Koivu, during his tenure in Montreal, was one of my all time favorite players. In fact, back when Saku officially became a free agent, I wrote an article with my personal goodbye to him titled “To Saku Koivu“.

I can tell you that I’ve cheered the former Habs captain on for so many years that it will be hard not to cheer him on against the very team he once lead. Koivu had been an inspiration on many levels. Coming back from a few major injuries, a battle with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a certain disrespect that I don’t believe he deserved as long time captain of the team. I know some might argue otherwise but I could never understand the hounding he took from certain media outlets because he couldn’t speak french.

I thought I’d share some info sent to me by Matthew Ross, host of Game Points on the Team990 (which happens to be one of my favorite sports channels… that’s my plug! haha) on some recent polling going on for Saku Koivu’s return to Montreal:

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) score a goal?
Yes +325 ( or 13/4)
No -450 ( or 2/9)

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) record a point?
Yes +140 (or 7/5)
No -170 (or 10/17)

Will Saku Koivu (ANA) be the first star of the Game?
Yes -150 (or 2/3)
No +110 (or 11/10)

There’s been quite a bit of stuff written about Koivu’s return to Montreal. I really enjoyed this article by Dave Stubbs of the Gazette titled “Emotional return for Captain K“.

I’m really hoping that Koivu gets a warm response from the crowd. Through his long tenure as captain he was the source of much emotion, but inspirational like coming back from his battle with cancer, or battling back from a near career ending eye injury…. or from his critics that continued to pound at him in papers and radio/TV talk shows that he should speak french.

Saku, I truly hope you get an incredible welcome tonight. You deserve it.

Today Jaroslav was saying his goodbyes and thank yous to fans in Montreal and there were estimates of about 5000 fans showing up to meet Halak.

Personally, I’ll never doubt him. He just did everything he had to do in order to find his number 1 job that he now holds in St Louis. Played the ECHL, played the AHL… starting, backup… always worked hard.

I’m happy that he’s getting a number one job.

Here the link to the interview.

And here’s the video player:

(Courtesy or RDS)

Best wishes to you Jaro!

Today it was announced that Jaroslav Halak signed a 4 year contract with the St Louis Blues. That officially makes him a St Louis Blues player.

I just wanted to write a few words to say that in my opinion, Jaroslav is one of those players who earned that 4 year $15 million dollar contract and all the respect that goes with it. In his draft year he was pretty much overlooked, he did his time in the ECHL, he did his stints in the AHL (call ups, send downs), he was put in as backup (behind both Huet and Price) on a few occasions despite playing very well and he never really made a fuss. He worked hard and through that hard work was rewarded.

Jaro you always looked good in that Habs jersey. Thanks for the memories and I wish you the very best in your career.

It’s official. Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit will not be offered new contracts.

I can say that I was a fan of Metropolit from the time he came to Montreal. And really, who could forget that first game?

He’s put on waivers by his team at the time, the Philadelphia Flyers, only to be picked up by Bob Gainey’s (at the time) Montreal Canadiens. What made this unforgettable is that Metro had to face his former team that day.

I remember watching that game and how it was mentioned…. later on I remember hearing about the adversity he faced in his youth and also beating the odds to play in the NHL.

The word that followed Glen around was that he was loved by all his team mates. Metro played some great hockey in Montreal and I will miss seeing him in the Habs uni. Some GM out there will certainly get a good role player by picking up Metropolit.

I also remember Domini Moore coming over… as Gauthier’s first move giving up a 2nd round draft pick (2011)…. a price I figured was quite high.

But really Moore made me a believer. He worked hard in Montreal, playing a his role on the Habs 2010 playoff run and playing it well. I really thought Moore was a keeper. If it weren’t for the cap being so tight I’m sure Moore would have gotten an offer to stay in Montreal.

His spot will stay open for a younger player to make his way up from the minors I’m sure.

To both Glen and Dominic, I wish you the very best.

Here’s the Journal Pioneer’s announcement.

I’d love to see the Alumni play.

Some of the players listed on this trip:

Stephane Richer, Yvon Lambert, Sergio Momesso, Gilbert Dionne, Mario Roberge, Karl Dykhuis and goaltender Richard Sevigny.

Here’s an aspect that he was starting to bring more and more in Montreal.

Maybe it’s a little late to say it, but best wishes to you in Anaheim Kyle!

Here are the videos from last night courtesy of Habs TV!




Habs alumni warm-up

Howe introduces Béliveau

Elmer Lach and Butch Bouchard’s Jersey Retirement

Team photo

Dryden, Roy and Lafleur

Centennial Banner Raising

Last night was a magical night for Montreal Canadiens fans. I thought they would have some special surprises planned but I couldn’t have guessed how it would have unfolded.

