Does this sound like something a real GM would do?
That's what Ozy said about trading away Huet... we did it anyway and we were fine for doing it. The return was way too low but dealing him didn't hurt us at all.
Imagine going to your team to tell them that you have traded Markov for someone who will not have an immediate impact on the team, but it doesn't really matter, since they aren't good enough to win. You can also tell your boss that it really doesn't matter if he loses out on playoff revenue for this year, because you are certain that there will be extended Stanley Cup runs in the future (hopefully), so please don't fire me in the meantime.
I'd present it this way...
Guys, we believe in you. It's YOUR team now. I believe in you and that's why I've made the trade. Now go prove me right.
Then I'd order MT to start playing PK 25+ mins a night like he should be doing anyway...
If you are going to trade Markov for a prospect/pick that will not help the team for a few years, and replace him with a kid (Beaulieu or Tinordi) who has not even proven to be NHL-ready, why stop there? You may as well trade everyone aged 30, or over, of any value (Plekanec, Moen, Gionta, Cole, Bourque), since they be on the downside of their careers by the time your new Canadiens dynasty begins.
We SHOULD deal some of those guys away too.
I'd have said Plecanec but with Galcheyuk's emergence I think we should hold onto him. Cole, Bourque, Gionta... Fine by me. If you can get a first for ANY of them do it. Problem is that none are worth a first. Cole was probably worth it at the end of last year but he's sucked so far.
One of our biggest flaws will soon be filled by Tinordi so I am willing to be patient and not turn into a frantic buyer mode. That said, we are 1st in the freakin’ East, we have a very good mix and depth upfront and Price is... Price. Plus, thanks to Gauthier, we have, just like in the last draft, a good amount of picks in the next draft.
Because of all of the above, I wish Bergevin will “sacrifice” the potential return he could get for guys like Markov and Cole. In the current context, proposing to sell is somewhat absurd... imo! I would not be opposed to a “hockey trade” though...
Just for the record: I don’t think you are an absurd poster Lafleurs Guy; far from it. I do however consider the idea of becoming seller in the current context... well... absurd!
That's fair enough. I understand that it goes against the grain to deal players away while you're doing well. I'd still do it though because I think we'd be better off in the long run.
There is something to be said for being 1st in the East... I just think that it's a bit of a mirage. Then again, the East completely sucks so maybe we actually have a shot at something this season. We'll see I guess.
bang on brother
most fans only see the short term micro view not the large big picture macro view
Markov is not the Markov of old , 5/5 he has been average at best folks and his points are strictly powerplay
agreed 100% we will not fall apart if he gets moved , PK will be the 25 minuite dman he should be
for once lets deal when our poker chips are high
I am not saying dump him but if a team calls for him offering a solid offer u have to think about it , he is not our core moving forward
yes my friend I want cups not standings or popularity contests or to make the fan base happy
I was hoping Markov would keep it up this year but he seems to be slowing down. I still think we could get something good for him though. Lots of teams need help on the PP.
Seriously, look at the Rangers. They'd kill to have him.
I think that we all would have traded Markov three years ago had we been able to see into the future and know that he would suffer two devastating knee injuries. As far as trading him now, if the Canadiens were to get someone who could make an immediate impact, why not? If you are talking about trading someone away for a prospect/pick who will not help the team for a few years while you are currently in first place, that makes no sense.
I would have done it without seeing into the future. Even if he'd been healthy... so what? We weren't going to win with him anyway. We let our core walk away and had Gomez as our number one center. No way we win so... deal him.
As I said above, I suggested it years ago and named the propsects I'd do it for. I said JVRD and people laughed... well, is it funny now? NVRD is just starting his career. He has YEARS left to play and is only going to improve. Meanwhile Markov is 34 and getting older. Dealing him 3 years ago would've made a lot of sense regardless of the injuries he's had.
It's the same situation now. We'd be trading away a diminishing asset for something to help us down the line. Why not do it?
Just because you might think the Canadiens cannot win the Cup this year doesn't mean that it cannot happen. If it were to happen, it wouldn't be the first time that a team wins a championship when it is not expected. As a matter of fact, there are a number of examples of the Canadiens winning a Cup when it was not expected (1971, 1986, and 1993 immediately come to mind).
You're right... we could win it. But it's a better gamble to get a player who can help us win for YEARS going forward rather than hoping that we fluke out a cup this year.
I agree, the East is weak and I agree that we have Price. But we'll have Price next year and probably the next decade. That's a wide window for him to win us some cups. It's a transition year... no harm adding to what we've got.
I want you to stop thinking about this year. Think about three years from now. Think about five years from now... PK, Galchenyuk, Max all those guys will be better than they are now. Imagine having another player to go along with them just entering his prime. We need to start thinking this way if we ever want to see a cup in this city again. If we could get say Ryan McDonaugh back for Markov... for God's sake make the trade. Hell, I'd give the Rangers a 2nd to go along with it.