Habs centreman Tomas Plekanec.
PAT HICKEY
The Gazette
As we count down to Monday’s 3 p.m. NHL trading deadline, it’s easy to pick out Montreal players who are available. But there’s one surprise among the players being offered by the Canadiens.
Tomas Plekanec, who has been with the Canadiens his entire NHL career, has been the subject of talks with several teams. While the Canadiens have dropped out of the playoff hunt and are looking forward to next season, they want an established player in return for Plekanec, preferably a winger with some size.
Plekanec said Friday that he wasn’t aware of being the subject of any trade talks. Agent Rick Curran Sunday denied a suggestion that the veteran centre has been asked about waiving his no-trade clause, which is part of the six-year, $30-million deal he signed in 2010.
Plekanec takes pride in the fact he has spent his entire career with one organization but the frustrations of a losing season and the challenge of having to adapt to a parade of different wingers may have led to a belief that a change of scenery would be best for both parties.
Plekanec, who was drafted by the Canadiens in the third round (71st overall) in 2001, was the Canadiens’ leading scorer in each of the past two seasons. His production has dipped this season but can be easily explained by the fact that he hasn’t been able to develop any chemistry with his linemates.
While David Desharnais has had the luxury of playing with Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole for most of the season, Plekanec has been a part of 18 different line combinations. The longest stretch for any of those lines to play together was 11 games when he was between Michael Cammalleri and Brian Gionta. Injuries sabotaged that line and it didn’t help that when Cammalleri was healthy, he complained about his ice time and expressed a desire to play with Desharnais.
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If PG trades plecks. I really. Really hope we get a true number 1 center in return.
Pleks should only get traded for a big centre who has already demonstrated the ability to score at least15 goals per year and get 50-60 assists..and…can actually show up in the playoffs. In other words, unless Gauthier and Gainey are still at the helm…it aint happening.
Why would we get a #1 center for someone that everybody considers a #2 center? Hmm?
Richard R
As per sportsnet on twitter. Plecks could get traded tonight.
That’s right so could Malkin. I loooooove sportsnet.
Obviously both going to the Leafs
Why don’t we ask Wilde and Marinaro about this rumour…maybe Marinaro has a ” source” !
The fools are eating this article like ducks eat bread crumbs. Plekanec has not been asked to waive his no trade clause. Plekanec has four years remaining on his contract. It is tough for teams to absorb four years at deadline. It rarely happens. This is an offseason kind of trade. Montreal allegedly wants an established winger in return for Plekanec. Well, why would a playoff team give up equal current value for Plekanec? It would be to their advantage to give up future value so that their team is in an enhanced position for the post season.
Plekanec is not a deadline deal player. If he was, he would fetch draft picks or prospects and not a first line wing. If in fact, Plekanec was traded for a wing of equal value, the deal would do nothing to make Montreal a better team. The team is short at center, not at wing. So from beginning to end, this is stupid.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Fist line. We’re getting fisted alright.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
Hahahahaha!
thanks I fixed the typo.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
Well said, and those bread crumb do horrible damage to the ducks.
Well thought out…well said
Great post.
end transmission.
Plecs ,AK and Kaberle for Rick Nash….do it Gainey,lol
Sens apparently pick up blues goalie ben bishop for a 2nd rounder. Bishop is probably the best goalie in the ahl.
It would be nice to be a team with the depth to have 3 NHL goalies in the system.
And two in the top four GAA. Jennings ahead.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
You mean, he’s better than Cedrick Desjardins?
I understand him if he wants out. Had he been given Cole, he would be having a career type year. Instead, he gets duds like Darche and Gomez. A joke.
For all those who think trading Pleks is a good idea you are outta your minds. He is exactly the type of player that will play a MAJOR role in winning cups. A team that comes to mind who has had a lotta players like Pleks in their cup runs is Detroit …
So unless we are getting a true #1 C like Eric Staal or someone similar, this is just a brain dead move that will push us even deeper in the shlthole we seem to be stock in right now as an organization…
Exactly. Sure, the Habs could get a good return for Pleks (though I’m not very confident in Gauthier shopping around these valuable players), but I thought the point of building a team was to win a Stanley Cup, and Pleks would be an absolutely crucial piece of that.
