The Montreal Canadiens finally dealt a defenseman but it wasn’t Sheldon Souray as expected.
Instead, the Habs dealt Craig Rivet and a fifth round pick in 2008 to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Josh Gorges and a first round pick in 2007.
Rivet had been one of the longest serving players on the Canadiens, having been on the roster since the 1995-96 season. However, his status as an unrestricted free agent, combined with perceived clashes with head coach Guy Carbonneau, were undoubtedly contributing factors in this deal.
He’d also been out of the lineup for the past two weeks recovering from pneumonia but is believed to have no lingering effects from the illness and should be ready to play for the Sharks immediately.
The Sharks had long been seeking an experienced defenseman, and Rivet should fit the bill. While not known as a puckmoving blueliner, he was long considered one of the Canadiens better all-around defensemen.
Gorges is in his second NHL season, having played 47 games this season with the Sharks. TSN rates him as making the most of his ability and possessing a good work ethic, but doesn’t project him higher than a 6th defenseman.
If Canadiens fans were expecting a return to have an immediate positive impact, they’re likely to be disappointed. GM Bob Gainey was obviously thinking toward the long-term future with this acquisition.
It’s possible he might try to flip this first round pick or his own in a package deal for a deadline rental player, but it remains to be seen if that’s in Gainey’s plans.
The rumor mill will also likely to continue buzzing over Sheldon Souray's future, but it would appear with this move that he'll remain with the Canadiens until season's end.
There sure are a lot of first round draft picks floating around, Is this draft going to suck that bad, that it seems like no one wants to pick in the first round.
Also, Why are these trades not wowing my socks off, I mean I guess forsberg and ktachuk were expected, but nothin is surprising me or making me go WOW!!
I mean Forsberg you don't know how well he can play, Tuchuck, I guess I can say WOW as to what they gave up for him, but I don't consider him a superstar, definately not when he was in Phoenix.
Just saying nothing is wowing me, everything we have seen has been expected I guess.
Last edited by coyoteslover on February 25th at 3:29 PM.
Good thing Rivet is gone. Not good offensively, not especially good defensively. His talent is somewhat limited and is currently overpaid. I dunno for how much he will sign next year, but I hope Gainey is not planning to sign him...
A 1st round pick, even in a week draft, is always appreciated.
I hope Souray is traded, because the market is currently overpaying for UFAS. A 1st round pick for Rivet, 3-4 picks + a player for Tkachuk, etc...
Souray, if he really likes Montreal, could sign in July and get a condo for few months somewhere in North America and come back after
It really does look like teams are throwing away picks for little return.(In regards to a "rent a player" not the players ability) However, I wonder if this is the first round pick the Sharks got from the Devils. Either way the Sharks still have a first rounder left should they want to make any further trades.
This one surprises me. I can't picture Rivet in another uniform. I have seen Gorges play and he looked good. Habs fans may be pleasently surprised with him. For the Sharks Rivet does bring more experience which should help them.
Wow what a lopsided deal!!!! This is a wicked awful trade by the Sharks, I've seen Gorges play and he is very gifted and has a ton of potential and is ready for the NHL as he was playing up there. Rivet unless I'm wrong is really nothing special, maybe leadership, but the guy plays decent defense and does nothing offensively. What is with teams getting rid of young defenseman for decent veterans. I mean I can somewhat see getting ready for the playoffs by getting veteran leadership, but Gorges, O'Brien, and Coburn all within the last 2 days is awful and I was pretty surprised by all deals. On top of that they get a first rounder with Gorges and all the Sharks get is a 5th rounder two years from now with Rivet. Awful trade on all ends by the Sharks. Habs fans should be happy, so I am definitely severly disappointed that the Sharks made such a giveaway as I dislike the Habs extensively.
When the Sharks go all the way and Rivet hoists the Stanley Cup, it'll be "Josh who?" And when the Sharks flame out in the first round -- literally, if they match-up with Calgary (yeah, yet another pun; I can't help myself) -- it'll be "How could they let Gorges get away?"
The Sharks have a Kiddie Corps on the blueline and have been running a good chunk of the year with seven defensemen on the roster. Rivet is going to bring a nice Lee Fogolin-type presence and I can see them going to three set pairs of rearguards and four forward lines for the playoffs.
Sad to see a long-time Hab leave Montreal, but he's off to a promising young team.
I am willing to be Souray's price was too high for San Jose. Gainey is not that dumb. I tink this will eb good for both teams. San Jose needs something to get them going. I am not saying Rivet is a saviour, but if he can get things done on the blue line. Who knows. As for Georges. Solid guy, but I am not sure he'd ever be a top 4 d-man. Time will tell. I am wondering if Souray moves or not.
Well, it seems the best picks in this years draft are in the second round or later huh?!
The Sharks get veteran leadership and savvy for 2 months and a real late round pick.
