**image from nhlsnipers.comI get it. The Canadiens needed to get bigger up front. They did. The Flames needed that number one centre. They got one. But why does this trade still seem so fishy?
Perhaps it's because Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier pulled the trigger on the deal half-way through the Habs game against their rivals, the Bruins, and did so the day after Cammalleri says some less than flattering remarks about his team/teammates.
“I can’t accept that we will display a losing attitude as we’re doing this year. We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it’s no wonder why we lose.” Cammalleri told TSN but a day ago.
It's funny because to me it doesn't sound like he's ripping his team a new one and that he wants out. He's a veteran who is sick of losing and he needed to speak up. I personally welcomed his comments as a breath of fresh air.
But apparently Gauthier did not.
Despite Gautheir asserting that Cammalleri's comments had nothing to do with the trade and the comments by Flames GM stating that "It's been percolating for quite some time, we've been having a lot of conversations."
The fact is, of course it had to! You traded the guy mid-game against your teams most hated rival (outside of the Leafs).
Other GM's are stepping up and saying they never knew Cammalleri was available or else they would have made an offer. NO- DUH!
But the hilarious part - the part that fills me with joy even - is that the Habs aren't the ones who come out of this trade on the losing end. The Flames gave up a much cheaper Rene Bourque - who may not be playing his best this season (13 goals, 16 points) but is still a former two-time 27-goal scorer - Peter Holland and a 2nd round pick in 2013!
Jay Feaster gets and the Flames get back a former Flame in Cammalleri who has less goals than Bourque (9 goals, 22 points) and is a full two million more expensive!
- Rene Bourque - $4 million 11/12 season - $3 million 12/13 season - $4 million 13/14 season - $2.5 million 14/15 season- $2.5 million 15/16 season(all with a $3.3 million cap hit)
- Mike Cammalleri - $6 million 11/12 season - $7 million ($6 mill cap hit) 12/13 season - $7 million ($6 mill cap hit) 13/14 season
So who do you think wins this deal? For me I can't look at either team as a 'winner'. Montreal comes off classless dumping a player mid-game after he spoke the TRUTH (IMO) and Calgary clearly over-paid by sending a 2nd round pick from a team who desperately needs to get younger. But as we all know, time will tell.
