A Montreal Canadiens fan blog
Players
Encouragement and the not so encouraging
Oct 19th
Greetings!
To start, I would really like to say that I’m all optimistic and all is well. But I’m not sure that’s the case. At the same time, I really don’t think anyone should go so far as through the season down the tubes after 5 whole games.
1-3-1 start, are we done yet?
No, we’re not. We can go back many many years and look at several examples of teams who struggled out of the gates not only to land in the playoffs but some also did quite well. Anyone remember how terrible the Penguins were a few years back when they hit the half way point of a season out of the playoffs only to finish strong and win the cup??
Sure you do!
I’m not saying the Habs are going to win the cup this year. In fact, for the last 15 years or so, my gut points to Detroit as the winner. My point is it’s a long season and much can change, a quarter of the way, half way through. You get the point. However one thing is for certain. If the Canadiens do want to hit the playoffs…. well, gotta win some real soon.
But, not time to throw ‘em under the bus.
More >
New Year ahead, hopeful for Erik Cole
Jul 16th
We’re July 16th as I write this. We’ve gone through the draft and the “Free Agent Frenzy”. We’ve seen the Montreal Canadiens spend a few bucks and the NHL spend a bunch more.
I’m generally an optimist. Gotta be.
In years past there were some things that I didn’t like… like say the constant line juggling that we saw just a few years ago and some signings. I mean, honestly when the Habs first signed Hal Gill, I wasn’t sure how to feel because I could get past his former Leafs and Bruins jerseys… 
(I think Gill is a valuable asset today, not only on the ice but in the room from what we hear)
When Gauthier was hired, I didn’t know what to think. I was somewhat pessimistic.
But going into the fall this year I’m satisfied with what he’s done. I think Gauthier has done a decent job. Sure, someone can can point at a deal or two they don’t like or that may not have turned out 100%. But I’m not convinced it’s so different on many a team. Trades and drafts are sometimes a crap shoot. It’s like rolling the dice sometimes.
One move that I liked was the addition of Erik Cole.
When people talk about UFAs and over payment, it’s a given that UFAs are getting a pay day. Multiple teams trying to get in on signing players…. it’s a bidding war. It is what it is.
I’m looking forward to see Cole in a Habs uniform. As many have said, he just may be the power forward that the team’s been lacking for a number of years. He also may be a great mentor for Max Pacioretty.
When I think of the forwards I do think he may be a great compliment. Plekanec, Gomez, Gionta, Cammalleri…. speedy guys, they can move the puck…. if Cole becomes an annoyance in the crease of the opposing teams it should give these guys more room to move the puck. And Cole has the hands to score some goals. Habs fans know that all to well.
Plus, he loves playing in Montreal. He’s mentioned that he loves the atmosphere. He’s always been the villain. Now he can be the hero. I think he’ll love it… and that’s an other important aspect of the move. He knows that it’s a media frenzy.
I’m pumped up for training camps to start…. pre-season and the new season.
Here’s a couple of shorts vids of Erik meeting the media in Montreal.
Go Habs Go!
Erik meeting some new fans
Andrei Markov to become a Canadian citizen
Jul 15th
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 David Desharnais to a 1 year deal
Jul 14th
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.
Maxim Lapierre signs a 1 year $900 000 contract
Jul 13th
According to RDS, Maxim Lapierre and the Montreal Canadiens have agreed on a 1 year $900 000 contract.
Last year, Plekanec had signed a 1 year deal and responded with a big year. I’m wondering if this will light a fire for Lapierre. Hopefully it will.
Lapierre has shown that he can be an effective pest for opponents. I’m always hopeful for every player that wears the “CH”…. and I only wish Lapierre all the success.
Maxim also provided a bit of humor in the playoffs…. anyone remember 2 diving penalties in a playoff game for Maxim?? Followed by 1 for Gionta…. man…. memories. What’s the record for diving calls in a game anyway?
