The Montreal Canadiens are actively shopping Jaroslav Halak. GM Bob Gainey said that he called the Philadelpia Flyers and they declined to discuss the Habs back-up goalie. In fact Tuesday, the Flyers picked up off waivers from Carolina Michael Leighton. This is clearly a stop gap measure for the Flyers as Leighton's skills are only of an AHL calibre. The Flyers are in need of a goalie after Ray Emery went down to injury and Brian Boucher has struggled to find his game.

Gainey also has other teams he can call who might be interested in Halak. Halak becomes a restricted free agent at season's end and is going to be a second choice to Carey Price as long as the both shall remain healthy and in Montreal. Halak even admitted Tuesday that two young goalies who want to play is not an easy situation.

The value of goalies historically goes up in the NHL as the trading deadline approaches and GMs begin to worry that their guy in net may not be able to deliver. Gainey is well aware of this as he traded Huet on deadline day a couple seasons ago.

Also in Gainey's favour is the play of the keepers in Hamilton. Curtis Sanford, who has NHL experience, has been strong. However, the real revelation is Cedrick Desjardins, who learned under Patrick Roy in Quebec City. Desjardins is on fire in Hamilton with a save percentage of .944 and 4 shutouts in 14 games. The Habs should be well served at back up if Halak is dealt.

This is a trade that makes sense on all fronts. Halak has been a good soldier, never complaining about his ice time. More importantly, you can't keep a good talent on the bench for 55 games. The Habs are not talented enough to have that luxury. They need someone contributing those 55 games that Halak is sitting. What they need is a top six forward.

Cammalleri, Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn is a line that is working. Another scoring line could be Gomez, Gionta and this top six forward they acquire. It is a must or the Habs don't make the playoffs. Gomez right now is swimming against the current. He is a passer without someone to convert. Gainey is looking terrible with the Gomez trade because he hasn't given him someone to play with because Plekanec is the best centre on the team and as a result he gets the best wingers.

The remedy is simple. Make the deal. Usually, I would recommend waiting here until someone desperate comes along, but the Habs are the desperate ones for another forward.