YOU PLAY GM: Chris Higgins
How badly to do you want Smithtown’s own?
[Please note: Like the You Play GM segment on Brendan Witt, this is a one Comment per reader thread]
Chris Higgins is a left wing/center for the Montreal Canadiens, a struggling team that’s in a dogfight to make the playoffs in its Centennial season (no pressure there!). The Canadiens are a franchise with a lot of needs and some salary cap problems.
Higgins is 6-0, 205 pounds. He can skate, he can hit and he has pretty good hands. In his previous three NHL seasons, he had 27, 23 and 22 goals. In this setback and injury-plagued year he has just 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points in 35 games.
If Higgins was having a great season, he would not be available. For the right deal, he is available.
Chris Higgins, all of 25 years old, was raised in Smithtown, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Okay, so he supposedly grew up a Canadiens fans. Big whoop. He also hangs out on the Island in the summer with DiPietro.
Brendan Witt for Higgins is not a do-able deal. Neither is Witt plus a draft pick. This would likely have to be a lot more complicated, with more salary coming back to the Islanders, some ability going back to the Canadiens. But Higgins to the Islanders, with a little creativity, is not out of the question.
As we mentioned, Higgins - a restricted free agent this summer - has scored more than 20 goals each of the last three seasons. That may not put him in the All-Star Game, but let’s be real: that would have made him a legend, a local hero around these parts. However, a glimpse just to the right of the goal column finds his assist totals: 25 (last season), 16 and 15.
So last season Higgins had 52 points. This year is a down year. His first two years in the league he had 38 points each. Not bad.
But is Chris Higgins, at 25, a developing player who will continue to get better? (After all, this is just his 4th NHL season after two years at Yale and one in the American League). Or is it possible he is merely a solid, 40-50 point player? And if that’s the case, can you trade for him and put him on the board on your second line? His width is okay, but don’t you wish your next Islanders acquisition was closer to 6-3?
The last thing the Islanders need is another third-line player they try to masquerade as a lot more. The last thing the Islanders need to do is - like my Yankees of the early ’90s - sign a .500 pitcher and wonder why he’s not winning 20 games for them. But that’s just the cynical side. That’s why in our second segment of You Play GM, you have to make the call.
Here’s ours. Seems to us 25-year old Christopher Higgins of Smithtown would be both a bold and effective stroke for the rebuild. Seems to us he’d look good in an Islanders uniform alongside Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Blake Comeau, Frans Nielsen, Trent Hunter and the team’s first pick in the 2009 draft.
Please make your decision in Comments. One post per reader. Thanks.
121 Responses to “YOU PLAY GM: Chris Higgins
How badly to do you want Smithtown’s own?”
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I would trade anyone on the team right now for Higgens except Okposo and Bailey.
DP excluded of course…SW
I know Chris personally and although he wouldn’t mind being traded here, he’d rather stay in Montreal. As for teh actual deal, I’d rather hold out for the bigger…and better Mike Komisarek [for hometown heroes sense] I think Montreal would want too much from us to get Higgs, and I don’t think it would be in our best interest to acquire him. I like him, but I would pass.
He’d look good on a line with Tavares. with Kyle Josh and Blake on the second. Bergy Frans and Trent we have 3 decent lines.
I would try and trade for him, but I think the cost would be too high. We have the draft picks, but who off this roster is going to help them now? Martinek would fit the bill on defence, but I think they would want someone up front as well.
Would love to do the deal, but don’t see it happening.
instead of witt, would campoli have been a better fit, salary wise?
How about Martinek, Tambellini and a conditional 2nd for Higgins?
Higgins is a hometown boy but I think Witt means more to us now than bringing Higgins in.
I’m just not sold on giving up on Witt, you win from the net out and we need Witt’s toughness on the blueline as well as on the team as a whole until our kids are ready to leave the nest and fly on their own.
DMen, i would do that if it meant us getting Komi next year. I think if bringing in Higgins means Komi would follow I would try to get it done. Imagine Witt and Komi and Streit and Sutton as your top 4.
(BringtheReign)KO is a first line player.
(Joe in Pequa) I totally agree. I really like Higgins. If getting him over here means Komi would come too…i gotta do it. These are young guys that can really help this team.
Agree with Joe. I would want to know how close Higgins is with Komisarek. If they are close, then a deal for Higgins is like Torrey trading Terry Crisp for Jean Potvin in late 1973 as a means of enticing Denis to sign with us over the WHA.
If Montreal is having cap problems and Higgins about to be restricted and having a down year, wouldn’t it be cheaper to get him in the offseason when Montreal has to make tough choices? Otherwise I probably wouldn’t pay the price.
I don’t think the Islanders have the pieces that Montreal would want to make this happen. But here goes nothing.
To MTL:
NYI first round pick from San Jose.
Freddy Meyer (he would help them out and fits their style)
To NYI:
Higgins
I don’t think this will happen but thats my best offer on short notice.
