News Article Cammalleri Traded Mid-Game

[habsguy26]

The Habs got Mike Cammalleri's huge contract off the books on Thursday. The Habs traded Cammy, along with Karri Ramo, who is playing in the KHL, and a 5th round pick to the Calgary Flames for forward Rene Bourque, prospect Patrick Holland, and a 2nd round pick in 2013.

It is interesting to note that this trade happened a little more than 24 hours after he made critical comments about the team's losing attitude.

Before the start of the second period in Thursday nights game in Boston, Cammalleri was pulled from the game and was told to start packing. He was shipped back to the team's hotel in Boston.

Cammalleri spent the 2008-09 season with Calgary, setting a career-high and team-best 39 goals. He signed a five-year, $30 million free agent deal with the Canadiens the following summer.

"Mike is a dynamic player who enjoyed great success playing in Calgary," Flames general manager Jay Feaster

said in a statement. "We believe Cammalleri will help our offensive production, solidify a second scoring line, bolster our power play, and bring another strong veteran voice to our room."

His goal totals dropped to 26 and 19 in his first two seasons with Montreal, though he was a point-a-game player or better in the playoffs. He had nine goals and 13 assists in 37 games this season.

"We are confident that a return to Calgary will be good for Mike and good for our continued pursuit of a playoff berth," Feaster said.

Rene Bourque, a two-time 27-goal scorer with the Flames, has 13 goals and three assists this season but has been suspended twice. He can't return from his latest suspension until Jan. 17.

"It's a big shock, I had no idea this was going on," Bourque told reporters in Calgary. "But if there's anywhere I want to play, it's Montreal."

Calgary appears to be the clear winner in this deal, but upon deeper analysis, The Habs have gotten bigger and acquired more sandpaper in this deal. Patrick Holland, also has 57 points in 40 games for the Tri-City Americans in the WHL this season.

With Bourque (6'2"), Pacioretty (6'2"), and Erik Cole (6'2") in our top 6, you can't really call us a small team any more, so it can't be an excuse for us to be thrown around. As of now, 6 out of 24 players are 5'11" and under, with David Desharnais being the smallest (5'7") Two of those players, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta, are currently injured and both are not expected to return in the near future. So really, we have two players who are 5'11" and under that will suit up Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, both of them being defenders, Raphael Diaz and Yannick Weber.

Just some food for the mind. Happy Hockey.

Edited January 13, 2012 by habsguy26