Excuse me for laughing at the question, but isn't it a bit premature to ask fans if they're satisfied with Marc Bergevin's work in unrestricted free agency?

Can't count the amount of responses slinging mud at Bergevin for not "handling" Scott Gomez and Tomas Kaberle, and Rene Bourque, and for not picking up a top six forward. As if the market is now completely bare, a mere four days into free agency.

Were the Canadiens interested in Jagr? Of course they were. And when you hear Bergevin slough it off and suggest "the fit wasn't right", it's nothing more than a counter to the argument that some would make; that the Canadiens lost out to another team in the race.

Now that we know the truth, that Jagr was able to bilk $4.55 million out of Dallas, we know that the price was much higher than Bergevin was willing to pay. It was likely higher than anyone else wanted to pay, as well, despite Petr Svoboda's claim that his client received 20-odd offers.

As for "fit" with the Canadiens, can't really see who would've fit better. Not suggesting Bergevin should've paid the price, but on a one-year term, who would you prefer to have next to Tomas Plekanec and Brian Gionta? He was an attractive commodity because he was a short-term solution, one that could fill the seats and bring excitement to the Bell Centre; one that could produce and help the team bust out of the cellar of the East.

Instead, Bergevin will have to creatively find his man, most likely through trade. And through that avenue, he's more likely to find a long-term solution.

What would the Canadiens have to give to get Bobby Ryan? Could Lars Eller + (I'm open to suggestion) be an attractive package to the Ducks who are interested in obtaining a second line centre? Would you be willing to ship David Desharnais or Tomas Plekanec their way?

Could the Canadiens have a pitch for one of the remaining free agents? Someone that fills the short-term solution mold?
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Have to wonder what the future holds for Raphael Diaz and for Yannick Weber.

Will either be a member of the Canadiens next season?

What about Frederic St-Denis? Will he have a chance to grab a spot?

And Brendan Nash?

Could Greg Pateryn be in the immediate plans?

Can't help but feel the Canadiens need to find another nasty defenseman to round out the bottom end of that picture.

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