Aug 16 Habs Trade G Cedric Desjardins to TB for G Karri Ramo

Before you jump to outlandish conclusions, and while I won’t say that the contract negotiations between Carey Price and the Habs are going as quickly as I’d like them, this goalie trade between Montreal and Tampa Bay is strictly an AHL transaction. The Canadiens have just announced that they have traded Cédric Désjardins for Karri Ramo.

Now I know there has been a trend lately of Tampa GM, Steve Yzerman systematically acquiring former and present Habs talent, this one smells more of former Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Boucher’s doing. Boucher coached Désjardins last season during his only season in the AHL.

But do the Habs have to make it so easy? While Montreal didn’t have much of a choice or say concerning free agent Dominic Moore, they allowed Julien Brisebois, Guy Boucher and his assistants and now Désjardins to leve

I’m still scratching my head on this one however, as Désjardins was an award winning goaltender for the Dogs along with Curtis Sanford which in tandem, led Hamilton into the post season last season.

It could be that Desjardins asked for a trade as he may have not wanted to split goaltending duties this season and with the acquisition of Alex Auld by the Canadiens, Cédric may have figured that he was at best, number 4 on the Habs depth chart with Sanford, a former backup to Roberto Luongo, looking to maintain his share of ice time.

Please read on for the official Habs press release.