The Habs get a possilbe Rivet clone, 5th or 6th D-man who`ll play a decade for the them, and a late 1st rounder, which is always a nice gamble. They also create much needed salary cap space, essential in the new era!!
Both teams address needs and both will benefit. The Habs look like they`ll just do better in the long run. Spector what is your take.
Gainey is getting in return the same thing he gave up only younger and cheaper.
What blows my mind is how Gainey got that first rounder out of Wilson
I guess the Sharks are happy with the Farm they have and with a weak back end draft Wilson felt it was worth the gamble. The pick will be at the back end of the first round
What Wilson wanted is the experence.
What Gainey wanted was the cap space and the youth
Last edited by True_kings_fan on February 25th at 8:21 PM.
Spector, the Habs need to clean house starting with Koivu, Kovalev et all. 10 years of bottom feeding and 1st round exits, yet they still hang on to this mediocre type team of small forwards, small defencemen, and no on-ice leadership. Why is this?
Nothing against Rivet, but he is not worth a 1st rounder, no #5 defenseman is. Credit to Gainey for this deal.
I am guessing that Wilson wasn't as reluctant to part with a first rounder because of the additional one he got for taking Malakov off the Devil's hands.
only time will tell how good a deal this was for either side, but Koivu isn't going anywhere and that is the way it should be. I believe with a little bit better coaching they would still be on top the east with buffalo. Give it a year or two and no serious injuries to the youngsters and the Habs will rock the east.
Last edited by GO_HABS_GO on February 26th at 6:12 AM.
spector, what are Gainey's chances of signing Souray or Markov after either becomes a free agent? Is he better off overpaying now or losing out later? In Markov's case, I think there is no way Montreal can allow him to test the free agent waters.
I don't see Markov going anywhere, he's their best all-around defenceman and everything I've heard out of Montreal is he wants to remain with the Habs. The Gazette suggests it'll likely cost $4 million per, but he's worth every penny as he's arguably one of the most under-rated d-men in the game.
Souray, on the other hand, is difficult to call. He'll likely seek similar money to what McCabe got from the Leafs and if he doesn't get it from the Habs somebody else will pay that price.
Even TSN's Bob McKenzie isn't sure what Gainey will do with Souray. On the one hand, it would probably make sense to move him now for a great return (since some GMs seem to be losing their minds this season)as this team is at best a "first round and out" club. On the other hand, there's the pressure to make the playoffs, and Souray's big shot gives them the chance to do it.
Why are teams trading their fututre for overrated players. I'm sure if Rivet is worth a 1st rounder and Tkachuk is worth 3 0r 4 picks, then Souray has to fetch two 1st rounders.
what are the odds that the Devils make a trade? I know the rumor about Berard but how likly is it?
Any trade would have to involve roster players. Also they still have Matvichuk to try to fit under the cap. Guess I kinda answered my own question but I'd still like to hear your opinion.
Last edited by hockeyfan30 on February 26th at 7:19 AM.
Good Riddance!!!
I'M a die hard Habs fan and I said good riddance ti Rivet. If he has been Koivu best friend he would hve be traded along time ago.
Rivet was good the first 5 years of his career when he was bringing intensity, thigh defensive play, and a phisical presence to the ice.
Now all that has dissapeared. Only Ninnima was worst than him this year.
He's slow, and always get caugth in corner not able to come back in time.
And because of Koivu he was still playing on the PP.When you got Souray, Markov, Streit, Bouillon, Kovalev, Ninnima who are all far superior as PP Quarteback.(It is somwhow dissapointing that Kovalev is not use there when he play so many years at that place with NY and Pitsburg)
OK BACK To the trade
It's a steal I would have settled for a 2nd round pick.
But we get Gorges and a first round pick.
BRAVO BOb BRAVO!
Now were waiting for your next move.
We need some offense badly a center a real one.
A # 1 center something we have not seen since and #### trade away P.Turgeon to make room for Koivu.
I liked Jorges, but he's too small and gets pushed around. Add to that Carle and Vlasic getting a little tired and beat to the puck after a longer than usual season, and Doug Wilson saw clearly he needed more experience to go anywhere in the playoffs. I don't know if Gainey will move Souray BUT considering the price tag on Rivet, and thinking about the price it may cost to re-sign Souray at $3.5 mil a year for three years, I think Wilson went with the more affordable choice. The Sharks have plenty of up-and-coming D-men in both the minors and in Juniors, so the lost of a 5/6 defenseman (Jorges) instead of Pavelski or Bernier or Vlasic or Carle was a decent move. With two picks in the first round in next years weak draft, and with both picks being of about equal value, I think Wilson was forced to pay the going price for some immediate stability on the blueline. Rivet's no saviour, but he adds experience and a more physical presence than Jorges, and that may be all the Sharks need to tweak their line-up. I'd be really surprised if they grab Guerin as well. Just have one more day to find out!
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
