All 9 'Dog Bound Habs Clear Waivers

According to a report posted on the RDS site just shortly after noon today, none of the 9 Hamilton Bulldog bound Canadiens prospects were claimed on waivers.

For Yann Danis, Andrew Archer, Mathieu Biron, Jean-Philippe Cote, Jamie Rivers, Jonathan Ferland, Corey Locke, Duncan Milroy and Cory Urquhart it can be both interpreted as good or bad news.

Of course for the Canadiens, this can only be interpreted as a good thing.

The news means neither that the players are unwanted, or that Bob Gainey has assessed these talents for what they are. As all 29 other teams are in the process of trimming their rosters, it goes against the grain that they would add players at this stage.

One poster at Habs Inside Out predicted the likely critcism aimed at Gainey either way.

"If these guys got picked up on waivers, then Gainey gets crucified. If they don't get picked up, well it just proves that our prospects suck!"

What is encouraging about these players making it into Bulldogs jerseys is that it raises the level of inner competition within the Hamilton ranks. Players on the bubble now deem they could still have a slight shot, while the younger players learning alongside them benefit from the experience.

The good news all around is that the core of the championship Bulldogs sqaud remains intact for another run at the Calder Cup.

Adding to the positive take is that there is a solid and strong lineup in place that should show every player in their best light. Should Gainey field inquiries about these players, their values are raised a notch.

When teams do come calling for the likes of Danis, Milroy, Cote, or Locke, they will be more desperate than they would have been today.

A GM has an easier smile when trading from a position of strength, and that is the chair Gainey will find himself sitting in when the cell rings.

Waivered Players Place Gainey In A Catch - 22

The axe has fallen on the chances of 29 Montreal Canadiens hopefuls as GM Bob Gainey announced departures for Hamilton earlier today. Twenty seven players will be reporting to the AHL club while 2 more are being returned to junior.

Among the players backing their bags were training camp surprises Matt D'Agnostini and Sergei Kostitsyn. Both performed above standard and it was expected by many that they would remain with the club at least until the closing of camp.

Of the remaining demotions, perhaps Janni Lahti, who signed an NHL contract with Montreal after fielding several offers, comes as a bit of a surprise. Thomas Beauregard, who scored 71 goals as an overaged junior last season may also be disappointed some after exceeding expectations in camp.

Nine players from the group that was sent down must clear 48 hour waivers to end up in Hamilton and they included goaltender Yann Danis, defensemen Mathieu Biron, Andrew Archer, Jamie Rivers, and J.P. Cote, and forwards Corey Locke, Duncan Milroy, Jonathan Ferland, and Cory Urquhart.

Those same players clearing waivers, would also have to clear them once again if recalled by the Canadiens at any point during the season.

In recent years the Canadiens lost defensemen Francois Beauchemin and Ron Hainsey on the waiver recall wire, and it can be expected that the Habs may suffer up to four more losses from this curent bunch.

For starters, Yann Danis ought to be goners. The Los Angeles Kings have questions in goal and Danis has shown he is solid enough to be an NHL'er.



Corey Locke, Duncan Milroy, and J.P. Cote are also succeptible to being snapped up. Locke, who was the AHL's playoff scoring leader could find a home in as many as 10 cities. His salary makes him worth the risk as well.

Don't be surprised if the Ottawa Senators make a pitch for Locke. The Sens farm system has gotten rather thin in recent years. Ditto for the Leafs, who in truth, has rarely even had a system.

Other teams with thinning areas such as Phoenix and Columbus would love to get something for nothing also.



Fans of course, will question certain moves and motives by the team in the decisions made today.

"Why couldn't Gainey trade some of these guys", they will chant!

In many of the scenarios regarding players sent down, the hands of GM Gainey are tied. He's coming under some unfair criticism for not dealing these assets away before losing them for nothing.

It's always easy to criticize but one should understand what Gainey is up against when talking trade for some of the players.

When Sam Pollock was pulling rabbits out of hats three decades back, the draft was not limited to seven rounds as it is now. There were plenty of late round picks to barter off with less risk.

Today's 6th and 7th rounders serve to fill out AHL rosters and are more in need than before.

Another issue is that teams who finished below Montreal last season, ranked 1 to 11 in waiver pickup order would just as soon use the waiverline to pluck the player for nothing. With every NHL team about to place players on waivers in order to send them down, the Canadiens players are not a rare commodity - so why trade for them. Teams that finished ahead of Montreal, are generally just as well stocked and have little need for these wayward Hab hopefuls.

