Westmount
- John Jaeckel

That was my high school in Hammertown, Ontario

Honestly, I would not counter because although I think Leddy is a really damn good up and coming Dman, IMO he is just not needed for Montreal. Remove Markov and Bouillon and our Dcore is extremely young already. And this does not include Tiniordi, Beaulieu, Ellis, Thrower, Dietz, maybe add Peteryn and Bennett who all have an excellent chance of being NHLers in the next 2-3 years.

Right now we have Subban, Diaz (who if ppl remember, before his injury was near the top of the points standing for D-men) and markov. 2 of those guys are in top 10 for points for Dmen.

As for why he is in the discussion, I am not sure he is. Obviously there is familiarity because of MB involvement with the Blackhawks but from all accounts in MTL, MB is looking to tinker with his line-up for added grit and depth both on D and on the 3rd/4th line.

For arguments sake if we were talking about a situation when Leddy became a Hab then I think Diaz woukld likely be going the other way along with a high pick. Maybe Calgary's 2nd for instance? Maybe along with a Travis Moen or a Ryan White?
- willey101

I totally agree. I'm not sure why Bergie would want Leddy either. For all I know Stan and Bergie are simply exchanging names that interest each other. I don't see a deal taking place before the deadline. Unless the Hawks want to revisit Travis Moen and I hope to Jeebus that they don't.

I can see Bergie wanting to put his mark on the team. And everything I read points to some kind of friction between Subban and the rest of the team. ( I could be totally wrong about that. But that's what I read....) Maybe that's behind the leddy love. I've liked Eller since he was a Blue but there's some Patrick Poullin in his blood. I expected a faster development out of him and I expected him to have better stats and be more of a force.

Regardless, nice to see Smith put in his place. Lost a lot of respect for him during the playoffs last year.
- TyCamScore

This !!!! Agree completely

Guy is a total clown

I totally agree. I'm not sure why Bergie would want Leddy either. For all I know Stan and Bergie are simply exchanging names that interest each other. I don't see a deal taking place before the deadline. Unless the Hawks want to revisit Travis Moen and I hope to Jeebus that they don't.

I can see Bergie wanting to put his mark on the team. And everything I read points to some kind of friction between Subban and the rest of the team. ( I could be totally wrong about that. But that's what I read....) Maybe that's behind the leddy love. I've liked Eller since he was a Blue but there's some Patrick Poullin in his blood. I expected a faster development out of him and I expected him to have better stats and be more of a force.
- yahoodi

Not sure why everyone keeps talking about PK. He is liked in the locker room, people stick up for him on the ice, and by simplifying his game he has developed into a Norris candidate this season. There was friction there no doubt when PK arrived because he had flare and pizzazz but he's calmed significantly and is IMO our best player. T lrue a guy like this out of Montreal would cost a crap load

I totally agree. I'm not sure why Bergie would want Leddy either. For all I know Stan and Bergie are simply exchanging names that interest each other. I don't see a deal taking place before the deadline. Unless the Hawks want to revisit Travis Moen and I hope to Jeebus that they don't.

I can see Bergie wanting to put his mark on the team. And everything I read points to some kind of friction between Subban and the rest of the team. ( I could be totally wrong about that. But that's what I read....) Maybe that's behind the leddy love. I've liked Eller since he was a Blue but there's some Patrick Poullin in his blood. I expected a faster development out of him and I expected him to have better stats and be more of a force.
- yahoodi

I'd imagine that's 95% of rumors "Is Kane available" "Not unless you want to trade us Crosby lol" Not actual proposals being swapped, just discussions.

re: PK, don't believe everything you read. When it comes from the montreal media, believe none of it actually.

They suck.

Kidding.

BTW, Tallon is after a Hawk prospect, too. See tomorrow's blog.
- John Jaeckel

I'm sure Uncle Dale covets a few of our prospects and/or young players. At the same time I doubt he's willing to give up any of his own. Considering that, I can't think of any veteran Panthers I'd want to give up a solid prospect for.

Hope he took you to Schwartz's!
- paulr

His favorite place is a little bistro called Express, that has a good Chevre Chaud

I'm sure Uncle Dale covets a few of our prospects and/or young players. At the same time I doubt he's willing to give up any of his own. Considering that, I can't think of any veteran Panthers I'd want to give up a solid prospect for.
- DarthKane

I'd give Dale on of his old picks back (Beach, Olsen, Lalonde).

Tallon wants Pirri.....

Dietz is a late bloomer. Was a stay at home guy who played extremely physical but he has developed some offensive flare. Looks to be a sure fire NHLer but more of a 2nd or 3rd pairing type of guy. So lke a #4-5 type of guy.

