what a brutal trade...wasn't a big fan of Diaz, and wasn't gonna be much room for him with prospects coming up, but Weise? At least wait till the deadline - guys' values are always inflated then, and when other GM's get desperate, that's when id think you'd make a move
We have plenty of guys to fill out the bottom six...unless Weise finds some sort of miracle chemistry with someone, he's gonna be sitting as much, if not more, than Diaz has been
Vancouver wins....fackkkkkkkkkk - Bergevin is beginning to make me nervous
- HabzSquanch

so you're admitting that Diaz was a pretty much useless UFA to be... and you're complaining about what he brought back in a trade?

so you're admitting that Diaz was a pretty much useless UFA to be... and you're complaining about what he brought back in a trade?
- DoubleDown

Kind of. If a player as zero value in a trade and is your 4th best defenseman in goal against, just keep playing him. Don't trade him for a 4th line grinder that we already have too many of ...

flyers!! good one man!!
Hows Schenn working out for ya??
- nascarguy

Could be worse, we could have andrew raycroft instead of Tuukka. Or Kessel instead of Seguin and Hamilton. That point aside putting the terms "contending power house" and "Toronto Maple Leafs" in the same sentence is just unacceptable in most scenarios. The exception would be "The Toronto Maple Leafs are pretty far away from being a contending powerhouse."

I remember a former Habs Dman who was really good defensively without being overly physical, very effective stick checker and positionally sound. Of course I was able to see him play a lot being in Philly after the trade in 94-95- Eric Desjardins.
Not saying Diaz is the second coming of Rico, but even in this day and age results are not based on mere size and strength. I am going to follow Diaz to see if he blossoms elswhere. Not starting an argument just wondering out loud.
- Steelmanpa

A) Diaz is not that good defensively... he's a thoroughly mediocre player at best.
B) you assume incorrectly about Desjardins. he didn't blossom once he was traded. he was already a terrific player and when that trade went down, HE was the centrepiece of the package, not LeClair.

Kind of. If a player as zero value in a trade and is your 4th best defenseman in goal against, just keep playing him. Don't trade him for a 4th line grinder that we already have too many of ...
- Popofjc

4th best is nothing to be proud of on this defence. also, what about goals for? what about zone starts? what about quality of competition? what about his Corsi?

Diaz will be UFA at the end of the season and was approximately looking for 3 millions/year deal... My guess is, Bergevin wasn't interested in keeping him for that much. Thats why the return wasn't much. Plus, he had to go to make place for those d-men Beaulieu/Tinordi/Patheryn. At least we got some energy and grit for a guy we would have lose in the end.

A) Diaz is not that good defensively... he's a thoroughly mediocre player at best.
B) you assume incorrectly about Desjardins. he didn't blossom once he was traded. he was already a terrific player and when that trade went down, HE was the centrepiece of the package, not LeClair.
- DoubleDown

That's were we disagree. Again, all said stats are here : http://www.habseyesonthep...trading-him-was-a-mistake

Result : Diaz is better defensively than Emelin, Bouillon and Murray. He's not top-pairing, but he's not "mediocre".

That's were we disagree. Again, all said stats are here : http://www.habseyesonthep...trading-him-was-a-mistake

Result : Diaz is better defensively than Emelin, Bouillon and Murray. He's not top-pairing, but he's not "mediocre".
- Popofjc

Emelin has a better potential than Diaz

Less than Emelin let in because he wasn't able to block a pass or steal the puck from a opponent.

Again, not my opinion, it's the stats from each players that says so. Emelin let more goal against when he was on the ice, playing against a bit weaker competition.

The way they prevent goal doesn't matter as much as HOW MANY goals they prevent.
- Popofjc

STATSITICS DON'T MEAN SQUAT COMPARED TO PERSONAL OPINIONS BASED ON NOTHING!!!!!

4th best is nothing to be proud of on this defence. also, what about goals for? what about zone starts? what about quality of competition? what about his Corsi?
- DoubleDown

Not sure if your baiting me to post half the article, but anyway :

Of all defenseman to play 300 or more minutes last season, Raphael Diaz ranked third in the NHL in fewest goals against every 60 minutes of play with 1.128. This season that number has risen to 1.719, but remains the best mark on the Canadiens by a significant margin.

The fact that Diaz was kept out of the lineup in favour of Douglas Murray, who is on the ice for 2.703 goals against per 60 minutes is a farce to begin with, but when you consider the difference in the minutes the two play, it's even worse.

Diaz, has seen extremely tough deployment, with just 28.4% of his total shifts beginning in the offensive zone, playing against reasonably tough competition, and playing with awful teammates.

In fact, when given a chance to play with a good partner in Josh Gorges, the Canadiens experienced a goals for percentage of 57.1% while the two were on the ice together, and they were playing extreme tough minutes while P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov mopped up offensively.

The only time Diaz struggled this season was while paired with Douglas Murray. While the two of them together the Canadiens had a share of just 14.3% of goals scored.

According to Boucher Scouting, only Subban and Gorges had a higher defensive zone success rate than Raphael Diaz through the first 30 games this season. He was also the 3rd most successful defenseman at clearing the defensive zone after Subban and Gorges.