They in turn have their own players they are trying to avoid exposing and should they pick a player on waivers it just mean they have another they cannot protect under roster limits.

Ask yourself what those teams would be willing to offer Montreal for any of the players sent to Hamilton.

The correct answer is sweet nothing!

How can Gainey bargain without leverage?

Wecome Back Habs, Kovalev!

Yesterday started out as a good one for me. I finished a 12 hour shift at 7 in the morning and walked outside to relative sunshine and warmth. Not only had the day been anticipated and calendar circled for some time for hockey reasons, but it's anticipation gathered extra steam about two weeks ago with the announcement that my rock 'n' roll buddah was about to tour again, with tickets going on sale September 17.

So after bagging a pair of tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Ottawa on October 14, what could possibly make this day better? My daughter making travel team after potting 5 goals in an exhibition scrimmage?

A Canadiens win in their first preseason game would cap it off nicely!

In town for the occasion, are the Penguins, Sidney Crosby show, and Angelo Esposito sideshow in tow!

The starting lineup for the good guys was announced by late Sunday night and includes Mikhail Grabovski, Alex Kovalev, Andrei Kostitsyn, Tomas Plekanec, Sergei Kostitsyn, Jonathan Ferland, Kyle Chipchura, Tom Kostopoulos, Janne Lathi, Duncan Milroy, Corey Locke, Garth Murray, Andrei Markov, Mike Komisarek, Mark Streit, Andrew Archer, Josh Gorges, Mathieu Carle, Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis.

We'll have to wait for Lapierre and Latendresse in tomorrow's game.

With my eyes dimly open from three two hour plus sleep shifts, I set a hazy gaze for RDS, primed to watch the likes of the Kostitsyn brothers, Chipchura, Carle and Lahti in particular. I also looked for a spark from Milroy, Archer, and Locke, who have been given one more attempt at latching onto to the big leagues before Gainey begins to make call assessing their worth.
For a first game, this was one impassioned and thrilling debut.

The players played as though it were more than just a few roster spots on the line. It was as though much more were at stake or there was something to prove.

Like Alex Kovalev, for instance, playing for keeps.

One game hardly constitutes a ressurrection, but the look in his eyes was encouraging.

Two other standouts, were Markov and Komisarek, whose play this season will go a long way in determining the Habs faith.

Montreal dressed 10 rookies while the Penguins were missing only the likes of Roberts, Whitney, and Malkin. The fact that Montreal were even able to match up despite the edge in experience is a great and telling sign.

Several of the players looking to make the team had very good showings, but none better than Kyle Chipchura. As previously reported, I think the Canadiens have a special player here. While he did commit a boob or two, he played a strong game. It's easy to see why the organization is so high on him. There's a spot for him in Montreal and it looks after last night that it is his to lose.

Chipchura is not blessed with blinding speed, but does have the intsincts and smarts of a defensive specialist in the Gainey and Carbo mold. He knows his positioning to a fault, places the puck intelligently when clearing, and pursues the puck with zeal. He killed off penalties all game and came close to notching a goal. He received an appreciation hand from the crowd on his way back to the bench.

It took awhile for the game to gather some juice and after both Carle and Archer went down to injury, the game gathered pace.

In that, there was the silver lining of seeing just how well, not only Mark Streit, but Josh Gorges played under pressure. Gorges was a discovery last night, thriving when overworked. Being used in every sense, he showed an uncanny ability to win the board battles and clear the net.

Streit was a pillar on this night as well. Against the speedy Penguins, Streit surely wanted to show coach Carbonneau where his preference for playing was. At this point, Streit is a more flexible option on the backline that either Bouillon or Dandeneault.

The Habs backline looks to have more depth than initially given. The pressure will be on Bouillon, Dandeneault and Brisebois to match these performances.

Up front, both Corey Locke and Mikhail Grabovski demonstrated skill and had decent moments. locke let fire a pair of blasts, one good for the second goal. He looks intent on seizing his final shot a the team. Grabovski reminds me of none other than Russ Courtnall - a gazelle often too fast for his own puck.

Grabovski oozes talent and skill, but lacks some finish and size to make his anything more than a one dimension player for now. He produces sparks with no result and needs to look around himself more to assess option and open ice. You hate to tell a guy of his stripe to slow down so others on his line can play with him, make better use of him. But that is where I feel he is at and this is the teaching he needs to adapt. If he manages to learn this, he will be a treat.

