Habs Should Package Kids For Impact Player

The Canadiens 2008-09 training camp is at it's midway point, and other than a dismal first game showing against Boston, the team's performance has been excellent. Without once yet having iced a squad remotely reminiscent of last season's lineup, the Habs have fared well enough that one could envision them starting the season with either of the rookie laden groups they have dressed in the past three games.

I mean really, what are they to do with all of these kids coming through the woodwork?

It's a beauty of a problem to have if you happen to be Bob Gainey.

So far in exhibition games, it is clear that if this were any other season in which the Canadiens weren't so set and stacked, a good four or five rookies and prospects would be termed as NHL ready.

Matt D' Agnostini looks as though he could be a 15 to 20 goal scorer on about 15 NHL clubs starting this season.

Max Pacioretty is both physically and mentally at a big league level despite only being 19 years of age.

The performances of defensemen P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber tell of great futures so far.

The potential of center Ben Maxwell has shown itself greatly, especially when his talents are combined with those of solid NHL'ers.

And they have only been the best of the best thus far.






















There are also players with last names like Desharnais, Beauregard, Carle, Desjardins, Trotter and Stewart who have made strong impressions in a short time.

All could one day be in the NHL.

The 11 players named here, are primarily just the sharper tip of the iceberg for the Canadiens, and the reality is that they cannot all fit into the club's future plans.

The problem for a smiling Gainey is that the inner competition amongst these one day Habs is that it will bring out the best in them. Open spots on the club currently are more rare than Beatles reunion rumours.

The downside is that many of these players will walk from the team in time, returning little in terms of value. They will be flipped for draft picks down the line at best.

An interesting solution might have presented itself in the sheer numbers of these cumulative talents, as individually their worth would tend to be less than their combined value as a whole.

The Canadiens should make some decisions, perhaps premature, and roll the dice, in order to acquire a player that could not only take them to a higher level, but keep them there for a good long haul.

I bring this up because I see a pair of clubs - Pittsburgh and Detroit - screening the Canadiens Stanley Cup visions.

To ask why, is to understand that the Habs have no players in the Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk class within their ranks.

Adding a player of that high calibre, would go a long way towards ensuring that the club maintains annual Stanley Cup aspirations.

Mind you, I think this current team is capable right this season, with its current configuration, to go all the way.

But I'm a Habs fan, and I can only think in terms of dynasties. One Cup, only brings a thirst for more, hence my long term view that gaining a markee player suits that need best.

As I see it, in the short or long term, the Canadiens will need a player of absolute character, force, and value. A player that might well define the team identity, beyond the current Koivu and Kovalev regime.

















I envision the idea of such a player as being capable of producing between 85 and 100 points annually for the next decade, or close to it. Someone to measure up against the likes of Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Zetterberg, and Datsyuk.

The Canadiens can only gain such a player via three methods.

1 - Drafting a prospect in the top three spots over the next two seasons.

2 - Making a trade for such a high pick.

3 - Acquiring via the trade route, an already established player who could fill this need.

For option number 1 to happen, the Canadiens would need to be the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Thrashers or Kings. File that scenario under "Not Gonna Happen".

Option two is more likely, in that the Habs could package a group of a half dozen bodies of promise, and gain a lottery pick in the draft that could turn out to be more than the sum of it's parts.

The most immediate route is obviously the most salacious. Acquire a bona fide NHL star - rising or established.

Names - you want: Kovalchuk, Gaborik, Morrow, Kopitar, or Getzlaf. (There are others, but I digress!)

Placed in the Canadiens shoes, I would not part with Pacioretty, McDonough, Yemelin or Maxwell. Other prospects are negotiable.

The bait offered- an alluring bevy of Habs prospects with a pinch of current regulars tossed in.

























Here's the card I would play if I were Gainey:

2006 first round pick, defenseman David Fischer.

Jaroslav Halak.

The rights to Alexandre Perezhogin.

A choice between center Ryan White and winger Matt D' Agnostini.

A choice between Subban and Weber.

A choice between centers Lapierre and Chipchura.

A choice between Mathieu Dandeneault and Tom Kostopoulos.

The possible flip flop of draft choices in 2009 or 2010.

Depending on the trading partner, I'd want Gainey to consider adding an alternative, in the name of a roster player or second round pick.


You might ask why I would be willing to see the club part with so many assets to gain but one player.

My answer involves calculated risk, but I always see it in the sense that the club gaining the best player in a deal is usually the winner.

Of the options available above, if I were to be another clubs GM, I'd grab the following.

White as he is a centerman, over D' Agnostini, because he is a better skater and shows more two way responsability.

Subban over Weber, for reasons incurring grit, charisma, and nationality.

Lapierre over Chipachura in regards to experience, skating skills, and attitude.

Kostopoulos, for his age over Dandy, and his willingness to go to no end for team mates.

I'd also say "NO" to the flip of choices, or at best retain the option.

In the final tally, a deal for the likes of Kovalchuk, Gaborik, Morrow, Kopitar, or Getzlaf would boil down to Fischer, Halak, Perezhogin, White, Subban, Lapierre, and Kostopoulos.

All told, seven bodies for a franchise player.

Which trigger would you pull?

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Don't Pitch A Tent Over Habs Camp Surprises

Now that the Canadiens rookie camp is winding to it's end, the focus will now be shifted to the 52 players at the main camp - more than double the roster than will begin the Habs 100th season in October.

Training camps are all about battles for survival in making the team, and the surprises and unexpected twists in the perceived plans of the team.

Unfortunately, this season, for those expecting suspense and intrigue this fall, the pickings will be slim.

There may be but one surprise this camp. More on that in a bit.