Every single statistic that can be found will tell you that for the last two years, Raphael Diaz has been the 4th best defenseman the Canadiens have had at their disposal.

That's were we disagree. Again, all said stats are here : http://www.habseyesonthep...trading-him-was-a-mistake

Result : Diaz is better defensively than Emelin, Bouillon and Murray. He's not top-pairing, but he's not "mediocre".
- Popofjc

Wow, impressive list...

Diaz will be UFA at the end of the season and was approximately looking for 3 millions/year deal... My guess is, Bergevin wasn't interested in keeping him for that much. Thats why the return wasn't much. Plus, he had to go to make place for those d-men Beaulieu/Tinordi/Patheryn. At least we got some energy and grit for a guy we would have lose in the end.
- IamCanadien23

That I could partially understand. But if the plan is to bring our AHL guys, then DO IT NOW. Because right now with the D we have we will continue to sink in the standing. Not just because goals against (Price / Budaj are playing pretty good most nights), but also because of our offense, since we never have the puck since our actual D can't get it back. That's no mystery why the Habs are constantly being outshot ...

Wow, impressive list...
- Pecafan Fan

Right, so when your D is as weak as that, don't trade your 4th best defenseman, because it will be EVEN WORSE.

Right, so when your D is as weak aa that, don't trade your 4th best defenseman, because it will be EVEN WORST.
- Popofjc

Murray and Bouillon (should) will be gone at the end of the season.

Murray and Bouillon (should) will be gone at the end of the season.
- Pecafan Fan

Let's hope ! But for the meantime this season is going to the crapper.

Vanek turns down extension in Long Island! Go figure... Boy is Snow looking like a real genius now for making that deal! Nothing like trading away your best UFA forward and a first round pick for another UFA/rental player who everyone knew wasn't going to re-sign there, and in a season where they were going nowhere to begin with! That's just good GM'ing right there! That's what that is...

edit;

Let's hope ! But for the meantime this season is going to the crapper.
- Popofjc

Well, I wasn't expecting them to win the cup this season, so might as well ride it out and see where they end up.

Tinordi, Beaulieu, Subban, a healthy Emelin, Gorges and Pateryn... That's a lot of "new blood" on the blueline.

A) Diaz is not that good defensively... he's a thoroughly mediocre player at best.
B) you assume incorrectly about Desjardins. he didn't blossom once he was traded. he was already a terrific player and when that trade went down, HE was the centrepiece of the package, not LeClair.
- DoubleDown

I know he (Rico) didnt blossom in Philly (not basing that on the 93 finals hat trick either) more wondering if the change of scenery might help Diaz.

Your current coach M Therien stayed a year longer in Pittsburgh than he was supposed to back after the 06-07 or 07-08 season. He was supposed to be fired before the last season he started but Shero gave him more time. The players and staff had almost no days off, he skated the Pens every day and wore people out. If hes the same in Montreal, some players could be losing effectiveness and there may be cliques as well. Diaz may be mediocre but he might be more effective elsewhere. Maybe high level mediocre, LOL, like not bad.

Vanek turns down extension in Long Island! Go figure... Boy is Snow looking like a real genius now for making that deal! Nothing like trading away your best forward and a first round pick for a rental player who everyone knew wasn't going to re-sign there, and in a season where they were going nowhere to begin with! That's just good GM'ing right there! That's what that is...
- MnGump

So Tavares was their second best forward?

So Tavares was their second best forward?
- Cheeseballin

Nope, my bad, meant to say best UFA forward!

Nope, my bad, meant to say best UFA forward!
- MnGump

Ah yes. I'm still surprised we got him in that deal.

Why are there adds for FashionTV constantly on this site????

poor bergevin, gillis didn't even lube up before that deal.......

what an AWFUL trade by mtl. a top 4 dman for a fringe nhl player..........he could/should have gotten way more for diaz

Ah yes. I'm still surprised we got him in that deal.
- Cheeseballin

I still think Buffalo made out like bandits in that deal. Wasn't it Moulson and a first and 3rd round pick for Vanek? It's a win win for Buffalo. They most likely will be able to trade Moulson at the dead line and get close to what they got for Vanek if not more!

Snow will be able to trade Vanek no doubt, but he's not going to get back those picks he dealt for him. In fact he'll most likely get a first rounder for Vanek, but it will most likely be a late rounder instead of the early one they would have had before. Although hind sight is 20/20, I still think this was one of the dumbest moves I've ever seen. Only way you make that deal is if you're 100% sure he's committed to re-signing.

Honestly I have my doubts about Vanek signing in Minny, but it seemed like kind of a no-brainer that this guy wasn't going to have interest in re-signing in NY with his first ever UFA coming less than a year away. I guess theres' always a chance Garth can out bid everyone else, and he does have the edge when it comes to "max contract" capabilities, but I'm not sure Thomas is interested in the highest offer at this point either...

poor bergevin, gillis didn't even lube up before that deal.......

what an AWFUL trade by mtl. a top 4 dman for a fringe nhl player..........he could/should have gotten way more for diaz
- sensarmy_11

Did you miss the playoffs last season when Montreal faced Ottawa?


If you did watch, there's no way you really believe that this was an "AWFUL" trade.