Other rookies were a little less consistant, and the performances varied from player. Janne Lathi had seconds of great coherence with Kovalev, but not much else to make anyone rave and shout.



Duncan Milroy has the tools to be an NHL'er right now, if not in Montreal. Despite his fringe nature, he does have a good portion of the tools required to be a regular. Milroy's effort never wanes, the hits are there, and the grinding nose to the glass effort never wanes. Unfortunately for Milroy in Montreal, he might just be another number ready to be outnumbered.

Oddly, I see him as a prototypical Bruin coming back to haunt the Habs. I'm not sure why I sense the deja vu!

Jonathan Ferland took a nonsense penalty in the first period that propably bought him a one-way back to Hamilton. He does have that needed rugged edge, some speed, but it will be hard for him to outshine anyone on his fourth strike.

Sergei Kostitsyn dittoed Lahti's night. He showed flashes of a bigger game countered with moments of being absolutely looking lost. One one PP, he was set up in the corner, stood there mostly and watched. Despite the lost look, it is undeniable the talent he has. He will crack the shell at some point. What he's going through is often what occurs to go-to guys when moving up to a higher level. He's dealing with less puck time, and movement and adjusting his position are his next lessons. The Habs know exactly where he can gather this information.

As for the Habs regulars, it was the Andrei Kostitsyn and Kovalev show for the most part. Makes me wonder what would occur should the elder K ever be made into a centerman, he seemed such a suitable foil for Kovalev. Finding such compatibility for Kovalev is about as rare as stepping in Pope shit. Hopefully the duo lasts.

The newly aquired Tom Kostopoulos made a good pair with Chipchura on the penalty kill. He'll be a handy player to have around against grittier team. I just worry he's a Mike Johnson clone with no bite behind the bite.

Both Cristobal Huet and Yann Danis played well. Huet was faultless but neither was tested to extremes. Huet did show that he is still the Habs numero uno in nets, so I'm almost ready to call off the goalie battle for now.

Tomas Plekanec was true to his reputation on the penalty kill, but otherwise out of sync in a game with unrolling lines. No worries, he'll get his groove.

The surprising intentisity of this game had much to do with the fact that the Habs and Penguins are rapidly carving up a deep and rabid hate for each other. What with Crosby's whiner and faker tactics on high to get everybody going, sparks didn't take long to start flying. Add in Ruutu's behind the back acts and Armstrong's gutless tactics and you have a rivalry ready to escalate into war proportions should these teams ever set foot on the same Conference Final ice.
That day might not be so far away, folks.

I took great pleasure in watching Komisarek give it good to Crosby over and over. It's a great game when he and Markov are holding up the Habs end against the best player in the game.
All that was missing tonight was Max Lapierre's gunpowder!

Tonight's rematch should be a fitting sequel.

On a Penguins related sidenote, many Habs fans were fearing that Angelo Esposito would re-enact the Denis Savard homecoming of 1980 and make Bob Gainey look like a patsy of a GM.
Didn't happen. Wasn't even close!

No arguments will be ignited in his name anytime soon. I had to squint to believe my eyes that Esposito was so nothing - not even worthy of an adjective yet!

The stage is well set for tonight. Can the game live up to billing in pre-season.

"I can handle more of this", said the starved man to the soup!

Master Bob's Masterplan

The Montreal Canadiens wheeling and dealings of the past week leave little doubt that Canadiens GM Bob Gainey and staff are hard at work preparing for next season. With Andrei Markov tagged for four more years, an offer tended to Sheldon Souray, an overseas late bloomer gobbled up as a free agent, and a trade for a prospect ready for the AHL, it has been a whirlwind 7 days for Gainey and company.

The latest two moves are curious ones involving players previously unknown to Canadiens fans. Gainey will have an abundance of files on his desk this summer, as the organization continues to build in both the smartest and cheaper of ways - from within.


















Ryan Russell and Janne Lahti

Janne Lahti, who signed for 1 year, is a Finnish winger of decent size, who notched 20 goals in the Elite league this season. He is said to have good defensive credentials as well as a wicked shot. He became noticable upon scoring a bunch of goals in the recent World Tournament. Lahti was also being pursued by the Washington Capitals. His addition will add depth to an already stacked organization that is worthy of envy when it comes to prospects. The Lahti contract is most likely a one way deal, and can benefit the Habs or the Bulldogs. Still it is unliky the Canadiens lured him overseas with an AHL destination in mind.

