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***JERABEK DEALT*** Draft Is Paramount to Canadiens Future + Trade Rumors |
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UPDATE: J Jerabek dealt to the Washington Capitals for a 2019 5th round pick. Lebrun thinks Montréal May try to sign him again July 1st. Seems like the purge is on.
Also, my updates for a little while may be a bit delayed. My sump pump broke last night and half my basement carpet was soaked so I’ve been dealing with everything that comes with that for the last 24 hrs. I will try to keep the updates coming though until the chaos settles
There is a lot of tension in hockey mad Montreal these days. This season didn’t go as planned and instead of cheering for a shot at Stanley Cup #25 we are cheering for Draft Pick #1. Instead of talking about how the captain Max Pacioretty has been leading the team to the post season I’ve had to speculate on his best possible landing spot on deadline day or at the draft. No relishing in another possible award winning season by Carey Price, we are lamenting his injuries and sub par season.
The Great French Hope Drouin doesn’t have much support and even though Bergevin delivered in acquiring a elite, French, young talent the fanbase is souring on that deal as well due to the player who headed the other way having a quality rookie campaign (points wise). I daresay that playing with Stamkos, Kucherov, Point, and Hedmen helped Sergachev’s point totals, but there are many who don’t want to hear it and simply want Montreal to fire everyone.
There has been much talk about Molson replacing himself as President of the club but I think that’s probably the least likely of all scenarios. I think Molson wants to be a active owner and be a big part of the building of the team. It’s known that he stepped in during the Subban stand off to keep the arbitration decision from happening. It’s also common knowledge that he approached Carey Price and told him he wanted him to be a Canadien for life.
This is the involvement of a owner/President who really cares and who wants to make big decisions with his GM. Instead of saying that Bergevin is messing up or Molson doesn’t know how to make hockey decisions I would suggest perhaps its a case of having too many cooks in the kitchen?
Could it be possible that Molson’s involvement in player contracts or procurement has been detrimental to Bergevin’s ability to implement his strategies? What good is hiring a good hockey mind if the owner is constantly willing to openly tell his players he will pay them above and beyond?
Maybe.
I’m speculating completely so I’ll remind you that I am simply sharing my opinions and observations. I’m a passionate fan like you and I’m just trying to make sense of some things instead of instantly jumping to the “Fire Everyone” bandwagon.
RUMORS OF A SHAW BEING OFF LIMITS, BUT GALCHENYUK IS AVAILABLE?
There is some unverified information floating around that the Montreal Canadiens are not only listening to offers on Pacioretty, but have also told teams Galchenyuk is available while Andrew Shaw is not.
This has upset a portion of the fanbase and I kind of feel that there are a great many fans that would be mad about anything right now, but it is a rumor that doesn’t make much sense to me.
The NHL is becoming a young mans game, if it isn’t already. The goal of any organization right now is to keep higher end picks and turn the kids into regular contributors within a few seasons. The only logical sense in trading Galchenyuk would have to revolve around being grossly overpaid for him. This just won’t happen.
With Galchenyuk also turning 24 just a week ago it just doesn’t make sense for todays NHL. Add to that Galchenyuk’s improving chemistry with Drouin and the fact he’s been Montreal’s best forward in 2018 I just don’t see this rumor as being valid. Perhaps Bergevin has entertained offers to see if there’s a team willing to over pay, but it makes little sense.
Saying A Shaw is unavailable makes some sense to me if the Canadiens are feeling confident about having a quick turnaround next season. Shaw was having a great season for the Habs despite his injury issues and a player like that is unique in his ability to not only contribute in the bottom 6, but he can kill penalties and play 110% for the entire game. All with a gritty edge that makes him a valuable player for any team with playoff aspirations.
Could his rumored untouchable status be a type of ploy to up the offers through the media? Oh for sure, happens a lot actually. But, it’s also common knowledge that the Habs don’t really leak any information. They’re never telegraphing their upcoming moves so if these rumors are true then they are most likely coming from a source outside the organization.
