I know; you're disappointed. Not about prospects like Louis Leblanc, or Mac Bennett (no relation to Andie), but about the big trade Bob Gainey failed to make. Because the Canadiens didn't offer enough, or because Tampa's feuding owners can't agree on anything.

And why wouldn't you be upset? Let's shift the focus for a second...

Did you think it was insane that the Flyers gave Anaheim Lupul, Sbisa, and two 1st-round picks for Chris Pronger? Chris Pronger, who is under contract for one more season? Chris Pronger, who's 6.25-million dollar cap hit has now been transfered to the team with the most maneuvering to do to get under the cap between now and the beginning of the season? Chris Pronger, who had an off season in '08-09? Chris Pronger, who will be 35 in October?

Of course it's insane, but it's also what Philadelphia has always done-- a model they've been following very strictly since Paul Holmgren took over as general manager from Bobby Clarke. The Flyers identify a need, and they stop at nothing to fill that need. They initially wanted the rights to Jay Boumeester, but after discovering he likely wouldn't sign with them, they set their sights on the next best player. Once Chris Pronger became available, thanks to Scott Neidermeyer's announcement earlier in the day, that he would be returning to the Ducks next season, the Flyers didn't hesitate to overpay to get their man.

No one can argue about the price not being too high, but the Flyers have no issues weighing components like Pronger versus components of their current and future roster, especially in the offseason-- the best time to reshape the image of your corps. Chris Pronger represents exactly what the Flyers are about, as a player, and in the manner in which he was brought into the team.

Bob Gainey took a risk going into this weekend, the degree of which will only be measurable by July 1st. As I told you, Bob Gainey's priority (above dealing with 9 of his unrestricted free agents) was to land an impact centreman, and the top guy on that list was Vincent Lecavalier. His plan, had it come to fruition was high-risk, high-reward. If he landed Lecavalier this weekend, he could've signed whichever free agents belonging to the Canadiens until July 1st he wanted to-- some of them at a discount to play with the new star-centreman. And he likely could've had an easier time attracting other ufas to fill whatever holes remained after July 1st.

The situation is now murkier than it was 1 week ago. The Canadiens have only formally offered a contract to Mike Komisarek, who has still yet to sign on the dotted line. It was reported by RDS that the Canadiens had a deal done, that was nixed by Len Barrie, barring a trade of Lecavalier to Montreal on Friday evening. So there are a group of 4-7 players, currently under contract with the Canadiens, who feel unwanted after they were being offered to another team. There is a group of 10 unrestricted free agents who have been left in contemplation until 2 days before the July 1st deadline. And the whole of this nucleus, 17 or so players who made what was supposed to be a dream season an absolute nightmare last year, are what Bob Gainey is left making decisions about with nearly 34-million dollars to spend on Montreal's cap.

And let's face it, Price's potential is much greater, but he hasn't proven more than Ray Emery. Did Gainey offer enough to get a deal done? Was Barrie the reason it didn't go down? Either way, Lecavalier isn't a Montreal Canadien, and if Bob Gainey is still intent on landing an impact centreman, chances are he never will be, given his cap-hit.

And this disturbing/annoying/uncertain process, which Vincent Lecavalier has been subject to could've all been over with if Vinny had pulled a Dany Heatley. Until July 1st he can't do the opposite, which is to come out and say "I won't waive my NMC for anyone"-- a scenario that seems entirely probable when that day comes.

Gainey has two options:
Take the Philadelphia model, and go after the next best player--attaining him no matter the price. Or test his luck on July 1st--a day that's been as kind to the Canadiens as the last couple of seasons have been to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It's not going according to plan, but plans change, and the Canadiens better have their plan in order, because the clock is ticking and in two days they won't be afforded the luxury of doing things at their own desired pace.
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Guy Boucher will be replacing Don Lever as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Canadiens will make it official later today.

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