If I'm Bob Gainey, here's what I do about my goaltending situation: Don't worry about what you can get for Halak. Don't worry about what you can get for Price.
My game plan would be to phone the general managers of the league and ask simply this: What is your best offer for either of my goalies? You like Price better, then what is your offer? You like Halak better, then what's your best offer?
If Price truly is the thoroughbred that Gainey thinks he is, then shouldn't the offer be pretty spectacular? And if it is spectacular, then shouldn't he make the deal?
For example, is Price worth another first line forward about the same age and in the same salary situation? If he is, then why would you not make that deal?
Perhaps the offers are strong for Halak. If they are, then make the deal.
Why is it a must? It makes no sense at all to have such talent sitting on the bench for half a season. You can't use both on the same night and no team in this entire league has the luxury of having two number one goalies, and definitely a team struggling to make the playoffs doesn't have the luxury.
This to me is a no-brainer to be honest. Furthermore, I don't see much difference between these two goalies and certainly the stats bear it out.
All that has ever been different is the pedigree. One, the organization invested their highest pick in a decade on and the other, they were lucky to get on draft day basically going last in the draft. The beauty of it, if you are trying to trade Price, is the pedigree remains, so he can fetch considerably more on the market.
So get a player of his standing. Go get Jeff Carter from Philly for Price instead of someone farther down the chart for Halak and roll the dice with Halak. He will cost you less too at season's end, because Price is going to demand big money and the Habs are pushing the cap limit.
All I'm saying is that to not at least put Price on the table doesn't make sense.
It comes down to this. Here are two scenarios and you tell me which scenario gives you a stronger Habs hockey club.
1. Halak in net and a first line forward like Carter helping out the scoring.
2. Price in net and a third liner like Daniel Carcillo helping out in his way.
This isn't a hard call for me. Maybe you think Price is a franchise player. I haven't seen it at the NHL level.
And by the way, I am not saying for a second that Carter or Carcillo are on the block. I am only saying throw both goalies' names into the hat and see what your best offer is and see what offer makes you the better team, night after night.
