Have the Habs won the Eller for Halak trade or the Blues?

There is one question asked at several intervals, often in perpetuity, following a trade commonly asked by media member and fan alike.

“Who won the trade?”

The answer has been pondered and proclaimed several times regarding the June 2010 trade of forward Lars Eller (and Ian Schultz) by the St. Louis Blues to the Montreal Canadiens for goalie Jaroslav Halak. With Halak set to return to the home of the Habs for the first time as a foe tonight, what better time than now to review yet again?

Yet it doesn’t feel right to take a look without also considering the seemingly insignificant deal, which has had a much bigger impact than anticipated, completed a few months ahead of the blockbuster. On March 3rd, 2010 the two teams swapped fringe frontmen who were trending down in their respective organization. The Blues sent Michigan product Aaron Palushaj to Montreal for Sault Ste. Marie native Matt D’Agostini.

There are many methods that can be employed to answer such a question, but I find a pro/con list the most effective and the least time consuming.

Pros – Canadiens

- Reemergence of Carey Price: The Habs had another highly touted netminder in Price. When he struggled, Halak flourished. With both becoming RFAs in the summer of 2010 Montreal had to pick one. Consensus said Price would go and Halak would stay (thanks to the epic playoff run), but the opposite became true. With such a confidence boost Price has come back to form as the clear number one with a near Vezina quality season in 2010-11 (38-28-6, 2.35 GAA and .932 save percentage) and is having a solid season to date (15-14-17, 2.45 GAA, .913 save percentage).

- Palushaj’s Numbers in the AHL: 107 games played, 34 goals, 90 points, Plus-31 rating.

- The clearance of cap and payroll space: If Halak and Price had been paid fair value the Canadiens would have nearly $7 million invested in net with no clear starter. Even though it has been arguably spent unwisely, money has been available to re-sign Andrei Markov, Eric Cole and other free agents to provide depth in the 18 skater rotation.

Getting something for nothing: The roll of the dice on a former top 15 first round pick is very nearly never a bad one. Especially when the player leaving in exchange was on his way out anyways.

Cons – Canadiens

Eller’s Number’s: 115 games played, 15 goals, 34 points, Plus-1 rating, 3 game winning goals. Not terrible production considering he was a young man on a veteran team with a veteran coach, but opportunity to take a step or two forward were missed last season. All of which calls to question his future. Is he an Alex Steen type of “late bloomer” or a “Matt Stajan” type of “could be, but isn’t”?

Palushaj’s Potential: At one point Palushaj was compared to David Perron in terms of playstyle and ceiling potential, but he now seems to be more in line with the TJ Hensick’s of the hockey world. Skilled enough to produce in the AHL, but just can’t keep up with the NHL game.

Ian Schultz: He was a nice add on to Eller, but a cost controlled 4th line option can only help a team so much. Maybe there is still top 9 potential in him, but he seems to be on a BJ Crombeen type path should he make it to the NHL. Otherwise he looks a lot like Rivermen winger Tyler Shattock who is on the “Chris Porter plan”.

Pros – Blues

- Halak’s Number’s: 78 starts, 36-28-12 record, 2.34 goals against/game, .9105 save percentage. Though not exceptional more often than not Halak has played the part of a starting netminder. Most of his down times have come via a depleted lineup in front of him or a healthy group not performing up to standards.

- D’Agostini’s Number’s: 130 games played, 30 goals, 63 points, Plus-22 rating (was a collective Minus-29 on playoff caliber Habs teams), 8 game winning goals.

- D’Agostini’s Impact: When injuries decimated the Blue lineup in 10-11, Dags stepped up in a big way. Coming out of obscurity to avoid an assignment to Peoria out of camp to be Vladimir Sobotka’s short term replacement as the 4th line center. His success granted him more ice time which lead to stints on David Backes’ wing. An opportunity to showcase his speed, shot and work ethic was not missed. He has become a key interchangeable part that keeps the Blues machine running.

- Depth trickle down: The removal of Eller from the depth chart opened the door to uncover many capable role players in Peoria. Specifically thinking of Porter, Adam Cracknell, Ryan Reaves. While they fill different roles, Eller certainly would have been recalled ahead of them had he been present. Phil McRae has taken the place of Eller and had made the most of the promotion. Really becoming a key player for the Rivermen to bank on.