I watched RDS for many hours before the game and was impressed from the beginning. I thought it was just great.

When they dimmed the lights in the Bell Center I almost felt goose bumps all over.. I knew something pretty neat was gonna take place.

Then… when the pucks were dumped on the ice and I saw Patrick Roy walking on the ice in full gear…. I was in awe. It was awesome. Seeing all those guys jump on the ice brought back alot of memories. One guy I hadn’t noticed walk on the ice was Mats Naslund… later when he was introduced I was so pleased to see him there. He was one of my favorite players in his time in Montreal.

I won’t try to name every player that skated with the alumni… but let’s just say I thought it was very classy and very cool for the die hard Canadiens fans. Many of those guys I hadn’t seen in their playing days but like some of you (I’m sure) I’ve read about them and have seen their statistics over and over again. I’m not just really a fan of the Montreal Canadiens I’ve seen on the ice….. I’m a fan of the Montreal Canadiens rich history as much as I am the current team they ice year after year.

Seeing Dryden in gear, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey (who we saw in a Habs uni not that long ago), Naslund… Chris Nilan, Damphousse, Turgeon.. Guy Lafleur!.. Steve Shutt…. Serge Savard…. it was great to see Lyle Odelein out there…. Carbo was back in gear and had some strong applause skating in the jersey (great to see… another of my all-time favorite players)… (captain) Kirk Muller was out for a skate….. it was awesome

As always, seeing Jean Béliveau and Henri Richard is always a treat. These guys are always very well spoken and gentlemanly. RDS interviewed Henri Richard and Dickie Moore later on in the evening and I thought it was a great treat…

After Patrick Roy was introduced and he came up to the podium and spoke… I couldn’t help but think that he just should have retired in a Habs jersey. It’s one of the modern day tragedies that the franchise had to face. I loved his speech and I also enjoyed how he mentioned that it wasn’t only a special night for the fans because of the anniversary and the festivities… but also because the fans could witness the Habs beating the Bruins on the night… I thought that was great…. pressure put on the team by an all-timer.

Patrick, you were probably my favorite player growing up and though I somehow tried to put a positive spin on the trade that sent you to another team…. I just couldn’t bring myself to believe that “spin”… because we lost one of the game’s best ever goaltenders. You will always be close in my mind when I think of “Le CH”.

I thought it was neat how Viggo Mortensen was in house to introduce Guy Lafleur. Viggo is a huge Habs fan and a big star in his own right. I’m sure that Viggo really enjoyed being a part of the special ceremonies. Well done man!

Although Guy Lafleur looked like he could still probably skate with some of these players (in the game)…. he announced to the crowd that he was in fact not playing as he cheered them on. Lafleur was probably the first big star that I watched as a kid growing up…. always happy to see him in the Habs ceremonies.

The last of the 3 speakers was Jean Béliveau and I thought it was a big touch of class that they invited Gordie Howe to the events to introduce Jean Béliveau. 2 dominant players in their time and 2 classy representatives for NHL hockey history.

I never get tired to hearing Béliveau speak and seeing his smile as he is always courteous and well spoken. Béliveau was truely a dominant big man in his time…. he captained the team for 10 years and won more Stanley Cups then most players have years in their NHL careers…. the dynasties of old have some pretty impressive records don’t they??

In Béliveau’s final season in Montreal, at 39 years old he played 70 games, scored 25 goals and tallied 51 assists for 76 points… not bad eh?? In the post season that year he had 22 points and won his 10th Stanley Cup. Legend.

There were so many great, great players… it was amazing.

Having Elmer Lach and Butch Bouchard in a ceremony which saw their numbers retired was quite fitting and long overdue. Elmer Lach was one of the best play makers of his era and Butch Bouchard was a strong shut down defenseman who would always deliver a hard check to his opponents.

It was announced that Ryan O’Byrne would be the last Canadiens player to wear the no 3… and in a very classy move, Ryan then took off his no 3 jersey and gave it to Bouchard only to reveal his new number 20. Heck… I thought Pierre Bouchard still looked so big in that Habs jersey that he could’ve broken Ryan O’Byrne in half…. maybe it was just the nostalgia of it all…..

The ceremonies were nothing short of great. I remember watching the ceremonies when the old Forum closed it’s doors and these ceremonies were just as great in my mind.

A great evening!

Well, it was officially announced by the Predators on their website yesterday that Francis has signed a 1 year deal with them.

The Predators are getting a tough as nails d-man in Francis who will give his all for their team and won’t back down from anyone despite his small frame.

Best wishes to you Francis!

(You can read the Predators press release here)