Major Changes in Montreal

MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- New GM Roberto Martucci hasn't wasted time making chnages to his team. When he aquired the team, it looked much different. It was confirmed that GM Martucci said he wants to put his team in a semi-rebuild. His first trade was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The deal saw Bobby Ryan, Joe Pavelski and Cal Clutterbuck heading Pittsburgh's way and in return, Ryan Getzlaf, T.J. Oshie, Prospect Zac Dalpe and Montreal's 2nd Round Pick in 2011 came back to Montreal. When this deal was completed, GM Martucci had this to say "This was a tough trade to do, but when getting a player of Getzlaf's nature along with a top young player like Oshie, it was hard to not accept. Also considering we didn't have many prospects and picks this year, getting Dalpe and our 2nd rounder back was a nice addition to the trade." He also added "Although I like Bobby Ryan, Joe Pavelski and cal Clutterbuck, it was not because I wanted to trade them, it was just an opportunity I had to take. I wish all three players the best of luck in Pittsburgh."

The second deal GM Martucci made was acquiring young goaltender Jonathan Quick. They sent Prospects Jarred Tinordi and Dan sexton, along with NYR 5th round pick in 2011 for him. He had some words about this trade as well "A lot of people might have been scratching their heads on this deal. We already had Carey Price as our goalie and to go out and acquire another young goalie looked to have made no sense. As soon as (Jonathan) Quick was brought in to Montreal, I had multiple GMs interested in his services. My intention was not to keep both young goalies. As much I would have liked to, both of them are looking for ice time and I knew that I could trade one of them to acquire a very nie package."

Yesterday, one week after acquiring Quick, he was traded out of Montreal. The deal was with the New York Rangers. It Saw Jonathan Quick heading to NYR and in return, Eric Fehr, Chris Mason, Eric Tangradi, EDM 2nd 2011, BUF 1st 2012 and BUF 2nd in 2012 as coming back to Montreal. "When an offer like this comes along, there is no doubt in my mind to accept. There was a little controversy with some GMs but the Board of Directors looked over the deal and said the deal was valid. This truly helps our team in acquiring a nice LW in Fehr, a good Prospect in Tangradi, a good goalie who will most likely split time with Price and hopefully help him. Also acquiring more picks was a huge plus. I think this was the perfect deal for us in Montreal and I wish Jonathan Quick the best of luck in The Big Apple."

Another trade that happened yesterday saw young centerman Martin Hanzal and FLA 3rd in 2011 coming to Montreal, in exchange for Shawn Horcoff, Dave Steckel, Barret Jackman, Justin Abdelkader and Adam Burish going to Vancouver. "This was a hefty price to pay but Hanzal is going to be a very good player in the NHL and hopefully he will produce for us in Montreal. He is going to be getting lots of ice time anchoring our 2nd line and getting PP time I believe this kid is going to light it up for years to come."

And finally, the deal to end off the night was a minor deal with Edmonton. Montreal got young defenceman Tom Gilbert in exchange for Prospect Alexander Atvsin. "We had already been in contact with Edmonton about (Tom) Gilbert before but it seemed to us that their GM didn't want to lose his services. Yesterday, when he was put on the block due to salary issues, I gave it a shot. Losing Atvsin was a good price to pay for a defenceman like Gilbert. It also helps our salary situation, as we were pretty low and I didn't want to be below the basement." He also added "It was quick nogotiations with Edmonton and I wish the best of luck to Atvsin there."