Cons – Blues

- Thinning prospect depth: With most of the Blues rebuild core prospects in the NHL, Eller was the last high end near term prospect they had. They did draft two highly skilled first round picks, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko, in the same month as the deal, but both were not destined to reach even the AHL ranks for at least two seasons. Behind Eller there really was McRae and no one else on the youth end of the age scale that could step in to a skilled hole. Hence why the trade for Evgeny Grachev and the signings of Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner have become so important. Internal depth was cut down so it had to come from external sources.

The winner is…

The Blues.

I try to avoid homer responses that can be easily attacked with Kool-Aid bombs, but there is no dodging the appropriate answer. Both teams have had varied success in the standings which brings the determining factors down to personal performance. D’Agostini and Halak have out performed Eller and Palushaj, even when considering the impact of Price. In terms of impact Price cannot carry the three kid forwards past the two Blues’ brothers.

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Feel free to chime in. Do you think the Blues or Habs won the last two trades between them?

When Travis Moen is your best fighter and he hasn’t won any fights, that’s not a good signal of your team’s toughness. Image via clydeorama/Flickr

Total domination . . . that was what the St. Louis Blues displayed in a 4-0 shellacking of the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. The only bad part of that game was that while there were some moments of testiness in the battle – especially between Cody McLeod and, fresh off his Injured Reserve stint, Ryan Reaves – there were no fighting majors assessed. But hey, I’ll take the victory. The Note stays at 15 fighting majors on the season, still good for 18th spot all alone in the National Hockey League in that category. And yes, the fight record still stands at 6-2-7.

Hello, one-game road trip! And at that, it’s a visit to one of professional hockey’s most storied franchises . . . Les Habitants de Montreal, or – in English (as Randy Cunneyworth prefers . . . harf harf harf!) – the Montreal Canadiens. Despite a hot performance which included a four-goal game (and first-ever hat trick) by former Blues prospect Lars Eller, the Habs have been on a downward slide pretty much the entire season. I would not let this fool the Blues, though, as it could be a perfect trap game. However, with Jaroslav Halak (who, ironically, was the return for the trade package that included Eller) playing for the first time in Montreal since being traded by them after an outstanding 2009-2010 playoff run, anything is possible. However, it is wise not to expect a fight in this contest, as the Habs are tied for 28th in the NHL with the Phoenix Coyotes with eight fighting majors on the season. Their record in those fights is a less-than-satisfactory 0-3-5.

How little do the Habs fight? They are led in fights by two people who have two fights each, and neither is particularly known for fisticuffs – Travis Moen (6’2”, 215lbs, 0-0-2) and Petteri Nokelainen (6’1”, 202lbs, 0-1-1). The rest are solo fighters, and they are Mike Blunden (6’4”, 218lbs, Draw), Max Pacioretty (6’2”, 196lbs, Draw), young up-and-coming defenseman (and one of my personal favorites) PK Subban (6’0”, 206lbs, Loss) and the incredibly tall Hal Gill (6’7”, 241lbs, Loss).

As noted earlier, I do not anticipate there being a fight between these two teams, but with all the trading that has happened with the two clubs in the last few years, maybe I will be wrong. If you’re betting on anything to happen, bet on Moen going at it with BJ Crombeen, but don’t bet the house on it.

I would much prefer the Blues continue this winning streak. Wouldn’t you?

LET’S GO BLUES!!!!!

Information obtained via the incomparable Fried Chicken’s Hockey Fights

Below you will find all the nitty gritty information you need to know for tonight’s game in a quick and dirty format.

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According to reports the most intriguing goaltender match-up of the season will take place tonight. Jaroslav Halak starts for the Blues and will take on former teammate and potential Vezina finalist Carey Price.

Why should you care?

Rewind to the second half of the 2009-10 season. Halak assumes control of the starting gig in Montreal. Price is slipping. Losing the confidence of the fans and some in the organization. Behind Jaro’s efforts the team makes the playoffs and takes down two of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. While the Habs fell short in Round 3, Halak became a hero in the craziest hockey city in the world.

In the summer the Canadiens ship Halak to St. Louis and go with Price as their man. Implosion occurs. Fans are none too happy.

Fast forward back to today.

Price is 7th in GAA (2.31), 6th in save percentage (.924), tied for 2nd in Shutouts (7), and is tied for first in wins (32).

Halak? Don’t need to go there.

The Halakness Monster is ready to regain his October form and stick it to his former team, regardless of his performance this season as a whole. He surely doesn’t want to kick them while they’re down, Patches was a teammate of Halak’s too, he still wants to win.