This deal is a little too abstract for me CB. Not sure what “creative” would mean. I think Higgens is a good young player and I think the fans would like “having one of their own” play in front of them but not sure how comfortable I’d feel adding picks plus Witt to the package…We could just try and buy him (barring a Canadien match) after this year.
Do we know if he is a fit with Gordon? He has to be otherwise it is a waste.
hey chris.
When you say Witt plus a draft pick would not get it done, what do you think would get it done? Would it be more of what else the Islanders would have to give up or is it more of what the Islanders would have to take back in salary? Either way, I think you make this happen. With Bailey, Nielsen, and Higgins at center, you could like those three up for the next 10 years and then focus on Victor Hedman in the draft.
My take on this is the Isles have flxibility with all the room they have with the CAP, they can probably get a young player like Higgins and take some of the salary off the team that is struggling with CAP issues, like the Canadians. Snow probably identified 10-15 players similiar to Higgins who would be a good fit for the Isles. If Snow can make some good decisions on 2 or 3 of these young players, who have potential to grow and produce, it will get us to a competitive level again sooner rather than later. Also I am now convinced Witt is probably going to be moved before the deadline.
Interesting post CB. Seems like there has been a lot of chatter on the Internet re a trade for Higgins. I think he is available.
Your proposal, however, is very abstract. A lot of questions remain unanswered:
1- What are Higgy’s salary demands? He only has one year left before he becomes a UFA. What if he signs a one-year deal and leaves?
2- Is Higgins a solid second line guy or is he more of a 3rd line grinder/pk guy? The jury is still out. If he’s just another Mark Parrish, then he’s not worth significant assets.
3- Can he help lure Komi from the Habs? I hear they are good buds. If so, why would Gainey trade him and risk losing Komi?
4- Some in the French press have reported that Higgins likes to party. Is this true? What is his character? We can’t bring in a guy who will leave negatively influence the kids.
5- What is the cost? Vets or kids/picks? I’d be willing to give up Witt, Marty, Guerin, or Park in the right package.
If it hurts… at all, I wouldn’t do it. I don’t care for the sentimental (of course, I don’t live in New York) - I want to win, continuously. Sacrificing our future for a sentimental favorite isn’t good business to me.
Haven’t we learned from Ryan Smyth? Don’t trade for players whose contracts are about to run out!
I would love to have higgins come to us but only if it was a reasonable deal. I would not give them the sharks 1st, but maybe a 2nd. So something like the leafs 2nd and Martinek maybe? I have the feeling that chris still has alot of potential left.
Chris
You take out KO, Bailey, Comeau and the isles’ 1st rounder, what else do they have that MTL would even want? Trent Hunter? Richard Park? Radek Martinek? If I were MTL, those are not the kind of guys i am dealing higgins for. Okposo would be the guy i would be looking at. No thanks.
no thanks…. I think his value is inflated… and I think he is alot like Campoli, in that we have seen the best he has to offer at the age of 25 (I actually think Higgins is a year older than Campoli). For what we’d have to give up for Higgins, I’d rather package a little more and get a true second line scorer, or just say no thanks and build through the draft..Higgins is a good 3rd liner or mediocre 2nd liner.
I’d take him on the Isles but we simply wouldn’t trade for him. It would cost us too much. With the rebuild, we won’t give up prospects or draft picks that would be required to make this deal. Since they are in a salary cap squeeze, we’d have to do a deal with them where we take back a large salary or two and we would have to give them something that comes cheap such as draft picks or prospects otherwise they don’t save cap space.
So the 1st rounder and Meyer for Higgins isn’t likely. We’d have to take one of their larger contracts of a player they probably want to get rid of like Robert Lang who is making $4 million and is a UFA after this season. You also know they’d love to trade Hamrlik, his $5.5 million for the next two years, and his controversial mob connection.
FYI…Higgins is making $1.9 million this year.
So the trade would be something like:
Isles get:
Higgins
Lang/Hamrlik
MTL gets:
Witt
SJ 1st rounder
MTL then saves cap space, gets Witt and a reasonable price for the next few years and gets SJ first round pick.
With that being said, I still want to keep Witt and I don’t see Snow involving that pick in a trade unless it’s on draft day.
I would rather have Mike Komisarek - and we would only have to open up $$ to get him - I like Higgins fine - but dont want to overpay for someone just because of his birth certificate.
Don’t see MTL dealing him. Not sure if he is a guy we would be pining over if he was not from here.
