Sunday afternoon, I could have sworn I'd risen from a coma of some sort and stepped into March 3, 2010, trade deadline day in the NHL. Long story shot, I crashed very late Saturday night / Sunday a.m., with NHL Network highlights on the tube. The lasting image of Jarome Iginla and Sheldon Souray trading haymakers worked its way into my dreams / nightmares, and I woke up with a suspicious feeling that Souray had been reacquired by the Habs! I start checking the net and see that Brian Burke has been busy, to say the least, acquiring both J.S. Giguere and Dion Phaneuf. I check the calendar and ask my wife and kids if this is not still January 31. Three major deals in one day - and a Sunday to boot! The Leafs sent Jason Blake (thankful to be the hell out of Toronto) and goalie Vesa Toskala (thankful to be the hell out of Toronto) to Anaheim for goalie Giguere. The Flames then dump overated defenseman Dion Phaneuf, winger Fredrik Sjostrom and prospect Keith Aulie to the Leafs for rearguard Ian White and forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers. Like whoa! Remember the last Leafs / Flames multi-player deal in 1993? Calgary, who are sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference, were not done. The offed the inceasingly unlikeable Olli Jokinen and rugged forward Brandom Prust to the New York Rangers for the disgruntled Ales Kotalik and former Hab Chris Higgins. In all, there was an exodus of 9 players on Canadian soil moved to new teams. Frightening shit, coming out of self induced beer come, I might add. As a Hab fan, none of this bothers me in the least. Was there a player dealt that might have improved the Canadiens standing had he been acquired? I think not. I loved Phaneuf once, shortly after his rookie season. I thought he was a franchise player real deal. But a friend of mine was soon privy to some off ice info about the guy that always remained on the brain. My buddy worked for Bell Teleperformance, a telecommunications company that served all of Canada, when he received a call from Phaneuf. In ordering a sports package, the former Flame, on a day game, was partying quite hardy. The call I was told, took over an hour to finalize, because Phaneuf, it sounded like, had an army at his home that day. Watching Phaneuf's play and stature decline since then, I've never forgotten that tale from my friend, although I thought it pure bullshit at the time. Now, my question would be, with all this player movement, and in light of the Cammalleri injury on Saturday night, what do you think.
Did Gainey miss out on something good?
Or was he just wise to watch the parade pass by?
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Well, technically, the CGY-NYR deal is still up in the air, on account of Kotalik’s limited NTC, which is preventing a move to Calgary specifically. Dunno how long that’ll take to get sorted.
SNN Sports - A theoretical Oilers blog (i.e. theoretically, I write stuff there). Link now 100% less broken.
Did Bob miss out?
You know what, I might get panned for this, but I’ve sometimes liked Stajan and I’ve always liked Ian White’s play. Obviously they weren’t both available except in a big trade, but since you asked, those are the players I’d have taken on if possible.
The Rangers getting Jokinen is a shame, because it might correct their issue of very little talent at centre, which might close another of the playoff spots.
I agree with your assessments of Stajan and White, but a caution is that they are particularly better when playing the Habs. Stajan for one would fit in nicely on the Canadiens third line.
Jokinen will never be of interest. Always been a lame duck in my eyes and each time he’s moved after disappointing only cements that truth. He’ll fit in with the other overpaid underachievers in New York.
If the habs had of acquired Phaneuf you guys would be calling him the next Larry Robinson
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Actually, when Phaneuf first arrived in Calgary, I thought then that he had such a potential. I don’t know if there is a coach out there that can steer him in the right direction, but for now he’s just the next Barry Beck.
Was Berry Beck ever a 1st team all star? just sayin
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Feb 3, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think so. We need to figure out what we got with our own prospects, and deal with the situation in goal. Paying 6.5 mil. for a maybe Norris, maybe bust d-man isn’t what we need. And we tied up a huge chunk of change over the summer.
The two players I’m really interested in for the rest of the season are the Kostitsyns. Not so much the AK, but definately the SK. We need to know what we’ve got in those two.
Other than that, we’ve got to figure out what we’re doing on the back end. Finding a buyer for Hammer at the deadline might be an idea…
I agree.
Not so worried about what Andre can do for us, but what exactly can Sergei bring to the plate?
Never seen him play much in Hamilton based on his short stint here but I sometimes wonder if he really is that skillful player we are hoping he is.
I’m more disappointed at the development of Lapierre, O’Byrne, D’Agostini to name a few. These guys were winners in Hamilton and why are they not playing so well in Montreal?
I’m more concerned about O’Byrne and D’Agostini than Lapierre. Lappy had a good season last year, he’s just been a bit off this season. He’s pretty much slotted for a 3rd/4th line centre, but that’s all that was really expected of him.
D’Agostini, Pacs and Maxwell really need to be evaluated though- I’m with you there. I don’t know what’s in the Montreal water that makes it so difficult for our prospects to prosper with the big club, but it needs to change!
by westcoasthabs on Feb 3, 2010 2:41 AM EST up reply actions
Deals?
I don’t think any of these guys could make the impact we need. (Yes the proverbial “We” – ‘cause we all have tangible connections with the Habs’ Brass) ;)
The intriging thing here is what to do. Yes (I WILL NOT SPEAK OF GOALTENDING. PERIOD) we need something. The issue with Cammalleri being out puts pressure on us on the whole. Speed, charisma and athleticism are missed while Cam is out. I don’t believe the AHL can help us out there (sorry Maxwell). I think some tinkering and creative moves could light a fire under some of these guys and the loss of Cam could be minimal. I think westcoasthabs is right in finding out what we have in SK. With all of the turmoil that he has been involved with, maybe a stint on the top 2 lines could spark him to the BelaRussian Superstar he believes he is.
I’m not sold on the idea of getting a big centre. I think Pouliot is playing PHENOMENAL in both ends of the rink. Albeit he isn’t a face-off guy, but he’s producing. The big man presence from him is suffice.
If BG decided to deal, I hope its for a gritty guy with good hands. We could shed a few AHL prospects and O’Byrne. Speaking of O’Burned Again…
HEAR ME OUT: Exelby. I know, hated Leafs, but he’s a tough guy. He would be an upgrade to O’Burned Again.(Yes I am harping on him even despite his good fight a week ago). SLOOW is not good for this D. Exelby could be toughness we need on the back end.
Option 2) Nick Boyton. A re-tread, a shadow of his former self?? But a waiver wire pick up wouldn’t shake the team.
Then we could find a buyer for Hamrlik and not feel pressured into taking someone back that we didn’t want in the first place. Win win….
I enjoy this season despite the many 1 goal losses to lesser teams. I think that we have a good thing going now that there is some light on the team. Calgary clearing house and speaking a little about Phaneuf’s locker room issues illustrates that all teams have issues. I’m not worried about a leader for the team calling on (out) his teammates. I believe with that Markov has solidified himself as a locker room spokesperson. The team looks animated and hungry, and having a vocal leader (Markov) and a silent one (Gionta) brings about thoughts of the HAbs slowly gelling to the point of picking a Captain. Maybe they need someone to look to for the leadership that comes along with the C??? I just hope BG doesn’t do a knee-jerk reaction to the Leafs (although we are ahead in the standings, the Leafs got bigger but NO scoring in return). Tweaking this team is what will bring us to the playoffs.
by Cruisin4aBruisin on Feb 1, 2010 8:33 PM EST reply actions
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