Career Numbers:

Price > 1-0-1, 2.81 GAA, .889 save percentage against the Blues.

Halak > Never faced Montreal.

Puck Fantasy: Given the lack of historical data for the two, it’s easy to say “start Price” given how he has performed. The Pacioretty situation clouds the crystal ball though. Not much optimism with Halak going on no rest and the Blues level of play up and down like The Boss at Six Flags.

Welcome Back Great Dane: Former Blues prospect forward Lars Eller, the primary return for Halak in the summer trade, will return to St. Louis for the first time. The 2007 1st Round selection (17th overall) was thought of highly in the organization, but became expendable when Halak became available. In 62 games with the Habs the Denmark native has 7 goals and 15 points. In 7 games with the Blues last season Eller tallied 2 goals.

When It Rains:Forward Dave Scatchard was recalled from Peoria on an emergency basis following the diagnosis of Alex Steen’s injury as a high ankle sprain. Steen will likely miss the remaining balance of the schedule. Have Blues fans lost count of the man games lost to injury for core players?

Blues Injury Report: Steen joins forwards Vladimir Sobotka (foot), Phil McRae (knee), and David Perron (post concussion recovery) on the shelf. Fellow forward BJ Crombeen (lower body) and defenseman Roman Polak (foot) are game time decisions.

Canadiens Injury Report: Max Pacioretty is out with the concussion and neck injury sustained in the reckless play by Zdeno Chara. Forward Mathieu Darche (groin) and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek (knee) are also out.

Blues Lineup:

With the injury to Steen, anyone’s best guess is what head coach Davis Payne will roll over the boards.

McDonald – Backes – D’Agostini
Porter – Berglund – Stewart
Oshie – Scatchard – Hensick
Reaves – Cracknell – Janssen

* If Crombeen can play, he could easily swap in for Scatchard. The Habs don’t have many fighters and rarely drop the mitts. Their tied for 24th overall in Fighting Majors with just 24 on the season. Scatchard could replace Janssen as well.

Jackman – Pietrangelo
Cole – Shttenkirk
Colaiacovo – Nikitin

* If Polak plays, Nikita Nikitin is likely the odd man out.

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.

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Busy Friday and much to do so I’m throwing this one out to our readers and Tweeps for feedback.

- Blues announced yesterday that you can show how much blue you bleed in a specialized section of the DrinkScotch Center. If you want to, you can become a “Bluenatic”, you can for three games for the remainder of the season! I’m not a fan of fabricating enthusiasm or even attempting to. The “Code of Conduct” just adds to the cheese-factor for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the FANS replicate the feeling of say… Section 303 in Nashville or what the New Jersey Devils have done (stick tap to Frozen Notes for what the Devils are doing). The Blues organizing this effort for only three games that may end up being completely meaningless is too much of a stretch for me.

Don’t try to shove square pegs in to round holes. Scottrade has its own natural vibe, don’t mess with that. Win the games and the fans will respond like we always do.

How do you vote folks? Am I right or wrong?

- Speaking of “Cheese”-Wiz… James Wisnieski of the Montrael Canadiens blocked a Taylor Hall shot with his face last night. He could likely be out for a while. Will this rekindle discussion of Blues captain Eric Brewer heading to the Habs?

While its likely too early to move Brewer because the Blues are still sniffing around the playoff bubble, does Montreal have anything you want? Besides Lars Eller? Who be it?

- With Jaroslav Halak out for the short term, Ben Bishop was recalled from Peoria. Seen several fans say “I’m on Team Conks!”. Really? No offense to Ty Conklin, but trust a career back up and journeyman to help push a team to the playoffs is something none of the other 29 NHL clubs want. Why should the Blues? The alternatives aren’t much better. With waiver wire pick ups and AHL starters being who the Blues could add.

I just can’t bring my self to say I have more confidence in Conklin than I do in Halak.

So full of it or what?

- Sean Leahy at Puck Daddy commented on the Blues seemingly failing to deliver on the “Every Game Counts” ticket promotion. Yep, they have. Like he says, its only 600 seats, but that’s 600 seats of revenue this franchise needs completely lost. Now, you can argue that most of those wouldn’t have sold out as full season tickets if not for the promotion. What’s better 600 at half price or 300 at full? In raw numbers it’s roughly the same. Though the 600 at half price makes it easier to claim sellouts.

In hindsight is this a face-palm move or a calculated roll of the dice that just didn’t work?

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As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.