He’s having a bad season when the entire team is having a bad season. Plus he doesn’t have 1) consistent linemates or 2) the most skilled ones. Coaching just needs to find a single good offensive combination of linemates for Pleks and stick with it. If Pleks needs to play a shutdown role, then sure change the linemates, but otherwise don’t give him 1000 different combos.
Excellent post.
It is sheer mental illness unless it is a swap for Staal, Getzlaf or someone like that. And those players are also with non playoff teams so present no reason for doing this as a trade deadline issue.
I believe that any playoff bound team is unlikely to offer enough to make it worthwhile, so the fear is that this could happen only if the Habs criminally undervalued Plekanec.
“Et le but!”
Pleky in his own words plays “like a little girl” in playoffs. Yeah he’s had lousy treatment what with the 18 different line combinations this season but his playoff performances and DD’s ascension to #1 centre mean he’s out.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
No, he will be too old when this team contends. He is already past his peak productivity. But trading him for a player four or five years younger, with similar potential would make huge sense.
Blue, blanc et rouge. Red and White for Canada. Blue for Smurfs.
he is 29!!! I’d say he has a few good years left. What your plan is to set us up to contend in 5-10 years? Too long my friend.
If we turn this around within the next few years we will need a skilled veteran or two like plex.
Makes total sense. Habs are the weakest team in the NHL at the centre position, so let’s trade their best one for a winger.
That’s right, then trade Subban and AK cause they are inconsistant and are tough to manage/coach.
We will be a much better team then!
Habs prospect patrick holland(via cammy trade) has 12 points in his last 3 games. Has anybody seen this guy play?
Anyone notice that he is a 20 year old junior playing against weak clubs loaded with 18 year olds?
God forbid any young man from maturing later than others.
That comment was inspired.
Thanks HH.
turned 20 last month,he was at the wjc evaluation camp.
Just saying that Holland’s streak should be placed in perspective. The kid is okay, but it’s not as though he’s putting up huge numbers over a season’s span as an 18 year old.
Valid point, but he could be a late bloomer Robert.
That could be true, but as a former second round pick, it is expected in some sense that his fourth season numbers go drastically skywards. It happens all the time, and this is not the proper context in which to evaluate a junior player.
What do you think of Gallagher then?
Gallagher’s three seasons show consistency and normal progression. He’s got some dog in him, but we should all step back and note that when he impressed Habs fans most at training camp, NHL competition was watered down, and he still did not manage a goal. Honestly, I’m thinking that he will need at least a season and a half of AHL experience before making the jump. I’d love to be wrong, cause I like the kid, but I don’t see him scoring 20 with the Bulldogs.
Agree with your question Showey would love to hear from someone that has seen him play. I thought I saw one of our B.C. members discussing a road trip for the BC boys to go see the Vancouver Giants take on Tri-City. I believe they are just waiting on Boone to provide them with an approval on their proposed expense report.
No no no. Plekanec is having a bad season just like the rest of the team. If the goal is to eventually win a Stanley Cup, Plekanec’s talents are invaluable. This season has seen many players that are capable of performing in the playoffs traded away.
I mean, let’s say we get another big winger who can score more. So what? The team’s D is not going to help keep more pucks out of the net. The PK will probably let in more pucks at the same time. Also to consider is the fact that almost every single player who typically scores more before playing with the Habs then underperforms with the Habs. Plekanec is pretty much the most consistent point-getter at, what, 60-70 points a season?
I agree- it would be insane to trade Pleks. i also believe that PG should not be the one to make any deals going forward. His trade for Kaberle is only the latest in stupid moves. i think the habs should hold pat through the trade deadline and get ready to clean house in management. let a new GM firgure out what moves to make as the free agent deadline comes up.
Will Molson come out and deny this rumour as well? lol
———————————————————————-
Turn on the tank, the party’s over…
A winger with some size? We have Bourque, Cole, Pacioretty and, at least for now, Kostitsyn and Moen. When will we attack other issues, like the fact we have no true number one center and haven’t had one since that one year Pierre Turgeon was good?
Kostitsyn doesn’t count much and Bourque doesn’t throw his weight around often, averages what, .95 hits a game?
