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!

The Montreal Canadiens certainly have an incredibly rich tradition and huge fan base…

The Habs have seen many Stanley cups, many awards, many players come and go… the Habs have seen great celebratory parades and have also seen some riots… who could forget the passion and anger shown at the suspension of the Rocket on March 18th 1955….

The list of great players who’ve suited up and played in Montreal is about a mile long. The Rocket, Belliveau, Morenz, Robinson, Harvey…. there is a treasure of information over at the http://ourhistory.canadiens.com/home website.

I remember being a young kid in the early 80s and watching the Habs play their local rival Québec Nordiques…. the passion, the brawls… memories that will be with me forever. I remember going to my grand fathers place and watching several games there on his small tv.

Back in 1993 I remember the Canadiens having to face those same Nordiques who had a host of great young players… the series started badly, but the Habs got hot and rode it for the entire playoffs… winning their 24th cup. The stars just seemed to align…

There are many fond memories of watching the 80s teams…. Mats Naslund was one of my favorites as well as Gainey… cup in ’86 and the finals in ’89.

I want to keep this short… so… Happy Birthday my beloved Montreal Canadiens!!

John LeClair played an important role in Montreal’s stanley cup win of 1992-1993.

Soon after in 1994-1995 LeClair was traded to Philadelphia along with Eric Desjardins and Gilbert Dionne for Mark Recchi and a third rouner.

Frustrating for Canadiens fans was the fact that as soon as LeClair hit Philly his numbers soared.

The next 3 full season in Philadelphia LeClair score 51,50,51 goals respectively and the 2 season after that he notched 43 and 40 goals respectively. He averaged 89.6 points a season for the 5 full seasons after being traded to Philadelphia. (From 1995-96 to 1999-00)

John LeClair’s numbers in Montreal
224 games played, 49 goals, 69 assists and 118 points.
Points per game: 0.53
Goals per game: 0.21
Assists per game: 0.30

John LeClair’s numbers after Montreal
743 games played, 357 goals, 344 assists and 701 points.
Points per game: 0.94
goals per game: 0.48
Assists per game: 0.46

His offensive production pretty much doubled after leaving Montreal as he was teamed up with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg. Their line was affectionately (by Phily fans) “The Legion of Doom”.

I believe the 3rd round pick the Montreal Canadiens had acquired was either Miloslav Guren or Martin Hohenberger. Either ring a bell??? Not for me.

Recchi had a few decent years in Montreal notching over 30 goals twice.

Looking back who won that trade?
What’s your opinion?

I think the Flyers certainly did getting both LeClair AND Desjardins.

I participated a bit more in the “Should Koivu’s number be retired” article I wrote earlier.

I did a little comparison just for fun. The reason for this comparison was that I’ve seen some people state that Saku Koivu’s performance over his career was “sub par”. So I’ve compared him to the great Dickie Moore.

Here’s the comparison as I wrote it in the forum’s thread.

I’m still trying to figure out why some people are thinking Saku was “sub par”.

I’ll trespass into the nostalgic for fun and lets compare 2 players and where they rank in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.

Saku Koivu totals – playing in the dark ages
Games played : 792 – 19th all time
Goals scored : 191 – 27th all time
Assists : 450 – 6th all time
Points : 641 – 10th all time
Career point per game : 0.80

Dickie Moore totals – playing in a golden age
Games played : 654 – 28th all time
Goals scored : 254 – 14th all time
Assists : 340 – 16th all time
Points : 594 – 13th all time
Career point per game : 0.90

The point of this is to compare Koivu to a legendary Habs player who had his number retired keeping in mind who Dickie Moore had to play with..

Some of Dickie Moore’s team mates?
Rocket Richard, Elmer Lach, Bernard Geoffrion, Doug Harvey, Émile Bouchard,Jean Béliveau, Henri Richard, Ralph Backstrom, Bobby Rousseau

Those were some of Dickie Moore’s team mates for many years.

Who could we compare to those players that played with Koivu for the last 13 years.
Not many.

Saku’s point per game is just below Moores average. I’ll bet a dollar if Koivu would have had a Rocket and a Belliveau or an Elmer Lach… his average would be a bit higher.

I honestly can’t understand how some people have stated that Saku’s performance has been sub par. Because in the history of the habs, his numbers speak quite the opposite.

