On the Montreal Canadiens …
Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said that unless they are blown away by a trade offer, they won’t be moving the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Canadiens biggest need as at center, but there isn’t really a center rated that high.
Bergevin when asked about his reluctance to move the pick and why?
“You pay a hefty price to get that pick. Obviously having the season we had, that’s what gave us the right to pick that high. It’s certainly not the goal when your season starts. But after all the pain and suffering, people will say, ‘Will you ever trade that pick?’ You know what? I learned from a comment (then-Blackhawks GM) Dale Tallon made when I was in Chicago. He said: ‘You know what, Berg? You know how much we suffered to get that pick?’ And I believe at the time it was third overall and it was Jonathan Toews. And the next year, it was Patrick Kane (with the No. 1 pick). So it’s not a fun time for our fans to suffer the way they did this year, but we’re going to get rewarded in Dallas with a pick we feel will make our team better in the long haul. That’s the price to pay.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Paul Chapman of the Vancouver Province says that everyone knows the Canucks need to replace the offense that Sedin’s brought and that they need to find some help on the blue line. Top prospect Elias Pettersson is coming over, but need to pump the brakes on him a little, he’s going to be good but may need a bit of time.
After watching Game one between the Golden Knights and Capitals, it made wonder about the Canucks toughness. It’s something that might be an issue for the Canucks going forward.
The Canucks could use someone with an edge, a bit of “a jerk.” notes Tom Wilson and Ryan Reaves. They don’t need to go get a goon, but someone that could help protect players like Pettersson.