The Montreal Canadiens owned the 25th overall selection in this year’s draft, but instead of using it, they sent it to the Calgary Flames in return for Alex Tanguay. In addition, the Habs also sent a 2nd-round selection in next year’s draft to the Flames for Calgary’s 5th-overall pick this year.

Tanguay’s name was heavily linked to the Habs through all of last season and leading up to the trade deadline, but it’s clear that Bob Gainey and Darryl Suter felt better suited to make the trade today in Ottawa. Tanguay instantly becomes the 3rd highest paid player on Montreal’s roster, making $375,000 less than Andrei Markov and just $125,000 less than Roman Hamrlik. If it weren’t for the cap hit the Habs are taking in this trade, I’d love it. However because Tanguay isn’t coming in at a bargain price, I’m not exactly happy as a clam. He's a good player capable of scoring 25 goals and anywhere between 70 and 80 points, and should fit in well with Montreal's speedy forwards.

The Habs are known as a team that builds from within by drafting young talented players and bringing them up through the farm system. The last time they traded away their first-round draft pick was in 1999. This year’s acquisition of Tanguay is an indication that the team is ready to win now.

Montreal has also been given permission by the Toronto Maple Leafs to speak to Mats Sundin’s agent prior to the July 1st signing period. No matter how much I’d love to see Sundin play his last couple of years alongside Alex Kovalev, I highly doubt this will happen. Still, anything is possible.

Finally, here’s a list on Montreal’s free agents over the next two years.

2008-2009 Free Agents
F Michael Ryder (UFA)
F Bryan Smolinski (UFA)
D Patrice Brisebois (UFA)
D Mark Streit (UFA)
F Mikhail Grabovski (RFA)
F Andrei Kostitsyn (RFA)
D Josh Gorges (RFA)
D Ryan O’Byrne (RFA)
G Jaroslav Halak (RFA)

2009-2010 Free Agents
F Alex Tanguay (UFA)
F Alex Kovalev (UFA)
F Saku Koivu (UFA)
F Steve Begin (UFA)
F Tom Kostopoulos (UFA)
D Francis Bouillon (UFA)
D Mike Komisarek (UFA)
D Mathieu Dandenault (UFA)
F Chris Higgins (RFA)
F Tomas Plekanec (RFA)
F Kyle Chipchura (RFA)
F Guillaume Latendresse (RFA)

Allez les Glorieux!!!