Patrick Traverse

It didn’t take long for the Canadiens to address their defensive concerns.

How they did it however, is a bit surprising.

Patrick Traverse was claimed off waivers to return to Montreal where he played from 2000-2003.

Season Team GP G A P +/- PIM

2002-2003 Canadiens 65 0 13 13 -9 24
2001-2002 Canadiens 25 2 3 5 -7 14
2000-2001 Canadiens 19 2 3 5 -8 10

Was this the right move given the circumstances?

There is a strange feeling about this. With all the new youth and progress the Habs have made recently, signing a mediocre player from our past mediocre seasons takes away from the excitement and feel surrounding the new team.

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20 Comments

#1 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 28, 2006 at 3:03 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

#2 MAB82 says:
September 28, 2006 at 3:53 pm

YAY !!!!

THE FORMERS HABS PYLON IS BACK GREAT NEWS FOR OPPOSING TEAMS BAD NEWS FOR HUET!

GREAT JOB GAINEY

#3 Razz says:
September 28, 2006 at 4:01 pm

Yeah! Great move Bob! Signing a mediocre defenceman because he is french!
On the other hand, when Souray and Boullion get healthy he will be down in the minors, where he might help develop the younger guys. It’s not like he will earn a very big salary (obviously well under a million). He is a patch for the next month or two, till the others get back.

#4 Habs Blog says:
September 28, 2006 at 4:52 pm

test

#5 Oct.21 - - - - The Return Of THEO!! says:
September 28, 2006 at 8:50 pm

And just when I thought Gainey couldnt get any stupider

#6 Phil says:
September 28, 2006 at 9:07 pm

Guys down on Gainey…get a life one with purpose…one that counts..jeez..I believe it was a smart move period…If you don’t get it, hell cheer for the LAFFS!!What a bunch of jumpers!!

#7 Jack _Tornton says:
September 28, 2006 at 9:11 pm

This is a joke…
I think Patrick Traverse was the worst defenceman we ever aquired! History stays history except if Bob wants to expand the history! lol

#8 t8ter says:
September 28, 2006 at 9:38 pm

Hey Jack, Do you remember a guy named patrice???

#9 Jack _Tornton says:
September 28, 2006 at 11:19 pm

t8ter:

You mean Patrice Brisebois??

#10 superfan says:
September 29, 2006 at 10:41 am

worst move ever.

#11 koivufan says:
September 29, 2006 at 5:04 pm

i’m a gainey fan but what the hell were you thinking

#12 snake says:
September 29, 2006 at 7:23 pm

At least we didnt sign Murray Baron.

#13 snake says:
September 29, 2006 at 7:24 pm

I remember Traverse socred this beauty one night where he split the defence. I remember thinking “wow”. Maybe that was a dream.

#14 t8ter says:
September 29, 2006 at 7:44 pm

Yes thats the same guy Jack, Traverse will have to go a long way to beat him!

#15 Habs Fan says:
September 30, 2006 at 9:49 pm

Canadiens Acquire Niinimaa From Stars for Ribeiro

#16 Habs heartland 1 says:
September 30, 2006 at 10:43 pm

Well, now that we have acquired Niinimaa from Dallas,Patrick can traverse his way back down to the minors. I don’t understand Gainey. If you’re going to trade for Niinimaa, why go and get Traverse? The money spent on Traverse, could have gone for an offensive player, right? Makes no sense! Does our GM have all his marbles? We don’t need 2 more defenceman, WE NEED ANOTHER CENTERMAN! Please sign an offensive player who can play center! We are very, very, very, weak at that position. What we don’t need is another Traverse, or should I say, Breeze Bye, as in Brisebois! If Koivu gets injured, is Traverse going to play center ice? really, what are you thinking!

#17 t8ter says:
October 1, 2006 at 11:03 am

What kind of offensive player who can play center and that could fill in for Koivu (not that anything more will ever happen to him) could you get right now for say $450,000? The way Montreal is losing defence men and the lack of them right now that are available, I would think having an extra would be wise. Goalies and defence hold there value. Don’t be so quick to panic, GO HABS!!!

#18 jay says:
October 1, 2006 at 2:46 pm

It’s a good thing we have medicare in this country, what with all of you getting whiplash from JUMPING ON AND OFF THE BANDWAGON SO QUICKLY!!! ease up and chill out..let the season start ~GO HABS GO!

#19 Reality Check says:
October 1, 2006 at 4:51 pm

No team ever has enough depth defenseman. Witness Buffalo against Carolina in last seasons playoffs. With Bouillon, Souray, and Cote on the sidelines, the Habs D was looking mighty thin. Gainey needed to make both these moves. Traverse has a minor league contract and will see action in maybe a dozen Habs games this season at most, making him an efficient replacement for 6 or 7 minutes per game.

Gainey traded from a position of depth to get Niinimaa, who has 700 plus games experience in the league. A decent upgrade at the 6th D position, I think.

At center, the Canadiens have much youth to move around in that spot. What we saw from Plekanec on Saturday ought to assure folks that it was a smart move. Higgins can also move there as well as Begin. With 6 centerman in the lineup nightly, we have a multitude of combination we can ice.

Most of you questioning Gainey in here are as clueless as Leafs fans. He aquired Traverse prior to Niinimaa, not after. Second guessing is for those who can’t make a point. Gainey likely would not have picked up PT after this trade, but when a player with a certain usefullness becomes available via waivers, there is only a small time frame for picking him up at no cost. In this case PT will be left unprotected at the start of the season and probably never land in Montreal at all. No big sweat for all concerned any way you slice it.

#20 smiler2729 says:
October 3, 2006 at 12:17 pm

Traverse will love Hamilton.

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Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
Avatar37 : «link»
Avatar37 : go.
Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
Avatar37 : «link»
Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).