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

It’s official. Dominic Moore and Glen Metropolit will not be offered new contracts.

I can say that I was a fan of Metropolit from the time he came to Montreal. And really, who could forget that first game?

He’s put on waivers by his team at the time, the Philadelphia Flyers, only to be picked up by Bob Gainey’s (at the time) Montreal Canadiens. What made this unforgettable is that Metro had to face his former team that day.

I remember watching that game and how it was mentioned…. later on I remember hearing about the adversity he faced in his youth and also beating the odds to play in the NHL.

The word that followed Glen around was that he was loved by all his team mates. Metro played some great hockey in Montreal and I will miss seeing him in the Habs uni. Some GM out there will certainly get a good role player by picking up Metropolit.

I also remember Domini Moore coming over… as Gauthier’s first move giving up a 2nd round draft pick (2011)…. a price I figured was quite high.

But really Moore made me a believer. He worked hard in Montreal, playing a his role on the Habs 2010 playoff run and playing it well. I really thought Moore was a keeper. If it weren’t for the cap being so tight I’m sure Moore would have gotten an offer to stay in Montreal.

His spot will stay open for a younger player to make his way up from the minors I’m sure.

To both Glen and Dominic, I wish you the very best.

Lot’s of talk already just days after the Canadiens playoff run ended.

I know that for some of you the interest in your favorite NHL team doesn’t end. For me, it certainly does not.

While the Habs were on their playoff run I tried to focus on their games. Current line ups, their performance etc…. while trying to leave the impending UFAs, RFAs, salary cap and that question that will keep lingering of which goaltender stays in Montreal??? Or IF they can somehow keep both.

Now that it’s the off-season (ok, not for you Hawks/Flyers fans) I’m starting to think about this stuff a little bit and am reading what other bloggers have to say as well as the media.

Certainly some interesting articles out there. Here are just a few.

NHL 2010 UFA Desert: Habs’ Plekanec Best Center Out There?
by Scott Weldon for Bleacher Report

Decision time for Habs’ GM Gauthier
by Pat Hickey for The Gazette

Price or Halak Could Solve Yzerman’s Problem in Net
by Alan Adams for NHL Fanhouse

There’s lot’s and lot’s to think about, dream about…. maybe even worry about. But hey, I’ll tell you straight up. I won’t worry about it. I’m a die hard fan, but I try to keep this at the “entertainment level”. NHL teams don’t pay my salary. It’s not a job. I love hockey, I love the Habs, I love NHL hockey….. it’s something fun.

However, I will admit that I’m passionate about the Habs.

So just as the playoff run has just ended.. my head is filling with this other stuff….

And I’m sure that many of you have heard how Gainey went out and got smaller (at least at first… since then he’s actually made the team bigger and tougher).

Well, one guy who has been mentioned as a new UFA signing and as many have said of him that his “offensive production” has been down the last 3 years… his name is Brian Gionta. I thought I would spend a little bit to get to know him a little better by numbers and try to see a bit more of him in action.

When I looked at his numbers here’s what I saw:

2005-2006 – 82 Games – 48 G | 41A | 89 P | +18
2006-2007 – 62 Games – 25 G | 20A | 45 P | – 3
2007-2008 – 82 Games – 22 G | 31A | 53 P | +1
2008-2009 – 81 Games – 20 G | 40A | 60 P | +12

As we can see, he had his big season in 05-06 where he scored 48 goals and 41 assists for 89 points. Super year.

The next year, he missed some games in an otherwise quite durable career if we were to look at previous years as well as the ones I’ve listed.

Gionta certainly has not produced as much as that super year back in 05-06. But, although his goals have gone down in the last 3 years… his assists are up the last 2 (and of course points totals) as were his +/-.

Gionta at 30 years of age still has some good years ahead. And if Jacques Martin puts him in a system that was similar to the one he played in with the New Jersey Devils along side a familiar player like Gomez… then who knows. I think with the right linemates and system, Gionta can score some goals. I have no doubt.

One thing I like about Brian Gionta is that he plays bigger then he is to. Check out these videos… Gionta will stand up for himself. And that’s important.

Gionta vs Comrie

Gionta vs Marchant

Gionta vs Chara

Winning or losing these fights are irrelevant.. the point is that he’s got a little sandpaper in him.

And here’s a few goals by Gionta:

So welcome Brian Gionta!

When you were first signed, I wasn’t familliar with you at all.

But, over the last 2 seasons in Montreal you showed the kind of player you were. We could always count on you to work hard and stick up for any of your team mates.

You were one of the players that I would have loved to keep in Montreal.

Best wishes to you with your new team.

Now I’ll start of by saying that about the only thing that I know about Paul Mara is that he’s played with a few different teams, he play defense and he’s about 6’4.

I haven’t really dug around to much for any information on Paul, but I found this great little video on YouTube and I gotta tell you that after watching this video on Mara.. I’ve grown to like him a bit already.

Plus, being a Habs fan, who can resist a guy that fought Tucker.

I’m really lookin’ forward to seeing that enthusiasm in the upcoming season. He could be a solid pick up in the new Jacques Martin system which I’m sure insulating Carey Price is part of the plan.

So welcome Paul Mara!