Ryan Russell is a Kootenay Ice teammate of Ben Maxwell, a Canadiens draft choice in 2006. Russell had been drafted in the 7th round of 2005 by the Rangers and had not signed with New York. As he would have re-entered the draft as an unsigned player, the Canadiens scooped him up in exchange for a pick (their 7th in 2007) they likely would have used to select him in the event he was still available. The fact that Montreal took no chance and traded for him, signifies that they see something of worth in him that suggests possibly another team was onto him also. It's a smart move by the organization to sign a known quantity rather than draft and gamble on the unknown. The Habs brass showed their savvy on this move by getting a player who can essentially fit right in to the organization somewhere, right away.


What both these moves are showing fans, is that the Gainey - Timmins - Gauthier front office greatly understand the reasoning behind maintaining a stockpile of talent at every level in the organization. Not only are they busy propping up the Canadiens for next season, they have a keen eye on the Hamilton Bulldogs as well. As everyone knows, the Bulldogs begin the Calder Cup final this evening (they threw Hershey a knockout punch, didn't they?), and the best thing for the Habs would be to assure they are perenial contenders. Solidifying a competitive farm team in the end can only help maintain a steady flow of well developed prospects to the big club.

Since the announcement of the new CBA in 2005, there are new and important realities that NHL GM's have to deal with in regards to contracts. Youth will play a large role in all teams ability to compete and the better NHL teams will be stocked with young and cheaper talent.

It is primordial that a team has at least half of its starting lineup's younger players in a under 25 or 26 age group. With free agency coming as early as age 25 soon, there will be great turnover of this group annually, and the recent moves made by Gainey and company address and solidify this need head on.

The defection of Alexander Perezhogin also raises another spectre in dealing with the lower end contracts. There is now much competiton from overseas, as European and Russian league teams are in similar dollar markets for players that are on a team's lower end of the pay scale.

The basic truth is that NHL teams will hardly try to compete with this situation, they will simply find other players. Imagine for a second the ruckus caused by the Canadiens had they matched Perezoghin's offer and one quickly understands why the Canadiens didn't flinch.

Carey Price






















The lower end deals, especially the multi-year ones, are giving the Canadiens organization additional flexability in light of having to negotiate longer termed UFA deals. What can greatly eat up cap space for a team are injuries and this is one of the ways a team plans for it.

Last season, the Canadiens were essentially capped out in mid season, having to return Maxim Lapierre to Hamilton in order to manage a few bucks they might need come the year end trade deadline. It is also the reason behind the trading of Craig Rivet. The money saved could have helped pay for a rent-a-player should Gainey and staff felt the need to aquire one at that point. It also allowed the team a longer look at Lapierre and Andrei Kostitsyn.

Having a solid foundation in Hamilton, both economically and talent wise, helps the Canadiens remain competitive both on the ice and in the boardroom.

As the Canadiens will surely be subtracting some players and their salaries from last seasons club, so will the Bulldogs. Certain Hamilton players will graduate to the NHL, some will be cast aside, and some will be offered new deals. Gainey will attempt to resign RFA's and will let others walk away. Whether certain prospects are still deemed NHL bound will come into play. The Canadiens will likely attempt to keep certain players uniquely for their usefulness to the Bulldogs.

Maxim Lapierre




















Three players of character whose contracts are expiring that Gainey will attempt to keep in the fold are Yann Danis, Corey Locke, and Duncan Milroy.The reasoning behind holding onto all three players vary, but cover the span of scenarios applicable to the reasoning behind holding onto such character players. It is an example of what Gainey and the organization are doing extremely well.

In Danis' case, it would be smart to keep him because an organization can never have enough quality goaltenders. Danis has performed up to expectations in Hamilton, but has been outdistanced by a pair of thouroughbred goalie prospects in Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Danis will likely wish to move on, considering the logjam in goal ahead of him.

Kyle Chipchura




















Evidently, Carey Price will one day soon become the number goalie in Montreal, barring a disaster of course. In that viewpoint, both Halak and Cristobal Huet have number one goalie status written all over them, and it wouldn't be surprising to see either one of them moved in this upcoming season. Considering that a team trades from its greatest strength, and that David Aebischer is (thankfully) no longer in the picture, a more defined role for Danis awaits.

