This is a strange story. Michael Cammalleri was traded to the Calgary Flames this evening, just a day after he made some disparaging remarks about his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. Habs’ GM Pierre Gauthier claims the comments had nothing to do with the trade, but it sure is bizarre timing. As we all know, the city of Montreal lives and breathes hockey, so it probably would have been wise for him to think before opening his mouth and offending every last hockey fan in the province of Quebec. If you missed his comments, here’s what he had to say:
“I can’t accept that we will display a losing attitude as we’re doing this year. We prepare for our games like losers. We play like losers. So it’s no wonder why we lose.”
In my opinion, I found his candidness somewhat refreshing. With all of the talented names on that roster, there really is no good excuse for why the Habs have had such a slow start to the season. I think he was just using the media as an outlet for his frustration, but little did he know, that would be the last impression he would be leaving on the city of Montreal.
The weirdest part about this whole controversy is that the trade was made in the middle of the Canadiens game against one of their biggest rivals, the Boston Bruins. Cammalleri played throughout the first two periods, but according to many reports, was then pulled out of the game at the second intermission and told to return to his Boston hotel room. Can you imagine the pure shock? “Oh, by the way, pack your stuff, you’re going to Calgary.”
Cammalleri was traded to the Flames along with goaltender Karri Ramo and a 5th round draft pick in 2012 for Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland, and a 2nd round draft pick in 2013. He played with the Flames in the 2008-2009 season, so at least he is somewhat familiar with their system. Their next game is against the L.A. Kings on Saturday at 7pm, another former team of Cammalleri’s. Look for him in the lineup, but don’t expect to see Bourque playing with the Habs just yet, as he is still serving his five-game suspension for this elbow on Nicklas Backstrom:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vLgXNqxriQ[/youtube]
About Katey Berman