Canadiens Back In The Mix

About a month ago, just about everyone had the Montreal Canadiens dead and buried and hoping for the highest possible draft pick. After an incredible road trip that saw them beat the last four Stanley Cup champions, they are actually right where they hoped to be, in the mix.

Their luck started to turn when Finnish sniper Patrik Laine finally made his season debut after missing a couple of months because of a knee injury. The big Finn hasn't been there of late though, he's missed the last three games, but it hasn't slowed down the Canadiens, on the contrary.

They've also been without veteran blueliner David Savard, an ace shot blocker who, according to his teammates, always knows what to say to get the youngster to shake things off and get their head back in the game. They've not needed him in those last three games, even after giving him a couple of quick goals last night, they didn't need his steadying presence to stop the bleeding.

It looks like the young group has taken a significant step forward, they believe in what they can do and they seem just about ready to take off the training wheels. This is a wonderful timing considering Savard has looked a bit slower this season, like he's starting to feel the weight of those 34 years...just as his contract is about to expire.

According to Pierre Lebrun, there has been no contract talks between the Canadiens and Savard so far, which seems to suggest they're ready to move on. Come trade deadline day, he could be trade bait or if the Canadiens are still in the mix, they could hold on to him and let him walk in free agency. Although after acquiring Alexandre Carrier, they could probably still trade him even if they are battling for a playoff spot. The plan to trade other players on expiring contracts might change however...

There's still a fair bit of hockey to be played until then though and it will in all likelihood be meaningful hockey, just like GM Kent Hughes and VP of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton hoped it would be.

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