PRE SUMMER RECAP

So let's go over what the Habs have done so far this off season before I head up to the exotic Laurentians for two months.

A) Playoff hero Jaro Halak was dealt to the St. Blues for elite prospect Lars Eller and Calgary Hitman Ian Schultz. The deal means that Carey Price has once again been given the drivers seat in Montreal while the team looks for a veteran backup Goalie.

B) The Canadiens surprise some and move up from 27th to 22nd in order to select behemoth and possible future captain Jarred Tinordi. He is the son of former NHLer Mark Tinordi and was the captain of the US U-18 National Development Team, called by many the best development team ever with 9 players drafted this year including two other first rounders, Goalie Jack Campbell and Defenseman Derek Forbort.

C) Pierre Gauthier solves a season long problem by dealing clubhouse cancer Sergei Kostitsyn far far away to Tennessee as the Habs acquire heart and soul grinder Dustin Boyd and soon to be UFA netminder Dan Ellis from the Nashville Predators. If the team can ink Ellis to a deal it will give them the seasoned vet they wanted to back up Carey Price.

Now what?

Well we should not assume that we're going to make another giant splash come free agency a la 2009, but it would be nice to build on some youthful depth. As shown by Stanley Cup Champions Chicago, four line depth is key in being successful.

That's all for now, can't wait for September.

Peace,

E

THE SKY IS NOT FALLING.

Okay, so right now seems like a perfectly good time to panic, in the words of Rex from Toy Story.

Jaroslav Halak, our "franchise savior" who singlehandedly took down powerhouses like Washington and Pittsburgh and got the Canadiens to within 3 wins of the Stanley Cup Finals, has been dealt to the St. Louis Blues for Danish Blue Chip Prospect Lars Eller and Ian Schultz, who is just plain chippy for the Calgary Hitmen.

WE'RE DONE, GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER. HALAK WAS OUR MOON AND OUR SUN, WITHOUT HIM WE'RE DONE.

So, you guys can continue to run round like decapitated chickens, I am going talk to the rational people here.

Jaroslav Halak put in an show stopping performance this year in the playoffs, he wanted to prove he was our starting goalie, but what now? Halak's play has given him something for his negotiating cause, he was at liberty to demand over 4 M a year when the Canadiens brass would approach him to re-sign him. What then? How would we re-sign Tomas Plekanec, our most consistent forward this year? And although Carey Price now looks like a cold commodity, would you really be ready to part ways with our 5th overall pick from 2005? A guy who had been hung out to dry more this year than a pair of Granny Panties, a player who when given reins all by himself, like he did in 2008 after Cristobal Huet had been traded, went 12-4 down the homestretch en route to 1st place in the East. The NHL is a goal tending carousel, Dwayne Roloson led the Oilers to the finals in 2006, only to be the backup on the Islanders, do you honestly think that Michael Leighton or Anti Niemi are going to have long distinguished NHL careers? Jaroslav Halak showed his worth, but can you really say that he would be in our plans for the future?

Lars Eller is a top notch prospect, he was an AHL all star last year, and was the 13th overall pick in 2007. He could come in and challenge for a spot on the top 6 next year. He is 21 years old. Before you state that all is lost, give this deal time, because in 3 years I have a feeling Lars Eller will be a big part of this team. Jaro, I wish you luck and want to thank you for the superhuman feats you performed for this team. I hope you get the starting job you deserve.

Peace,

E

Season could be over tonight.

Well I've been away from the blogosphere for quite some time, but I had to add a post in time for tonight's game.

Chicago's time is now, and only now. Due to some contract SNAFUs this is the last year that the Blackhawks will be able to retain their complete core of players. You can be sure this team will come out tonight, knowing that the window of opportunity is as small as it will ever be. I will be frank about this, I will be angry if the Flyers win the Stanley Cup, not only because they dispatched the Canadiens, but because they display a sort of arrogance that just makes you want them to fall in a pile of dog poop.

Watch this game tonight, if you want to see real playoff Hockey, this game is for you.

After this series is over I will come out with a little mini draft preview with what we can do with our 27th overall pick.

Peace,

E