A prelude to the training camp and pre-season is the Rookie Camps.

Thanks to the Montreal Gazette we can even see clips on YouTube. Yeah I know, they’re probably not the only ones.

Once all the pre-season roster is together and they play their first pre-season games I’m usually elated. I love seeing the prospects play in pre-season games. I know some people say the games mean nothing… etc.. etc… But they do mean something.

We get to see the young guys along side the regular roster players. How they handle it, talent level… improvements over last year… etc.. etc..

Can’t wait!

I remember watching this game and when the N.Y. Rangers were up 3-0, 4-0…. 5-0!!! I was demoralized. I was going to turn off the game but I generally always watch every game start to finish no matter what. On this night I did and I went from demoralized to amazed.

It seemed as though “it all went right” for the Rangers for the first half of the game and it just totally switched.

I figured Michael Ryder looked like he could have scored 10 goals in that second half. It was amazing to watch. I also remember that Kovalev goal where he falls to the ice with legs in the air. (Check out Scott Gomez playing for NY)

Classic moment in NHL hockey and a historic game. Coming back from a 5-0 deficit is no light task.

You remember this one?

Watching this video, my memories and even emotions come back…. pretty neat.

What do you remember most about this one?

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

Add to that Josh Gorges and the possibility of having Yemelin (or Emelin) for a future defensive lineup. Maybe things will look good! Assumptions always though, with player moves, injuries, trades….

But certainly some interesting thoughts.

Beaulieu’s a great skater, he’s got puck moving skill and he’s got a 6’3 frame.

Check out this video of Beaulieu:

Also a nice article on Hockey’s Future on Nathan Beaulieu.

Added this interview after original post

The Boston Bruins won the cup last night which was a disappointment to me as I was really hoping Vancouver would pull through. I should also note that I generally harbor no love for the Bruins…. but seeing as I am a huge fan of NHL hockey, I enjoy the sport. But whatever. Congrats.

All in all though after watching many games in this year’s 2011 edition of the NHL Playoffs, I still have to go back to the opening round and say that for me the best most entertaining series was the Canadiens vs the Bruins. It had intensity, back and forth hockey, goaltending… it had it all. Game 7 overtime…. etc.

Finally, congrats to some of the people in Vancouver for showing us your drunken stupor…. I seriously doubt many of you participated in that riot were actually die hard Canucks / NHL fans…. and more so just fans of the “drunken stupor”…. May you who participated see it for what it really was with sober sight.

Enjoy

Never count your chickens before they hatch….

I’m not sure if the Bruins players heard or believed the hype about their chances in winning this series, but if they believed it at all they may have succumb to the danger that follows…. that being a sense of entitlement.

That would just be an assumption on my part. I have no idea what the Bruins players were thinking going into the series. I do have an idea of how they feel after 2 games though…. that being disappointed.

Truth be told, the Canadiens have out played them in 2 games. They’ve been outworked. The Habs have been on so many of the loose pucks and have won so many of the battles along the boards.

There is no substitute for hard work.

Finally, here’s a post-game interview with PK Subban on Versus.

Anyway, here’s Cammalleri on the loss to the Leafs. (courtesy of Habs Inside/Out)

It was a spirited game last night and at times the Habs did play with great intensity. I gotta say that I thought Reimer played well, he made some crucial stops for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal just couldn’t capitalize.

This morning, the Canadiens sit in 6th place and are 9 points ahead of the 9th place Sabres, but with 20 games left to play there are alot of points up for grabs. And this time of year, every game becomes crucial unless you’re sitting in 1st in your conference like Philly is. At 86 points, they’re quite comfortable.

But the 71 point Habs??? Every game is crucial!