Could a rival GM be using media to incite anger towards the Canadiens GM in an attempt to pressure him into a move they want to have happen? I think the likelihood of that happening is greater than the Canadiens leaking any information to the media. A GM may try to turn up the heat on the pot that the Habs GM is already boiling over inside, hoping that media and fan pressure pushes him into a move to save face. While this would no doubt piss me off as a GM, if there was certain assets I really wanted from the other GM I would just stick to my guns and see if the playoff run is worth more to them than useless media pressure means to Bergevin.
The truth is if any media member could accurately judge talent and manage people they would be involved in a Pro Hockey team and not just selling stories based on trending fan sentiment. I suggested trading Pacioretty for a kings ransom simply because his contract he is due to sign in a year and a half wouldn’t be more valueble than a first round pick and a couple elite prospects. I think that would be proper asset management for a team in Montreal’s position. If this doesn’t happen at the deadline will I be saying “Fire Bergevin!”? Nope.
I’ll only jump on that train if a quality asset like Pacioretty or Galchenyuk are dealt for quantity over quality assets. If those were the only deals available then keep them both and let them bounce back. Could always deal Pacioretty next deadline too.
WEBER NOT COMING BACK SOON, DANAULT AND ANDREW SHAW BACK
P Danault and Andrew Shaw were a welcome sight at practice in Pennsylvania today as it looks like they’re ready to return to the team. Shaw was on IR after being sidelined since January 15, 2018 with a Lower Body Injury. We all know about Danault’s puck to the helmet and it looks like he will play tonight according to the Coach and practice lines.
Pacioretty - Drouin - Lehkonen
Byron - Plekanec - Gallagher
Galchenyuk - Danault - Hudon
Deslauriers - Froese - Carr
de la Rose - L. Shaw - A. Shaw
Alzner - Petry
Morrow - Benn
Mete - Schlemko
Jerabek
Danault’s return from IR meant a roster spot had to open up for him and due to waiver risks the player demoted was rookie N Scherbak. As I alluded to earlier, anything that happens triggers a melt down with some sensitive Montreal fans and this was no exception. Immediately the decision was met with criticism from some fans and some media types who are paid to cover the Canadiens.
It’s almost like they don’t understand contract management and the decisions that must come with them. I’m all for Scherbak getting experience but he was able to be moved down without waivers. Zero risk of losing an asset like what happened with Barberio last season.
After the Trade deadline in 6 days it’s more than likely Scherbak is recalled as the roster limits are loosened. So for 4 or less games he’s in the minors until some deals are made and people are going to lose their minds? Buddy, the goal right now is to lose anyways? There will be 20 Canadiens games left after the 2018 Trade Deadline for Scherbak to get into.
Calm. Down.
Also, it’s been reported that S Weber isn’t close to returning with speculation he is experiencing soreness trying to get his skate on. Is the decision to simply say we are shutting him down for the season that hard to make? Let him get a well deserved rest and proper rehab during this season.
Apparently his injury to his foot occurred in the first game of the season and he was the Canadiens best player until he finally had to pull the rip cord on the team and pull out. Rest this guy for next year and just say it. No point bringing him back in a lost season to risk any injury. This season has felt like it was cursed anyways and with all the injuries and subsequent under achieving. Just get the team to the draft table in a position to grab Dahlin, Svechnikov, or Zadina.
CANADIENS SIGN SURPRISING DESLAURIERS FOR 2 MORE SEASONS AT $950K
No need to remind about how some people reacted to this signing right? Smart ass remarks and call for firings have been repeating like a broken record and this news was met with the same reaction.
I’ll be the first to admit that when the Canadiens acquired Deslauriers I was skeptical to say the least. I believe I kept my thoughts on the matter short and may have said I couldn’t find the sense in it.
I’ll be the first to eat crow on this one as Deslauriers has been a small positive in a big negative of a season. No, he’s not a top 6 C or a top 4 LD who can pass, but he’s a local guy who came in to a bad situation and gave it his all. His first few games with the Habs he was taking some dumb penalties and was having trouble reeling in his enthusiasm. After that he began to walk the fine line between taking penalties and playing with an edge and he was rewarded.
He found a home in the bottom 6 and made the best of situation with the other AHL call ups this season. In 36 games this year with the Habs he has 7 G and 3 A with a +9. The 7 G’s is actually a career high for Deslauriers, beating his 6 G’s in 70 games with the Buffalo Sabres in 2015-2016.