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
That’s still leaves us with Pacioretty and Cole. My point is, our team is at the bottom of the conference. Can we really say, looking at our line-up, that it’s there because we don’t have size on the wings?
Pleks is part of the solution…not part of the problem. The reason behind an 89% PK. Will do anything asked of him & is better than DD.
Should be the #1 center
You have reached the voicemail of Pierre Gauthier. Please Leave a message after the tone and Geoff Molson will get back to you as soon as possible.
Beeeeeeeep.
Hola Senoir,
Me namo es Manuel Labour and I am the GM of the Tijuana Tremors. It is a team comprised of all mexicans and I wish one day to bring the Stanley cupo to Mexico. With this said I am very interested in Scott Gomez, although not a native Mexican I believe he would be our best assett. Please get back to me and we can work a great deal out. I give you 5 goats and 1 giant bag hashish/ Gracias Senoir!
I think it would be a mistake to trade Pleks. He is a good two way player. If he’s traded what other player is going to fill his role as a good PK guy who can put up some points?
So the Habs organization being so pre-occupied with putting PR matters before hockey ones have stumbled from one field of land mines to another.
Check this tweet out:
Nick Cotsonika @cotsonika
Nash is starting today. So unless Howson pulls a Gauthier, he won’t be traded for the next three hours.
Nick Cotsonika is an NHL writer for Yahoo! Sports
Pulls a Gauthier. LMFAO!!!
I think the experts agree the BJ’s will wait until the offseason in order to extract maximum return for him.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
If Plekanec is traded, I think we can forget about the playoffs for at least next season, unless it’s for a younger centre with his kind of skills who could develop into a top centre. Without Plekanec and leaving aside Gomez, our centres for next year would be Desharnais, Eller, White, and Nokelainen, if he stays. Desharnais had a very solid year, Eller an up-and-down one, but both are inexperienced, and I doubt either could be consistent for an entire season. To remain (that is, to become) competitive, the team needs Plekanec or a player with similar skills and experience.
In a French-language interview with Plekanec the other day, his passion for the game and for playing in Montreal emerged clearly. He’s one of the few veterans on the team that we developed, and I think it would be a shame, and very typical of the Habs, to force him to go elsewhere.
So if Plekanec is being traded, the return had better be something very good and NHL-ready.
Pat Hickey is a hack that works for a rag.
The guy can’t write to save his life.
This website is even a hack.
…and you come here becaussseee?????
The same reason as yourself. To read and comment. Wait, it is a Montreal Canadiens Hockey blog, isn’t it?
If you didn’t like my comment, move on.
Same to you re: Hickey, bud. Or at least post something more intelligent than pee pee poo poo ka ka.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
wow, this site has gone down hill over the years. It’s useless and a waste of time to come here anymore. No wonder this site has lost some of its best bloggers the last couple years.
Great arguement, pee pee poo poo ka ka. Thanx for that.
Who exactly are those “best bloggers” to whom you refer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0
Hmmm….Was Hickey’s source for the original article Tony Marinaro????
The biggest issue is what do you do with Gomez. He making way to much for a third line centre and that is all he will be on this team. Who in their right mind would want him.
no one not even the habs
Don’t worry he’s gone.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
All agent will denie anthing about a trade. They are not about to piss off GMs and make it harder for their clients and themselfs in the future.
Ha not true, many cause trouble and stir the pot. Remember Halak’s agent? Happens often. Yashin’s agent Gandler? Plenty of stirring.
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
does anyone think its REMOTELY possible to trade Kaberle ? I was thinking Kaberle and Weber to Washington for Erskine and Hamrlik. Although with Carlson, Wideman AND Green, why would they want Kaberle. Of course, they arent playing Hamrlik or Erskine.
Yes, I mean if Marek Zidlicky can be traded for a nice return, then so to can Kaberle.
Pleks, Weber and a 2nd rounder for Dustin Brown, Hate to see Pleks go but after this season……..they are almost all trade bait.
problem is they are already loaded down the pipe Kopitar, Carter, Richards
Yes, they are stacked. I don’t want to see Pleks go. If he does go, I want something like Brown in return. It will still be a sad day!
Better get a lot than Brown for that package. Brown and Pleks should have about the same value.
