Canadiens Trade for Robert Lang

[skacore]

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the acquisition of forward Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks, in return for a second-round selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft (acquired from Toronto along with Greg Pateryn, in return for Mikhaïl Grabovski, July 3, 2008).

Robert Lang, 37, will be entering his 15th NHL season in 2008-09. Last season, the centreman played 76 games with the Blackhawks, recording 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists), posting a plus-9 rating and serving 50 penalty minutes. It was the 8th consecutive season in his NHL career with 50 points or more.

Since breaking into the NHL back in 1992-1993, with the Los Angeles Kings, Lang played 875 regular-season games in the NHL, recording 635 points (234 goals and 401 assists), including 77 powerplay goals. He was also assessed 358 penalty minutes. In his NHL career, he played for Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington, Detroit and Chicago. His most productive season was in 2000-01 when he recorded 80 points (32 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games with the Penguins.

Born in Teplice, Czech Republic, Lang also played 87 playoff games recording 45 points (18 buts, 27 passes).

Lang, 6’3’’ and 216 lbs, was a 7th round selection, 133rd overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the 2004 NHL All-Star game as a member of the Washington Capitals.

On the world stage, Lang represented his country at the Olympic Games on four occasions, winning the gold medal in Nagano, back in 1998, and a bronze medal at the Torino games in 2006. He also played with the Czech National team in three World Championships and was a member of the national team for the 1996 World Cup.

[MrFrost]

What was the point of that trade?

[Habs # 1]

Nice... let's hope he stays healthy and puts up another 50 point + season.

[FlagsFan]

Kind of an odd trade out of the blue.

Im not sure what to think of it quite yet, i think i'll wait and see how effective Lang can be at this point.

[Killah_punk]

With Tanguay, Laraque, and now Lang the Canadians are stacked

[Isles4life]

Hmm. Interesting trade that I didn't see coming. The Habs have to consider themselves contenders in a pretty wide open Eastern Conference this year. So they clearly think that Lang provides them with some valuable offensive depth. Montreal would be very happy if they can get another 20 goal, 50 point guy in their lineup, assuming Lang doesn't fall off this year, which he may given his age. Meanwhile, the Hawks cut some salary and get a second rounder. I don't think this is a bad trade for either team. Chicago's chances of returning to the playoffs are much more dependent on how far Toews and Kane can take them.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by MrFrost

What was the point of that trade?

Chicago desperately needed to free up cap space.

[Tucker_316]

Tired of waiting around for Sundin to make up his damn mind, they went to plan B. They needed a big centre, now they have one. Not as skilled as Mats, but Lang is still good enough, he's a big body at centre, definitely a need, and had his best season playing with Kovy, which may end up being a factor down the line.

Good trade for both teams.

[vandymeer13]

I like the trade because Lang was lazy and the least physical player i've ever seen. But now we have Toews, Bolland, Kontiola and Burish as our centers. A total of 3 years NHL experience not a lot of experience.

[canuckfan]

Chicago needed to clear up space, and the Habs needed help at center. This trade addressed both those needs.

Plus, if there was any doubt before, this should pretty much put the nail in the coffin of Montreal's interest in Mats Sundin.

[Thrillhouse]

Hahaha, Lang will fit right in with the other bums who folded like cheap lawn chairs in the 2nd (and 1st) round.

[Tucker_316]

lol, a Leaf fan trying to mock a much superior team to his sack of losers.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by Tucker_316

lol, a Leaf fan trying to mock a much superior team to his sack of losers.

Oh sorry, I'll delete all the replies except for the ones from Habs fans, that'll be better.

[bengino]

so long as most fans don't expect much more then a 50 point campaign (at most) then this trade may not be so bad. Tanguay and Lang should put more points then Ryder at this point, unless Ryder has a complete turnaround season in Beantown.

As for the bum content, i think this deal is much more fair then the Cats - Leafs deal.

[thepolishkid88]

Montreal needs to stop poaching our former players, keep your hands of my ex-pens you bastards!

But all in all Lang will proably enjoy his last season there and they gave up way to much in return for Lang. I really dont see himas the player that he once was.