If you don’t like him. That’s ok.

But please acknowledge what he’s accomplished without the team that our many greats have had.

How do you see Koivu’s career in Montreal historically? Think he deserves a look?

On thread kind of struc me.

“Should #11 be retired?” is the name of the thread and there is a poll attached to it.

I was kind of surprised at first that it would be discussed so early, but then after reading for a minute I was no longer surprised… I mean, we’re Habs fans right? (at least some of us are.. if you’re not and reading this site… welcome!)

So the discussion rages. Some say no, some say yes….

One of the points I saw on there was that Koivu doesn’t warrant it because his production over his career in Montreal isn’t “super”.

Well, I guess I disagree a bit for what it’s worth.

There’s a difference between the Habs of the mid/late 90s, the Habs of the 2000s and the Habs of the 70s, the 60s…etc.

Traditionally, the Habs have had some very strong teams for many years. Some of the other legendary Habs were surrounded by other “legends”.

Koivu really doesn’t have to many players who played along side him that stand out to me as being future legends.

Early in his career just after the 93 cup he had some talent around him with Damphousse..etc.. At the end of his tenure with the Habs he had Kovalev and Tanguay.. played well with Higgins and Ryder when used together.

But there many years that he was just on a struggling team. No doubt about it.

Here’s how he finishes his career all-time in the canadiens uniform:
2nd longest serving captain
5th power play goals
6th in assists
7th game winning goals
8th short handed goals
9th minutes played
10th in points
19th games played
27th goals scored

And he managed to put up with more crap then anyone I know with class.

It’s my opinion that he deserves a fair look at having that number 11 retired. Some say his production wasn’t “super”. But I’m not sure just how good he was expected to be on a mediocre team for so many years.

Saku, I think you deserve it mon capitaine.

Here’s a few numbers for you.

Most games played in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Henri Richard 1256
2 – Larry Robinson 1202
3 – Bob Gainey 1160
4 – Jean Béliveau 1125
10 – Guy Carbonneau 912
11 – Patrice Brisebois 896
19 – Saku Koivu 792

Most goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Maurice Richard
2 – Guy Lafleur 518
3 – Jean Béliveau 507
4- Yvan Cournoyer 428
15 – Mats Naslund 243
16 – Bob Gainey 239
27 Saku Koivu 191

Most assists in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 728
2 – Jean Béliveau 712
3 – Henri Richard 688
4 – Larry Robinson 686
5 – Jacques Lemaire 469
6 – Saku Koivu 450
13 – Mats Naslund 369
27 – Patrice Brisebois 284
32 – Andrei Markov 255 (tied with Shayne Corson)

Most points in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 1246 (in 961 games!)
2 – Jean Béliveau 1219 (in 1125 games!)
3 – Henri Richard 1046
4 – Maurice Richard 965 (in 978 games!)
5 – Larry Robinson 883
10 – Saku Koivu 641
12 – Mats Naslund 612
23 – Vincent Damphousse 498 (in 519 games!)
35 – Patrice Bisebois 371

+/- in a Montreal Canadiens uniform
1 – Larry Robinson +700 (imagine!)
2 – Serge Savard +492
3 – Guy Lafleur +477
4 – Steve Shutt +409
5 – Jacques Lemaire +349
11 – Bob Gainey +196
24 – Mats Naslund +120

Some less favorable +/- stats with recent players:
Brian Savage 461 games, -51
Sheldon Sourray 324 games, -44
Michael Ryder 314 games, -24
Francis Bouillon 481 games, -23

The +/- stat is one that isn’t just reflective of an individual players ability, but is also a bit reflective of the linemates they were playing with at the time.

Top Penalty minutes in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Chris Nilan 2248
2 – Lyle Odelein 1367
3 – Shayne Corson 1341
4 – Maurice Richard 1285
5 – John Ferguson 1214
8 – Jean Béliveau 1029
16 – Craig Rivet 795
17 – Chris Chelios 783

Most power play goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 138
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 112
3 – Steve Shutt 90
4 – Jacques Lemaire 89
5 – Saku Koivu 66
6 – Mats Naslund 66
7 – Larry Robinson 65
19 – Alex Kovalev 45
21 – Patrice Brisebois 41

