BREAKING: Habs have interest in veteran forward

The Montreal Canadiens are currently the laughing stock of the pre-season. With an abysmal 0-6 record, people are starting to wonder if general manager Marc Bergevin knows what he’s doing. Granted, this discussion comes up often whenever the Habs are slumping, but with an ugly loss to what was essentially the Toronto Marlies last night in Quebec City, things are looking worse and worse by the day.

Yes, it’s pre-season. Yes, the Colorado Avalanche went undefeated before last year’s regular season and we know how they performed afterwards. But with expectations as high as they are in Montreal, and being outscored 25-9 through 6 games, the concern for this team is justified.

Today, we got some rather interesting news, which surely won’t please Canadiens’ fans.

Chris Neil, 38, is your typical Marc Bergevin player. Gritty, has loads of “character”, and likes to fight. He’s been a pest to Montreal for years. The only time the forward posted more than 30 points in a season was in 2006. He posted a mere 4 points in 53 games last season and only dressed for 2 playoff games for the Ottawa Senators.

Needless to say, the Canadiens do not need this type of player – it’s a type that is being phased out of the NHL, and at his age, he adds little to no value to any team.

Bergevin attempted the tough roster thing during last year’s trade deadline when he acquired Dwight King, Steve Ott, and Andreas Martinsen. Martinsen still remains with the team, but is likely to be a healthy scratch or sent down to the Laval Rockets.