Gainey's Mark Streit dilemma

[Habsfan84]

Mark Streit is probably the most versatile player in the NHL. Not only does he help anchor the league's top power play but in addition he has become a fixture in the forward ranks of the Montreal Canadiens. Singled out by head coach Guy Carbonneau as one of the Habs most essential players he has been a key component in the unexpected rise of the team into one of the league's best.
Streit currently ranks fifth in scoring amongst defenceman and his 52 points place him fifth amongst all Habs scorers and only 1 point behind Saku Koivu, the Habs captain. It's been quite a coming out party for Streit, the only Swiss born skater currently playing in the NHL. Drafted in 2004 by the Canadiens, Streit has faced one obstacle after another to get to this point. After all not many players drafted in the ninth round with the 262nd pick overall even make the NHL, much less excel in it.
Mark Streit also holds one other distinction; he is the biggest bargain in the league, being paid the lowly figure of $600,000 per year. And while this has been to the Canadiens benefit, it is unfortunately one that will end when this season concludes because Mark Streit is also a pending unresticted free agent.
Bob Gainey, the Canadiens general manager has been down this road before. Last year, faced with three defencemen all going down the free agent route he made the decision to sign one, let one go, and trade another. Now with the benefit of hindsight it's hard not to argue with his decisions. Andrei Markov, resigned by the Canadiens is the unquestioned best blueliner on the team and a potential Norris Trophy candidate. Sheldon Souray decided to take more money and security from the Oilers, and subsequently rewarded Edmonton with a lost season buried in injuries. Craig Rivet was dealt to the San Jose Sharks, with the end result being the Habs acquiring the dependable Josh Gorges and a first round pick that turned out to be Max Pacioretty.
At the time there was some criticism of Gainey's moves but hindsight and the Habs surprising success has silenced this dissent. Now Gainey is going to have make this decision again. With the Canadiens finding themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference, there are new concerns for Gainey. The teams success has been the result of many younger players taking their game to the next level. And while that is good for the team this year, it also translates into pay increases for the players most responsibe. The next year or two will see Gainey and the Canadiens brass have to make decisions about the long term futures in Montreal of players like Mike Komisarek, Andrei Kostitsyn, Chris Higgins, Tomas Plekanec, and more.
Where does Mark Streit fit into this equation?
No one questions Streit's versatility to the Canadiens but is he irreplaceable? Many naysayers point out that Streit is a product of those around them, and that without Markov and Alex Kovalev his statistics would take a tumble. Others take issue with his defensive play and his supposed lack of scoring punch as a forward. On the flipside his contribution this year can't be overlooked, and neither can his willingness to do and play wherever is best for the team.
With the NHL now firmly in the salary cap era, the main function of each general manager to accurately judge his talent, while working within a budget. Overpaying a player, whose performance doesn't match his contract can have dire consequences. However, just because you're afraid to overpay a player, doesn't mean that some other team won't. Is Streit worth $2 million a season to the Canadiens? $3 million, $4 million, $5 million ???
Just another summer and another free agent defenseman decision for Bob Gainey and the Canadiens.