From Matt Sekeres at the Globe:

Officially, the NHL trade deadline is March 3, but in reality, it’s Feb. 15. That’s the day the league shuts down for the 2010 Olympics. League play resumes on March 1.

Something lured Vancouver’s brass to Montreal to see a game between two teams below the playoff line...

Sekeres tables two theories:

1. Gillis and Co. are taking another look at David Backes who, if the Blues sputter out of the playoff picture, could be a cheap and more effective third line pivot than Pudge.

2. Gillis and Co. are targeting Carlo Colaiacovo and/or Darryl Sydor who are both cheap defensive options in case of injury or to ultimately replace the hole Matty Schneider left.

I guess the Montreal options - Tomas Plekanec, Andrei Kostitsyn or Georges Laraque (just kidding) - weren't on the agenda.

We haven't seen MG terribly aggressive when it comes to trades (basically the Bernier and Ehrhoff trades are under his belt and he stood pat at last year's deadline) but I'll throw my weight behind bolstering the third line, be it in the form of Backes or anyone else.

As for the defense, I'd steer clear of Sydor-esque answers and focus on younger replacements. I'm sure Ossi would answer wherever he is (oh, there he is).

What say you?