Was this trade expected? I thought he carried them as far as they went?

Dave (out of the loop)

I can't believe it either.   Not only traded, but traded for chump-change!

I think this trade will haunt Gauthier for his term as Montreal GM. I know he probably does not have the money to keep both Price and Halak, but to me it seems that the Montreal fans have no faith in Price and his confidence is shattered. IMHO they should have traded Price for the chump-change.

Montreal couldn't have trade their 5th overall draft pick in round 1...and first goaltender.

Carey is young, made mistakes, but if he can concentrate on his game, I think he will be better than Halak.

He needs discipline.

Halak is a great goaltender as well, with less technique than Price, but still excellent…but what I’m afraid with Halak, is that he does like Steve Penney did in the mid 80’s.

tartagliag

All-in with Price... again.  

I can understand trading Halak, but trading him for two prospects unproven, I don't understand.  If it's the best deal Gauthier could find, I'm not impressed with him at all.

Quoted from tartagliag

but what I’m afraid with Halak, is that he does like Steve Penney did in the mid 80’s.

OMG i suddenly feel old.. and fully remember that  

Quoted from Hyann

All-in with Price... again.  

I can understand trading Halak, but trading him for two prospects unproven, I don't understand.  If it's the best deal Gauthier could find, I'm not impressed with him at all.

They are reporting here that St Louis offered more for Price but Montreal wasn't interested in dealing him (I think Parent was added to the trade if it was Price instead of Halak)

Steve Penney was known as a guy who never controlled rebounds, the reason why the habs did great that year against Boston is A) Penney was great on the first save and B) the defencemen in front of him did their job and cleared the rebounds.  That first save technique doesn't last forever though, shoot high and get people in front to collect the rebound = Penney in Winnipeg.

I'm not a habs fan so I don't care either way. I get why they prefer Price, his size, ability puts him up there as a potential top 5 goalie in the league.  The problem is, why right now?  I can't believe on draft day, there's not a GM who'd give just a bit more to get him.  Too freakin' early for this trade, wayyyy too early.

Quoted from tartagliag

Montreal couldn't have trade their 5th overall draft pick in round 1...and first goaltender.

Carey is young, made mistakes, but if he can concentrate on his game, I think he will be better than Halak.

He needs discipline.

Halak is a great goaltender as well, with less technique than Price, but still excellent…but what I’m afraid with Halak, is that he does like Steve Penney did in the mid 80’s.

tartagliag

That is what brings down GM's, they fall in love with their draft picks.

I know Gauthier did not draft Price, Gainey did and he is still there as an advisor, I am sure he had a lot of input in this decision.

1- Halak was a restricted free agent

2- He is expected to sign for 3-4M a year.

3- Habs don't have the space on the salary cap to handle such a salary

4- Price has proven that his main problem is between the ears, not talent.

5- Halak ASKED to be traded TWICE last season.

6- A team was BOUND to sign him and we would have lost him for a single 1st-round draft pick.

7- This year's draft is considered to be one of the worst in 15 years... so draft pick is not the greatest. St-Louis picks 14th.

8- Habs got Eller and Schultz. Eller was a 13th pick overall in a good draft year.

9- Eller is a center... we desperately need a center.

10- Eller was highly recommended by Andy Murray to the Blues. Murray is considered a genius in scouting and has coached 3 international championships, winning gold. He saw Eller first hand and told the Blues to pick him up.

11- In a similar situation, all we got for Cristobal Huet is a second-round pick.

12- Eller will be playing in the NHL within a year or two.


Don't blame the Habs management... blame the salary cap. Unlike baseball where a team can go over and just pay a penalty, you can't in hockey. With Gomez's and Hamrlik's contracts, the Habs are tied.

Quoted from HP5P

That is what brings down GM's, they fall in love with their draft picks.

I know Gauthier did not draft Price, Gainey did and he is still there as an advisor, I am sure he had a lot of input in this decision.

Gauthier is/was Gainey's right-hand man. So when Gainey left, NOTHING changed. Both have an undying faith in Trevor Timmins, who is the big cheese for all draft picks, and who I honestly believe is responsible for all the crap the Habs deal with. The GMs get their info from HIM.

This being said, one thing is CERTAIN.... they will live or die by their faith in Price. If Price fails again, Molson will most assuredly fire them all. Jacques Martin bought them time by using Halak. But now there is nowhere to hide.

Gauthier does not have the best record as a GM, look at his Ottawa days...  traded away Demitra and Straka for nothing, drafted Matthieu Chouniard... TWICE!  He should have been able to get a roster player instead of just prospects.