Montreal Canadiens Rumor Roundup

Jan 14, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing

(17) misses a chance to score a goal against New Jersey Devils goalie

(30) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

With the Montreal Canadiens struggling the way they have been recently, rumors have quickly moved from the Habs buying a rental to help them out, to them selling off any assets that they can.

Let’s take a closer look at what has been thrown out there the past few days.

Habs looking at Brad Boyes, Dmitry Kulikov, Stephane Robidas and other available defensemen.

Jan 4, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) checks Nashville Predators center David Legwand (11) in the first period at BB

This came out about a week ago and made plenty of sense at the time. The Habs were struggling but firmly in a playoff spot. They were third in the Atlantic Division, and it appeared they needed a little boost to keep them there. As it turns out, they needed more than a little boost, and are plummeting faster than Enron’s stocks.

A lot can change in a few short days. It is not just that the Canadiens are on a four game losing streak, it the fact they have looked just above pathetic in that span.

Because of their awful play lately, I just don’t see General Manager Marc Bergevin parting with any future assets to bring in a pending unrestricted free agent such as Boyes, Robidas or other available defensemen like Andrew MacDonald or Henrik Tallinder.

I could see Bergevin going after Kulikov because of his age (23), and the fact he is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, so they would have some control over his future. The thing is, Bergevin is obsessed with building through the draft and his own prospects.

Kulikov has struggled this year, and the Florida Panthers have made him available, but I don’t see them and the Habs finding a deal that works for both sides here.

Bottom line, this team is not buying right now.

Canadiens Shopping Brian Gionta

Jan 18, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) warms up before playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

With the Habs ship sinking, testing the waters to see what is available for Gionta makes a lot of sense. There were no rumors about where he would end up, or even what the Canadiens would want in return. I think the idea of putting his name out there was to try and find out who would be interested and how much they would be willing to pay, which is why no one knows who may have interest.

In my opinion, the Habs should be trying to test the waters with Gionta. He is their captain, but he is also 35 years old and his contract is up at season’s end. Although his offense is not what it used to be, he could be a valuable depth piece on a team ready to make a run at the Stanley Cup.

If the Habs continue to struggle, and fall out of the playoff picture in the coming weeks, I say send Gionta to the highest bidder, and slap the C on Plekanec’s chest.

Raphael Diaz could be on way out of Montreal

Jan 14, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller (81) plays the puck off the air next to New Jersey Devils center Ryan Carter (20) and defenseman Raphael Diaz (61) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

The Montreal Gazette mentioned that recent healthy scratch Raphael Diaz could be traded in the coming weeks. On the surface it seems to make sense. UFA at the end of the year, not a regular on the struggling team, all the makings of a man on his way out of town.

I for one think Diaz should be signed to a contract extension. Diaz is 28 years old, but in terms of NHL games played he has about a season and a half under his belt. He is a great skater and can move the puck out of his own end with consistency. I am not saying he is an excellent defender, but just because Michel Therrien misuses him does not mean he can’t contribute.

I could see a future Canadiens top six that has a puck mover on each pairing and that would include Diaz. P.K. Subban would be the number one guy as he already is, Nathan Beaulieu would be on the second pairing and Diaz would be a number six guy, yet a valuable guy on the Habs blue line.

And of course, there was the rumor that sent twitter ablaze last night…..

Rene Bourque for P.A Parenteau

Dec 12, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Colorado Avalanche forward P.A. Parenteau (15) scores on Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) during the shootout at the MTS Center. Colorado wins 4-3 overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Parenteau is a useful player. That should be enough to tell you that the Colorado Avalanche would never move him for Bourque. Shame on you if you thought this rumor was actually going to happen.

It is possible that the Avs would take on Bourque, if the Habs sweeten the pot by retaining some of his salary and sweetened the pot with a prospect. It is also very possible that the Canadiens would be interested in the Quebec born Parenteau.

However, this rumor made no sense immediately, and even less sense when it was said the Habs were the team that turned it down.

Of course, more details came out today, and it is said that it was not a one for one trade and the Avalanche were only taking Bourque to get Sven Andrighetto as well.

A trade like this could make sense for the Canadiens, and though I can not quote what is going on behind closed doors at the Bell Centre, I have to imagine Bergevin would be happy to get rid of Bourque’s contract. If that means adding a mid range prospect to get a decent return like Parenteau, I have to think he would jump on it.

There may be something happening here between Montreal and Colorado, and I would not be surprised to see Parenteau in Habs colors before the trade deadline.