How about Witt, a prospect and a #2 for Higgins…or Witt and SJ #1 for him…
Now you’re talking CB. I’m not sure if I mentioned it here or on IM, but Higgins is someone I’ve been thinking about on the 2nd line for months now. I don’t think he’s a first liner, but he’s a legit 2nd line Wing that will score for us, not against us (seems like he always has points against the Isles) Wanna get creative about a deal, I have a couple of scenarios and all involve Bruno Gervais. The French Canadian kid for the LI kid. Now that’s just the start, here are the full options:
Bruno, Weight, 2nd Rounder for Higgs, A. Kostitsyn (too many reasons the Habs want him out)
Bruno and 2010 1st Rounder for Higgs and 2nd
**Bruno, 2009 2nd & 3rd for Higgs and O’Byrne
I think the last is the best option and should get it done.
“Seems to us he’d look good in an Islanders uniform alongside Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, Sean Bergenheim, Blake Comeau, Frans Nielsen, Trent Hunter”
What are you leaving us to trade?
I’d like Higgens here, and especially if it made it more appealing for Komisarek to come aboard. If that’s the play then…
To Mon:
Isles 1st rnd (from OTT via SJ)+
Bruno Gervais (cause they love their French Canadians in Mon.)
If they want Tamby they can have him too.
@#18 Higgens is a RFA…it’s entirely different than the Smyth deal.
Higgins for 1sr rder (SJS) and Debindetto and Gervais
I believe Higgins is a RFA (correct me if I’m wrong CB or anyone else). With that, I would expect the already cash-strapped Canadiens to look to move him rather than give him a pay increase.
I’d think he’d be a good fit for this Islander team. Even as a 3rd liner, he’s more talented than anyone we have at that level. More likely, he’d serve as a strong 2nd line winger and for the time being would look great on the top line w/Okposo (that is, until the Isles are able to bring in more established top line players).
With that, I’d offer a roster player and a pick (nothing more than a 2nd for Higgins). I wouldn’t move the SJ 1st rounder for Higgins.
Love to see Higgins for the right price, and Komisarek for the UFA [way overpaid] price.
Do I think it will happen? Eric Nystrom and Zach Parise tell me I’ll believe it when I see it. Just because there’s an Islanders or Long Island connection, this organization hasn’t shown an inclination to bring them aboard.
If Campoli nets a late first-rounder, I can’t see the Isles meeting the price MTL would ask for Higgins. In theory it’s a nice fit, but there are likely a good half-dozen or so centers that better fit the mold of the Snow/Gordon regime who will be available over the next two years that won’t command the price that Higgins likely would, both in dollars and in terms of what would be sacrificed for the rebuild. Unless it’s a steal for the Isles, I vote nay.
Send an offer sheet in the off-season. Otherwise I like the deal sending Hamrlik this way to help MTL capwise and also Witt and San Jose’s 1st the other way.
However. It all depends on. Do we wish this team to push for the play-offs next season (keep Witt). Or are we fine with waiting out another season (trade Witt)?
Everybody whos not getting it and adding players to the Islanders side and not to the Montreal side, the Canadiens have NO cap room. They need to send some inflated, non-producing player to us along with Higgins to make any kind of deal work
Just because he’s from Long Island doesn’t necessarily mean the Islanders have to go after him. Same thing with Komisarek. Good players, I know but I mildly resent the implication that the Islanders Have to be interested…just because.
Nope. No thank you. Not at this juncture anyway. Beyond the *local* connection he just doesn’t stand out THAT much. Lots and lots of BS going on in Montreal right now…heck, lots of BS going on with all of the play-off potential teams. Let them all rearrange the deck chairs and if a great deal falls into the islanders lap then terrific.
Would love to see Garth add any good player. But I don’t think he has the assets to acquire good players unless a team is in dire cap/financial straits. The players and picks any team would want are the only assets we have going forward. Beyond that very small group everything else is not that enticing.
I think (and hope I am wrong) that no one will want Garth’s magic beans and we will have to draft wisely this offseason and hope to add 1-2 older vets who can help and hopefully he can find a diamond out of someone’s coal (like Blake from LA).
Unless we blow both Mike and Chris out of the water with money, neither of them will be playing on Long Island any time soon. First the Islanders don’t have the assets to aquire Chris in a trade from Montreal and second the two of them really have no desire to play on Long Island but then again money does talk, It’s a sad truth
it would be a nice story that would be easy for nyi to market. first i want to make sure that higgins isn’t involved in the kostistyn brothers/hamrlik mess in any way. if nyi are sure that he’s not in any legal trouble and that he’s got top 6 forward potential then i deal gervais and a second. mtl has a lot of money coming off it’s books so they should be ok cap-wise this summer. i want nothing to do with hamrlik. if we have to take back a big salary that’s fine as long as they are a ufa this summer.
I agree with Pat (23)
I’d do it if it doesn’t mean any of the young guns or our first rounder this year. He could help speed up the rebuild a bit.
