It's time to do away with Hackett

[Douper]

I know Hackett is a great goalie, I know he was the backstop for us the last couple of years, but the time has come for us to part ways with him. I think he is on the verge of blowing up and if the habs keep winning with theo you know he will not play. I think in the last 24 or so games we can live with Garon as the backup. I won't name names but Montreal needs a power forward type of a player and if the Rangers trade away Richter then the Rangers will be looking for a goalie. Just a thought.! Thanks

[BadCompany]

You want to kill Jeff Hackett??  

Trading away Hackett is much easier said than done. There is a glut of goalies on the market, many with much more desirable traits than Hack (younger, cheaper, etc.) and there aren't that many teams looking for goalies. Especially not an older goalie who has been injury prone all year, who hasn't played well when he has played, and who is scheduled to make a whack of dough next season.

Seriously, if you look at all the teams in the NHL, there really aren't that many who need a goalie. Both of St. Louis' goalies have better records and stats than Hack, Vancouver can't afford him (and Cloutier has been fine for them anyways) and why would the Rangers trade away Richter, and then try to acquire Hackett? Why not just stick with Richter, who played pretty well during the Olympics after all? Who else really needs Hackett?

The other thing to think of, is that Montreal really, really wants to make the playoffs this year. Really. I know Garon is an up and comer, but do we really want to hand him the keys to the playoff drive? Say Theo goes down with a minor injury - just minor - and misses one week (like he did earlier in the season). With this year's compressed schedule, that's 4 games. If we lose all 4 games (like we did the last time Garon was in charge), we can pretty much kiss the playoffs good-bye, no? Do we want to take that risk, especially if we only get a 5th or 6th rounder back for Hackett?

I am all for trading Hackett if the return is good. But I don't think it will be, and I don't like the idea of dumping him for nothing. With the compressed schedule, and the mad dash for the playoffs coming up, there is a good possibility another team might suffer an injury and then come calling, looking to overpay, but if that happens, I for one, and quite content having Hack on the team.

[MPLABBE]

I'd release him if he we can somehow save a huge part of his salary.Face it,we won't get much if anything for him.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

It's time to trade Hackett when we can get something in return. He is still much more dependable than Garon (whom I like very much) and he is still younger than a lot of goaltenders. Goalies don't have to speed up and down the ice keeping up with rookies. If we can get a plum from a team that is in contention and who just saw their franchise goaltender go down we trade, if not we keep and showcase Hackett. It seems to me that the Hab's have a record of injuries and we need insurance. It's like my life insurance, I pay for it and hope I don't need it.

[MPLABBE]

Right now,if Theo would go down for a week,I would have just as much confidence in Garon(compared to my confidence in Hack) to take on the load.Hackett will need ALOT of games to get back to his top form,while Garon has to be in the best shape of his life with all the games he has played in the AHL.

[habwest]

One fact to add to the discussion. Joseph broke a bone in his hand tonight and will be out 6-8 weeks. I kind of doubt if TO would be interested in Hackett given his price and the fact he's not playing well right now. If the Leafs do go get somebody they presumbaly would want someone who they felt confident in doing a good job right away.

On the other hand, if they wanted to hedge their bets on not signing Joseph for next year... Too bad Hackett isn't playing like he was at the beginning of the season.

[PTH]

This might get interesting with Cujo out, given that TOR had to get a goalie for next season anyhow.

I'd love to see Hack in Toronto - problem is, Hack's value is very low right now, and I'd rather not have to face him several times a year only to see the Habs get only a 4th round pick for him.

Couldn't we make some kind of a conditionnal deal ? Where if he is their #1 next season we get a lot of goodies, and if he keeps on being hurt/playing badly we get squat ?

I do agree that we shouldn't deal Hack without getting some kind of useful return for this season. If we're stuck with him next year, put him on waivers, I think he'll be picked up.
Plan for next season over the summer, not now, anyhow.

[MPLABBE]

Hackett to TO is a real possibility.Let's hope the Leafs lose a few games and panic sets in.