Commenting on the adversity overcome, Swilling, previously a playoff performer with the Saints, said: "I've never been a part of anything like this in eight years.

"Why would he trade the consummate playoff performer to a team likely to win the Stanley Cup again?"

So Habs fans and media are now asking for his departure from Montreal, despite having been their best non-goalie playoff performer in the previous two postseasons.

Named the London Knights' top playoff performer in 2006.

"We definitely learned a lot from last year as a team," said Lemieux, who has been the club's best playoff performer.

"The collective bargaining agreement gives me options," said Holik, a 30-year-old center, who many felt was the Devils' top playoff performer because of his two-way play.

In addition, he is an outstanding playoff performer: last season, he snared 12 passes in three such games.

He's a playoff performer.

Vanbiesbrouck's success has loosened a tag he has carried as a disappointing playoff performer.

Bibby's transformation from steady floor leader to prime-time playoff performer seems to have happened in only a matter of weeks.