OK, here goes:
TO MTL:
Bill Guerin
Sean Bergenheim
1st Rd Pick from SJ/OTT
TO NYI:
Chris Higgins
Steve Begin
Mathieu Dandenault
In their Centennial season, it is imperative for MTL to get into the playoffs. It has been a soap opera in Montreal this season. They need more goals, leadership, and to improve their power play, and Guerin helps those areas. Bergenheim will bring energy and will help justify the trading of 25-yr old Higgins. Bergy would look good next to fellow Finn Saku Koivu. Dandenault and Begin hardly play for the Habs, and are only in the deal to make the salaries work, so for this season it is essentially Guerin and Bergenheim for a struggling Higgins. For next year, the Habs can justify it as they got Bergy + a 1st Rdr for Higgins, who is heading to RFA status.
For the Isles, it basically comes to down Campoli + Bergenheim for Higgins. I’ll sign on for that.
Some of the earlier ideas were creative, but some facts: Hamrlik has a limited NTC, so I don’t think he would waive it to come back to LI. Lang is hurt right now, so I don’t think he will be moved. The Habs love French Canadians, but have plenty of young D-Men in their system, so I don’t think they would be enticed by Gervais.
Would Guerin waive his NTC? To go to Montreal, a playoff contender, and to show his worth as he is approaching UFA status - yes! He’s also familiar with Guy Carbonneau from their days in Dallas.
This is a trade that makes sense for both clubs - Gainey and Garth, go for it!
I don’t see a fit. He’s not good enough (yes, I think he’s close to peaked) for us to give up what it would take for Montreal to let go of him down the stretch.
However, for the marketability/talent daily double, I’d definitely throw silly money at Komisarek over the summer.
Finally, in my experience, it’s never wise to bank on the “maybe he’ll bring his friend” theory. It so so rarely happens.
Witt, San Jose’s first, our latest second, Jeff Tambellini, and Sean Bergenheim
for
Montreal’s second, Chris Higgins, and Mike Komisarek, and a B-level prospect
Forget Higgins the Islanders need draft picks not another twenty something with untapped potential, even if he comes from LI. Addition by subtraction is this years theme. Rather have kunitz anyway
I think putting Tambellini in any trade is pointless. There just isn’t any value for a supposed goal scorer that has 6 in 121 career games. I’d take Kunitz over Higgins in a second and getting him seems more likely.
I think the habs could use some toughness if front of a young Carey Price like a Witt, so of course we would need to take some salary from them, and give them a pick.
to NYI
C Higgins
D Dandenault
to Mtl
D Witt
Bos 2nd rd pick 09
Dandenault if a ufa at years end, and has not played alot this year for them. Maybe it is too much to give up, but I know a hometown boy would have fans on the fence. Doubt it would ever happen, but it would be fine with me.
Chris Can I change my vote? After reading all these enlightened comments, I don’t want any players here who have scored over 20 goals for the last 3 seasons, either.
We have so many of them now.
Oh wait, we don’t have any.
Then I don’t want him because he would be lonely…….SW
It sounds like the ideal project for the Islanders to take him during an off year, betting on him upping his play and stats at least for a year. Yet my gut tells me don’t do it. Where he’s from doesn’t matter.
Although it would never happen, if you can get Higgins you get him! MTL will never trade him and if they do I think Isle fans tend to forget there are 29 other teams that would bid for him ,and have many more valuable piece’s to trade than the NYI! Higgins is 25! Of course he is valuable to this re-building team. We can only pray that our #1 pick from San Jose in his 3rd NHL year is scoring 50 points! Guy’s you have to remember that we will be in a bidding war for all these UFA’s and talented available players. We just don’t have much to offer!If Higgins would play here, I would trade anything but our #1 pick, OKposo and Streit to get him!Higgins is a leader who was being touted as a future Canadian Captain!You make the trade!
Ah, Botta…you tossed out the names Prucha and Lupul in previous blogs and we never heard the end of it. What is gonna happen now that you’ve thrown a LI’er at them?
I admire Higgins the player. He is a competent player. The fact he can play LW is a bonus. However, the Isles can do a lot better. You say Chris Higgins and I say Scott Hartnell would be a much better fit. I don’t care where a player is from just the talent and character.
I can think of many players I’d rather have, not naming prospects I say Hartnell, Bieksa, Byfuglen, Tuebert, J. Johnson just to name a few.
I think a better deal could be made with Boston. Boston has interest in Witt and Guerin according to their local papers. They have a highly rated system that Mr. Gordon is very familar with. They have many of their best young vets heading into some form of free agency in the next two years and according to their GM it is a problem for them. I say look there, I am sure there are some guys Gordon wants out of there.
I still want Komisarik. Other then that I would be concerned of making any deal with Montreal. Not only is their the mob/drug investigation going on but it is reported many of their youngers players are seriously frequently prostitues.
I won’t throw a fit if the Isles get Higgens but they can do better (I am sure their PR and marketing departments would disagree with me).
Like everything else around the deadline, depends on what it costs us. If it’s reasonable, I’m all for it.
