Price & Pacioretty Trade Rumors + Habs Crush Av's + Game Day Preview (pacioretty)

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Price & Pacioretty Trade Rumors + Habs Crush Av's + Game Day Preview

By Brandon Smillie

Jan 25, 2018 • 12:08 pm

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HABS DISMANTLE LEAGUES HOTTEST TEAM

The Canadiens look to follow up on arguably their best game of the season this last Tuesday, a 4-2 Win over Colorado Avalanche and thus snapping their 10 game win streak. The Canadiens won 32 of 52 face-offs (61/5%), out shot the Av's 40-22, and killed off 4 Colorado PP’s.

Just a perfect game against a highly skilled, high flying opponent.

Whatever Drouin ate for dinner with his old bud N MacKinnon should become a new pregame tradition as he and Galchenyuk were dangerous all night. Drouin finished the night with First Star honors for his 1G and 2A effort and right behind him at Second Star was line mate A Galchenyuk for his 1G and 1A on the night.

Galchenyuk had been pointless in 3 game prior to Tuesday’s match but still has 3G and 4A in his last 10 games and has been Montreal’s most consistent forward with 20 points in his last 25 games. DO. NOT. TRADE. CHUCKY. PLEASE.

Drouin has heated up lately as well and with his 3 point game he now has 7 points in his last 7 games. Byron sometimes gets discounted because of his size and how the Habs acquired him (waivers from Calgary) but he has really thrived in his new role at C. He has also matched Drouin in terms of points the last 7 contests as well.

Byron is such an underrated player at this point in his career and if C truly is a fit for him then the Habs could definitely benefit from this discovery. The Habs employed Desharnais for years at top line C despite his inability to withstand any physicality and stay on his skates. Byron is a warrior in the same vein as Gallagher and is making things happen, not like Desharnais who basically was chased around until he could fling a hard pass to Pacioretty and syphon assists off Patch’s shot in his prime.

PRICE TRADE RUMORS

Price has a NTC and Molson wants him to remain a Hab for life. He isn’t being traded. Period.

PACIORETTY TRADE RUMORS

Our own provider of entertainment and forums Eklund has mentioned that the St. Louis Blues may have big interest in Pacioretty (and Galchenyuk, but he shouldn’t be moved unless its a overpayment).

This falls in line with my own speculation from a previous blog that named the Blues as a team that SHOULD be all in on Pacioretty. They are beyond waiting on prospects and have to start producing in the playoffs and need wing depth. The opportunity to add a 30-35 goal scorer with speed who can play the PK should be a no brainer and they have the prospects to make the deal happen.

My proposed deal for the Blues was Klim Kostin, Jordan Kyrou, 18 or 19 1st round pick for Pacioretty and a 2018 2nd round pick. I still stand by that and if I’m Montreal the Blues are one of two teams I'm really trying to make work. Kyrou leads the OHL in scoring right now with 73 points in 35 games. Even if the Blues refuse to add Kostin, the Habs should be getting Kyrou and the 1st with a little sweetner or I’m heading to the other rumored destination.

Eklund further speculates Pittsburgh and Nashville are in on the Captain but the Penguins don’t really seem like fit to me. But the Predators sure do match up well in my estimations. The Preds were the other of 3 teams I had speculated on and my deal for them was D Fabbro, E Tolvanen, P Harper, F Allard, Nashville 18 or 19 1st round pick for Patch and a 18 2nd.

I’m well aware this is a large ask, but if you are negotiating and start small then you are terrible at bartering. Realistically, I think a deal around Fabbro, Tolvanen, and a 1st rounder (likely late if they plan on winning the Stanley Cup) is definitely doable for a team that can add a top scorer with a cap hit barely above what 3rd liners will be getting on July 1st.

Getting Poile to pay has been difficult lately but the allure of a Stanley Cup made this guy trade a 1st for P Gaustad not too long ago so he’s definitely able to pay for a top line, goal scoring winger for 2 playoff runs.

CAROLINA IN TOWN FOR A BATTLE OF THE BOTTOM DWELLERS

Carolina came into the season with high hopes, much like Montreal did, and just like the Habs the hopes and dreams were not made into reality with the Canes currently holding a record of 21-19-8 and sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Cane’s have a very solid D core revolving around N Hanafin, J Slavin, and J Faulk but the issues appear to start in Goal and on Special Teams. S Darling was brought in from Chicago and given a big contract with the expectation that the now 29 year old Goalie had earned his chance to be a starter.

In 29 games Darling is 9-13-6 with a .892 SP% and 3.02 GAA. Not very good at all. The Canes did decide to keep long time starter Cam Ward though and the 33 year old net minder has at least helped the team with a record of 12-6-8 with a .907 SP% and 2.76 GAA.

So the goaltending has been spotty at best and the PK Unit is 27th in the league. That’s a bit surprising considering their defensive depth, but not completely out of line considering Darling’s struggles. All of it combines for a mediocre season for the Canes.

The Canes are also without top point getter S Aho tonight so there is a possibility the Habs stretch this win streak to….. 2.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST at the Bell Centre.

Cam Ward is expected to start for Carolina, Carey Price for Montreal who will also be heading to Florida for the All Star Festivities before returning to the Habs crease for a likely start again the St Louis Blues. A game I really hope goes well for Max Pacioretty.

For those who watch the All Star game I hope you enjoy it.

Go Habs Go!

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