Author Archive

Carey Price signs a 2 year deal with the Montreal Canadiens

With all the whoopla over Price not being signed and we’re in september…. well, there you have it.

He just signed a 2 year deal.

To be honest, seeing as there are still many RFAs unsigned in the league and the summer’s generally been slow with deals and signings… I don’t think there was a panic to begin with. Except for those who thought they should panic.

Details on the Price signing are here on the Canadiens website.

Camp is just around the corner…. we can now get back to our regularly scheduled programs.

Do all the rumors and trash talk have an impact on your team?

This is something that’s been debated a little here and there. Do you think that all the wild trade rumors, all the crazy fan bantor where people cook up 100 different scenarios to “get rid of” or get a certain player ultimately have an impact on how players feel about playing in certain cities.

I asked myself this question a couple of times today after Tony Marino said on the Team990 that he thought it might be a possibility that people could eventually run Carey Price out of town.

Fans naturally have tons of emotion…. really, people have tons of emotion, about all kinds of stuff…. like that driver in front of you who’s driving to slow, maybe that pisses you off…. or maybe it’s the guy/gal riding your bumper.

Maybe it’s a GM who just pulled off a deal trading away your (current) favorite goaltender and you’ve just ground down all your teeth… tearing your vocal chords apart while screaming in horror.
Read more…

Louis Leblanc gets assist in first game with Junior de Montréal

Last night was Louis Leblanc’s debut with the Junior de Montréal in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. I know that this isn’t real big news. But make no mistake, all eyes will be on Leblanc as he plays with the Junior de Montréal this season.

Many people have both wondered how he’d fit, or how he’d perform in the QMJHL…. lot’s of what ifs…. etc.

But now we’ll get to see how his skill level and hockey smarts measure up against his peers in the “Q”. Also how he adjusts to the much longer season as opposed to the US College system.
Read more…

Canadiens 1 on 1 with Dustin Boyd

With camps just around the corner and pre-season around the next corner…. my eyes and brain are becoming more and more fixed on what the Habs season will bring. The reading, (internet) surfing and video viewing has begun to get a picture of the new Montreal Canadiens season that is before us.

Here’s a nice little feature on Dustin Boyd.

Gomez and Cammalleri with a few words on Price

As the new season’s camps are just around the corner I’m starting to get in hockey mode. They’re (the players) about to start working again… and I just started a new job.

In fact, I think I’ll be wearing some Habs gear in a photo shoot for my new job.

Anyway…. here’s a short clip of Scott Gomez and Mike Cammalleri on Price. (Courtesy of Sportsnet)

Sportsnet reporting that Jarred Tinordi will play for OHL’s London Knights

According to Sportsnet Jarred Tinordi, the Habs 22nd overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft will be playing for the London Knights in the OHL. They report an official announcement should come within days.

Although there is currently some debate on which road is better suited for a young player’s development, Major Junior vs NCAA, I believe having Tinordi in a situation where he plays many more games will only be good for his development.

I was happy to hear about Louis Leblanc playing in the “Q”… which means I’ll likely skip out to watch him play. I’m equally happy to hear that Jarred will be playing in the OHL under Dale Hunter. Will be easier for some of us to catch a glimpse of him and keep track of his developmental years.

I’m quite pleased at this announcement. Should be noted that Dale Hunter played with Jarred’s father and has been a family friend for years. So Tinordi will have familiarity with his new coach.

EDIT:
Check out the Sportsnet article here

Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames – Heritage Classic

I’m very happy that the NHL is doing a second outdoor game this year between 2 canadien teams. Of course the fact that the Habs are playing in it certainly helps boost my enthusiasm for the game… but regardless what other canadian teams would be in the mix I think it’s a good thing.

It will surely be a fun event. The game is scheduled to be played in Calgary on February 20th.

Here’s a short video clip on the upcoming game courtesy of Sportsnet.

Andrei Markov to become a Canadian citizen

Andrei Markov, one of the best defensmen in the NHL and a defenseman who we’ve had for the last 10 years in Montreal, will become a Canadian citizen on Friday July 16th 2010.

I’ve always been a huge Markov fan and he’s almost been a forgotten star in the NHL because he seems to do everything so quietly…. like ranking among the top offensive defensemen in the league.

Andrei, congrats on becoming a Canadian citizen.

@yarfangor on twitter wondered if that meant Markov could now play for Team Canada…..

Montreal Canadiens sign Alexander Avtsin to 3 year deal

Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier announced the signing of prospect Alexander Avstin to a 3 year deal.

I’ve been anxious to see much more of Avtsin since he was drafted. The 19 year old just finished this year’s development camp last week.

The scouting reports said this guy had an physical game and lot’s of offensive skill. There was talk of Alexander possibly playing with the Juniors de Montréal or Hamilton. Now it’s official that we’ll see him in North America.

I would guess that Avtsin will spend the season in Hamilton. I’m sure we’ll see a glimpse of him at camp!!

Check out the official release:
http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=534383

Montreal Canadiens sign David Desharnais to a 1 year deal

RDS reports that the Habs have re-signed David Desharnais to a 1 year, 2 way deal.

Desharnais’s agent mentions in the article that David preferred to avoid arbitration and wants to prove his worth on the ice. In this age of big business in sports…. and all the big money…. it’s completely respectable to me that Desharnais made that choice.

In fact, another player (not a Habs player) who settled for a smaller contract just last year (I believe it was last season) was Manny Malhotra. He pretty much went in and worked really hard…. put his focus on playing hockey as best he could and this year he signed a 3 year 2.5 million dollar deal.

Not sure that Desharnais will follow that exact path but I think he’s got a shot at sneaking in and taking some ice time this season. Seeing him play last year I can’t help but think a bit about Gionta and Martin St Louis. Not just because Desharnais is 5′7, I mean yeah that’s part of the comparison but the other part is that Desharnais was all hustle.

I look forward to seeing him a little more this year.