Higgins, Komi and DP all work out together in the offseason. Get Higgins, sign Komi and Gilroy. Bring all the LI boys back.
To be honest with you, I cant see myself giving more then one of the 2nd round picks up for Higgins..This is a rebuilding team..Id much rather make a hard run at Komo in the off season (if we are talking about home grown guys)..That being said..if i had to put something together maybe id trade:
Going to MTL
2nd round pick
Ben Walter
Martinek
Tambellini
Going to NYI
Higgins
All and all..i really want to hold out for KOMO and draft Tavares #1..
Komi is a much better option but I wouldnt hate getting Higgins. I thought maybe guy like Hartnell would be good (as Strummer said), I think we need more size. Hartnell brings decent physical play along with a good set of hands. Then try one of the LI boys after July 1st.
I’d love to see Higgins in an Isles uniform.
Higgins is a nice player, who would look good in an Isles uniform. However, I am more interested in Komisarek, who carries a larger salary. I would look to package a bigger deal on a sign and trade basis, so we know that we get Komi and have him locked in on a 3 year contract. So how about Higgins, Komi & Lang to Isles for Witt, Gervais, 2nd of our picks in Rd 2, Park or Hilbert, Thompson & Tambellini
NYI gets: Chris Higgins
Roman Hamrlik
Montreal 1st round pick
Mon gets: Trent Hunter
Radek Martinek
TOR 2nd round pick
Isles 3rd round pick
I’m loading my gun if the Isles get Roman Hamrlik back.
Hey I don’t love it either but they need to trim his salary and him being linked with the gang situation up there isn’t going to help him.
Maybe take away the 2nd rounder, but the bottom line is if we can get another 1st rounder and a young LW for Marty, Hunts and a 3rd pick then I can live with Hamrlik for 2 years.
Witt, Guerin and a 2nd rnd pick to MTL for Higgins. We eat Witt, Guerin, and Higgins salary.
Send Tambellini to Pittsburgh for Mike Zigomanis, Tim Wallace, or package Tamby with the SJ pick and Jon Sim for Ryan Whitney…
I think Montreal has one of the worst power plays so somehow including Weight might be a help in a deal. Obviously he’s hurt and wouldn’t warrant much of a return by himself but depending on his status hes cheap and very productive, especially on the pp. We could take as much salary as Montreal wants to give. Maybe a 3 team deal gets this done. I’d love to have this guy but I question his attitude due to the recent stuff in Mtl. Im on the fence, my guts tells me dont do it.
I don’t think the Isles have enough to offer to get Higgins here, but if they did and were able to get Gainey to give up this promising kid, you absolutely do it.
i’m gonna pass on higgy…i like chris but the price will be too high and i am not sold on him being a top 6 forward
No reason to overpay for him. He’s no messiah and he’s certainyl no Carter/Richards/Getzlaf/Kessel type (yet).
If the price isn’t too much and Snow is ready to take back salary in the process, Higgins is young and skilled enough to play a good role in an up ‘n comin’ Islanders team.
Between his stats this year and the recent “press”-claimed relations, Montreal would not be dealing from a position of strength. Then again, that might make them wise to keep him.
Pass on Higgins. There are better top-end players the Isles should shoot for, if they wanted to accelerate the rebuild.
He’s 6′ tall? He can Hit? Born here? Bring him home.
No, wouldn’t do it. Not sure how Higgins would improve the Isles, sure he may be an upgrade over Sim, Park in terms of potential offensive points. But I’m feel the cost would be too high (fairly certain they wouldn’t want Sim, Park et al. in return) and the deal would just be a like-for-like trade (so would there be any point?).
However:
To Isles
Higgins,
Komisarek
To MtL:
SJ 1st
Tambellini
…is something I’d go for but would be just pure fantasy…
No deal, sounds like this guy doesn’t even want to play for us. Last thing we need is another Kirk Muller or Trevor Linden.
If they would take brendan witt, Tambellini and maybe a 2nd I would do it in a heart beat. They probably would not though.
I also must says ome of these deals people are coming up with are just crazy. Teams wouldnt take jon sim for free now he being included in deals? Also just because you include all the crappy players on our team doesnt make the deal any good. Especially when you have good players coming to the Island
not enamored with him and inmho not enough upside to justify a trade….
This is a tough call CB ~ The thing is the Isles aren’t “desperate” at this point to acquire a player that is going to help the team “right now” so that gives them a slight edge with anyone they deal with.
What kind of help are the Habs looking for? With Hig’s #’s we might be able to throw up a #2 pick and perhaps Marty if they need D help or Park if they need 2 way forward help … ::shrugs:: I’m not sure what they want in exchange. Higs would be a good fit here though.
As has been said already, this is the kind of move you make to set the table for a bigger move, like, say, luring Higgins’ good friend and fellow LIer Mike Komisarek away from Les Habs.
