Did you hear?

Kevin Marshall, Patrick Cusack, Jonathan Bernier and a first round pick are being sent to Chicoutimi for Francis Pare and a bag of pucks.

It has to be true. I read it on Radoter.com.

Then, after that, the Maineiacs are going to flip Pare and Peter Delmas to Halifax for three draft picks and a rack of sticks.

That one has to be true, too. I heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another you’ve been messin’ around. (With all apologies to REO Speedwagon, I couldn’t resist).

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?

Welcome to the midseason trade period in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, when every die-hard fan with an Internet connection becomes more powerful than the 18 teams’ general managers. They concoct trades and purport to be in the know.

Now, before I hack every Internet poster to shreds, there are some people out there in the world of message boards who do know what is going on. But that applies to about one percent of the population.

It’s part of the fun of being a fan in this league, where you get to know so many of the players, and come to revile so many others. It gives fans a chance to answer the age-old question, “What would you do?”

Well, permit me to jump onto this bandwagon, be it ever so briefly.

The Lewiston Maineiacs, contrary to what many people believe, have a good team this year. In speaking with some press box bretheren recently, the best assessment of the Maineiacs at this point of the season is that they are a team of players who don’t quite realize how good they are yet.

Some of them, like Chris Tutalo, believe strongly that this team can make it back to the Memorial Cup.

In it’s current incarnation? Sorry boys.

But can it, with a few tweaks? Sure it can.

And yes, I know Halifax is getting Brad Marchand (he went and mouthed off to reporters before he was supposed to about the deal), but all that does is make Halifax a carbon copy of last year’s Val d’Or team. Ask Marchand how that worked out for them.

The Mooseheads need defense and a new goalie if they truely want to be the powerhouse they think they are.

But I digress. Back to Lewiston.

The loss of Eric Castonguay and of David Perron sting badly, because with them, this team needs very little, if anything at all, beyond what it already has.

I would even argue that with those two back, plus Sebastien Piche, Lewiston is still the team to beat in the QMJHL.

That said, those three players are gone. This team is still good, and probably still the second-best team in a weak Eastern Division.

Its biggest advantage on most teams? Speed.

Halifax’s defensemen look like pylons playing against Lewiston’s forwards.

The one thing missing is a genuine sniper, like Castonguay, or Perron. The Maineiacs’ short shopping list should include a serious offensive threat.

And yes, I said shopping list. I think this team can afford to add for this year and still manage to retain enough to be a true contender next year, too.

The other want is a power play quarterback. This may be a bit pricey, as not too many solid, puck-moving defensemen are out there right now, and those who are available are likely to be too expensive.

Sounds easy, right?

Well, if you listen to any of the various “inside sources,” Lewiston is shopping Giliati, Chaput, Bernier, Delmas and Marshall to other teams, and the Maineiacs are blowing up this year’s team and moving on.

Has no one been paying attention?

Lewiston doesn’t make trades. The team “should have” moved Alexandre Picard, Jonathan Paiement and Alex Bourret in 2004. Lewiston “should have” dealt Halak and Roach in 2005, and last year, Lewiston “should have” upgraded its 20-year-old players.

All the Maineiacs did was dump old baggage, though. And all it earned the team was a President’s Cup trophy.

Learn from the past. Lewiston might make a few minor moves, but don’t expect the earth to shatter.