If the Bulldogs are to benefit from Danis' experience for another season, every player on that squad wins with such a decision. So does Danis, as he gets to showcase himself in a situation of strength and gains bargaining power should he eventually wish to leave the organization. It makes sense for him to stay, as it makes sense for Gainey to keep him.

Mikhail Grabovski




















As for Milroy and Locke, both players have consistantly gotten better with each year, as is evident this playoff season. Each have an outside chance of making the Canadiens next fall, depending on their performances in camp, and who returns to the Habs as far as UFA's go. Milroy had his first taste of NHL experience this season and did not look out of place. Locke has been rejuvenated as a winger in these playoffs, and his skill levels have never been in doubt. The Canadiens will not let him go without offering him what amounts to a one way contract, regardless of where he ends up playing next season. Again, should both be Hamilton bound, it continues to keep the Bulldogs an experienced veteran club.

Matt D'Agnostini




















Keeping Hamilton solid is all part of the Gainey plan. Players graduating from junior who will make up part of the Bulldogs lineup next season, can only benefit from rubbing shoulders with players who have had experience and success at that level.

It makes perfect sense to continue to surround the younger players in the organization with the best possible support in order to fast track them to the NHL. Considering the importance of low level salaries on an NHL team, spending the dollars at the AHL level where this is no cap, is one way to circumvent one monetary issue.

By all evidence, championship teams are built from the net out. Gainey was surely grinning his biggest grin in months, knowing this, while watching Carey Price stone the defending Calder Cup champs with a 46 save shutout performance last night.

The fruition of the Canadiens hard work in building from within was clearly on display in Hershey last night. Breeding and grooming the multitude of Habs prospects to play in a team mode in front of solid goaltending clearly has its benefits. Seeing the organizations youngest faces learn this fact night in and night out in Hamilton suggests that the organization is on the right track to another championship.

The Canadiens masterplan involves several points toward this goal, and they are acheiving it in smart steps.

Ryan O'Byrne














Start with a stockpile of talent based on character driven players. Keep an abundance of them, at low level prices, both in the NHL and AHL. Bolster the younger American League talent with winning and experienced teammates to fast track their ascendance to the NHL. Groom the players in the same system the NHL club plays in order to simplify transition. Reload annually, with an eye keenly focused on all these simpler goals, and eventually winning begins to take care of itself.

There are many who wish Bob Gainey would break form and try every possible free agent and trade avenue to win a Stanley Cup all in one year. If you are one of those who believe such impatience works, you haven't studied the Toronto Maple Leafs of the last ten seasons.

Toronto has gone for broke quite often, believing they were perhaps one player away from a Stanley Cup. They never were.

They pillaged their talent ranks of depth annually believing this myth, while trading for that one player. This season, their farm team finished dead last in their division. The Maple Leafs continuously stumble without a plan that involves vision.

I'd rather not be witness to a Canadiens GM building a team resembling the 2007 Maple Leafs or Marlies.

Gainey, well atuned to the realities of today's NHL, is using the same blueprint that found success with the 1976 Canadiens.

It will doubtfully deliver a dynasty, but a Stanley Cup is in the masterplan.

According To Timmins, Canadiens Future Filled With Promise

During the course of the past week, Canadiens fans heard the raves of GM Bob Gainey, coach Guy Carbonneau, and team president Pierre Boivin regarding the Habs crop of youngters set to battle for positions on the team in the coming seasons. The most prominant of these names, Carey Price, has just begun his pro career in Hamilton and will surely be garnering much attention.

Canadiens director of player personel, Trevor Timmins, who is presently scouting at the world Under-18 tournament in Finland, recently sat down with Martin Leclerc of Le Journal De Montreal to discuss the progress being made by a dozen Habs hopefuls. The picture he paints in his assessments of the players points to some interesting decisions come training camp next September. It is almost assured some of these players will be in Carbonneau's starting lineup come October.

Here's Timmin's evaluations on the best of the prospects, by position.

Goaltenders:

Jaroslav Halak: Slovakia, 21 years old, 9th round pick 2003

"Jaroslav will be a serious candidate for the backup goalie position at the next camp. He's calm and excels in pressure situations. In his draft year, at the under 18's in Russia, he stopped Alexander Ovechkin in shootouts. Fans in Montreal have already caught a glimpse of what he is capable of when he starred for the team down the stretch. It will be interesting to watch his perform at the World Championships."