Looking at the Habs’ salary picture, they have three players making more than $3M on the books past the end of this season: Markov ($5.75M/2 more years - their best defenseman - he’s not going anywhere), Andrei Kostitsyn ($3.25M/2 - probably going to end up with 30 goals this year - they probably wouldn’t move him, even with the mob ties) and Roman Hamrlik. Hammer’s at $5.5M for 2 more years. If I were GM I would gladly take Kosti at that price, but we’d have to send a forward to them in the deal to help them now… which is why we’d likely end up with Hammer. I liked Hammer when he was here (still have my #4 jersey), but with Streit already here, Hammer would be a redundant (and expensive) part.
Final verdict: do this if you can get a third team involved to send a forward to Montréal and can get Kostitsyn.
If he wasn’t a native Long Islander half the people here wouldn’t know who he was and we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. It’s not enough of a reason. I’m not sold on this whole home town hero thing anyway. It takes a certain kind of person to perform well under all the circumstances that come with it. Does Higgins have what it takes? I don’t think its worth using what few chips we have going into this trade deadline to take that chance.
he’s a Ranger’s Fan, who needs him!
Intriguing, but as other bloggers have mentioned, just because hes from Long Island doesnt make him a fit. I like his upside, and at 25, I would take him but not overpay cause hes from Smithtown. My ex-wife is from Smithtown, and I definately overpaid!!!!!
I really don’t see mtl trading him before the deadline, why not wait in the off season…I would throw in comeau and a 2nd
@ #70 i think you are right on the money on everything you said, well everything except for the part about Hamrlik when he was here (wasn’t a big fan of his). But assuming there was no 3rd team involved this would be my deal:
Isles get:
Hamrlik
Higgins
2009 #2 rd
Montreal gets:
Witt
Hunter
2010 #3 rd
The isles would take on approx $3-3.5mm more in annual salary (depending on what higgins signs for) and montreal would get the increased physical presence they desperately need.
My big question is can he succeed when he’s not playing with top flight players on all sides and on other lines. He’s a nice player but I don’t give up too much for him. Witt, yes. Draft pick, not first round but sure. Other young players, no. And I have no problem taking back salary b/c the Isles will be near the cap floor regardless but it’s got to be salary with potentail and salary with youth. Taking back salary for the sake of salary makes no sense.
Lets stop with the obsession with long island guys, and former islanders’ kids already. We are starting to sound like maple leafs fans. Higgins is a player but we have more pressing needs than acquiring another Trent Hunter because he is from Smithtown. All the Long Island guys in the world (Komisarek, Higgins, Gilroy) aren’t going to be able to invent the way back machine so we can draft Parise. Enough already.
I wouldn’t break the bank on getting Higgins. He sounds like he currently would contribute a little more on the scoresheet then Comrie… potential-wise he might get better, he might stay the same, he could have already peaked even. At best he sounds like a 2nd line player. I wouldn’t be pissed if we got him, but i would be pissed if we overpaid for him. So I say no to Higgins.
If we have to give up more than Witt and a 2nd than no deal. It isnt worth it for reason you mentioned CB.
Some of these comments are ridiculous. MTL wants no part of our trash like Tamby, Sim or Ben Walter. If they have little value here on the Island like they do, what makes anyone think they are going to sweeten the deal with Witt. Get real people
Bringing Chris Higgins to the Isles would result in his stats going down even further, since he would no longer would get to play AGAINST the Islanders. That’s roughly 8 points gone right there. The Isles should save their money and use their cap space to overpay a worthy top UFA defenseman or two once we show some real promise up front after this year’s draft (hopefully). I’d rather let Bergenheim continue to develop and re-sign Weight another year than give away prospects or picks for a second/third line player….even he is from LI.
My deal is Martinek, sim and a #2 for higgins and laraque.
You know what better deal. Hunter and Martinek for Higgins and Laraque and a pick.
I’d see if I can send Witt, and Sim, and 2-3 if necessary for Higgins plus picking up a good deal of the tab for Witt
some people here are smoking crack…Witt Jonesuu and Tor 2nd for Higgins and $$ contract player like a hamrlik. i like him and being a local product matters. How many Higgins jerseys will the isles sell?
How about we just save a lot of time and just throw a bunch of money at Komisarek? haha
CB — When did this become WFAN with all these ludicrous trade offers? Why not ask for Carey Price too for the sake of the Habs future cap?
Higgs is a very solid player, kills penalties, gets PP time, and (up until this year) was dubbed the future captain of the Canadiens (no small feat for an Amerk).
However, just like yesterday’s discussion w/ Komi, Snowman needs to be careful in not grossly overpaying just b/c he’s an LI boy. That said, last I checked we don’t have too many 20+ goal scorers .. especially under 35
I don’t want him that badly. Regardless, of his “possible” upside, this is not the type of player that should cause you to deviate from a rebuild. Meaning no 1st round picks or core young players. If Montreal wants to unload some dead wood and throw in Higgins to sweaten it, you make a trade. Otherwise, no need for another third line, potential second line, player on this team.