Thrower is the most exciting. Alot of comparibles to Bieksa. same size, same big shot, not afraid to drop the gloves and alot more upside. A real steady guy who looks likely to be a good #3 type of dman on an NH team.

You'll have the chance to see both at the Memorial Cup.
- willey101

I know Thrower a little better. Bieksa, eh? So he only fights Euros at the end of shifts?! (I kid, I kid)

Tallon wants Pirri.....
- ChicagoDave

I'm sure he's not the only GM that does and I bet Stan could get a better return elsewhere (ie Washington or Buffalo).

Tallon wants Pirri.....
- ChicagoDave

Maybe, but he has his sights set higher. Gotta love Dale. He thinks big.

I'd give Dale on of his old picks back (Beach, Olsen, Lalonde).
- dan9189

ZING!

I know Thrower a little better. Bieksa, eh? So he only fights Euros at the end of shifts?! (I kid, I kid)
- John Jaeckel

He's been injured alot this year, IMO took a minor step back with development but he looks to be a good one. Habs D prospects look to provide a really bright future.

Up front we have some good ones as well with Galchenyuk, Gallgher, Collberg, Hudon, Vail, and nobody seems to talk about Kristo anymore. I can see him being included in a deal this trade deadline.

If I am stan bow I keep it fairly simple at the deadline. Prospects for grit. I don't pretend to have a clue who is or isn't available and what the respective prices may be, but if a deal is made, the hawks will give up prospects and get grit in return.

The summer however it gets a bit trickier. Obviously it depends on how far the hawks go, but you gotta believe whatever deal the hawks make with anyone will involve getting rid of guys due for a raise. I think its save to say after Perry and Getzlaf that Kane and Toews will both get 7.5+ a year so the hawks have to be planing for that. So unless they let one of those guys go (I highly doubt it) you can expect to see a least one player due a raise shipped out once the weather gets hot.

I know Thrower a little better. Bieksa, eh? So he only fights Euros at the end of shifts?! (I kid, I kid)
- John Jaeckel

No you don't.

Bieksa would be in the top 3 of my list of NHL phoney tough guys.

ZING!
- John Jaeckel

He already took Jack Skille off our hands, why not a few others.

Honestly don't know if you're asking if I'm rich or Jewish but you'll note my location says NY...
- muffin_man

Wait, I thought you lived on . . . Drury Lane.

No you don't.

Bieksa would be in the top 3 of my list of NHL phoney tough guys.
- maaddmike

Thank you, just trying to avoid inciting the Vancouv-a-trolls. I agree.

Unrelated to these trade rumours... thoughts on Mike Smith's latest encounter behind his net?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5cmmjjX4qg

If Shaw got 3 game IN A PLAYOFF SERIES, then Edler should be looking at least the same. Shaw tried to pinch himself against the board and clipped Smith, Edler made no attempt and just ran him over.

Regardless, nice to see Smith put in his place. Lost a lot of respect for him during the playoffs last year.
- TyCamScore

That was hilarious! Maybe Smith will think twice about being a puck moving G man.

If I am stan bow I keep it fairly simple at the deadline. Prospects for grit. I don't pretend to have a clue who is or isn't available and what the respective prices may be, but if a deal is made, the hawks will give up prospects and get grit in return.

The summer however it gets a bit trickier. Obviously it depends on how far the hawks go, but you gotta believe whatever deal the hawks make with anyone will involve getting rid of guys due for a raise. I think its save to say after Perry and Getzlaf that Kane and Toews will both get 7.5+ a year so the hawks have to be planing for that. So unless they let one of those guys go (I highly doubt it) you can expect to see a least one player due a raise shipped out once the weather gets hot.
- wkol2593

I'm not too concerned about re-upping Toews and Kane because it's going to happen and however much it costs the Hawks will have to pay it. That being said I think the Hawks brass are much further along than we give them credit for in planning for this type of stuff. They're not going to let the "cap dump of 2010" happen again.

Wait, I thought you lived on . . . Drury Lane.
- John Jaeckel

I moved to Butterscotch Lane actually.

I moved to Butterscotch Lane actually.
- muffin_man

Touche'

Unrelated to these trade rumours... thoughts on Mike Smith's latest encounter behind his net?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5cmmjjX4qg

If Shaw got 3 game IN A PLAYOFF SERIES, then Edler should be looking at least the same. Shaw tried to pinch himself against the board and clipped Smith, Edler made no attempt and just ran him over.

Regardless, nice to see Smith put in his place. Lost a lot of respect for him during the playoffs last year.
- TyCamScore

If Shaw is the benchmark at 3, then this is 5. Too bad he didn't really clean Smith's clock. I too lost respect for that flopper.

That was hilarious! Maybe Smith will think twice about being a puck moving G man.
- Lido_Shuffle

Smith didn't flail around like a pansy this time..............