The cost of Deslauriers would be 1.3% of this years $75 million cap so not exactly a move that will handicap the team over the next 2 seasons and the increases the risk/reward value.
CANADIENS IN PHILADELPHIA TONIGHT TO END 4 GAME ROAD TRIP
Canadiens are on the always hostile Flyers ice tonight to finish up their 4 game road trip with puck drop slated for 7 pm EST.
The Canadiens enter the match having lost all 3 games so far of the road trip in addition to the last 5 overall contests.
The Flyers recently acquired disgruntled Red Wings back up P Mrazek as they have lost goaltenders Elliott, Neuvirth, and Stolarz to injury. With the Flyers barely holding onto 3rd place in the Metro their GM Hextal decided to “reward” the players with Mrazek.
Mrazek’s best stats this season are his SP% at .910 and his 3 Shut Outs in 22 games but he comes with some baggage. Mrazek was publicly unhappy with the Red Wings in the last year regarding his playing time and it was somewhat predictable that he wouldn’t resign with the Wings this summer as they are currently committed to J Howard for another season at $5.3 million.
The Canadiens will be in tough to stop the high octane attack led by Flyers cornerstones Giroux and Voracek but the big news in Philly isn’t the play of 2nd over all pick N Patrick (although he has just earned a promotion into the top 6 and his adjusting well), but the play of the 25th overall pick in 2015 Travis Konecny.
The former 1st overall pick in the OHL had a great junior career before joining the Flyers full time last season at 19 years old. Konecny had a impressive 11 G and 17 assists in 70 games last season in a bottom 6 role with no real PP opportunity.
This season Konecny found himself in a similar role as last season until shortly after Christmas where he was promoted to the top 6 and earned his PP time. In his last 23 games Konecny has 11 G and 13 A and has been clutch in OT.
This Flyers team had a gem of a 2015 draft when they grabbed #1 D man I Provorov at #7 and Konecny at #24. It goes to show that even late picks can have tremendous value down the road as Konecny slid due to injuries hampering his second OHL season and keeping his scoring pace at “only” 1.13 PPG. Of note, just before Konecny went, B Boeser was picked by the Canucks and two spots after Konecny the Habs drafted N Juulsen.
If only one of those two could have slipped a little further…
DRAFT AND SCOUTING IS PARAMOUNT TO TODAYS NHL
The season after he was drafted Konecny scored 30 G and 71 A in 60 games and rewarded the Flyers with a future cornerstone offensive talent in the making and shows the value of scouting. When you look at this draft and see that before Boeser and Konecny were drafted players like Gurianov, Zboril, Senyshyn, and Svechnikov were taken.
Also consider that Washington picked Ilya Samsonov right before Boeser and Konecny went, despite having a young and effective Holtby in net, and you can see how important drafting and development can be. If you’re an NHL teams scouting dept. and you recommended Samsonov ahead of Boeser and Konecny when you already had Holtby you probably shouldn’t be making those calls anymore. Just saying…
It’s worth noting that this kind of late 1st round pick would likely be included in any potential Pacioretty deal and with stars or players with fantastic potential (Poehling) available late lately it really depends on the ability of your scouting staff to find the potential and turn a great return on a player into a franchise changing one.
Habs currently sit tied for 3rd last and in a position to acquire a impact potential prospect this summer. Their 3 second round picks this summer could also be leveraged into another late 1st to a GM who’s scouting staff would pick a Russian goalie over two North American stud F’s with pedigree. Or a GM who has 3 mid firsts in a row and manages to pass over Barzal, Boeser, Chabot, Konecny, Connor, and Ericsson Ek. I’m not dreaming these scenarios up, this is fact. Some GM’s can’t draft and/or don’t have quality scouting departments.
Say what you want about the Canadiens, but they do draft pretty well as Timmins has been given more rope. With Timmins earning a seat at the big boy table as Asst GM I fully expect the Habs to nail this draft at the top and the subsequent 3 second round picks and with any luck they can be flipped into an additional 1st round pick for a potential draft day slider steal.
Enjoy the game tonight and let’s all hope the Habs are earning a boat load of air miles from sending their scouts and managerial staff everywhere to prepare for the draft.
Go Habs Go!
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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