February 25, 2008 | 12:09pm ET
Gainey wants to add top-line talent TheFourthPeriod.com
It's no secret the Canadiens are trying to acquire a first-line goal-scorer before tomorrow's 3pm ET trade deadline, reports Montreal's La Presse.
The main focus of the Habs and GM Bob Gainey is Atlanta Thrashers sniper Marian Hossa.
Thrashers GM Don Waddell watched the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, face off against the Toronto Marlies on Sunday, there to scout some of Montreal's top young talent.
The Thrashers are believed to be asking for an NHL-proven player, a top prospect and a high draft pick, most likely a first-round pick, in exchange for Hossa.
Rumors suggest the Canadiens are willing to move such players as Chris Higgins, Michael Ryder, Mathieu Dandenault, Mikhail Grabovski, Kyle Chipchura and some of their top prospects.
According to Le Journal de Montreal, the Canadiens will be neck in neck with the Ottawa Senators for Hossa's services.
The Senators are believed to be dangling such players as Antoine Vermette, Nick Foglino and Andrej Meszaros.
Le Journal claims the Thrashers may also be looking at Canadiens prospects Matt D'Agostini, Mathieu Carle and Pavel Valentenko.
The Canadiens are also in the running for such players as Calgary's Alex Tanguay, Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal, Chicago's Martin Havlat and Edmonton's Jarret Stoll.