Note: Halak had a .932 save percentage in 28 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs before being called up to Montreal. He was chosen to play in the AHL all-star game and was named to the leagues all-rookie team.

Carey Price: Canada, 19 years old, 1st round pick 2005





















"The whole world over watching him be named MVP and best goaltender at the recent World Junior Championships. Friday night, he played and won his first professional game and was named the first star", Timmins said giddily.

"Carey is a goalie with an imposing stature and he uses the butterfly style selectively. He's always square to a shooter", added Timmins.

"His junior team this past season, the Tri-City Americans, were not a strong club. They made the playoffs due largely to Carey's contribution. They were knocked out of the playoff early because of a lack of scoring. The upside is it gave him a chance to head to the pro ranks sooner."
Note: It is almost assured that Price will be the starting goalie for the Bulldogs next fall. With the Americans this season, Price had a .917 save percentage.

Yann Danis: Canada, 25 years old, signed as a free agent 2004


















"We'll be watching Yann closely as he finishes out the year with Hamilton. His situation will be re-evaluated once the season is over."

Note: Danis had a .905 save percentage and had a good season in Hamilton. He is currently winding out the final year of a two year contract.

Defensemen:

Jean-Philippe Cote: Canada, 26 years old, 9th round choice in 2000













Everyone was predicting that Cote would battle for a spot on the Canadiens last fall, but a knee injury set back those plans.

"J.P. made a few steps back at the start of last season, which can be attributed to the injury he suffered. He's not the best skater to start with, and troubles with the knee relagated him behind some others in his progress. Towards the final two months of the season, he became himself again and was a serious candidate to be called up to the Canadiens."

Note: Cote, a defensive defenseman, scored 3 goals and 9 assists with the Bulldogs this season. He added 115 penalty minutes to his totals.

Mathieu Carle: Canada, 19 years old, 2nd round choice in 2006









It was thought that Carle would be in Hamilton at this point, but his junior team, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies are still in the QMJHL playoff picture.

"Mathieu's season was split into two halves. When he started out with Acadie-Bathurst, his game was more offense based. Since the trade, he's been practicing a tighter style of play. Regardless of the changes, he is having an excellent playoff. He's a defenseman that helps circulate the puck very well and he excels at the transition game. Both those assets will suit him well at the NHL level."

Note: Carle had 16 goals and 54 assists in 63 games this season.

Ryan O'Byrne: Canada, 22 years old, 3rd round pick in 2003













O'Byrne's was the first name brought by Timmins when it came to the teams defensive hopefuls.

"His play has made significant progress since the new year. His case is particular in that he needed to adjust a longer schedule than he'd been used to. At Cornell University, the season begin in November, so he's had to adjust as far as fatigue goes. His progress reminds me of how Chris Higgins adapted."

Note: O'Byrne is 6' 5" tall and weighs 235 lbs. A stay at home type, he registered 125 penalty minutes. He'll be one of the more closely watched prospect at camp, as he is the odds on favorite to make the jump.

David Fischer: United States, 19 years old, 1st round pick in 2006













"David had a good season with University of Minnesota Gophers and the won the NCAA Championship. He went through adjusted periods during the year, having graduated from high school games just this past season. The calibre of play is much stronger, against much larger players. David honed his defensive skills greatly, practicing a tigher style of play. We are very satisfied with how he is coming along."

Note: Fischer, who's been described as an offensive defenseman, accounted for only 5 assists in 40 games during his first season. That can be explained by the fact that he was a rookie and recieved no powerplay time, as the team has great depth in that area.

Forwards:

Sergei Kostitsyn: Russia, 19 years old, 7th round choice in 2005













Sergei is the younger brother of Andrei Kostitsyn, would split the season between Hamilton and Montreal.

"This player is a true winner. At the rate he is progressing, he is turning out to be one heck of a seventh round pick!"

"Many experts, who've witnessed alot of OHL action this season have suggested that he was the league's premier player. Sergei excels both offensively and defensively, and has very good work habits. He may even be a better skater than his brother. His skills are very sharp. He's scored goals this season while his team was shorthanded playing five on three! Not only that, he can play a rugged style as well."

Note: Kostitsyn finished third in OHL scoring with 40 goals and 91 assists with the London Knights.