If Montreal thinks Komisarek is leaving, Witt would be a perfect fit for them in 09/10. Obviously Komisarek is the real prize for the Isles, and a hint from his camp could help us lock in on Taveras.
Seems that Higgens is not offering much to Montreal right now in thier 100yr season…so loading them up with Witt, Weight if he gets healthy, and maybe convincing Guerin to go along for 2 months could get it done.
Maybe a handshake deal with Guerin for a 09/10 contract on LI would convince him to go.
If Montreal misses the playoffs, they are going to blow it up anyway, so Higgens may not be in thier long term plans anyway.
I’d absolutely love for the Islanders to land Higgins. This might be a little biased though since I know him personally from being good friends with his younger brother. I also skate with him and Komisarek over the summers, and can tell you he’s a great character guy thats always fun to be around. I’ve skated with a bunch of guys that are/were in the NHL, and Higgins is the best I’ve played with.
I can also say this, while not from any ’source’, I have a strong feeling that picking up Higgins would go a loooong way to being able to sign Komisarek this summer.
Leave Higgins in Montreal and go after a defenseman or two!
Gainey has already addressed his defence with Schneider. I think we’d have to give up Wieght (to replace Lang) and more. Being a canadian, i have seen Higgins’ play alot.
We don’t need him.
I couldnt care less that he is from Long Island. I dont care if we trade for him. He seems like a decent 2nd line player.
I’d pass. They are going to get (to this point) 5 picks in the first 2 rounds this year plus all of the picks from last year (some of which are starting to look good)Lets wait to see if we can do better wihout giving anything up for Higgins.
GM for a day is fun, here it goes. The Isles don’t trade anything for Higgins instead give him an offer sheet. Montreal can’t match and we have another piece to the core of youth and everything stays intact. As far as Komisarek goes I really want him to come to LI but I don’t think Montreal will be stupid enough to lose another great defenceman to FA. The last 3 summers they have lost Rivet, Souray, and Streit. I think Montreal isn’t going to let him walk.
I’d pass on Higgins… solid third liner with potential to be a 2nd liner, but isn’t the Isles system full of this potential already?
id take Higgins for Bruno and a late 2nd rd pick in this years draft, but only if Higgins WANTS to play here (he did grow up as a canadians fan).
id love to see more natives in the franchise. if i was the GM id do anything to get and keep: Zack Parise, Eric Nystrom, Mike Komisarek, Rob Scuderi, Gilroy, Colton Gillies, Brandon Sutter, keep Jeff Tambellini, develop Vladimir Nikiforov, Steve Tambellini GM, Brent Sutter coach, Butch Goring assistant coach, Brian Trottier assistant coach, Billy Smith Goaltending coach, Denis Potvin tv/radio commentator, Chico Resch tv/radio commentator, Jiggs Mcdonald tv/radio play by play, and Mike Bossy as team president!
Chris Higgins, being a hometown boy, is the kind of player you would like to ‘draft’ if he’s available with your second round selection, but let’s not get too sentimental here Chris. The rebuild must focus on getting the right players for the right reasons. Higgins is a decent player with a nice shot and if a deal could be done that obviously worked for both teams (or just the Islanders), why not? At this point though, I’d be questioning a gm who was going in this direction so early in the rebuild. It would be like, are you running out solid hockey plans and are throwing out bones already?
Don’t waste our resources for another 3rd liner. We already have Hunter of the exact same mould. Wait it out and sign Komisarek if we need a home town kid.
Based on your characterization of what would have to go back I would PASS.
he maxes out as a second liner and an expensive one at that with RFA next year. third and fourth line talent that can occasionally play 2nd line we have. . .i really could care less where they come from
Despite the fact that I’d love to add “hometown heroes” (notice the parenthesis), Isles fans really need to get off this bandwagon. Guys like Komi, Higgs and Scuds are not coming back to the Island. Higgins is a 3rd liner with upside, much like Eric Ny in Calgary. If I had a hundred dollar bill for every 3rd liner with upside that has come through this organization I’d be a REALLY rich man. It’s time to end this charade. Draft picks are the lifeblood of a sports franchise. The last thing we need is someone who will only use his local celebrity to engender favor with the fans rather than put up the points necessary to elevate this team past mediocrity.
Don’t do any trade involving Higgins. It would cost too much and not bring enough of an asset in return.
I think this is a no brainer provided it doesn’t cost a first or second round pick. Too bad Doug Weight is hurt maybe he could have helped the deal happen. I’d even trade Bergenheim for him.
I would consider adding him, but not until after we see how the whole Komisarek thing plays out. The lats thing I would want to do is give the Habs cap room so that they can bring back Komisarek. If at that point, it made sense, and the price was right, then you consider it. But he is not a guy we should over pay for.
