Bob Gainey Potential Targets at The Trade Deadline

During today's mid-season assessment of his team, GM Bob Gainey made it clear that is satisfied with his team, but he's looking to add depth on defense, likely a veteran defenseman with some offensive upside.

Let's look at the potential available defensemen at the trade deadline and what would Bob Gainey have to give in order to acquire their services.

Mathieu Schneider ATL $5,625,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

The former Habs defenseman is a power play specialist; however, injuries have affected his play this season with the Thrashers. Schneider, 39, has 8 points in 30 games and he has a -17 plus/minus differential. He has plenty of playoffs experience.

A low draft pick and a pro player (Begin for example) would do the trick.

Nicklas Havelid ATL $2,700,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Havelid, 35, is an experienced defensive d-man who jumps into the play at the right time. Havelid has 11 points in 43 games this season. He has a great +7 rating with a very bad team.

A 2nd rounder and a young defenseman would do the trick.

Adrian Aucoin CGY $4,000,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Aucoin is a good puck-handling veteran defenseman that notched 35 points last season. He has 16 points in 41 games with the Flames this season.

The Flames are seeking help at forward and a young defenseman in exchange for Aucoin.

Jordan Leopold COL $1,500,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Leopold, 28, is a good offensive defenseman with size and grit. He has 15 points in 42 games this season with Colorado. Once traded in exchange for Alex Tanguay, Leopold has a very affordable contract and he would be a very good fit on the Habs defense.

The Avalanche are looking for offensive help due to the injuries to Sakic and Stastny.

Jay Bouwmeester FLA $4,875,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Bouwmeester, 25, is a franchise defenseman that is not happy in Florida due to their lack of success. Jay Bo has a great season notching 23 points in 42 games. The Panthers are still in the playoffs hunt, so it's unlikely Jacques Martin will deal him now. However, if the Panthers falter and are out of contention at the deadline, look for them to unpack Bouwmeester instead of losing for nothing via free agency.

The package would have to be significant to land Jay Bo. Something like a 1st rounder, a 2nd rounder, a young forward (D'Agostini) and a young defenseman (O'Byrne) would be Jacques Martin's asking price.

Sean O'Donnell LA $1,250,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

O'Donnell, 37, is an experienced defensive defenseman with grit. He has mentored young Drew Doughty this season with great success. O'Donnell is the kind of tough d-man the Habs lacked in last year's playoffs series against Boston and Philly.

The Kings likely seek a 3rd rounder and a prospect for O'Donnell.

Marc-Andre Bergeron MIN $1,254,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Bergeron, 28, is a power play specialist with defensive shortcomings. He has 16 points in 31 games this season. Bergeron would instantly bolster the Canadiens' power play with his booming shot from the blue line.

The asking price would likely be a middle round pick and a defensive defenseman.

Ville Koistinen NSH $750,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Koistinen, 26, is an underrated offensive defenseman that is a good on the power play. He has never received much ice-time in Nashville because of players like Weber, Zanon and Suter.

A cheap alternative, Koistinens' asking price would be a middle round pick and a young forward.

Derek Morris PHX $3,916,000/year, contract ends in 2008-2009:

Morris, 30, is a right-handed gritty defenseman. In 40 games this season, Morris only has eight points, therefore making easier to acquire.

If the Coyotes are out of contention at the deadline, Morris' asking price would likely be a young defenseman and 4th round pick.

Tomas Kaberle could also be an interesting option, but I highly doubt Brian Burke would trade him within the division, especially to the Habs.

Which d-man should Gainey try to acquire to bolster his thin blue line?

Pacioretty and Gorges: A Look At Bob Gainey's Crafty Move From Two Years Ago

On February 25, 2007, the Montreal Canadiens veteran defenseman Craig Rivet and a fifth round selection in 2008 were sent to the San Jose Sharks for young defenseman Josh Gorges and a first round selection in 2007 (Max Pacioretty).

