Vermette dealt for Leclaire
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 8:57 AM CST
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TSN's Bob McKenzie is reporting that Ottawa will send Antoine Vermette to the Columbus Blue Jackets for netminder Pascal Leclaire and a second-round pick in what's a pretty interesting deal. We'd heard the Senators were after a long-term option in goal, but Leclaire's really struggled this season and has had injury problems throughout his career.
Vermette had a brutal start to the season but has been much better lately, and is signed next season for $3-million with a cap hit of $2.76-million. He's put up 21 points in his last 26 games on a very offensively challenged Ottawa team and will definitely help Columbus down the stretch.
Getting something for Leclaire, who has a boat anchor of a contract and is the team's backup behind Steve Mason, is pretty good, too. Leclaire will make $3.8-million a season for the next two years.
I don't like the deal from the Sens perspective. Leclaire's really benefitted from playing behind Ken Hitchcock's system with the Blue Jackets, and aside from one strong season last year, has never shown an ability to be a No. 1 over the long haul.
My guess is Ottawa will regret this move, especially considering some other, better netminders are likely to be available this summer.
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CBJ looking good right now. Ottawa will find a way to ruin and/or run yet another goalie out of town.
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by TheUnemployedAsshole on Mar 4, 2009 9:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why...
is no one going “OMG HOW CAN YOU HAND YOUR PLAYOFF HOPES OVER TO A 20 YEAR OLD ROOKIE AT LEAST KEEP LECLAIRE AROUND AS A SAFETY NET (even though he too has never won a playoff round)”.
You can get away with moves like this in small markets, apparently, without being looked at as some insane gambler.
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by saskhab on Mar 4, 2009 9:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Columbus’ playoff hopes are a bit different than Montreal’s were last season.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Be happy that the Habs have a good goaltending situation. They have two guys that can go.
It’s Montreal. It’s the big Centenial. Columbus isn’t exactly under the microscope that Ottawa and Montreal are, that’s a no brainer and goes without saying.
If you’re a Habs fan and don’t realize that they’re going to be overanalyzed and overcriticized (as well as the Sens, especially in comparrison to CBJ), you obviously haven’t been one for very long.
It comes with the territory.
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by TheUnemployedAsshole on Mar 4, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably because LeClaire doesn’t have playoff experience either.
The day’s not done. He could bring in Gerber. HAHAHA
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by PPP on Mar 4, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Huet had all of 6 playoffs games on his resume – 2 wins and 4 loses. Yet people wanted to hang Gainey for failing to retain his ‘veteran backup leadership’ for the playoffs.
by Habs on Mar 4, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Price didn’t exactly turn out that well if I recall.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course he didn’t.
But the original point is that no one is complaining about the fact that the Jackets are putting their playoffs hopes (first playoffs in franchise history at that) on the shoulders of a 20 year old rookie goaltender who’s having a terrific year, while trading away the veteran backup.
Same situation last year in Montreal, gets blown out of proportions.
Mason might flame out in the playoffs like Price did, or he might do very well.
I’m in the camp that believes in acquiring experience the hard way.
by Habs on Mar 4, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The difference as I see it is that Leclaire this year is no Huet last year.
by Malurous on Mar 4, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Guys, Leclaire’s hurt. He’s not the backup in Columbus and hasn’t been for quite a while now. This is a deal for next season.
Perhaps Columbus bring in another veteran, but Leclaire was a non-factor (and horrible when he was playing). It’s just simply not the same situation.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 11:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He won a playoff round, which is more than Huet has ever done. Got a SO in Game 7 as well.
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by saskhab on Mar 4, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure if you’re being serious here, but it could have something to do with Leclaire playing 12 games with 3.83 GAA and .867 sv% this season as opposed to Huet’s 39 games (more than Price at that point), 2.56, .916 last year. At this point, I’m not sure that Leclaire would have been starting even if he was healthy and something happened to Mason. He’s struggled so badly.
Your point is certainly a valid one, but I don’t think it’s applicable here.
by Malurous on Mar 4, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Between this move and the Kuba signing, Bryan Murray just ensured that Ottawa will remain a bottom dweller for the next 3-4 years. Good job Bryan!
by Habs on Mar 4, 2009 9:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bryan Murray is, was, and always will be an idiot. The Sens will never win anything as long as he’s at the helm.
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by TheUnemployedAsshole on Mar 4, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Murray ends up getting a 2nd rounder this for Vermette as well as a proven goalie, even if it was one year, nine shutouts is not a fluke. Whereas if you look at what Ontario's other GM did you see he gave up two guys that are having better seasons for sam
by CDiamond on Mar 4, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Sens also get a 2nd-round pick...
…so if Leclaire doesn’t work out, there still may be a possibility of this being a good thing for Ottawa in the long run, depending on how that pick develops or gets swapped, etc.
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by PRC on Mar 4, 2009 9:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
That’s true however, if Leclaire turns out a bust, that’s one expensive 2nd round pick – 3,8M per for the next 2 years… And losing your 2nd line center.
by Habs on Mar 4, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. The problem with Leclaire is that he’s going to be paid like a No. 1 goalie, and if he struggles, they won’t be able to move him.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fortunately, Murray has lots of experience in dealing with mediocre $3.5M+ goaltenders.
by Doogie2K on Mar 4, 2009 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
2nd line center? Well, technically, I suppose. But he doesn’t play like it. He’s averaging less than half a point per game this season.
"Without good hard work, it is impossible to reach the pinnacle of success." - Anatoli Tarasov
by PRC on Mar 4, 2009 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s been excellent the past 25 games or so. His numbers are skewed by that brutal start.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Selling Low
Terrible move by Murray – selling low on Vermette. Ottawa’s biggest problem is 2ndary scoring, so they dump their best 2ndary scorer. Weird.
by sisu on Mar 4, 2009 9:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Auld
Is Auld available now?
Looks like NHLNumbers has crashed… but isn’t Auld signed through next year? And you’d think they’d still want to break in Elliott, or does he have another year of minor league eligibility left before waivers kicks in?
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by saskhab on Mar 4, 2009 9:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Auld is signed next season. He may be available, or they may feel Elliott needs more seasoning given he’s struggled a bit lately. They’re looking for a No. 1 and neither guy has shown they can take on that role.
Auld would be tradable anyway.
by James Mirtle on Mar 4, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Murray did get Luongo in Florida and Giguere in Anaheim, right? Perhaps he thinks he’s got the next Quebecois goaltending star.
Nevertheless, as long as one of their goalies is good, it’s not a huge deal if one has 2 years left at $3.6m… I look at goaltending as a combined investment… if you’re spending $4.5 to $5m and getting good goaltending, it doesn’t matter how it’s distributed. Works for Boston.
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by saskhab on Mar 4, 2009 10:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Murray did get … Giguere in Anaheim, right?
No. Murray became the (then Mighty) Ducks GM in 2002 and Giguere was acquired in 2000.
by Malurous on Mar 4, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I heartily endorse this move. Murray should sign himself to an extension!
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by PPP on Mar 4, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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