Weight's trade speaks volumes about Carolina, and, by association, Montreal's chances for the play-offs (as seen by Weight). According to the CBC guys on Saturday, Weight has a no-trade clause, but word was out that he'd move to a Cup contender.

I think that it's a safe bet that Montreal wasn't one of Weight's choices.

What that says is that the next few weeks (beginning after the Olys) will be a big test for BG. How BG responds will set the tone for this year's play-offs. He has lots to think about.

Firstly, we're approaching the trade deadline, when teams will be looking for rent-a-players for the Cup run. As well, valued players (like Weight, who have some control over their destiny/destination) will be looking for Cup teams to run with. Who doesn't want to come to Montreal will be as important a factor as who's available.

Secondly, while I was sad to lose Claude, the Room obviously needed a shake-up. NOBODY fires a coach unless they're sending a LOUD message. Additionally, nobody wins a Cup when they fire the coach in the last 3 months of the season. So, BG pulled the trigger early with an eye to the play-offs (and the Rue Ste. Catherine parade route -- why else would he have come to Mtl. in the first place?)

Which brings us to a thirdly and a fourthly: thirdly, we can also look for a blockbuster trade because Bob badly needs to restructure the Room (the boys' response to CJ's firing has been +++lame -- the team has the talent, but the effort and the chemistry are way out of whack). Two Notes: people talk about a coach losing the Room, but I think the Room has lost the GM. So, even if we get a win streak, I'll bet that Bob still wants to trade. And, he's got to fatten up the calves, so, boy, do we need a win streak.

Fourthly, speaking of chemistry, BG has to be thinking about that intense grind (oxymoron?) known as the NHL play-offs. So, he has to be thinking about how the veterans (including losing a few guys and adding new ones) are peforming together, how the rookies are responding (how IS Perezh.?), and who's down on the farm and possibly a sleeper (remember Dryden in '70?). All that has to be in place by mid- to late March for the team to start gelling into play-off performance condition.

So, when Weight does NOT want to come to Mtl. at the end of January, it says lot about what Bob has on his plate. There's been a lot of talk on this board (and the Habsworld board) about how BG is screwing up.

BG may not show a lot of emotion, but, as with CJ's firing, when BG wants to, he can shake it, baby, he can shake.

I'm thinking the season ain't over.