Okay, so the guy we thought highly enough at the start of the year to sign for six, a signing most here said was a good one, and who will get between 50 and 60 points this year playing with 18 different line combinations, is on the block. What form of mid-winter’s night madness is this? PG shouldn’t be fired, he should be sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Somebody do something! Help!!!!
Oh yes, and we’re trading away our first/second line centre for a winger? Why?
First of all, all the article says is that he has taken calls. He hasn’t actively shopped him, nor asked him to waive his NTC.
Secondly, this whole story has already been denied.
First of all, what it actually says is that he’s been “the subject of trade talks.”
Secondly, the story has been denied by his agent.
Finally, do you think PG should be the guy negotiating with one of our most valuable assets.
Time to edit this story’s headline, re agent denial.
Hickey is pulling his own Marinaro.
It’s a feeding frenzy and the piranhas are circling. The Habs are like a gutted cow floundering in it’s wake.
There is a question mark in the headline. I didn’t notice if it was there beforehand.
Not sure what’s going on. We will find out soon enough I guess. But I just read on twitter that plecks will not waive no trade and has not been mentioned in any talks on twitter. So I guess this article is not true???? Maybe it is true???? Who cares, we are in last place! So depressing
Plek and AK are going to La and Brown ,but who else is coming to the Habs. There is a block buster on the table between these two teams. Don’t be surpise if Pleks and AK have the flu and do not play this afternoon. The second line until Gionta gets back will be Eller, Brown and Geoffrion.
Wouldn’t that warm the heart to find out Monday that PG sends Pleks on his way and keeps AK46! Jeez
* * * * * * *
Need to get my clubs ready for the golf season since there ain’t gonna be any playoffs!
peeps are just down period.
Some folks are down on Plekanec for a sub-par season statistically, yet in the same breath they praise Desharnais’ rise to top line center status. It might be important to point out that the two players have virtually identical statistics, and that Desharnais’ total have come while playing with the club’s two best wings, whereas Plek’s wingmen have been a roulette wheel of players needing a kickstart.
It’s astonishing that people have actually argued that Plekanec isn’t the Habs’ top centerman.
He’s just not playing with the top wings. Canadiens have one excellent stat this season – the penalty kill, and Pleks is all over it.
And you’re right, the stupidity is astonishing. Then again, take a good look at the irresponisble journalism, sports radio in the city. Between Rejean Tremblay’s Kostitsyn bomb of a few years back and this Marinaro turd, think about when the last time was that we heard or read hockey being actually discussed. Today’s news feeds are all just rumours, innuendo, call in shows that give the airwaves to disgruntled fans that know nothing about the game.
how true about journalism today yet we all follow these clowns.
We follow them to get news, and get it the moment it becomes news. Beyond that, in most cases, we’re fed the crap we seek. We get the opinions of outsiders, qualifying themselves as “insiders” (this term is maligned and overused), former players, coaches that offer their perspectives as being those of the team covered and players discussed. Everything gets twisted beyond the actual. When nothing but bs proliferates, were left with little actual and real contextual content.
Well said!!! Plekanec always seems to bounce back from a bad season as well…I love what he brings to the team, he just needs steady wingers!! The Hockey News has had Plekanec #1 centre for the Habs all season long!! I love DD but Plekanec is an awesome defensive forward, who can score…Unless we’re gunna get the kind of return we got for Gill, ( X the value of Pleks) I say ‘NO DEAL’!!
+1000
He is having a bad year (particularly in Goals and +/- while the team is having a horrible year. And he is doing this playing with castoffs and the hard minutes.
Still a top 3 in the league PK forward.
If the Habs are stupid enough to let Plekanec go for anythng less than a cosmic reward (eg Shea Weber, Ryan Getzlaf etc) it would be the third worst move of the last 20 years (after Roy-gate and Gomezapalooza).
I felt ashamed when the Habs just walked away from Koivu after a decade of blood, sweat and chemo. This could be another annals of shame moment.
“Et le but!”
thanks hickey for being on top of the story.
I doubt we’d get a good enough return for it to be worth it
Plek and a 2nd rounder for Paul Gaustad and a first?
“Let’s be clear on the facts…”
terrible.
