Habs make a splash, trade with Hawks

[arloiginla]

We feel we have a good shot at winning it all with our current roster but after Philly's many upgrades felt that if we had the opportunity to add an impact player without giving up the farm, we would do it.

Luckily that opportunity came up last night and we pulled the trigger on a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

To Montreal:

LW/C Patrick Marleau
$5.25M this season
$2M next season

To Chicago:

C Shawn Matthias
D John Carlson
C Joey Hishon
2011 1st round pick (MTL)

We are excited to bring Marleau to Habland. He is versatile and can play LW or C giving us some options. He has high ratings in the categories that matter to us and the cap space next season is very important as we attempt to re-sign several key players.

John Carlson was an expendable though valuable asset with Bogosian making the jump next year. Matthias, Hishon and the 1st are good young assets that will help CBL build a solid foundation for his team moving forward.

Many thanks for the easy negotiations.

Word on the street is the Habs aren't done dealing and could have another impact player on the team by tonight.

[Crazy Bacon Legs]

Chicago GM Crazy Bacon Legs issued the following release after the Marleau trade:

"Today we traded a valuable member of our team for some valuable prospects and a 1st round draft choice. We'll miss old "Beef Patty", but it was a necessary and desirable move.

Seriously, he wanted $10 million for next season. Do you know how much money that is? Do you know how many dune buggies that would buy? About 2,130. It was either Marleau or the dune buggies, and we have some serious adrenaline junkies working for this club. We couldn't afford to sign him for next year due to cap restrictions, and this deal allows us to look forward. Forward, towards the sand dunes of prosperity.

In completing this deal, we have brought in three solid prospects and another first rounder. There comes a time when a team must admit that they can't keep the core together due to cap restrictions. That day was today. But this deal gives us the pieces to build a very solid foundation for years to come.

In addition, each of the new players will receive three dune buggies each. That's a luxury we can afford with all the cap space cleared for next season. Maybe it's harsh to look at it in those terms, but professional sports can be a cruel game sometimes. "

More deals are expected to be coming in the near future as the team looks to acquire more draft picks and solid prospects.

[Swayze11]

Solid deal. Personally I like it for Chicago, those are some nice pieces!

[therizzle]

Like it for Chicago also, but I understand the move from Montreal's perspective. They have a lot of assets and if you're going to make a run at it, you have to give some of them up.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

I think this is a fair deal, works perfectly for both teams. Chicago gets some great young assets, especially Carlson. Then Montreal brings in an impact fwd and gets a bit of cap help next year. Great job guys!