Andrei Reunites with Sergei in Music City
As everyone is now well aware, the Montreal Canadiens have dealt Andrei Kostitsyn to the Nashville Predators in return for a 2nd rounder in 2013 and the conditional 5th previously dealt along with Hal Gill.
So, in total, the Habs have now dealt Gill and Kostitsyn to the Preds for two 2nd rounders and prospects Blake Geoffrion and Rob Slaney.
Adding the two 2nd round picks, which are quite valuable given the next 2 drafts, the Habs now possess FIVE 2nd rounders through the 2012 and 2013 drafts.
After having used but one 2nd rounder in the past three drafts, building up these kinds of assets will only help the Canadiens in the near future.
Arguing that Montreal could have landed greater value is certainly a worthy debate, but to gain two 2nd rounders, a decent prospect and an outside prospect for an expiring veteran contract and a soon-to-be-UFA who had otherwise maxed out his abilities in Montreal...well, that doesn't sound to bad to me.
The key is that this is only the beginning, or at least that is the hope.
In moving Kostitsyn, we can all assume that Blake Geoffrion will be called up to fill in his roster spot while Habs management works on landing more value for moveable assets.
Selling isn't all that familiar a concept in Montreal, so I wouldn't be too sure they won't try to land an impact player or two if they can, yet the real value in this deadline for the Canadiens has to be stockpiling picks and prospects that they'll either be able use and see value out of or be able to trade come this summer when they're worth more at the draft.
Though the rights to Alex Radulov were likely brought up, we can only assume that the unknown factor surrounding whether or not he would ever leave the KHL to come to Montreal kept the Habs from taking the risk. Someone might, but for the Habs - although Radulov would be a great impact addition - it would be too much of a risk for a group in search of more sure answers.
What are your thoughts on the deal?
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