Brendan Witt for Hainsey and a pick?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Don't shoot the messenger. Apparently a Washington radio station has floated the rumour that a Witt for Hainsey and pick deal is in the air? If so, any takers here?

[patate]

I'm not, Hollywood will be a valuable player for years to come, and we are rather thin in defense right now on defense. Witt he's worst then Rivet IMO, 1g, 5a, 6pts, +/- = -18 thats no good stats. I know Washington is abysmal as off late but there's gotta be someone better then that in the market.

[Douper]

I'd rather play Dykhuis...

Hainsey is worth too much. If we don't get a top 3 forward in a deal involving Hainsey then we don't deal him. He's got talent, once his head deflates he'll be great.

...side note... I know sometimes I come up with some pretty wacky, out of here type of trades but have you guys read the Trades on the RDS Talkbacks.... some of them are classic!

[Yeti]

For what it's worth, the Blues are also interested in Witt (along with Bondra).

[franko]

Who? Why?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

6'2, 229lbs, 29 years old, $1.75M.

ASSETS: Will make his presence felt on every shift. Loves to take the body and isn't afraid of dropping the gloves. Is a strong defender while his team is short-handed and excellent team leader.

FLAWS: Tends to stray out of position in order to line up his opponent for the big hit. Has little offensive upside to his game.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Witt will continue to be a big part of the Capitals blueline corps for the next several years. He's a perfect complement to an offensive defensemen and will continue to be put on the ice during most defensive situations.

- www.forecaster.ca/thestar/hockey/player.cgi?0799

[BadCompany]

BadCompany said:

I wouldn't mind Sergie Gonchar.

I'd prefer Brendan Witt though....

Souray - Brisebois

Markov - Rivet

Witt - Quintal

Komisarek

(my laws! my heart's all a flutter...)

Big, tough, great character? I think a lot of teams would love to get a hold of Witt. He’s a guy I have coveted for years now, back when he and Nolan Baumgartner broke into the league, and everyone thought Baumgartner would the thing. Aside from Montreal and St. Louis, I could see Toronto and Ottawa both having a desire, Philly, Detroit, Vancouver… Geez, is there a team that wouldn’t want him for a playoff run?

[HFTO]

Tough call but I think I'd pass if I think we could get more if we were willing to deal hainsey and a pick.
HFTO

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BadCompany said:

Big, tough, great character? I think a lot of teams would love to get a hold of Witt. He’s a guy I have coveted for years now, back when he and Nolan Baumgartner broke into the league, and everyone thought Baumgartner would the thing. Aside from Montreal and St. Louis, I could see Toronto and Ottawa both having a desire, Philly, Detroit, Vancouver… Geez, is there a team that wouldn’t want him for a playoff run?

I'd do the deal.

Next season (whenever that is):

Markov-Komisarek
Witt-Brisebois
Souray-Rivet

One of Bouillon, Dykhuis or Quintal in reserve.

Beauchemin, Archer, Shasby, Linhart, Korneev, O'Byrne, Flood and Korpikari in the pipeline.

[Skilly]

If the Leafs are shopping Colaiacovo for Gonchar, then why couldn't we try to get Gonchar for Hainsey and a pick?

I have seen both Carlo and Ronnie Boy play against each other 6 times this year and believe me , Hainsey is better.

[myhabs]

I think the habs should do everything to try and get Gonchar. This guy is simply awsome, if he goes to the leafs I don't think I will be able to take it. Habs could do better than colaiacovo.

BY the way, Hainsey sucks and will always suck if he don't change his attitude. I'm sure he's gonna be another bust for the Habs on the blue line. I know he's young and all but I just don't see that he's willing to pay the price.

[jkr]

Skilly said:

If the Leafs are shopping Colaiacovo for Gonchar, then why couldn't we try to get Gonchar for Hainsey and a pick?

I have seen both Carlo and Ronnie Boy play against each other 6 times this year and believe me , Hainsey is better.

I heard Bob McKenzie mention this too. I can't see the leafs getting him for just Carlo C. Mackenzie is no rumor monger but there has to be more than this to this rumor.
Despite what people think, Washington is not going to have a fire sale. Deals have to make sense.

That being said, I think Witt brings more of what the Habs need than Gonchar.

[Yeti]

The Witt to Habs rumor confirmed by Brunet in La Presse of this morning (as coming from Washington).

[Cranky]

EXCUSE ME!

Am I the only one here that thinks that this trade stinks? Are you guys forgetting that he can be a free agent after next season, that is IF we have a next season?

So basically you are saying Hainsey and a pick for a Witt rental.

C'mon, if Gainey does this trade, it will not be a bad trade, it will be a blunder....and Fainey is no tWitt!

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Witt is a proven NHL defenseman, of the kind the Habs are not overly blessed with. Definitely a Gainey type of player.

Hainsey is a proven, what?

$1.75M for Witt
$1.075M for Hainsey

Witt (29) is entering his prime with a solid résumé behind him. Hainsey (23 in March) is still on probation.

Sure, Ronaldo may turn out to be the next Niklas Lidstrom (or not). Brendan Witt is the very reliable present-day Brendan Witt.

You got to give to get, right? We get a much needed proven commodity in exchange for a high-risk package at present not good enough to crack the Habs defense.

Yeah, do it.

[Skilly]

I still say go for Gonchar.

