The Leafs make their way to Montreal for a rare Monday night meeting that happens to be on the cusp of the trade deadline.

The next 24-48 hours should be exciting as the playoff race between the Habs and Leafs is closer than it’s been all year. Tonight could very well be certain player or players last game as Montreal Canadiens.

Does Craig Rivet remember his last game? His days with Montreal are over and he gets a new opportunity with a pretty good hockey club in San Jose.

The trade makes sense for both teams, and particularly the Canadiens. Rivet had deep roots with the Habs, leadership qualities and one guy who just loved to be a Montreal Canadien. A quality you don’t find very frequently these days. With so many people refusing to come play for Montreal, Craig Rivet was the polar opposite – a proud hab.

Character aside, his play this year wasn’t what it needed to be for the Canadiens. The trade makes sense for the Habs bringing in a prospect and a pick and it makes sense for the Sharks who want a little veteran experience on their young blue line. Good luck to Craig in SJ.

One deal is done, are there more to come? Maybe. Most people believe that now Rivet is gone Sheldon Souray is magically going to re-sign for 10 years. There is still a strong chance Souray is gone before the Habs play New York tommorow night.

Gainey commented that the Rivet deal had as much to do with the salary cap and financial aspects than the actual players involved. The same rules apply to Souray, who is arguably ‘worth’ more and whichever team he signs with, he will occupy a large chunk of their cap.

The fact that Souray can be lost for nothing as a free agent almost forces Gainey’s hand. The Canadiens aren’t often in the position to have highly sought after players and with a lot of improvements to be made, HB predicts Souray is playing his last game tonight.

Another popular theory is the Canadiens have their 1st round pick from the Rivet deal and are ready to move it immediately if the right deal is there.

Enjoy the game tonight and take a look at each player as it may be there last as a Hab. Should Souray still go, the blueline will be quite a different looking one from here on in and hopefully the playoffs.

Well it wasn’t Sheldon Souray who went to the Sharks (yet), but Craig Rivet.

Rivet and 2008 5th round pick in exchange for Defenseman Josh Gorges and first round pick in 2007.

Thoughts?

More to come soon.