Hearing Bob answering concerns about Price being too young to be given the #1 spot with references to Price’s status as a “thoroughbred” made me somewhat nervous. The kid is talented and is already a contributor (albeit an inconsistent one), but right now, other hoping he outperforms his contract value (2 mil. under the cap I believe?), there isn’t much we can ask of him.

As for Price, I think a critical evaluation of goaltender coach Roland Melanson is imperative. Price does not look at all like the same goalie as when he first came up with the Habs. His mechanics are now deeply flawed, often not square to the shooter, a inability to track the puck properly, and playing too deep in the crease, and dropping too early on shots. I seriously question whether Melanson is at the root of Price’s problems.

This is the year that Gainey needs to make a significant trade to upgrade the roster. It would appear almost assuredly, that Komisarek will leave via free agency. His departure, despite his struggles will create a void on defense. The need to acquire some grit upfront, and land an impact player is becoming more necessary.

Tampa is a mess financially and therefore is not dealing from a position of strength.

As the salary cap shrinks and the NHL approaches financial Armaggeddon, Tampa will have less money to fill their roster. Hell they can’t meet payroll without the NHL’s small market subsidy. Lecavalier will become a millstone around the neck of the franchise. This will require a fire sale or outright release to achieve cap relief.

However, Tampa’s problems are not unique. All teams will have the similar challenge. I believe there are very few teams in a position to absorb Lecavalier, and those that are, are unlikely to strip mine their talent pool to complete this transaction.

I see Lecavalier being traded for a top player and either a first round or prospect, at best. Teams are beginning to place a premium on youth, prospects and draft choices as a means of low cost certainty.
Trading for Lecavalier would not only contradict this movement, but would financially handcuff for years, any team that trades for him.

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The existing core simply has not gotten it done. Changes are required.

The Habs still have a fairly deep talent pool in the minors, and a tremendous amount of cap space come the end of the season. Gainey (if he remains the gm) or whomever is the next gm will need to capitalize on those assets and address the short comings of the team. The Habs gm is going to have to root out the various players that made horrendous off ice decisions that in part have contributed to the teams freefall.

With Burke as Toronto’s gm, and the moves he and Fletcher made to stock pile draft picks, it should be an interesting off season, for both Leafs and the Habs. Regards, Randall Wright.

They’re heading in the direction you outline, and they’ve done more to address those needs in the long term than Montreal has.

Both teams need size and physical presence to add to their speedy core. The Leafs have a greater defensive intensity… they’ve just lacked the goaltending. Their shot totals are more in line with what one would like to see, and they pressure in all 3 zones. They have a level of leadership that doesn’t always back down, and as such are in most games even when they should be out of them.

Lastly they need some level of star power, but that should come through drafting and development, or perhaps free agency. It will be interesting to see which of these two teams makes it back to the promised land first. I was assuming it would be Montreal, but now it looks like they’re neck and neck for the moment.