Danish forward Lars Eller is one of the two prospects the Canadiens acquired for Jaroslav Halak.
(Wikimedia Commons/benj05)
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Everyone knew a trade was coming – two young goaltenders, both in need of new contracts, and both wanting to be ‘the guy’.
But who would Pierre Gauthier choose?
Thursday afternoon, he revealed his answer in trading Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for prospects Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.
“When we discuss players, we discuss what we think they’re going to do in the future. Every decision, especially the offseason like this, is a big picture decision to look at the next year and the following years,” explained the Canadiens’ GM of the deal via conference call.
“The decision is based on our projections and we are very comfortable with Carey Price,” he continued. “He’s a young man that has almost 150 games in the league even though he’s only 22 years old. He’s got a few rounds in the playoffs, [and] he won a Calder Cup in the American League at a very young age.
“He brings a lot to the table. He’s young man that we think will be a good goalie in this league.”
While the news seemed to come out of the blue, that wasn’t the case behind the scenes.
“It was kind of a continuation of a discussion or contact we had before the trade deadline,” said Gauthier. “We had told teams at the time to get back to us after the season and we’d see then. Some teams called back, some more serious than others, and we got to the trade we made today.”
Who the Canadiens get for Halak
That trade brings in a pair of youngsters in Eller and Schultz, with Eller the prize in the deal. The Danish pivot was selected 13th overall in 2007, immediately after the Canadiens claimed former blue line prospect Ryan McDonagh.
The 2009-10 season marked his first in North America. He spent the majority with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL, scoring 18 goals and 57 points. Eller also made his big league debut, tallying twice in seven games with the Blues.
“Our evaluation of Lars Eller, with his international experience and the experience he had this year – some games in the NHL and a really good season in the AHL – we think he’s close to reaching the NHL and can contribute to the Canadiens’ success as soon as next season,” assessed Gauthier.
The Habs weren’t the only ones high on the young prospect. New Blues GM Doug Armstrong admitted that Eller wasn’t someone they were keen to give up. And fellow 2007 Blues draftee David Perron was also impressed with his now-former teammate.
“We got to know each other at development camp,” the Sherbrooke native told RDS.ca “He’s a good skater who can play centre or the wing. He’s a guy who works hard and isn’t afraid to go in the corners.”
If he’s as close to being NHL ready as Gauthier believes, that can only be good news for the Canadiens. The club has been lacking size down the middle in their system and the addition of 6-foot-1, 198-pound Eller, while not the biggest guy, certainly brings a good combination of frame and talent. Ben Maxwell has gotten the most looks in Montreal, but the young centre has yet to leave much of an impression.
At 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, Schultz brings some size and muscle to the fold. The younger brother of Capitals defenceman Jeff Schultz, the Hitmen winger accumulated 150 penalty minutes along with his 24 goals and 55 points in 70 games. He also piled up 15 points en route to the team’s WHL title.
“I’m so excited for this opportunity to show Montreal and their fans what I can do,” Schultz told the Hitmen’s official website. “It’s so huge to be able to play in a Canadian market. You watch Hockey Night in Canada and when it’s in Montreal, it’s always sold out. Canada has the best fans.”
And while Canadiens fans aren’t shy to vocalize their feelings, the Calgary native isn’t too worried.
“I think some guys thrive on that and I think I can be one of those guys. You just have to let some things roll off your back.”
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