That's inaccurate.
- hscesq

I don't think it is.

If he can't fetch a good return just keep him...but I think they should seriously listen to offers.
- BashCH

I think they are...I think everybody always is listening to offers...why would someone not listen?

You're not cut out for a GM job...you should stick to event planning.

You go on your whole season telling the players "let's make the playoffs, you never know what can happen once you're in."

Trading a guy like Markov now would send the message to the players that you have quit on the season as a GM and that they should do the same. That's how I would see it as a player.
- stinger67

I hear what you're saying. However, they do have young parts that re ready to step in. If Davis Drewiske steps in, then it's worthless. If NB and JT step in and gain valuable experience, then in the end it could be well worth it.

I don't think it is.
- bixll

Excellent news.

I think they are...I think everybody always is listening to offers...why would someone not listen?

You're not cut out for a GM job...you should stick to event planning.
- number_23

And you should stick to being an idiot.

Excellent news.
- hscesq

Glad you think so.

You go on your whole season telling the players "let's make the playoffs, you never know what can happen once you're in."

Trading a guy like Markov now would send the message to the players that you have quit on the season as a GM and that they should do the same. That's how I would see it as a player.
- stinger67

Imagine, you're a rookie/young kid who looks up to Markov as the most tenured hab, and they go and trade him away...it just sends a message that they are all chess pieces and it's a business...

Although it is...that's not the message you want to send...not at this time. Had they done this last year, I'd be all for it (and as I said earlier, living and dying with the kids)...but doing it now would just reek of desperation...and almost an admission that the team is not as good as it's current record...

Nice way of thinking of you want the team to stay as good as the last 20 years.
- BashCH

Damn if you do, damn if you don't. Believe me, as a fan, I'd get rid of plenty of players on that team. I don't mind, and I above all surely ain't looking forward to getting trounced out of the playoffs again in the first round.

The GM's job is to make the playoffs if he's in a good position at the deadline. That's what Molson is paying him for.

I just don't see Bergevin being a seller at the deadline.

And you should stick to being an idiot.
- BashCH

Hey look! in the sky over there!!!

*stabs BashCH in the back*

Imagine, you're a rookie/young kid who looks up to Markov as the most tenured hab, and they go and trade him away...it just sends a message that they are all chess pieces and it's a business...

Although it is...that's not the message you want to send...not at this time. Had they done this last year, I'd be all for it (and as I said earlier, living and dying with the kids)...but doing it now would just reek of desperation...and almost an admission that the team is not as good as it's current record...
- number_23

Right, they also should've kept Craig Rivet in 2007...you know, what kind of message did that send to the group? Must've been devastated...

Imagine, you're a rookie/young kid who looks up to Markov as the most tenured hab, and they go and trade him away...it just sends a message that they are all chess pieces and it's a business...

Although it is...that's not the message you want to send...not at this time. Had they done this last year, I'd be all for it (and as I said earlier, living and dying with the kids)...but doing it now would just reek of desperation...and almost an admission that the team is not as good as it's current record...
- number_23

That is all they are. And there is clearly very little to no loyalty from players either. They will go anywhere that pays them the most.

This is nothing new.

Damn if you do, damn if you don't. Believe me, as a fan, I'd get rid of plenty of players on that team. I don't mind, and I above all surely ain't looking forward to getting trounced out of the playoffs again in the first round.

The GM's job is to make the playoffs if he's in a good position at the deadline. That's what Molson is paying him for.

I just don't see Bergevin being a seller at the deadline.
- stinger67

SJ were "sellers" last year and still made it to the WCF...and they improved their future.

Right, they also should've kept Craig Rivet in 2007...you know, what kind of message did that send to the group? Must've been devastated...
- BashCH

There's a big difference there...Rivet was a useless tool who's time in MTL was done.

getting rid of guys like Bouillon, Moen, Murray...that's one thing...Getting rid of a guy like Markov, that would be totally different IMO.

Might even get 4-5 on the market. You know, there are dumb teams....like Philadelphia.
- BashCH

not might...

That is all they are. And there is clearly very little to no loyalty from players either. They will go anywhere that pays them the most.

This is nothing new.
- Iggysbff

Don't trade a guy because you don't want to offend anyone and then lose him to free agency. Good job.

There's a big difference there...Rivet was a useless tool who's time in MTL was done.

getting rid of guys like Bouillon, Moen, Murray...that's one thing...Getting rid of a guy like Markov, that would be totally different IMO.
- number_23

He was Koivu's friend...what message did that send to him ? Poor guy!

That is all they are. And there is clearly very little to no loyalty from players either. They will go anywhere that pays them the most.

This is nothing new.
- Iggysbff

You are right...but they don't need to be reminded a few days before they head to a battle...

I don't think the habs can afford to trade Markov and still hope to make the playoffs and keep a straight face and tell the guys they expect to win. Trading him in the off-season or at the beginning of the year, there's still time to forge a new identity...but now?

Right, they also should've kept Craig Rivet in 2007...you know, what kind of message did that send to the group? Must've been devastated...
- BashCH

Not a comparable situation, at all!!!!!
Rivet was practically a healthy scratch with the Habs, and they had no young core the way they have now.

He was Koivu's friend...what message did that send to him ? Poor guy!
- BashCH

You don't need useless players as part of your core...

Rivet was useless...Markov is not.

You are right...but they don't need to be reminded a few days before they head to a battle...

I don't think the habs can afford to trade Markov and still hope to make the playoffs and keep a straight face and tell the guys they expect to win. Trading him in the off-season or at the beginning of the year, there's still time to forge a new identity...but now?
- number_23

WTF?

Not a comparable situation, at all!!!!!
Rivet was practically a healthy scratch with the Habs, and they had no young core the way they have now.
- EricEngels

They still need more prospects if they want to become contenders...look at Hamilton...they look pretty thin on offense if you ask me.

WTF?
- hscesq

playoffs...

They still need more prospects if they want to become contenders...look at Hamilton...they look pretty thin on offense if you ask me.
- BashCH

they'll get more prospects. they have tradeable assets. And Markov is still tradeable post-deadline, as the blog suggests.

Not a comparable situation, at all!!!!!
Rivet was practically a healthy scratch with the Habs, and they had no young core the way they have now.
- EricEngels

My favorite part of that story is Rivet saying he was happy to leave, female doging about Montreal because he was tired of the cold and having to scrape the ice from his car's windshield...and being traded to Buffalo not very long after.

they'll get more prospects. they have tradeable assets. And Markov is still tradeable post-deadline, as the blog suggests.
- EricEngels

I know but he won't fetch anywhere as close to what he could at the deadline...