The Cammalleri Trade

Well last article I did was on the draft, I thought that the next article that I was going to be writing was going to be on the number 2 pick of this years draft,Mikhail Grigorenko. However, something more important happened ! The Montreal Canadiens acquired Rene Bourque, a second round pick in 2013 and a prospect by the name of Patrick Holland.In return, the Calgary Flames got Michael Cammalleri, the rights to Karri Ramo and a 5th round pick in 2012. I will analyse the pieces of the trade and what they mean for each team and the advantages for both the Canadiens and the Flames. 


To Montreal


Rene Bourque

Positives: Bourque is a player that will size up the Habs nicely. He is a complete player who has a good frame, drives the net and can be physical. His cap hit is 3,3 Million dollars a year for 5 more years. 


Negatives: Bourque can be sometimes qualified as a lazy player. When he shows up he can be dominant. The length of the contract is also another factor that could turn out being a problem for the Canadiens. He has 5 more years on his deal but if he consistently puts up 25+ goals and 50 points it will be a great contract for the Canadiens. He lacks a little bit in foot speed but slowly the Canadiens have turned into a more physical team. A philosophy that is much better suited for today's NHL. 




2nd Round pick (2013)


Usually a draft pick is not of the utter most importance in a trade, unless it is a 1rst round pick. However, the pick in this deal could turn out being pretty important to Montreal and their retooling or rebuilding (Call it what you want). The 2nd round pick will most likely be near the top of the 2nd round. Thus, Montreal will be able to acquire a solid prospect. 


Patrick Holland

Patrick Holland is a nice piece in this trade. He is a former 7th round pick who is playing in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans. He has 57 points in 40 games on one of the best teams in the WHL. Holland is projected to be like our very own Michael Bournival. Just like Bournival, Holland is projected to be a 3rd-4rth line guy in the NHL who is smart on defense and can contribute offensively. He will add nice depth to the prospect pool of the Canadiens. 


To Calgary


Michael Cammalleri

Cammalleri was one of my favorite players on the Canadiens in years past. Cammalleri simply needed a change of scenery and he went back to his roots in Calgary. Cammalleri had his best years in Calgary including a 39 goal campaign in 08-09. 


Positives: Cammmalleri is a player who has tremendous skills. He is a born sniper and will fit right in with Iginla as well as Tanguay. Iginla and him had great chemistry and I think that once again they will be fueling Calgary's offense in hope of making a playoff appearance. Cammalleri has a way of escaping defenders and finding the open shot. Iginlas passes will soon turn into goals.  


Negatives: Just like Bourque, Mike has a tendency to disappear sometimes. When Mike is on his game he can score goals and get open for passes without any difficulty. Cammalleri is also know to have a selfish attitude towards the game and his teammates. In the end, even though he was being shopped by Pierre Gauthier, that selfishness bought him a one way ticket out of town.   The biggest minus on this trade is the salary coming back to Calgary, In the NHL of today cap space is important. Calgary will be paying Cammalleri like an elite sniper (7 Million dollars over the next 2 years) and he will be under the microscope to perform and get better numbers than he has had in the past (50 points in 2009-2010,47 points in 2010-2011). 


Karri Ramo

Karri Ramo was acquired in the deal that sent Cedrick Desjardins to the Tampa Bay Lighting. Ramo is a goaltender that played in the AHL for 4 years and who is now playing in the KHL for Omsk Avangard. Ramo is considered to be one of the best goaltenders outside of the NHL. I think that Ramo could be a big piece in this deal if Calgary decides to rebuild in the upcoming years. Ramo could be the starter for years to come if the Management trades veteran Net minder Miikka Kiprusoff 






5th round pick (2012) 


The pick was most likely added to even out the trade. Depending on who Calgary picks, the player
could become an impact player for the franchise. 


Who won the trade ? 


The way I see it is a perfect example of a Win/Win trade. Both teams got players that addressed their
needs. Montreal, got a player that can play in front of the net and who is physical. Calgary got a
sniper to play with Iginla. This trade will help Calgary get into the playoffs and it will help Montreal
start a process of retooling. 


Murphy Out.