Are you nuts? That’s horrible!
Ok Guys, just saying Gaustad is a guy I would like to handle PK duties, he’s big and he can shut guys down. That being said, Maybe we can get more, a buffalo prospect.
“Let’s be clear on the facts…”
guastad would be great for the habs but not worth anything near pleks. he is an excellent 3rd/4th line player and UFA at end of season.
2nd line centremen who is continuously the top scoring player on a team that doesn’t score all that much with no fixed wingers and is excellent on special teams (crucial part of PK, good at creating SH chances) for a 3rd line centre and Buffalo’s 1st (granted it could be pretty high, but will this prospect pan out to be someone even nearly remotely as useful as Pleks). That doesn’t sound liek a good idea.
It’s frustrating that the media “hears” things then decides to publish whatever scrap or tidbit comes around. Players probably hate hearing their names in trade talks, and the media in Mtl creates rumors out of nothing thus creating uncertainty in players’ minds. Might even lead to some disastrous trade.
It will be interesting to see if there are ‘healthy scratches’ today…
A player with size and grit that is able to put up 20 – 25 goals per season would go a long way in the rebuild. And if that player comes in a mil and ahalf under the 5 mil plec gets that would be a big help in the cap hit. More wiggle room in the off season. Plec will be sought afer now that his name has been thrown out there.
I heard Andrei Kostitsyn is available.
ha! Exactly.
With Ak still here another solid winger won’t hurt. Maybe a new winger will play each game with some desire unlike AK.
Hahahahaja!!! Feel like a dope to believed in Hickey’s story! Lol hah
Might want to update your story to include the fact that Plekanec’s agent has vehemently denied saying anything about waiving his NTC to multiple sources.
This should mean everyone can relax and stop suggesting possible trades.
The article just says PG has gotten calls concerning Pleks. He would be doing a bad job not to at least listen to them, and then say no.
And have the truth get in the way of all the multitude of hits….not a chance.
Shame on Hickey and HIO for this, really! Solid journalism checks sources. It doesn’t report what fellow hacks like Marinaro are reporting.
We’re last place in the east and the deadline is a little over 24hrs away…. If we’re sellers then we sell. If Plekanec is willing to waive his NTC then its another bargaining chip for PG. It also means that he’d rather be playing for a team that’s going to make the playoffs.
Dont get me wrong, I’d hate to see him go, but the player we signed at five for five is killing penalties and backchecking more than he should. No wonder his numbers have dipped.
Eller and DD have made an impression up center and they’re at a point where they need to know if they’re up for the top two spots, otherwise move them instead. If Plekanec was traded for a Dustin Brown then Eller’s production would escalate.
Not everyone will agree with this train of thought (in MTL everyone agreeing is like trying to hit the moon with a BB gun) but it definitely is an option they’re looking at now.
Just sayin’……..
trade DD, keep Eller and Plek.
While Desharnais has exceeded my expectations more than any other Hab this year, Plekanec is way better than DD and Eller is better and will continue to evolve unless he is ruined by Habs mismanagement.
I would not trade Desharnais because he is a huge bargain and I don’t think that you could get appropriate value for him. I expect that his value among other GMs would be redu ced by his size, lack of top end speed that is usually the compensation for lack of size, AND the fact that he has been playing all season with the Habs two best wingers.
There are about 25 teams in the league that would want Plekanec. The ones that are playoff bound are unlikely to give up what is necessary. The ones that are out of it present no reason to rush.
“Et le but!”
Regarding the lack of chemistry; the same argument could be used with AK. So rather than trade these guys let’s get a coach who can let these guys develop some playing time with their linemates e.g. the DD line. Even Cole had a slow start to the season till they left him together with DD and Pac.
how long has it been since we have had a coach that can reasonably come to the same conclusion??
down the middle has been an issue for the habs for years…if can get somebody back who fills the need go for it.
Why hasn’t anyone said the obvious, something Pollock would have done, put together a package with their first pick to get Columbus’s first pick?
Ken Dryden: “There are two types of forwards. Scorers and bangers. Scorers score and bangers bang.”
Plekanec’s agent has just denied this story. If Pat Hickey’s source is Tony Marinaro, then I’m laughing on the floor. Hickey should know better!
