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.

With the recent injury to Roman Hamrlik last night the Montreal Canadiens called up Yannick Weber. Hopefully the Habs management have made all the proper contacts so that the whole “playing an in-eligible” player thing won’t happen again.

I’m sure they did.

Last time Weber was called up we didn’t get to see him in action and he was sent back to Hamilton. This time around he’ll most certainly see a bit of ice.

Here’s the official release from the Montreal Canadiens website.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=510236

Habs call up Yannick Weber
Thursday, 17.12.2009 / 12:00 PM / moves
PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens announced that defenseman Yannick Weber has been called up from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs. Weber will join the Canadiens today in Montreal for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild.

The 5’11’’, 193 lbs defenseman played three games with the Canadiens earlier this season. He was held pointless with one shot on goal, while averaging 14:50 minutes of ice time per game.

Weber recorded six points (1-5-6) in 24 games with the Bulldogs this season. He added 62 shots on goal and 24 penalty minutes, with a +4 plus/minus differential.

The official press release from the Canadiens can be found here. That makes it official. Tom Pyatt and Ryan White have been called up from the Hamilton Bulldogs.

It was actually a bit of a surprise for me. I recently wrote about Pyatt and although I thought we’d see him in Montreal for a few games I didn’t think it would come this fast.

One of Montreal’s problems this year has been defense. As it stands now 3 of the top 6 defensemen are injured and I thought we might see a bit of a change on the backend but it seems as though there’s a shake up in front.

As I wrote in the previous article Tom Pyatt will bring responsible 2 way play. The guy can skate and he can pick pocket a guy just like I’ve seen Brian Gionta do a few times this year…. opposing team gets puck and is close to entering our zone…. Gionta hustles back and steals the puck… Tom Pyatt is that kind of player.

As for Ryan White I’m quite a bit less familiar with him. He’s having a pretty good season to date in Hamilton with 7 points in 11 games.

From Hockey’s Future:
Talent Analysis

“He’s not a great physical specimen, he’s not necessarily in great physical condition, but when we put him on the ice, he does nothing but win battles,” said Hitmen GM and head coach Kelly Kisio. “He’s heard it often enough from a lot of hockey people and he’s beginning to understand the importance of a commitment to conditioning. He’s definitely a guy we’re looking to for a good couple of seasons here. The puck seems to follow him around out there, probably because he such a smart player and works so hard on the ice.”

Taken from http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/Ryan_White

Is there a bigger shake up coming? Only time will tell!

RDS reports that Mathieu Carle has been called up by the Montreal Canadiens.

Hal Gill was hit in the foot by a puck in practice and had to leave practice early.

This is a great opportunity for Mathieu Carle who had his 2 first training camps cut short because of injury. This season he seemed to start a bit slow (in camp)… I thought he looked nervous at times… but he got better and better.

I believe Jacques Martin wanted to get a good look at him and gave him a good shot in camp.

Carle will be in the lineup on Tuesday night in the game against the Atlanta Thrashers.