All Star Break Should Signal Start Of Habs Fire Sale (pacioretty)

pacioretty

All Star Break Should Signal Start Of Habs Fire Sale

By Brandon Smillie

Jan 27, 2018 • 5:42 am

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The Canadiens fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in their final game before the All Star break 6-5. The Habs offense played a really good game actually, but unfortunately a terrible game by Benn and All Star Carey Price gave the game to the Canes.

Not that this is a bad thing. As most of you who read my ramblings here know already I believe this team is already working on their trade deadline plans and draft day targets. No accumulation of points will help the Canadiens select from their highest position since 2012 when they selected Alex Galchenyuk at 3rd overall.

PACIORETTY DRIVING HIS VALUE SKY HIGH

What will help though is the current hot streak from the Captain, and top trade target of the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline, Max Pacioretty. Pacioretty chipped in a goal and and assist against the Hurricanes to bring his recent 10 game totals to 8G and 3A.

With all the talk of E Kane supposedly being dangled for a 1st round pick, elite prospect, + I would have to think the Canadiens Captain is worth substantially more with the only edge going for Kane would be his age. But all those apparent loose screws under Kane’s helmet might not make that age difference much of an advantage.

Those claiming Pacioretty won’t garner much are pretty much living in fantasy land. If offers for Kane have traction at the rumored ask, then there is no reason to assume Pacioretty won’t garner the same and likely more in return.

Pacioretty is a Captain. Kane is a head case.

Pacioretty has consistently scored 30 goals, with this year possibly the exception. Kane has consistently disappointed after his ONLY 30 goal season in 2011-2012 with Winnipeg.

Pacioretty is signed for next season at $4.5 million against the cap so the team acquiring him gets 2 playoff runs with him (if dealt at the deadline). Kane is a UFA who’s cap hit this season is $5.25 million.

See how history and logic work? Neat huh?

HUDON AND BYRON THRIVE WITH MORE OPPORTUNITY

Byron continued his hot streak adding an assist (albeit a kind of weak one) to give him 8 points in his last eight games and I believe 7 points in 7 games at Center.

Who needs Tavares? I kid! I kid!

Hudon turned in a great game as well with 2G and 1A in 16:14 of ice time. He also threw 6 shots at C Ward last night. It’s been and up and down rookie campaign for Hudon, but he shows signs of promise. He looks like if he can develop his consistency over the next couple seasons he could be a staple on the 2nd line wing.

PETRY’S 3 POINT NIGHT SETS UP STELLAR TURN AROUND TO SEASON

J Petry was the whipping boy of many early in the season and while I didn’t turn on him, I recognized his struggles and believed he and Alzner were simply trying to do too much. But the second half of the first half of the season (…. Yeah. I think that works) has been the Petry we know.

The freshly buzzed cut D man has 1G and 7A in his last 10 games including 1G and 2A last night against Carolina. Petry is best deployed as a 2nd pair, puck moving D but has adjusted to his top minute duty well and has been Montreal’s best defender not named Weber.

The defender now has 5G and 17A for 22 points in 49 games for a .449 PPG pace and a 36-37 (decimal points) point pace over 82 games, which would be a career best. A career best +/-? Not so much. Petry finished the game with 27:31 TOI and a +1 in a hard night to keep that stat from looking ugly (of note, Alzner was +2 in 19:56 TOI).

No, I don’t think Petry is on the trade block, but at least he’s playing like the Petry I knew him to be and that’s as positive as I can be with this season.

CAREY PRICE HEADING TO ALL STAR GAME, COULD USE A REST MORE

Price going to the All Star game has angered most of the Toronto Sports media, which is pretty much all media for a resident of Ontario like myself, and I can’t disagree that he isn’t the most deserving this season.

But, the NHL needs a representative from all teams, the selections were done prior to Pacioretty’s streak, and Price gives the game big name appeal for the fans attending the festivities. Like it or not, Price has been one of the best players in the entire league over the last 7 season or so and despite his clearly off year he is a quality ambassador of the game. People appreciate Carey Price, goal medal Olympian, Junior, World Junior, and AHL champion. All round good guy who interacts with the fans and does good work outside the rink.

Sure, he’s fallen out of the saddle this season. He’s certainly not the only one though and people have been clamoring for a overhaul of this roster for a couple years. This season will force the clubs hand and they stand to pick well in the draft and should get a great return for Pacioretty. So, Price having a bum year helped move that along.

Sure, I’ll go with that.

#Optimism

If I had my way? I wouldn’t send Price to the ASG. He should be pulling a J Quick and say he’s too sore and take over a week off. In fact, I’m not even sure I would play him in more that 60% of the remaining games. The team needs Dahlin/Svechnikov/Tkachuk/Zadina more than it needs Price to risk injury. Plus, if Niemi gets hot they may be able to get a late round pick for him. Maybe.

I would want Price to stay out of the ASG. Perhaps go fishing or hunting for a few days and ground himself away from all the cameras and pressures. But, he was asked to go and he likely knows what it means to the fans and to represent the Canadiens is no small honor in itself.

Dammit Price, you’ve got too character and integrity. Enjoy the festivities knowing it’s driving some Leafs fans BONKERS.

Go Habs Go!

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