According to Reneau Lavoie’s Twitter, Curran states “Tomas and I have never once discussed this posibility.”
TSN and ESPN are also reporting the same denial after contacting Curran.
Score another one for Hickey
How can the GM/management team that created this season’s mess continue to be allowed to make moves that could drastically affect the the future of the team?
If Molson plans to change the GM, then he needs to take the keys away from Gauthier before he drives the car off a cliff.
he has already done so. see my post further down the page.
cheers
pleks webber and 1st for staal? carolina owes us for kaberle
1st in 2013!!!
so if Pleks is traded, does this mean we have to watch Gomez for two more seasons? Pass me the barf bag please. And to think we just signed Pleks. This team lacks leadership and has taken the form and semblance of a ghost: or a non-entity… Why would anyone want to sign or coach here now?
No, only if the Habs use an amnesty clause to get rid of his contract. It would help them save about $15 millions collars in their salary cap.
@ESPN_Burnside
Talked to agent Rick Curran said Habs have not approached Tomas Plekanec about waiving modified no trade clause.
Waw imagine if Plec goes to La there center depth would be amazing.
I’d only trade him if we’re geting something very good like a 30 goal guy in return.
And btw I’m not sure if it’s just my net but this site is having problems today.
Pleks in any kind of a trade for Couturier would be fine by me. We might have to throw in a young defensive prospect (mid level) and take back some salary but I don’t care.
We gain a large centre who just happens to be French-Canadien and ten years younger. Grab a top three prospect from the draft and we have re-set our team in a matter of just four months.
He’s not french Canadian. He’s born in Arizona, and moved to New Brunswick when he was 6/7
If Jack Kerouac can be a French-Canadien so can Sean Couturier.
Patrick Roy is the new coach.
Yes and I’m now a Leaf fan.
He’ll stir things up. Gomez is officially done I imagine.
LOL, I was duped.
All while maintaining himself as the center of attention and main focus of the team!
Disaster waiting to happen!
=================================================
The cerebral insight of PJ Stock:
“Le problem est Markov n’a pas jouer un seul game cette annee”
“Louis Leblanc est un kid locale”
If Plekanec is moved, we’ll be confident it is a good move. Management has changed as of yesterday.
Here’s my take on the new management regime.
I believe Tony M’s interview re the GM’s changed role for 2 reasons:
1. Stu Cowan, Mtl Gazette, stood up with Tony M for the interview. He would not have done so without confidence in Tony M’s sources;
2. The Molsons cannot simply explode their management … in any division of their company, and certainly not here under such scrutiny. Management change has to be managed with as little disruption as possible. Millions of $ are at stake with such change. Yet, the Molsons needed to announce a change to appease the fan base. So, this was an effective way to advise the fans know that management change and the future of our team, is coming, and is in very, very good hands.
So what will we see:
The playing field: The NHL is now very professional, with professional GMs, under the watch of very professional owners. It is a league characterized by team parity governed by salary cap, iron-clad player contracts, and very expensive player development investments. The days of one-sided deals and simple trades to improve a team are over.
What will we see:
The Molsons demand and will achieve excellence. The team will continue to spend to the cap. But there will be no more knee-jerk reactions or signings. From now on, they will make sense. [Remember, this is a very tough competitive management market – literally GM vs GM. We have a set of binding contracts, and a given community of team prospects, that fix our position today. Roster changes will not be immediate, may not necessarily be dramatic, but there will be a strategic plan. The strategic plan is the most important part of team development. It will be a multi-year plan with milestones of achievement along the way.
So, given the right existing contract resolution opportunities, the team’s room under the cap will be increased to enable significant roster changes. (Think of the contracts that now hamstring the team. How do you relieve yourself of them? It is not easy.)) Les Canadiens will not return to their former glory immediately, but they’ll be on the right track starting now.
There will be a real ‘behind the scenes’ GM team. For the next few months, PG, and later his replacement, will be required to provide professional options review, analysis, and recommendations only. PG will present his analysis to the real GM team that will guide the team’s development. PG, and then his replacement, will continue to be the face of the GM, but the power will now be behind the scenes.
