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Gainey Should trade For Frolov, and Sign Shanahan |
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According to Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse, who’s been on top of this story since yesterday afternoon, Sergei Kostitsyn left the Bulldogs, equipment packed and ready to go, drove to Montreal for a meeting with Bob Gainey, and is now back in Hamilton.
The biggest surprise of this story is the “back to Hamilton” part. Knowing Sergei, and his motivations to play in the NHL, there’s only one thing that could’ve happened at his meeting with Bob Gainey: he was assured he’ll be traded in the near future. Why else would he agree to go back to the Bulldogs? Especially, since La Presse has been reporting for days about pending offers from three KHL teams, including a major one from Avangard Omsk…allegedly.
I don’t normally do this, and we can all agree that Kostitsyns (Andrei too) for Frolov rumors seem far too convenient at this point given the situation for the Kings and the Canadiens, but this rumor makes sense to me. I’ll tell you how…
If I were in Gainey’s shoes, I’d gladly send the Kostitsyns for Frolov and a late pick. If I were the L.A Kings I would gladly make that deal, and add to the depth of the offense. Though the Kings would take on slightly more salary than what they’d be giving up in Frolov, they’d be getting a player, in Andrei Kostitsyn that is just about equal in talent. They’d also be getting a Sergei Kostitsyn who’d be dead-set on proving the Canadiens wrong in their assessment of his abilities.
I would then take the cap savings on that deal, and spend them on Brendan Shanahan. I don’t care what anyone has to say about Brendan Shanahan, and his lack of speed, and his failure to crack the Devils top 6….blah blah blah
Shanahan is a proven scorer, with tremendous experience. If any of you honestly think Pacioretty, or D’Agostini, or Andrei Kostitsyn would provide better value to the Canadiens that is your prerogative. He’s played with Gomez and Gionta, he’s won cups, and he fits the mold that Bob Gainey created over the summer.
The downside is obvious:
-Frolov is a free agent next summer.
-Shanahan is a free agent now, and next summer.
-There are serious questions regarding both players.
But are there more questions about Shanahan and Frolov, than there are about the ability of Montreal’s current personnel that’s expected to provide secondary scoring?
If Shanahan were to join Gomez and Gionta, do you not think he would play well? If he were the right-handed shot on the side-boards, on the powerplay, do you really think he wouldn’t score points?
If Frolov and Cammalleri were Plekanec’s linemates, do you not think they would provide the secondary scoring Montreal so desperately lacks? Don’t forget about the chemistry that we know exists between Cammalleri and Frolov.
It’s all hypothetical, but it seems like a real logical strategy to undertake.
What do the Canadiens really have to lose? The Kostitsyns? Does anyone think they’re part of the long-term strategy for the team? Shanahan and Frolov? Shanahan for the remainder of the year isn’t much of a risk.
Frolov, who’s been labeled a problem for the same reasons as S.Kostitsyn, isn’t much of a risk for the remainder of the season. They still have D’Agostini and Pacioretty. They could let him go for nothing if he doesn’t work out, or sign him to play with Cammalleri and Plekanec if he does.
What do the Kings have to lose? They don’t have long-term plans for Frolov. He’s gone at the end of the year no matter what. And how often can you get rid of a top 6 player who’s problematic, and get a player back of equal talent, let alone another whose potential is untapped—but evidenced through part of his young career.
What does Shanahan have to lose? For those who say he’s waiting for a contender, the Wings lost tons of scoring in the offseason, and Franzen for a large portion of the season, yet they don’t seem to be knocking on Brendan’s door. Signing with the Canadiens wouldn’t be as much of a lost opportunity as sitting and waiting for someone else to give him a chance, or worse, no one calling.
With the Canadiens, Shanahan would have exactly what he wasn't given in New Jersey: an important role. Given the character in Montreal's dressing room, which regardless of their record, we can all agree is quite strong, he'd be an excellent fit.
It's a tough argument to make, but I'm sticking to it.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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