TRADE DEADLINE MOVES

Montreal made three significant moves at the trade deadline this year, all positioning the team better for next season;

1. Jake Allen (seen in photo), the number 1 ranked goalie in the QMJHL and the CHL was traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs in exchange for DRU's 1st round draft pick in 2010 and DRU's 1st round draft pick in 2011.

Note: It is rumoured that both picks will be traded back to DRU at the 2010 QMJHL entry draft in exchange for two 19 year old players (one of which may be property of the Montreal Canadiens, LW Philppe Lefebvre - 20 goals and 47 points in 60 GP this season.....no insight as to who that second player may be). This type of transaction is common in the "Q" as it allows the "buying" team to go on a playoff run without trading any assets until after their run is over.

2. Alex Wall, the Juniors' best defenseman, was traded to the Moncton Wildcats (who are my pick to win the QMJHL title this year) in exchange for 16 year old defenseman Dillon Donnelly and the rights to Val D'Or's 1st round CHL import draft pick in 2010.

Donnelly looks pretty solid for a 16 year old defenseman and should be a great asset to have alongside Xavier Ouellet (also 16 years old) on the blue line for the next 3 seasons. While Ouellet's game brings an offensive threat from the blue line, Donnelly provides a strong two-way game filled with toughness.

In short, Donnelly alone seems to be a solid return for Wall. Should the Juniors hit a home run at the import draft (I believe Val D'Or's pick will be among the top 10) and convince their top European draft pick to join the team next season, this trade will look huge!

3. Pierre-Antoine Dion, arguably the Juniors' best power forward, was traded to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in exchange for Patrick Lapostelle and a 2nd round pick in 2011.

Note: The 2nd round pick in 2011, like the DRU picks in 2010, is rumoured to be traded back to the Eagles at the 2010 QMJHL entry draft in exchange for an "overaged" player....no insight as to who this player may be). Meanwhile, Lapostelle brings size and energy to the Juniors' 4th line.

In summary, the Juniors were "sellers" this season and were able to remain fairly competitive for the upcoming playoffs. The true return for their trades will be seen next season when the Juniors will be considered a top 5 team in the QMJHL.