Kyle Chipchura: Canada, 21 years old, 1st round pick in 2004













"He had a very good season in Hamilton. He demonstrated his worth by quickly becoming a leader on and off the ice. He has lots of character and intensity. Despite being a rookie, he never hesitated to drop the gloves when necessary. He has killed penalties as well as performing on the power play. He is the type of player who helps a team win games like the Canadiens last game in Toronto."

Note: In the Canadiens circles, Chipchura's effectiveness is said to compare admirably against Radek Bonk's talents, who he will likely be called on to replace soon enough. His totals in his rookie seasom were 12 goals and 27 assists.

Mikhail Grabovski: Russia, 23 years old, 5th round pick in 2003













"His skating prowess is dominant and his potential will allow for him to battle for a spot on the Canadiens in September."

Note: Grabovsky is a speedster than reminds one of Maxim Afinogenov. He tallied 17 goals and 37 assists in 66 games with Hamilton and made an all too brief 3 game stint with the Habs.

Matt D'Agnotini: Canada, 20 years old, 6th round pick in 2005













"He had a big year in Hamilton. Generally, he goes unnoticed on the ice until something happens. The game he played at the Bell Centre was a real eye opener for him. He's alot like Mike Johnson in that he goes about his business quietly, and you'll only notice him once he's scored a goal or two. He's the kind of player that gets the winning goal in 2-1 games."

Note: D'Agnostini is a right winger who notched 21 goals and 28 assists with Hamilton in his rookie campaign.

Duncan Milroy: Canada, 24 years old, 3rd round pick in 2001













"Milroy had a breakout season this year. He played a few games with the Canadiens this season and is expected to battle for a spot come training camp. Milroy's game isn't crash and bang - he's a shooter and has many good qualities. He's typival of certain late bloomers who continuously develop step by step."

Note: Milroy was Hamilton's leading scorer with 25 goals and 33 assists.

Ben Maxwell: Canada, 19 years old, 2nd round pick in 2006













"He was the leading goal scorer in the WHL at the time of his elbow injury last season. Maxwell has tons of potential. We believe he has what it takes to become a number one or number two center in the NHL.

Note: Maxwell had 19 goals and 34 assists in 39 games with Kootenay Ice last season.

Unfortunately Timmins didn't speak about other prospects such as Ryan White, Pavel Valentenko, or Alexei Yemelin. Clicking on their names will bring up their stats at Hockey Database.

Fresh Blood For The Canadiens

Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Saturday that right-winger Duncan Milroy has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

Milroy, 24, has played in 52 games of the Bulldogs' 54 games so far this season. He leads the Bulldogs in goals and scoring with 23 goals and 29 assists for a total of 52 points. The Edmonton native is playing in his fourth season with the Bulldogs. In his AHL career, he has played in 255 games, scoring 58 goals and adding 76 assists for a total of 134 points.

Milroy, a 6-foot-1, 196-pound right-winger, played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League from 1998 to 2003, with the Swift Current Broncos (1998-2001) and the Kootenay Ice (2001-2003). In 264 career games, he collected 287 points, including 132 goals (132-155-287). In 2001-02, he led Kootenay to a Memorial Cup championship, thanks to 17 goals and 37 points, both league-highs, in 22 playoff games. He added four points, including three goals, in four Memorial Cup games.

Milroy, who has yet to play a game in the National Hockey League, was the Canadiens’ third pick (second round – 37th overall) in 2001.

Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau has stated that the recently called up Jaroslav Halak would see game action in one of two weekend games, most likely Sunday's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

While it remains to be seen how long Cristobal Huet will be out with a left hamstring injury suffered Wednesday, Halak isn’t just in Montreal as an observer.

"I don’t know much about him but [Hamilton Bulldogs head coach] Don Lever has told me good things about him," said head coach Guy Carbonneau. "He’s not here as a tourist, that’s for sure."

Even if he’s only played in 41 Bulldogs games since February 2006, Halak has still found the time to add his name to the franchise record books with nine shutouts.

His call-up didn’t surprise Maxim Lapierre, who witnessed firsthand what the Canadiens’ No. 41 is all about during his time in Steeltown.

"He looks big in the net," noted Lapierre, who was fortunate or unfortunate enough to face Halak during the goalie’s junior days with the Lewiston MAINEiacs. "He was really good when I was in Hamilton earlier this season and last year. He’s a big part of the Bulldogs’ success this season."