Gill Trade Sets Habs on Pick/Prospect Path
The decision to move Hal Gill was made long ago when Montreal management was faced with the oblique task of deciding who they would have to part ways with should the season not go according to plan.
Considering the outcome, it's pretty safe to say little has gone according to plan in Montreal.
Acting accordingly, the Habs have dispatched a large contract in Michael Cammalleri and, as of this weekend, Hal Gill.
Like the prior trade of Michael Cammalleri, the Habs have made it clear they've set about renewing and restoring the pipeline.
Compared with the prior two years in which Pierre Gauthier parted with 2nd round picks to acquire deadline pieces for playoff runs, the Habs GM has seems to be doing the opposite, now boasting four 2nd rounders over the next two draft classes.
With Travis Moen, Andrei Kostitsyn, Chris Campoli, Mathieu Darche all being shopped, and to a lesser extent Tomas Kaberle and Yannick Weber around if anyone wants them, there's still quite a bit left on the roster for Gauthier to add to his stockpile.
Though arguments about the worth of Cammalleri rage on to this day, landing a serviceable player in Bourque, a 2nd rounder and prospect Patrick Holland (who sits 9th in WHL scoring with 20 goals and 60 assists in 58 games) aren't as hollow a return as some make it out to be.
Coupled with the current return for Hal Gill and the pipeline adds some much needed bulk with Geoffrion and Slaney helping out a beleaguered Bulldogs squad.
It follows along the same lines of the O'Byrne for Bournival trade as Montreal continues to address positional issues through futures.
Moving forward, one has to assume that the Canadiens have their eye on at least another 2nd rounder for Moen, while Kostitsyn should be able to fetch a 1st rounder or solid prospect if the cards are played right.
Add on any incoming value for the other players on the block and the Habs should hold quite a few assets following trade deadline.
And, should none of the core players not move - as that still seems quite unlikely - the Habs will only leave themselves room to add this summer via trade or free agency.
The more draft assets and prospects that fill the pipeline, the more interesting the situation becomes.
Though this season's playoff hopes are diminishing by the minute, it's become noticeable that fans are still in love with many players on this team and come hell or high water are willing to stick with them.
Another interesting element to consider is whether Montreal will use any of those newly acquired assets before the trade deadline?
If they can pull the trigger on a deal or two in the next couple of days before the deadline, they'll hold even more assets by February 27th, leaving them open to possibly landing an impact player.
And while I would caution against doing anything of that nature until the summertime, considering how much value those picks and prospects may gain in the coming months, one has to wonder if management wouldn't go after that impact player now?
However the Habs plan on adding impact players, it certainly shouldn't come before landing some value for current assets which need to be moved.
Don't forget the value of Cup rings at this time of year. As has been mentioned already, with Gill, Grossman and Kubina already moving, the market for available d-men is getting smaller by the second, boosting the value of any all available blue-liners with that type of experience.
What are your thoughts?
Who's worth what and how many of the players mentioned above do you think Gauthier will be able to move?
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