CANADIENS TO SEEK EXPERIENCE DEFENSEMAN?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos said the feeling is if the Montreal Canadiens remain in the playoff chase they could pursue an experienced defenseman. He speculates they could target the St. Louis Blues or Los Angeles Kings if those clubs continue to falter.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings blueliners Alec Martinez and Jake Muzzin have frequently surfaced of late in the rumor mill. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadiens looked at one of those guys. Forget about prying Drew Doughty away from the Kings as that’s not happening.

As for the Blues, they’re probably willing to part with the fading Jay Bouwmeester, the struggling Jordan Schmaltz or the oft-injured Carl Gunnarsson. However, I don’t see any of them filling the Habs’ need for an experienced blueliner who can help them right away.

The Montreal Canadiens are looking for some blue-line help.

As Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports, the Canadiens might be in the market for a veteran defenceman to pair up with top blue-liner Shea Weber, who is expected to return to the lineup from injury Tuesday.

“We do know that Shea Weber’s coming back Tuesday to play. What we don’t know is who he’s really going to play with as a D partner,” Kypreos said during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada Saturday. “Unfortunately for Claude Julien, not many choices. There’s a lot of inexperienced players on his blue line — some of them hurt now.”

If the Canadiens want to remain in the playoff hunt like they are right now, they may come knocking on the doors of teams like the Los Angeles Kings or St. Louis Blues for back-line help, according to Kypreos.

“The feeling is, if the Montreal Canadiens remain in the picture, [they’re] gonna have to shop for an experienced defenceman,” he said. “So keep an eye on Montreal possibly looking at targeting maybe the St. Louis Blues or L.A. Kings. They’ve got experienced D and, depending on if they continue to falter, I’m sure that becomes that much more attractive.

Who cares.

Let them build assets until they have a solid roster, then if needed, trade prospects and picks for what you need.

Why pick up a player now when thye are not needed for 3-4 years from now?
- Mashadar

Especially considering the defensemen mentioned are mostly all over 30

I mean if Morrisey or Valamaki or Ty smith is coming back the other way, sure I'd consider moving the 1st but Muzzin, Martinez and Bouwmeester?

The Montreal Canadiens are looking for some blue-line help.

As Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports, the Canadiens might be in the market for a veteran defenceman to pair up with top blue-liner Shea Weber, who is expected to return to the lineup from injury Tuesday.

“We do know that Shea Weber’s coming back Tuesday to play. What we don’t know is who he’s really going to play with as a D partner,” Kypreos said during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada Saturday. “Unfortunately for Claude Julien, not many choices. There’s a lot of inexperienced players on his blue line — some of them hurt now.”

If the Canadiens want to remain in the playoff hunt like they are right now, they may come knocking on the doors of teams like the Los Angeles Kings or St. Louis Blues for back-line help, according to Kypreos.

“The feeling is, if the Montreal Canadiens remain in the picture,
- deadpoulet[they’re] gonna have to shop for an experienced defenceman,” he said. “So keep an eye on Montreal possibly looking at targeting maybe the St. Louis Blues or L.A. Kings. They’ve got experienced D and, depending on if they continue to falter, I’m sure that becomes that much more attractive.

You can say that again!

Coyotes

Coyotes
- AdamFrench

Unbelievable really

You can say that again!
- mr.peanut

Coyotes
- AdamFrench

but...but John Chayka is a genius!!!

but...but John Chayka is a genius!!!
- stinger67

Schmaltz's corsi must be so good.

Especially considering the defensemen mentioned are mostly all over 30

I mean if Morrisey or Valamaki or Ty smith is coming back the other way, sure I'd consider moving the 1st but Muzzin, Martinez and Bouwmeester?
- obie

Nobody said they must move their first to get one of those guys.

Bergevin went after Petry a few years ago and it ended up being a very good move. I think he got him for a 2nd round pick.

Nobody said they must move their first to get one of those guys.

Bergevin went after Petry a few years ago and it ended up being a very good move. I think he got him for a 2nd round pick.
- deadpoulet

No. Petry sucks.

- Pete26 + Fred

Nobody said they must move their first to get one of those guys.

Bergevin went after Petry a few years ago and it ended up being a very good move. I think he got him for a 2nd round pick.
- deadpoulet

Petry was a UFA deadline deal, cant really compare the 2

Petry was a UFA deadline deal, cant really compare the 2
- obie

He was also -25 (most important stat in hockey)

Petry was a UFA deadline deal, cant really compare the 2
- obie

We are talking about a deadline deal here as well.

Muzzin will be a UFA in 2020. Sure it might cost more than a 2nd round pick, but if they are asking for a 1st, you just look elsewhere. And come back later (maybe) when the price is down.

We are talking about a deadline deal here as well.

Muzzin will be a UFA in 2020. Sure it might cost more than a 2nd round pick, but if they are asking for a 1st, you just look elsewhere. And come back later (maybe) when the price is down.
- deadpoulet

I could see them trading Lehkonen for some help on D

We are talking about a deadline deal here as well.

Muzzin will be a UFA in 2020. Sure it might cost more than a 2nd round pick, but if they are asking for a 1st, you just look elsewhere. And come back later (maybe) when the price is down.
- deadpoulet

To each his own, I for one have no interest in giving away picks for 31 year old D who have lost a step already.

And when they dealt for Petry, they had a pretty solid group, this team is gearing up for the future, Muzzin & Bouwmeester are past their primes...

I could see them trading Lehkonen for some help on D
- BashCH

As long as that D is south of 25, I'm all ears!!

I could see them trading Lehkonen for some help on D
- BashCH

Would that be a bad thing?

Would that be a bad thing?
- deadpoulet

If it's for Muzzin it would

Would that be a bad thing?
- deadpoulet

Guess it depends on the guy they get in return.

To each his own, I for one have no interest in giving away picks for 31 year old D who have lost a step already.

And when they dealt for Petry, they had a pretty solid group, this team is gearing up for the future, Muzzin & Bouwmeester are past their primes...
- obie

They would buy a little bit of time before their prospects are ready to move up in the line up. You don't want to see Alzner, Benn or the real one in the line-up? Well, it need to be adressed.

They would buy a little bit of time before their prospects are ready to move up in the line up. You don't want to see Alzner, Benn or the real one in the line-up? Well, it need to be adressed.
- deadpoulet

I have a feeling Bergevin is gonna (frank) it up...

They would buy a little bit of time before their prospects are ready to move up in the line up. You don't want to see Alzner, Benn or the real one in the line-up? Well, it need to be adressed.
- deadpoulet

I'm fine with swinging a deal to improve the D, but I'm not sacrificing picks and prospects for guys who are in their 30's

If it's for Muzzin it would
- obie

I'm far from sure. It's not like he is breaking anything in Montreal.

By the way, when I proposed to go after a ufa this summer, you were against it and same with getting a young defenseman.

Not doing anything and expecting that defense to get better is a joke.

They never replaced Markov and did not have a plan for it.

I'm fine with swinging a deal to improve the D, but I'm not sacrificing picks and prospects for guys who are in their 30's
- obie

Then what do you propose? Any names for names in mind?