Most short handed goals scored in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Carbonneau 27
2 – Bob Gainey 20
3 – Peter Mohavlich 17
4 – Vincent Damphousse 12
5 – Benoit Brunet 10
8 – Saku Koivu 9
13 – Christopher Higgins 8

Most game winning goals in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 93
2 – Yvan Cournoyer 61
3 – Jacques Lemaire 58
4 – Steve Shutt 49
7 – Saku Koivu 35
10 – Bob Gainey 34
22 – Alex Kovalev 20
26 – Patrice Brisebois 18

Most shots on goal in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Guy Lafleur 3209
2 – Jacques Lemaire 3051
3 – Guy Lapointe 2306
4 – Steve Shutt 2278
5 – Larry Robinson 2142
6 – Bob Gainey 2099
9 – Saku Koivu 1553
13 – Patrice Brisebois 1395

Most wins by a goaltender in a Montreal Canadiens uniform:
1 – Jacques Plant 314
2 – Patrick Roy 289
3 – Ken Dryden 258
8 – José Théodore
20 – Carey Price 47

Most shots against a Montreal Canadiens goaltender:
1 – Patrick Roy 12958
2 – José Théodore 9833

The shots against stats were not counted until recent years.

I’ve only posted some of the top stats. The “Our History” website has a ton of information.

A couple of thoughts after looking through the numbers.

1 – Saku Koivu has his place in the history of the franchise in several categories whether you love him or hate him. I wonder what his numbers would have been like if he had played without the numerous injuries and if he had been surrounded with a better cast of players like some of the others at the top of the list had.

2 – Patrice Brisebois played many years in Montreal and even after all the “Breezer” hating that went on his place in the history of the Montreal Canadiens must be acknowledged. Even his career started in Montreal at the end of a bright spot (1993 stanley cup) and through countless years of the dark ages that followed. How would Brisebois’s numbers have looked on a stronger team?

All the stats, the goals, assists, +/-… they’re all somewhat reflective of not only the player’s individual talent but also the team he has to play with through the years.

Here’s a couple of questions for you….
1. What do you think about Saku Koivu’s place in the history of the Canadiens?
2. Has anything jumped out at you in these stats?

Check out the “Our History” website, it’s all there!

The team skated with 7 players.
Jack Laviolette who captained, managed and coached the team.
Didier Pitre, Jos Cattarinich, Newsy Lalonde, Ed Décarie, Arthur Bernier and George Poulin.

The game was won against the Cobalt Silver Kings by a score of 7-6 in front of 3000 fans in the Jubilee Arena.

Although that was the first Montreal Canadiens victory it was not the team’s first official victory as the league had to restart their season.

That name brings back childhood memories of watching Canadiens games.

Mats Naslund was a very gifted offensive player. Standing at only 5 foot 7 inches he certainly was not the big power forward like say a Bobby Smith. But what Mats Naslund brought to the table was spectacular.

We were blessed to have him in Montreal for several years. Back in 1985-1986 Mats exploded for 43 goals and 67 assists for a total of 110 points. That was also the year that the Montreal Canadiens won their 23rd Stanley Cup.

Naslund was picked 37th overall in the second round of the 1979 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens.

In 1988 Naslund bet out Wayne Gretzky for the Lady Bing trophy and during the all-star game of that same year recorded 5 assists.

Naslund finished his career in Montreal with 612 points in 617 games. A point per game player over 8 years.

Watch him come out of nowhere to score a goal back in the 1980 winter olympics playing for Sweden vs West Germany. He had not yet played in Montreal.

Or who can resist seeing a video of Don Cherry… blasting Mats Naslund and 8 year old kids at the same time.

Without making a direct comparison to Mats Naslund but in the theme of small offensively gifted players we have Brian Gionta. He’s also 5’7. Let’s hope Jacques Martin makes sure he’s got room to play.

Mats Naslund was an awesome player.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mats_Naslund

Anyone have any memories or comments about Mats Naslund? Please feel free to leave your thoughts. I love reading them.

If you visit the website, you’ll be greeted by video of Guy Lafleur welcoming you.

They’re looking for people to submit their memorabilia for display.

I have to visit!

http://hall.canadiens.com/

Lot’s of fights VS the Calgary Flames in 1986 on the way to their 23rd Stanley Cup.

If you watch the whole thing a former Habs player almost gets it going again… anyone remember John Kordic??