Habs out of the Jokinen sweepstakes

According to Pierre Lebrun at ESPN, the Habs were hard after Jokinen but cannot make the salary cap numbers work. Thus, they have abandoned Olli as an option.

Jokinen on the move? And updates as they come...

• According to TSN, Olli Jokinen and the Phoenix Coyotes have agreed a trade is best for all parties. The question is where he may go, as a team needs to take on Jokinen's sizeable salary. Bob McKenzie did say two weeks ago that Bob Gainey was interested in adding Jokinen to the Habs. More here:http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=268 

Wishing the Streak to Two

Habs go for their second in a row tonight. Kostopolous appears slated for first line duty again with Koivu and Kovalev. Halak brings his 46 save performance the other night into Van City, hoping that this time his team doesn't go to sleep for the last two periods. Mathieu Dandenault goes for a three game point streak, which would be his season-high. Vancouver remains hot, as Sundin has finally awoken from his hibernation and finally looks interested in playing.

Other Habs tidbits this AM, rumours still that Gainey would love to pry Havlat from Chicago (Ottawa Sun), Bouwmeester is likely to be dealt (Toronto Sun), and the Coyotes are indeed shopping Jokinen, Morris, et al (ESPN). Any of these guys would help lessen the loss of Robert Lang and give a push to a team playing like an '84 Chevy Corvair.

And lastly, Kyle Chipchura has joined the team after being called up. He practiced the other night and took the skate but did not play. I liked the look of his last year. Doc, does he get in on the fourth line party, or is Laraque just so good that we have to keep playing him?

In Bob We Trust...

...or do we? I don't know about you Doc, but I've been waiting patiently for a trade for weeks. What gives? Rumours of Lecavalier, then Richards, then Jokinen. But nothing happens. Can Bob get the job done?

In mulling over deadline possibilities, a few stick out as solid additions. Kaberle would look good on the power play. I would also love to see Erik Cole flanking Tanguay and Koivu. Regardless of who you think we should add, can we agree that a puck-moving defenceman, an impact forward, and a veteran backup goaltender are the most pressing needs? Tom Priessing in LA is available as as a rushing defenceman, and Curits Joseph could probably be grabbed off the Leafs for a few signed Kovalev sticks. 

Even if we don't sign anyone, hey, look on the bright side: at least we aren't stuck with Jeff Finger for three more years.