Then we would have 2 offensive threats on the backend. Also, you can pick up a Brendan Witt type player anywhere ..... there is a reason he is 29 and only making 1.75 Million. Next Breezy will be gone and then we will be saying we need a productive defenseman (Souray's season might not be so good next year) .... and if it isn't well there is your Brendan Witt player there. We can get a gritty defenseman ..... offensive ones are harder to come by.

[BCHab]

HA has a point. Trading Hainsey for Witt is a heavy price to pay for a possible one year rental who will not make the team a contender. I realize you have to give up something to get something but BG can do better here. Most teams are attempting to dump salary so it's worth waiting until this summer when players like Witt will be available for far less.

Cheers,

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

I have nothing against Gonchar, and you make good points in his favour. However, $3.65M is hefty price tag, plus more would likely be demanded in exchange for him than Witt. Also, with the CBA situation that's looming, I'm very wary of any European player's fidelity to the NHL, especially if they've just been traded.

Also, if Brendan Witt type d-men are a dime a dozen, how come the Habs don't have two thin dimes to rub together?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

BCHab said:

HA has a point. Trading Hainsey for Witt is a heavy price to pay for a possible one year rental who will not make the team a contender. I realize you have to give up something to get something but BG can do better here. Most teams are attempting to dump salary so it's worth waiting until this summer when players like Witt will be available for far less.

Cheers,

A tough call to be sure.

My point remains that we have no concrete proof that trading Hainsey is a heavy price. Maybe, but quite equally, maybe not. But we do most certainly know what we would be getting back in Brendan Witt.

We also do not know for a fact that Gainey can do better. If he can, great.

Waiting until the end-of-season fishing trip is no sure thing either, since the Habs won't be the only ones dredging the waters for those caviar laden sturgeon.

[blaise]

Mr. said:

Waiting until the end-of-season fishing trip is no sure thing either, since the Habs won't be the only ones dredging the waters for those caviar laden sturgeon.

Is that Pierre or Sylvain Sturgeon?

roe, roe, roe your boat ...

[Skilly]

I think we do have 2 thin dimes.

Souray and Komisarek are Brendan Witt type players ... the only problem we have is that OUR Witt type player actually has his Witts about him and can score. If we get an offensive d-man instead, we won't be fishing in a bog-hole this summer for one ..... and trust me not even Sheldon is confident he can have 2 years like this.

As for FA's or UFA's ..... well our recent problems getting them to come to La Belle Province doesn't bode well for picking up a good player that route.

Bondra, Lapointe, Hull, ..... there was something like 10 in the last 2 years we tried like mad to get and they all said sorry and signed elsewhere ....and most times for less money than we were offering. No my friend the way to built this team up is by the draft and trade ..... the Free agents are not coming until we prove we are good enough.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Skilly said:

I think we do have 2 thin dimes.

I immediately imagine Ribeiro and Traverse on reading that expression.

Souray and Komisarek are Brendan Witt type players ... the only problem we have is that OUR Witt type player actually has his Witts about him and can score. If we get an offensive d-man instead, we won't be fishing in a bog-hole this summer for one ..... and trust me not even Sheldon is confident he can have 2 years like this.

Well, I'd rather a drill sargeant like Witt. Though I'm not against Gonchar, but I don't know if we can sweeten the pot sufficiently compared to the competition for his services (plus the loyalty - pending the post-CBA atmosphere - caveat I expressed above).

As for FA's or UFA's ..... well our recent problems getting them to come to La Belle Province doesn't bode well for picking up a good player that route.

Bondra, Lapointe, Hull, ..... there was something like 10 in the last 2 years we tried like mad to get and they all said sorry and signed elsewhere ....and most times for less money than we were offering. No my friend the way to built this team up is by the draft and trade ..... the Free agents are not coming until we prove we are good enough.

Agreed 100%. I think you may have misunderstood me (or I was unclear), but I too prefer the Habs to invest and exchange rather than shop.

[blaise]

Let's be serious. A trade for Witt, whatever it might accomplish, does not equate with the Habs' making the playoffs. If a trade is made, it should be a more consequential one than panhandling for dimes.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

Let's be serious. A trade for Witt, whatever it might accomplish, does not equate with the Habs' making the playoffs. If a trade is made, it should be a more consequential one than panhandling for dimes.

No one player is going to guarantee that any team makes the playoffs (see Rangers).

Witt addresses a real short to medium term need for the Habs, that of a tough, crease-clearing, defensively superior blueliner. Souray is injured, Quintal is on the verge of retirement, Komisarek is learning the ropes, and Rivet has been inconsistent.

If Gainey does trade for Witt, that certainly doesn't mean it would be the only trade he makes.

[blaise]

I don't have any great objection to trading for Witt , although I reject a trade that also includes Bondra. I would go elsewhere for forwards. One of my major criteria would be that the player be available to the Habs for at least 3 years (setting the age limit at 28) before I would would give up a package of #1 picks (past or present). Some of the deal proposed by fans on this site strike me as too generous on the part of the Habs.

[Forum Ghost]

Mr. said:

If Gainey does trade for Witt, that certainly doesn't mean it would be the only trade he makes.

But it would be a great start, wouldn't it?

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Blaise said:

I don't have any great objection to trading for Witt , although I reject a trade that also includes Bondra.

Sorry, wrong thread, no Bondra here.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Forum_Ghost said:

But it would be a great start, wouldn't it?

Indeedle-ee-doo, it would, neighbor.

I'm all for the Habs D having their Witts about them.

[blaise]

Mr. said:

Sorry, wrong thread, no Bondra here.

Your colleague keeps bringing it up.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

So what? That's his business.