From http://www.hockeytraderumors.com/article6045.html

Pretty decent analyses...

Strengths
The Canadiens have decent fowards, and a lot of depth. With young players such as Alexander Perezhogin, Thomas Plekanec, Chris Higgins and Andrei Kostitsyn already seeing valuable ice time this season, and prospects like Kyle Chipchura and Guillaume Latendresse, things could improve pretty quickly. They do have core players to help these kids, and a good leader in Saku Koivu. Andrei Markov is establishing himself as a true leader on defense, and I personally think that, someday, he'll be considered for the Norris.

Weaknesses
Same as always...the Habs lack size and, sometimes, emotion. No doubt that Saku Koivu and Steve Begin are bringing it every night, but the Canadiens need a better and more constant effort from everyone on the team to be succesful. Is José Théodore there to stay ? Nobody knows...some say he should, some say we should trade him. One thing's for sure, Théodore needs to find his game back, in Montreal or somewhere else. Mike Ribeiro is another one who's on jeopardy right now. The Habs have been looking for a big right-handed center for years, and if they ever get it, Ribeiro will be sorry he didn't take the opportunity to lead the team when Koivu was down. Sheldon Souray had a rough start this season, but he's playing better now. He denied it, but I think his personal issues with his wife had something to do with his poor performances. Sure, he won't post numbers like he did during the 03-04 season, but all we need is solid defense from him, and a goal here and there. The Habs could need more depth in defense, Mike Komisarek being the only valuable prospect we have.

The Future
Like I said previously, things are looking great for the Habs in the future. I really think Kyle Chipchura will be our next captain. He is a true leader (not only because he was Team Canada's captain, but because that's just who he is...) and I also think that Chris Higgins will eventually be an assistant. I know Thomas Plekanec really impressed Bob Gainey and Claude Julien, but I gotta say that Alexander Perezhogin and Andrei Kostitsyn were the biggest surprise for me.

Bob Gainey could be tempted to trade one of these prospects in return of a proven veteran, maybe in a package. Richard Zednik's future with the organisation seems to be uncertain, just like Mike Ribeiro. Niklas Sundstrom and Jan Bulis will become UFA at the end of the season, and I doubt the Canadiens will sign them to a new contract. If the young prospects are showing the can play in the NHL next year, don't be surprise to see Gainey buyout Radek Bonk's contract either. In a couple of years, the Habs line-up will look something like that;

Perezhogin - Koivu - Kovalev
Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Ryder
Latendresse - Chipchura - Higgins
Ferland - Begin - Murray

Markov - Komisarek
Souray - Rivet
Bouillon - Dandenault

Theodore
Danis
Price

And who knows who will be added to the team until then...

What I Would Do...Again !!!
I know some of you saw those "suggestions" in other articles, but I thought I would add them here...just to get more feedbacks on it I suppose. First thing I would do if I'm Bob Gainey; get some size. Viktor Kozlov in New Jersey or Michal Handzus in Philadelphia would be my first "targets". The last time Montreal faced New Jersey, Kozlov was playing on the fourth line. I don't really know what's happening with him there, but he could be exactly what the Habs are looking for. He's 6'5, and can play either center or left wing. I think he would be a good fit with Koivu and Kovalev. Handzus would be the ideal 2nd line center. There was some rumor, before Keith Primeau got injured, that the Flyers wanted to move him to make place to Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. I don't know what his status his now tough...

Division trades aren't commun in the NHL, but I would still give a phone call to Buffalo's general manager regarding Taylor Pyatt and Maxim Afinogenov The first one would be a great linemate to Steve Begin, while the other one would be an upgrade, in my opinion, to Richard Zednik.

Finally, I would also try to get in touch with Calgary's general manager and try to get one of their defenseman. Earlier this season, the reports from Calgary were that they were willing to trade one of their defenseman (Jordan Leopold to be more specific) for a 1st or 2nd line center. I doubt the Canadiens have what the Flames are looking for, but it doesn't hurt to ask...and maybe Bob Gainey did already, I don't know...

That's pretty much it...do I trade Theodore ? Am I keeping Mike Ribeiro ? Not a clue...it all depends on what I could get in return I guess.

Oh...and please try to get your hands on Ian Laperriere and Denis Gauthier. I still can't believe Gainey didn't even tried to get Laperriere when he was a free agent...but offered a $2.3m contract to Radek Bonk...