Eklund: Canadiens Trying to "Patch" Things Up. Oilers Talking to Emelin (e4)

Everyone like to rubberneck a train wreck

Too complicated.

Patchwork plays in Montreal this coming year, scores 28 goals on the season then signs with another team (Florida) in the off-season.

All done.

Value will be good at trade deadline Habs pull the trigger at trade deadline with nothing to lose cuz they will be near last place anyway , they will get a solid return from a playoff team

Value will be good at trade deadline Habs pull the trigger at trade deadline with nothing to lose cuz they will be near last place anyway , they will get a solid return from a playoff team
- thehusla

Aren't they back to the same issue then? Patches as a rental. Without the commitment to sign long term to whoever they trade him to. I think they need to go the Max and ask what teams will you sign an extension with and then pit those against each other for the best deal possible.

When have the habs actually made even a decent trade lately? Management is useless but they can't fire because they need French guys to run it and there aren't any. When you hire based on race you're not getting the best people. The habs are a total tire fire and will continue to be for years to come.

Aren't they back to the same issue then? Patches as a rental. Without the commitment to sign long term to whoever they trade him to.

Yes, but teams are much more desperate at the deadline and willing to give up more. It could work but its not ideal, as his value could go down even more if he doesn't produce (very likely on what looks like a pretty bad team).

When have the habs actually made even a decent trade lately? Management is useless but they can't fire because they need French guys to run it and there aren't any. When you hire based on race you're not getting the best people. The habs are a total tire fire and will continue to be for years to come.
- Greyman

That was Toronto, like two years ago.

So language is a race now?

They were good defensemen FIVE years ago. Unfortunately for them they are playing the games in 2018 not 2013. They are five years older; the game is younger and faster. They are no longer good defensemen - merely older bottom pairing hole fillers. There is a reason 31 teams have not jumped at signing them.

When have the habs actually made even a decent trade lately? Management is useless but they can't fire because they need French guys to run it and there aren't any. When you hire based on race you're not getting the best people. The habs are a total tire fire and will continue to be for years to come.
- Greyman

Yup, continuing to hire all of these Frenchies is ridiculous. None of them are great hockey people. Julien is a good coach, but tough to coach that roster. Can’t see it getting better for them any time soon.

Man those plays on words are amazing. "Patch" things up? Why you haven't gotten a bigger gig is mind boggling.

When have the habs actually made even a decent trade lately? Management is useless but they can't fire because they need French guys to run it and there aren't any. When you hire based on race you're not getting the best people. The habs are a total tire fire and will continue to be for years to come.
- Greyman

TurtlePleks for Olofsson, Valiev and Rychel was a decent trade, a steal even

When you hire based on race..? Who are you? Trudeau?

I agree, pretty bad when you get robbed by Bergevin.

Yup, continuing to hire all of these Frenchies is ridiculous. None of them are great hockey people. Julien is a good coach, but tough to coach that roster. Can’t see it getting better for them any time soon.
- Ihatebrianburke

If there is one team rated lower than Habs management it would be the Oilers. And I believe they're all English speaking. Go figure?

Who in blue hell is Tobias Engstrom?

Who in blue hell is Tobias Engstrom?
- Slip and slap

He's the best 13th forward available. A near-generational talent.

TurtlePleks for Olofsson, Valiev and Rychel was a decent trade, a steal even

When you hire based on race..? Who are you? Trudeau?
- Komisaurus Rex

The trade was a wash at best.
The leafs wanted depth for the stretch run and playoffs. And yes TP wasn't much help. Couldn't keep up with all the talent. Not his fault, just wasn't used to it.
MTL got two C grade minor leaguers at best.
Olofsson is never going to stand out anywhere.

The trade was a wash at best.
The leafs wanted depth for the stretch run and playoffs. And yes TP wasn't much help. Couldn't keep up with all the talent. Not his fault, just wasn't used to it.
MTL got two C grade minor leaguers at best.
Olofsson is never going to stand out anywhere.
- HellsBells[/quo
A bit early to tell. The kid was just drafted and by all accounts has potential to be a middle six in the NHL. As far as TP is concerned, he was more relevant in the series against Boston than Mathews was. It looked as though Austin had trouble keeping up with the talent

I agree, pretty bad when you get robbed by Bergevin.
- ToMaLe

He's not the best GM, but certainly not the worst. That said, his days in Montreal are numbered. The Habs will be able to get better quickly. They need a real centre badly - not a winger convert. The Subban trade - as ugly as it seems, will get more interesting when Weber retires early due to injury and Nashville gets it up the chute for $7.8 million a year for the last 3 years on the cap. Montreal may even do a little blackmailing before that happens.

Eklund: Canadiens Trying to "Patch" Things Up. Oilers Talking to Emelin (e4)
- Eklund

do you own any cats?

He's not the best GM, but certainly not the worst. That said, his days in Montreal are numbered. The Habs will be able to get better quickly. They need a real centre badly - not a winger convert. The Subban trade - as ugly as it seems, will get more interesting when Weber retires early due to injury and Nashville gets it up the chute for $7.8 million a year for the last 3 years on the cap. Montreal may even do a little blackmailing before that happens.
- winsix

Only because Chiapet sets the bar Soooo low.

Man those plays on words are amazing. "Patch" things up? Why you haven't gotten a bigger gig is mind boggling.
- golfingsince

The trade was a wash at best.
The leafs wanted depth for the stretch run and playoffs. And yes TP wasn't much help. Couldn't keep up with all the talent. Not his fault, just wasn't used to it.
MTL got two C grade minor leaguers at best.
Olofsson is never going to stand out anywhere.
- HellsBells

He kept up. He was probably our second best forward, behind Marner.

That was Toronto, like two years ago.
- deadpoulet

Yes, mon ami, that WAS Toronto, not anymore, then they hired good quality hockey people to run their front office, they hired one of the best coaches, they made some good trades, they drafted and developed their young players and draft picks very well, their minor league team is coming off a Calder Cup championship and they signed the best free agent this off season. If they can improve their defense then the sky's the limit for this young team.

If the Habs can follow this model, then they have a chance to rebuild and become a good team because currently they are a big mess and most of the blame has to go to Bergevin for making bad trades, signing current players to terrible long term contracts and not addressing their biggest need which is at center.

I know the Leafs were terrible for quite a while but those days are long gone.