Maxime Lapierre traded to Ducks for Prospect and Pick
Maxime Lapierre has been traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Anaheim Ducks today. GM Pierre Gauthier appears to be looking to bolster a defensive core that has been hurt by the loss of their star defenseman, Andrei Markov, and the declining play of Roman Hamrlik and Jaroslav Spacek. He acquired young defenseman Brett Festerling and a 5th round pick in 2012, and will promptly assigned him to the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL. Lapierre never seemed to fit into the Jacques Martin system, and reportedly requested to be traded earlier this week. Wearing number 40 for the Canadiens, Lapierre scored 40 goals and added 40 assists in his 293 game career for the Montreal Canadiens.
A darling of the francophone media, Maxime Lapierre's roster spot may be taken by David Desharnais, someone who that same media has been pleaded with Habs brass to give a legitimate chance to play in the NHL. Many were saying that Dustin Boyd's torrid pace in the AHL is largely due to playing on a line with Desharnais, and that he may be able to create more offensively than someone like Scott Gomez.
His critics would say that Lapierre believed in himself more than anyone else, but that his confidence outweighed his talent, and most of all, his performance on the ice. Some are already saying that his poor play last season and subsequent news of his ankle injury was just an excuse for a lack of effort. Others point to the fact that he was mostly unwilling to drop the gloves, and when he did, he was better off skating away.
I had predicted that Maxime Lapierre would have a breakout season, scoring between 25-30 goals which is significantly more than he had scored in his NHL career. With 5 goals in 38 games, but a new start, maybe, just maybe I will be vindicated....okay, obviously not. But I do believe that a fresh start is something that he does not, and as it stands, former Canadiens have done very well in new circumstances.
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I always kinda liked Lappy and secretly wished he would turn into the player everyone wanted him to be. I think the Jacques martin system and Lapierre's style were a toxic combination and have it on good authority that Maxim was not happy with his treatment and usage since the very begining of JM's regime. It is no surprise to me that he has finally been traded to where he will be able to play more. but he won't all of a sudden become an explosive goal scorer. Can't wait for his and Koivu's return to Bell Centre!
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January 01, 2011
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