Reports from Bob McKenzie indicate that the Montreal Canadiens have been trying to defenceman Josh Gorges, even attempting to trade him to division rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
The trade was approved by the Montreal Canadiens (no word on what the Leafs were offering officially) but Josh Gorges decided to deny the trade. McKenzie on Twitter has hinted the deal is financially motivated as waivers is a potential option for the blueliner.
Gorges, 29, has four years left on his contract at $3.9M per season. This includes a 15 Team No-Trade list, which the Toronto Maple Leafs were on. While offensively deficient, Gorges has been known as the prototypical defensive defenceman. His 177 blocked shots were good for sixth in the NHL. Gorges was top in the league for blocked shots in 2011-2012, and was at least Top 10 for every year since.
It isn’t certain the move is salary cap related but that’s the leading belief. It’s also believed that if the return from Toronto was Cody Franson that Montreal was interested in adding a right handed shot to the blueline. It’s also possible Montreal wants to simply make room for defenders Jarred Tinordi or Greg Pateryn, or might see Mike Weaver as a player who could do the same job for less salary.
Asked for comment by Journal dé Montréal, Gorges said his heart has always been in Montreal and that this was a decision made by Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.
According to Dave Stubbs, Gorges has now expanded his 15 Team List on where he’d want to go. The list now includes Canadian teams, but wouldn’t say which. One would guess he’s very against going to Toronto if this isn’t a done deal already. Gorges told Stubbs it’s, “a waiting game now”.
It’s a difficult situation all around. For Montreal fans, Josh has been a reliable leader on the team. Brendan Gallagher has been living with him in his time up with the Canadiens, and many joked that the former captain of the Kelowna Rockets would eventually be captain of the Habs. Gorges was injured for some games in the regular season but came back as a calming force on the blueline for Montreal. However, he also made some glaring errors, particularly in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers. While few can deny that Gorges knows how to cut defensive angles down, provide his team unquestionable stability on the penalty kill and block shots, many wonder if the defensive defenceman style is both going to wear down Gorges to the point of not being worth the last four years of his deal, or if maybe the style of the NHL is moving to puck possession instead of puck blocking. Either way, it seems Josh is on his way out. It will have to be seen next year if the loss of Gorges and potentially Brian Gionta has a negative impact on the locker room.
It’s sad news on the eve of one of the worst trades in Montreal Canadiens history to lose a piece from one of the best trades in Montreal Canadiens history.
Expect a deal today or tomorrow. It won’t be the only move Montreal makes, as rumours coming out of Montreal say the team is also trying to move Daniel Brière.
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