When will we see change?:
I believe we’ll see a revitalized team next year. I think the core of the team, with the help of B Gionta, in whom I have great confidence, will buy into a smart strategic plan. In 3 years, we’ll be a strong cup contender, but certain contracts must be resolved first.
So, these are my thoughts, for what they are worth. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I’ve been a Canadiens fan forever. I do have some smarts – I have an MBA with years of senior management experience. Oh yeah, I always lived and loved to play our game.
One thing I do know. The Molsons will achieve excellence with this team.
Hope for the best everyone, and be prepared for steady improvement.
Cheers
I don’t think it would be a bad move, as long the return is good. Right now, Desharnais has surpassed Pleks as an offensive centreman on our depth chart. Do I think Desharnais is as good as Pleks? No. But, he obviously has chemistry with Pacioretty and Cole, and there is no reason to break that up moving forward. That has been our best line.
Eller is developing well, but as long as Pleks is here, he will not get a chance to play with quality wingers and get lots of ice time. On top of that, if we draft a guy like Grigorenko, then the centre position becomes even more crowded.
There are teams out west like St. Louis and Chicago that really need a centre. Heck, even Minnesota with Koivu being hurt. A bidding war could be created for Pleks.
It would be hard to say no to any of the following:
-Chris Stewart and a 1st/2nd from St. Louis.
-Any two of Jeremy Morin, Kyle Beach, Philip Danault or Brandon Saad plus a 1st/2nd from Chicago.
-Mikael Granlund and 1st/2nd from Minnesota.
Pleks is a very good player, but if we are building for the future, we could do well in a trade involving him. The return has to be right though.
I think he is fed up with too many line combinations that he plays this season. It is not a good sign.
How about Plekanec for Hemsky? I could see PG doing that. One thing is for sure, Pierre’s phone is ringing off the hook. GMs will trip over each other for a chance to barter with him. Except maybe for Jim Rutherford. I don’t think Pierre will answer his calls. That was the first time I’ve ever seen a sports GM come out within 24 hours and say “I should have known better (than to acquire Kaberle)” as Rutherford did. In other words Pierre did not know any better. He might as well have called him a sucker. This is a proud, proud organization. We won’t be made fools of.
Pretty sure the Oilers won’t deal Hemsky two days after extending his contract…besides, we don’t need a soft, injury-prone winger.
Pleks is a solid two-way player, and is very likeable. I respect him a great deal. He hasn’t been himself this year and is clearly disappointed in some players in the room.
If he were be moved for a big asset (van Riemsdyk+Bourdon, Ott and a 1st, Umberger and a 1st, Brown or Nash), I’d be okay with it.
If we trade him it better be for an overpayment.
25 before 14
It would be a stupid move unless we got an almost impossible return. The habs don’t make stupid moves!
Oh.
Oh crap.
This exactly.
The only reason you would trade Plekanec is if he was the primary piece in securing a trade for a franchise player, but I worry that desperate lame duck management would do something stupid.
I am now very very scared.
“Et le but!”
Van Riemdyk and Couturier?
Someone texted TSN-990 a couple of days ago a trade idea:
To NSH: Kostitsyn, Weber and Bourque.
To MTL: Kostitsyn, Weber and Bourque.
Tomas might be no mas, say it ain’t so!
I don’t like the idea but if he’s moved, how about to Chicago for Saad and their 1st (and 2nd)?
I doubt this will happen. But if it actually does, we better net a good return: a 30 goal potential forward (preferably a RH shot), and a pick. I wouldn’t be against including one of our lesser, fading prospects (Kristo, Nash, etc) to pick up a forward prospect from another organization either.
Had this on another thread, but more fitting for here now…
With all the Dustin Brown rumours, I began to dream. Would anybody be upset if Pleks was moved in some way to get him? I realize this would leave us lacking center depth (and conversely LA with too many), but this would allow Eller to really get an early audition for 2nd line center for next year, and also Brown would help open up some more ice for our smaller players in the future, since we’ll have Gio, DD and potentially, but not likely Gallagher (next year anyway). We could then look to another trade or UFA to obtain another center( depending on what is needed based off Eller’s performance). They could even shift LL back into his natural center position (although I like him with Eller too. Decisions, decisions). Trading Pleks also makes keeping Moen a higher priority to help maintain some of our PK presence.
