Analysis of the Mathieu Schneider trade from Atlanta

Montreal Canadiens receive: Mathieu Schneider, conditional (3-5th round) pick
Atlanta Thrashers receive: Montreal's 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft

In my opinion, this isn't a bad trade for Montreal if Schneider stays healthy. They get an experienced powerplay specialist who shoots left and has always been the shooter on the right side of the powerplay. This is exactly the position they've been missing this season on their powerplay and one that Mark Streit and Sheldon Souray (both left handed shots) filled prior to this year.

They trade second and third round picks, but they will receive a conditional third to fifth round pick based on playoff performance. If Montreal loses in the first round or doesn't qualify for the playoffs, they receive a third round pick which is more valuable than their own third rounder. If they make it past the first round, it become a fourth round pick. If they get through two rounds it becomes a fifth round pick.

What makes it even better is that Montreal traded Mikhail Grabovsky to the Leafs for their second round pick (Greg Pateryn) in last year's draft and a second round pick in this year's draft. Montreal will have a first round pick (their own) and two second round picks (Toronto's and Washington's which they acquired in return for Cristobal Huet at last year's deadline). The possibility exists too that they will receive Atlanta's third round pick as well.

Introduction

Just a small post to get going. I'm probably going to do a lot of posting about hockey, but I'm not afraid to comment on whatever sparks my interest, no matter what the topic.