Movin' on Up

Canadiens have a terrific opportunity to move up in the draft. Sam Pollock would do it. The question is just how badly would he swindle the Edmonton Oilers out of their #1 pick in the 2012 draft?

This is the Canadiens' first shot at a #1 pick since 1980 when Irving Grundman & Co. made the colossal blunder of all time by picking disappointment Doug Wickenheiser over hometown garcon and future Hall of Famer Denis Savard.

In my view the situation is dire. Canadiens haven't had a big centre since Bobby Smith and more properly Peter Mahovlich. And we all know Le Gros Bill. Every team needs size down the middle. ( Yes Captain Damphousse was a superb and nasty surgeon and goal scorer but he wasn't big.)

While I'm a huge fan of David Desharnais (and his line) we cannot and should not keep him and Thomas Plekanec. Yeah Pleky is a fine player who has always done what was asked of him, he's a team guy, great skill, soldiered on in spite of 20+ line combinations this year, killed penalties, yada yada yada.

Plekanec has never delivered in the playoffs. Period. You can't have Plekanec and DD as your two top centres. The Habs are not going to trade for two or three 6'3" or 6'4" 230 pounders to offset this disadvantage.

Easier to get one big centre.

Trade Plekanec and our #3 pick to Edmonton for the number one pick.

Elementary my dear Watson. Sammy would do it.