AK might be the better fit for both, simply in terms of him being a winger, and who knows, could have chemistry with Kopitar. Trading AK though would involve tossing in a 1st rounder, but it would have to be for 2013 (Otherwise we are overpaying). Might need tweaking in someway unless AK re-ups with LA.
Thoughts?
I’d move Plekanec for Brown in a heartbeat.
Just sayin’……..
His agent is Rick Curran if you wonder who his agent is.
I don’t want this to happen
Wow. It better be a top-10 pick or a 30+ goal scorer if he’s going to be traded. He’s our best two-way forward.
Trading Plex would be a mistake. He has a reasonable contract. Give him wingers for cripes sake. I’ve watched the majority of Habs games the past couple of years and without Plex we would’ve been merde on toast. This just makes me sad.
end transmission.
We’re already merde on toast. Before everybody starts panicking, let’s see what we can get in return for him.
And nothing we do now is going to change that, Re: merde on toast. Trading Plex IS panicking, in my opinion. Although, Dustin Brown…
end transmission.
Just an observation based on my frustrated attempts to click on this story – the folks at HIO should have perhaps considered an upgrade to their current servers seeing as the trade deadline is just hours away?
Trading him would add to the list of brain-dead moves by the organization.
We need a big C, not a winger.
And we also need another C who can play lights out on the PK, be effective in both directions, and intimidate the opponent while never complaining. Wait….doesn’t that describe Plekanics?
And who care what Cammalleri thought? He’s gone.
I’d rather trade AK, and I like the guy.
That signals a huge change in direction.
Even if he doesn’t get moved now or at the deadline, it’s out there, much like the Nash situation.
Eller is emerging as the successor for number #2 center and DD is playing well in the top role. Plecs becomes an luxury option, signed at a very fair price (given recent deals for Ruutu and Hemsky). If we can get back something huge, then this as good a time as any to make the move.
But, this needs to be said, Plecs is a true professional, would be very difficult to replace and would be missed.
Of course it all depends on return, but I would be reluctant to move Pleks.
He has his shortcomings, but he is a very solid NHl’er and a good teammate.
I also don’t like the implication of a larger role for Gomez.
So. if he is moved a very good player better be coming back in return. Preferably someone who can score GOALS. If it’s a package deal, it would be great to pickup a solid defensive Dman at the same time, maybe we throw in one of our offensive minded D-man.
I have to admit though I hate moving a player who has been a committed Hab for such a long time.
How about Plex, AK46 and Weber or Diaz or both for Nash?
I’d miss the guy, be a sad day, but more than likely he’d end up in a lot smoother set of circumstances.
______________________________________________________
Lost a bottle of Kraken during this debacle of a season. Better gettem next year.
A very soft player who doesn’t seem interested anymore. A trade could be a blessing for both Plex and the team.
Plus..He has a habit of taking bad penalties.
A winger with size, what about a centre?
“Okay everybody take a Valium.” – Rene Levesque
Eller, DD and Leblanc maybe the future top 3 at center…Not that I want Plekanec moved in any way!!!
His agent, from what I’ve understood of him in the past years, likes to stir the pot/rock the boat. A lot.
When trades went down since PG has been GM, it has always come as a surprise!! Around here, I find a rumour is just a rumour!! There has never been any big moves at the deadline and I would suggest that this year will be the same!!
It wont happen but I like it. Good for both teams.
Like two years ago, when he vanished by checking Crosby into the dirt. Point stats are just one way of assessing performance. Well rounded players take on all kinds of tasks, shutdown roles, etc.
Oh, shut up.
Richard R
I agree we need to get rid of all our talent and turn the entire team into draft picks.
Then send them all down to Hamilton. No more Montreal Canadiens.
Richard R
I heard last night on TV that he was unwilling to go to the west coast…
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“Talent is a gift from God, but you only succeed with hard work. Yvan was proof of that.”
- Jean Beliveau
what if Crosby wanted 4 years 60?
I don’t think he could…If I recall correctly, no single player can make more than 20% of a team’s high-end cap. I could be wrong, and this site being what it is, I am sure someone will gladly correct me if I’m wrong.