Ribs traded for Niinimaa

[Amoroq]

The Habs and big D made a deal today. Ribs for Niinimaa. This is interesting.
How many centers does dallas need?

There are also picks involved.

Source (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179424&hubname=)

[charlio lemieux]

Latendresse must have impressed MTL staff enough to give him Ribs job, to go along with that new contract. I think Niinimaa is just a depth D-man that may come in handy around playoff time, or he might get hurt and come off the books. Either way Gainey doesn't sound like he cares.


Dallas must be following the TML model for building a franchise. Get 10 centers and pray a few of them can play the wing. :shrug:

[Asterix]

First chance I get to come here since the trade was announced... They're going crazy out there!

This is a great trade for both teams, who are trading in a position of strenght. Dallas is very deep at the defense position and had to move a defenseman while Montreal didn't know what to do with all of thier forwards as they had to send to Hamilton two young guys who deserved a spot on the team in Andrei Kostitsyn and Jonathan Ferland. Montreal also had too many centermen as they already have Bégin and Higgins playing the wing.

In Ribeiro, Dallas gets a guy with great hands who makes very good passes. He reminds me a bit of Andrew Cassels that way. Soft, not a great skater but good playmaker and can be spectacular at times. He's apparently been practicing on the second line for the Stars and I'm happy for him.

Montreal gets in return a defenseman who is coming off his worst season splitting it between the Islanders and Dallas. His -12 rating and his 16 points were his worst, he who is a +55 for his career. He was playing with a serious ankle injury which saw him in and out of the line-up last year, on which he has successful surgery in the off-season. He should help the Canadiens who were lacking depth at the blueline, and who needed help at the point on the PP as Souray and Markov are their only offensive defensemen.

Is Dallas a better team after this trade? Is Montreal a better team after this trade? Considering that they're both trading from a position of strenght, I'd say yes. :thumb:

[slapshot™]

Niinimaa.

Remember, Hab fans...that's 2 'n's, 2 'a's, 3 'i's, and an 'm'.

[KB in Kelowna]

Niinimaa.

Remember, Hab fans...that's 2 'n's, 2 'a's, 3 'i's, and an 'm'.
My wife's favourite player, only because of his name and all the vowels. Actually I think the Habs did well, he gives them depth on defence and Ribero was bit of an attitude case and potential distraction in the room.

[TimmyTabasco]

Good trade for the Habs

They get depth on defense, and get rid of a potential problem child

Lets hope that Niinimaa will do well under Carbo, and regain his old form