Now a member of the Buffalo Sabres, Rivet helped the Sharks go deep in the playoffs the past two seasons — even though they weren't able to make it to the finals. In 91 games with the Sharks, Rivet scored six goals and 37 assists for 43 points.

He was later traded this summer along with San Jose's seventh round selection in 2010 to the Buffalo Sabres for a second round choice in 2009 and a second round choice in 2010.

Meanwhile, Josh Gorges blossomed into a very reliable defenseman over his two years in Montreal. At first, things were not quite easy for Gorges as he was a frequent healthy scratch for most of the 2007 season.

However, last season he finally made it as a regular rearguard and played 62 games, notching nine assists beside his partner Francis Bouillon.

Gorges, 24, has seen an increase of ice-time this season being used in every situation (even on the powerplay), and his statistics have improved accordingly. Gorges already has one goal and seven assists for eight points in 40 games. He has a team-best +18 plus/minus differential good for the tenth rank league-wide.

The key element of that trade is Max Pacioretty. He finally made it to the NHL this season, thanks to numerous injuries to key Habs players.

He registered 15 goals, 24 assists and 39 points in 37 games after a great season with the University of Michigan: Ann Arbor last year. After Michigan, Pacioretty signed his first NHL contract, a three year entry level pact, this summer with the Canadiens.

Recalled from Hamilton on January 1st, 2009, Pacioretty scored his first NHL goal on his first shot on his four to one loss against New Jersey. Now playing on a line with veterans Alex Kovalev and Tomas Plekanec, Max Pax has tallied two goals and one assist for three points after only four games.

Pacioretty is a good power forward with above average skills — a good skater with quick feet. He handles the puck very well, and he has a good wrist shot with quick release. His size and tenacity allow him to drive to the net consistently.

Max Pacioretty will likely be this year's Sergei Kostitsyn even when Koivu, Higgins and Tanguay come back from their injuries.

From: www.nhl-northeast.com

The Emergence of Maxim Lapierre For The Canadiens

Centering the Canadiens' newly-formed energy line of Guillaume Latendresse and Tom Kostopoulos, Maxim Lapierre has emerged as a pretty valuable asset for the Montreal Canadiens.

Lapierre, 23, earned the December Molson Cup given to the best player during the month. The St-Leonard native won the Molson Cup for the first time in his career.

Lapierre recorded eleven points in Molson Cup standings after being voted first star of the game once and getting two second-star selections. He notched four goals and three assists for seven points in 13 games.

In December, he even had a “Gordie Howe hat trick” (a goal, an assist and a fighting major penalty) against the Rangers, which the Canadiens face again tonight in Madison Square Garden.

However, Lapierre's not only contributing offensively, he also leads the Habs in face-offs winning percentage with 56%, a 7% increase over last season. Lapierre also regularly kills penalties with linemate Tom Kostopoulos or grinder Steve Begin.

Lapierre, who plays an intense, gritty and strong all-round game, has top notch skating and speed with decent size; he is a player that knows what it takes to win. And now with the great complicity he has with Latendresse and Kostopoulos, Carbonneau is not afraid to use them in every situation, even late during tight games.

But, will Lapierre get as much of ice time when Saku Koivu returns on Saturday against the Capitals, or will he play sporadically on a 4th line once again undermining his blossoming talent?

Montreal Canadiens: Why The Kostitsyn Brothers Should Stick Together

Reunited for yesterday's match-up against the Florida Panthers, the Kostitsyn brothers, Andrei and Sergei, sparked the Habs' offense to a close 6-5 OT win over Peter DeBoer's team.

Lining up on a line with veteran Robert Land, the "Mullet line" produced three of the Canadiens' goals. Lang finished the afternoon with one goal and one assist (+2), while Andrei notched two goals (+2) and Sergei added two assists (+4).

With Alex Tanguay out for an extended period of time, the Canadiens desperately need to find secondary scoring to help ease the pressure on Kovalev's line.

Ever since they were kids, the Kostitsyns played hockey together at every level. That is why they play so well when reunited.