I’d add him in a heartbeat, but for a reasonable price.
weight (because Gainey should insist on him as part of the deal) witt and gervais for higgins, either subban/o’byrne and the exclusive rights to negotiate with komisarek (masked as future considerations.
i think that’s a basis of a workable deal.
Bill guerin, Brendan Wiit for Higgins and mTL 2nd
As much as I like Higgins and being a hometown kid and all, the Habs would want too much for him. We don’t need another 3rd-liner/maybe 2nd liner on this team. We have enoough of those. We need health and top-line type guys.
Steve, I agree, but remember, Streit was only a PP specialist/spare defenseman/fourth line forward for the Habs.
I guess the question is what is Higgins’ real ceiling wrt goal scoring? 20 goals a year? 25? More than that?
My vote would be a second for Nick Classic’s post (103). I don’t think it’ll happen though.
to The Islander: Chris Higgins, Roman Hamrlik,
To Montreal: Blake Comeau, Ben Walter, Doug Weight
Didnt think this through too much, but we’ll have to take salary back in this trade i believe hamrlik has one more year left on a ridiculous contract. Plus it gives the Isles another asset at next years trade deadline. I gave them a great veteran in Weight basically as a throw in and Comeau and Walter as long term benefits of the trade. The only thing missing is a d-man to go the other way in hamrliks absence, but like i said didnt give it all that much thought.
witt and gervais for higgins is crazy talk….he has only hit 50 points once…people he’s a decent player…who MAY be a top 6 forward
I like Higgins, but only for the right price. I think Witt for Higgins is too much for the Isles to give up. Higgins will top out as a second line player on a contender. I would move Witt to Motreal, but I want more than Higgins in return. Higgins with a top prospect (not necessarily a premium prospect), I’d consider it.
I guess the real question is: how desperate are the Habs to clear cap space and/or move Higgins?
would love to add Higgins as he’s the type of player I like (stocky wingers that score and play physical ala stumpy thomas)
I dont think we’d have to overpay to get him out of montreal ; however , I’m worried we’ll overpay to sign him long term .
Everytime I’ve seen him, Higgins brings solid second-line jam. He’s a young homeboy that would create buzz and pride in LI.
I’d give Witt or Martinek plus change and take on an unwanted UFA-to-be. I’d take on an unwanted non-UFA-to-be only if he’s a young defenseman or two-way player.
If this guys available they should make every effort to get him !!This is the kind of player this team could really use ! Really good hands,good skater and has a good scoring touch…unlike most of our team 1
Personally, I don’t think a trade for Witt to the Canadiens takes place, especially if I’m GM. The Habs surely could use Witt’s toughness, but I don’t think they can afford to give up Higgins toughness at the same time. They are soft up front with all their Europeans and should they make the playoffs, they will be worked over by their competition. On the other hand, should Montreal make a sweet offer to the Isles one would have to consider it. I’d still like to see van riemsdyk come over from the Flyers.
I have not really been following Higgins’ play, so my decision is based solely on what I’ve read here.
He sounds like a great candidate player to target as an RFA. If we can hope he will peak at around 25G 25A…I do not think that’s worth any of our trading chips right now. However, that’s the type of under-the-radar, 2nd tier free agent signing that the Islanders have been known for recently. I don’t remember the details of RFA compensation packages, but it sounds like he makes low enough that the compensation will be more swallowable than the trade chips lost to get him [and probably lose him in the offseason]
Do we, as a rebuilding from the ground up team, need to be giving up future first round picks as compensation for signing an RFA like Chris Higgins? Not worth it in my mind.
What about Weight for Laraque and a 3rd? He wants out of Montreal and we could use the heavyweight champ. Thoughts??
Higgins is an offensive version of Campoli. Young, but not VERY young with certain undelveloped talent. Having a disappointing season after a few with signs of great promise. Adequate in size, but smaller than would really be desired.
Campy went for a late 1st rounder. I wouldn’t pay any more than that for Higgins… except maybe to take some of the Habs’ salary burden.
NO! I’m so tired of these 3rd line, borderline 2nd line players the Isles love so much. I would NOT do this trade! I don’t care where the hell he is from.
Komisarek is a player I would like. We could go after him this summer.
I would try to trade Witt, Guerin, and Weight for picks and good prospects.
Higgins always kicks Islander butt, but having seen him play 15 or 20 games overall, I wouldn’t pay too much for him. At this point, Gainey might not want too much. Maybe Gervais?
Honestly I have not followed Higgins this year to know about the injuries, but a player who is injury free and scores 25 goals & 55 pts is worth something but what are his demands.
CB????????? Let’s just say the Isles to have an accepted offer from the Habs for Higgins, prior to the deal being official could the Isles neg with his agent and get a new contract done? Probably not, but just asking…….
Oh BTW…. Higgins grew up a Blue Skirt fan…lol.