Saturday, February 21, 2009

Rev up the bus: Ottawa 3, Montreal 5

So that was fun, wasn't it? Two weeks of renewed hope and enthusiasm? A pleasant diversion from the unexpectedly spectacular train wreck happening in Montreal?

Well, one coach change later, and what's happened? Business as usual. Three losses in a row, none of which can be credibly laid at the feet of Captain Alfredson's absence. Mr. "Savior Of The Season" Elliot has been yanked in two of the three losses, and we've gone back to Mr. "Second Third Coming" Auld to keep the damage to a minimum. Meanwhile, the Futility Meter sinks ever-lower to -15, and the team is behind the Leafs again.

On the positive side, I like the trade that Brian Murray made this week. Chris Campoli possibly isn't the mythical "puck moving defenseman" we have been seeking, but the fact that in his first outing, prior to a proper full-on practice with the team, he contributed two assists. He's under contract for next year, and the price is right. As for Mike Comry, I liked him on the 2007 spring team (but who didn't?), and he's a legitimate secondary scoring threat (or at least as legitimate as anyone else on this team) and so can help the team on the ice while remaining a trade-able asset on the balance sheet.

Going out in exchange -- I was never a fan of McAmmond, who always seemed to act like a fourth-line forward who aspired to be a third-line defenseman, even though his game was stronger as a forward. The draft pick is the San Jose pick we acquired as insult to injury in compensation for Mezaros' flight to Tampa Bay. San Jose is doing well, so even the first round pick isn't likely to help us too much in either the medium or long term.

Well that's enough for Hockey Day In Canada.