Sergei, who is more of a passer, has a great vision, solid skating abilities and a great hockey sense. Sergei also kills penalties with Robert Lang because of his great defensive awareness. He can also man the point on the power play.

Andrei, who is more of a shooter, is blessed with a quick release and a heavy shot. His has excellent puck-handling abilities and his strong on the puck.

As you can see the brothers compliment each other perfectly because of their different sets of skills, that is why they should stick together for a while, whether it is with Robert Lang, Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec.

As Carbonneau said, "Andrei shoots more when he plays with Sergei instead of Alex Kovalev, when he plays with Kovy he tries to give him the puck too much". Andrei added that he's more confortable playing with his brother.

I believe Carbo has finally understood that the brothers should stick together for a while now...

Time for D'Agostini to get an apartment in Montreal

After playing 20 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, during which he recorded 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points, forward Matt D'Agostini was recalled by the Montreal Canadiens on November 28th.

After watching his first game from the press box in Washington, a 3-0 loss, D'Agostini was inserted in the line-up the next day at home against the Buffalo Sabres. D'Agostini, 22, played 13:52 that night, finishing with a +1 differential.

Paired with captain Saku Koivu and Andrei Kostitsyn, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native has shown flashes of brilliance since he was promoted to the Habs' first line. In five games with the Canadiens this season, D'Agostini now has 4 goals, 1 assist and a +4 differential. He is currently on a 4-game scoring streak.

The 6-0, 200 lb, right wing is only one of two right-handed forwards with the Habs this season (Robert Lang is the other) which gives the Canadiens another weapon on the power play. He uses his speed to find open areas on the ice and create scoring opportunities. He really likes to drive the net where he scores most of his goals.

D'Agostini might be the last year's Sergei Kostitsyn who was recalled in early December 2007. Kostitsyn sparked the Habs offense with his skills and speed, notching 27 points in 52 games after beginning the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

D'Agostini's fortune is Guillaume Latendresse's nightmare, the latter being a healthy scratch for the Habs last 4 games. After a quick start (6 points in 5 games), Latendresse slumped to a point where Guy Carbonneau had no choice, but the put him in the press box.

With the latest injury to Christopher Higgins (likely a separated shoulder), Latendresse is supposed to draw back into the lineup against the Lightning on Thursday. If the Habs were to lose Higgins for an extended period of time, look for GM Bob Gainey to tell Matt D'Agostini to get an apartment in Montreal to finish the season with the Habs.


D'Agostini was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 6th round, 190th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Canadiens expected lines vs the Capitals

Forwards:
Higgins - Koivu - Kostopoulos
A. Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Kovalev
Latendresse - Lang - S. Kostitsyn
Begin - Lapierre - Dandenault

Defence:
Markov - Gorges
Hamrlik - O'Byrne
Bouillon - Brisebois

Goaltender:
Halak

Injured players: Laraque, Tanguay and Komisarek
Healthy scratch: Matt D'Agostini

Alex Tanguay will not play this weekend against the Capitals and the Sabres as he's still feeling the effect of Brad Stuart's hard body check he received on Wednesday. Tanguay suffered a whiplash on the hit and has been experiencing concussion-like symptoms ever since. He's day-to-day.

Canadiens call up Matt D'Agostini

MONTREAL, PQ - The Montreal Canadiens announced Thursday night that forward Matt D’Agostini has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL). He will join the team on Friday morning, and will attend the club’s practice at Verizon Center in Washington.

D’Agostini, 22, leads the Bulldogs in scoring, and ranks third in the AHL with 25 points in 20 games (14 goals, 11 assists). He leads the club in goals (14), powerplay goals (5) and shots on goal (64). He also served 16 penalty minutes.

D’Agostini (6-foot, 200 pounds), a right winger from Sault-Ste-Marie, Ontario was selected in the sixth round by the Canadiens, 190th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first NHL game with the Canadiens during the 2007-08 season.

It is still unknown if D'Agostini will play tonight against the Capitals in Washington.