Montreal Canadiens: Bob Gainey's dilemma.

The 2008-2009 NHL season is now in a crucial phase. For many teams who plans on being a part of the playoffs, it is now a race towards the finish line.

For teams like the Boston Bruins, the San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings, staying healthy is the only condition to be competitive and to have a legitimate shot at the Stanley Cup. But for a team like the Montreal Canadiens, some help from their General Manager will be needed.

The Canadiens have lost their last three games, many players are currently underachieving and GM Bob Gainey knows too well that his actual team cannot compete and hope to win a seven-game series against the Boston Bruins, the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils. Only a significant move from Bob Gainey can pick his team up to the opposition level.

Tomas Plekanec, Sergei Kostitsyn, Roman Hamrlik and Christopher Higgins are four players that should give more to the team. More than often, their contribution is timid.

So this is Bob Gainey's dilemma: Who can I get and who am I ready to give away in return? We all heard about the rumors that Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier could be on the market over the last few weeks. But how about his line mate Martin St-Louis? Could he be a solution for the Canadiens?

Other rumors suggests that defense men Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers is one of Gainey's options. Once again, what is the price tag for this solid defense men?

Gainey also has eight expiring contracts on his hands. Among those eight players we have Mike Komisarek, Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev. Who does Bob wishes to re-sign?

Bob Gainey has work on his hands. Like a game of chess, it is now his time to move a pawn. Canadiens' fans are holding their breath until the trade deadline.