Habs scouting Xavier Ouellet. Translation below (with some paraphrasing)
Good saturday morning everyone! I now have a new reason to hate wet days: post-operative pain!
But my grandmother always told me not to complain! In fact, my grandmother, a big woman, never complained. I will do as she does and shut up.
Xavier Ouellet to montreal?
Throughout the season (and the lockout), Canadiens' management has been looking at Blainville-Boisbriand. When the mooseheads knocked out the armada, the head scouts of the Canadiens took the 15 North to see the talents of McKinnon and Drouin!
Marc Bergevin, Scott Mellandy, Larry Carrière, Michel Therrien, Rick Dudley, Serge Boisvert, Donald Audette and Martin Lapointe spent time in the northern reaches of Montreal…
However, last night it was confirmed that the main purpose of the visit to see the Armada was to properly assess the talent of a different player: Xavier Ouellet
Ouellet's agent has contacted his client, this week, to tell him that the Canadiens and the Red Wings have been discussing a transaction and that he has been at the heart of these discussions.
Ouellet is a 6'0" defenseman who is about 190 lbs. He is left handed and is reputable for being good defensively AND offensively.
He is a leader at heart and he loves to spend a lot of time on the ice! He suffered much the same injury (to the ankle) as Louis Leblanc, last year.
Taken in the 2nd round, in 2011, he should make the jump to the professional [league] next year.
Will he be in Detroit or in Grand Rapids? Will he be in Montreal or in Hamilton?
<<DLC, what could the canadians offer to the Red Wings to get their hands on Ouellet?>>
I don't have exact names...
But many rumors have suggested Markov, Moen, Diaz or Weber to detroit these past months. Plekanec and Gionta are not untouchable.
And of course, the Canadiens have several draft picks this year, as well as some interesting prospects (maybe) in the eyes of Ken Holland. #
Ouellet, who is from Terrebonne, has everything to succeed in the big league... especially in Montreal!
He knows success from the U17, U18 and U20 tournaments. At a $894,167 cap hit per season, it would be a boon for Bergevin!
Of course, he still has a lot to learn. But he has already learned a lot! Most importantly, he has character and behaves like a real player!
My source has also confirmed that the canadiens have had many discussions with other west teams. More to follow.
I hope we keep him. He's going to be so much better than any of our top 4 guys right now outside of Kronwall.