So the Canadiens recalled Max Pacioretty as of late.

I found it a tad confusing to be honest as they brought up Desharnais only to send him back just as quick.

Both Pacioretty and Desharnais are ripping it up in the AHL. I really felt for Desharnais to be sent back down without getting a game. I listened to Tony Marinaro on The Team990 this morning and agreed with him, it would have been a good idea to have Desharnais play against Toronto. See how he’d play against a physical opponent. I personally believe he would have been fine.

Back to Pacioretty, he’s also just as deserving of the call up. Max has 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points…  in 27 games. Not to shabby at all.

Early on it was hoped he’d develop into “that power forward” that we’ve needed in Montreal for some time. Last season it was my impression he went all but forgotten. Wasn’t as much chatter about him. I remember seeing him getting knocked off the puck quite a bit and it just didn’t seem like he was ready.

Is this his year?

Giving him a prominent role in the AHL and having play many minutes may turn out to be a very prudent move. Hearing him speak today, he seems much more confident. I believe he’s maturing.

This is where I’m hoping he’s used in a similar role to what he’s being used with the Bulldogs.

Put him on the top 2 lines. Make him play with some offensive talent and maybe put him along side some of your teams’ leadership. Pairing him with any of Gionta, Cammalleri, Plekanec…. give him a shot and be patient. He’s got some confidence, now help him learn a bit more from the guys you ultimately want him to play with.

Having him on the 3rd or 4th line would be, in my opinion, a wasted opportunity.

And had Desharnais dressed up, I would have liked to see him in a top 2 line role vs the Leafs.

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I wrote a little piece on PK Subban being named to the AHL all-star squad and how much confidence that might give him moving into the second half of the season… well, one of his team mates has also been playing some amazing hockey in Hamilton.

Cedrick Desjardins has been lights out this year.

In 21 games this year he’s got a Goal’s against average of 1.66 and a save percentage of .932. In the month of december Desjardins went 8-0-0 (8 wins, no losses!), he had a goals against average of 1.16 and a save percentage of .949.

Just a few years back we saw Halak playing some strong hockey in Hamilton with the Bulldogs and now Canadiens fans should be happy that there’s another prospect making a strong show.

His strong play in Hamilton might be another factor in making it a little bit easier to move a goaltender in Montreal. He would be a possibility as backup.

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At the start of the year, coming out of camp we saw a few young guys leave an impression. One of those guys is young defenseman PK Subban.

Many voiced their desire to see Subban play in Montreal. Especially after all the early season injuries to both Andrei Markov and Ryan O’Byrne. I could certainly relate with the enthusiasm around PK and the desire to see him play in Montreal. A really strong skater with a good hard shot and a player who seems to examplify the very word enthusiasm, he would have certainly looked good in the eyes of many as a call up.

I was certainly tempted by the possibilities myself.

One of the debates around the prospects was to give them time in the minors so they can play at the pro level and not throw them in the fire that it can be in Montreal.

So PK has played half a season in Hamilton and by all accounts he’s really playing well.

PK Subban was recently named to the AHL all-star game.

This is probably the best case scenario if you’re Bob Gainey… and many Habs fans.

Subban has gone down, worked hard under a great coach in Guy Boucher and is performing at a high level. He currently leads the Hamilton Bulldogs defensemen with 20 points.

And what a confidence booster for him this will be going into the second half of the Bulldogs season!

PK is one of the AHL’s stars and this experience will certainly be in his favor as he continues to play this season in Hamilton and then comes into next year’s camp.

Congrats PK!

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Things seem to happen pretty fast at times…. and with all of the injuries in the NHL this year guys like Ryan White are getting ample opportunity to make an impact in the big leagues.

According to the Habs official website, Ryan White has been called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Ryan White currently has 2 assists, 40 hits and 12 blocked shots in 13 games.

Welcome back!

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Today the Montreal Canadiens have announced that forward Ryan White has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

White certainly made a good impression in his time in Montreal… taking the opportunity to play 13 games since November 4th. Ryan has 2 assists in those games.

With the return of Georges Laraques and the recent experiment to put Marc-André Bergeron at forward… there isn’t much room for him at the moment.

The M.A. Bergeron experiement at forward last night….. I didn’t mind that one bit.

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Matt D’Agostini scored 2 goals as did Mike Glumac and the dogs beat the Nofolk Admirals.

Checking the player stats for the dogs… there are some really pleasant surprises.

1. Matt D’Agostini who was making a case to stay in Montreal is playing well… 2 goals 3 assists.
2. Ben Maxwell – 3 goals, 1 assist +2
3. Mike Glumac – 3 goals, 1 assist +1
4. Denis is playing well

Chipchura has played 2 games…. has 1 assist and is +1…. Gregory Stewart has 1 goal 2 assists +1 and has 16 penalty minutes…

Pacioretty has yet to have the quick start offensively some thought he would… but we’re only 4 games in.

My eyes are on the farm team…. I love hockey!!!

Go Dogs!
Go Habs!

(Bulldogs news article)
(Bulldogs stat sheet)

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