Last season, fans and management alike were aware of the potential for as many as five rookies making the team, and eventually each of those expected scenarios played out.

Carey Price not only made the club, but over time he wrestled the starters job away from Cristobal Huet.

Centers Kyle Chipchura and Mikhail Grabovski beat out Maxim Lapierre in the battle for the club's fourth and fifth pivot spots.

Ryan O'Byrne fell just short of making the team, but would eventually end the season in Montreal.

Sergie Kostitsyn, perhaps the best Habs rookie in pre-season, was offered an AHL trial run before becoming a Habs mainstay come December.

It seems almost ancient history now that great ink was spilled over the rise of Price and the fall of Lapierre.

This season promises a whole lot less drama.

You can safely bet your grandmother's false teeth that when camp breaks this time around there won't be a rookie in sight. You could even throw in Grandpa's Depends!

That's not to say that there aren't worthy candidates on the watch - there are plenty! It is just that this season's Canadiens are a whole different animal.

They've gone from a yappy Jack Terrier to a rabid pit bull in one season - a first place finish will accomplish as much. Whatever holes were apparent on the team when the playoffs ended last spring have been remedied by the free agent signing of Georges Laraque and the acquisitions of Alex Tanguay and Robert Lang.

In three fell swoops, went the hopes of Gregory Stewart, Matt D' Agnostini, and Kyle Chipchura, never mind every other rookie clammoring for a spot behind them.

With the Canadiens packed and primed for a solid run at the Stanley Cup, the hopes and dreams for prospects such as those named above and the likes of Pavel Valentenko, Max Pacioretty, and Mathieu Carle will be put on hold.

And it is only logical, no matter how well they fare come the end of camp.

Expect Pacioretty to stick around right until the final cuts, as the Habs brass will want a good look at everything he has to offer. He will do well, but he'll get cut, for no reason other than the team he is trying to make is loaded.

You could almost pencil in the Canadiens starting lineup on opening night.

A. Kostitsyn - Plekanec - Kovalev
Tanguay - Koivu - Latendresse
Higgins - Lang - S. Kostitsyn
Laraque - Lapierre - Begin

Markov - Komisarek
Hamrlik - O' Byrne
Gorges - Bouillon

Price

The pressbox paper airplanes, barring injuries, will be piloted by Mathieu Dandeneault, Patrice Brisebois, Tom Kostopoulos, and perhaps Chipchura.

No shockers and no surprises!

I predict good showings for all of Valentenko, Pacioretty and Stewart, but don't get excited over it - their future's will play out 12 months from now.

If you want to look for a surprise camp battle, a scrambling of the cards - look no further than the crease.

Unmentioned, and often relegated beyond memory, was the Canadiens signing of veteran free agent goaltender Marc Denis.

Trust me, a showdown between Denis and Jaroslav Halak will take place in this camp!

Am I off my rocker?

No, sir, I am riding it!

I'll explain why

Among all goalies in the Canadiens organization, no puck stopper is more experienced than Denis. He has played more NHL games than Carey Price, over 300 to be precise. His 112 NHL wins speak of his worth, although he has never stopped a puck in the playoffs.

Denis has similarities with Price - both were first round picks burdened with high expectations.

Each has gone onto the World Junior stage in annual WJC.

While Denis' NHL career has had it's low notes, he may be the Habs best stopper when it comes to relating to Carey Price.

If you think that is merely coincidental, how about that Denis has backed up both Patrick Roy and Jose Theodore in his NHL career.

Still thinking I am off my rocker?

You know, of course, that Bob Gainey works in mysterious ways. The Habs GM is not going to disect his decisions for public scrutiny - right?

As you might well see what I am getting at, I do not want my views taken as a vote of non confidence in regards to Halak - a goalie whom I greatly appeciate.

But quite simply, my view's matter squat. I've no insight into the Canadiens brass' inner workings or thoughts.

I just a see two suitcase loads of experiences that can affect and benefit Price's standing as the Habs number one goalie as this season progresses.

In Halak, a puckstopper of equal age and experience, aspiring to the same position - Habs number one goalie - that may or may pressure Price, depending on his performances.

Or Denis, a young veteran with a history and road travelled similar to Price, with whom he can learn a great deal of harsh reality lessons from.

What will Price learn if Denis is sent to Hamilton?

In a nutshell, there is your training camp battle, intrigue, and surprise - for what it is worth.

Oh, and did I mention that Denis is getting the start against the Buffalo Sabres in the Roberval game on September 23.

Interesting Canadiens Trivia, Facts And Numbers While You Wait For Game 5

Here's some past and present Habs tidbits to amuse and titilate you until the game five puck drops.

Not bad, for a whole four games into a playoff career!

Of all the goaltenders who have started at least one game in the 2007-98 playoffs, Carey Price leads or is tied for the lead in several categories. Most wins (before last night), our boy Carey with 3. Shutouts? Carey tied with one. Best save percentage? Price again at .956. Price also has the best goals against average, at 1.19. What other stats categories are left? Assists? He'll get one, but no one has any yet. Price was second in time on ice at 251:21, second most for goalies playing the first 3 games and about a dozen minutes behind leader Jose Theodore at 263. Price has stopped 110 shots in four games, 4 less than Martin Gerber has stopped in 3 games.

Oddly, Price has the best career save percentage of all goalies in Canadiens history with a .920 stat for 2007-08. How'd he manage that you ask? Well, they have only been doing the math since 1984, so Dryden, Durnan, Vezina, Plante, and Hainsworth don't figure in. Cristobal Huet is tied with Carey at .920 as well. Patrick Roy, the father of a fighting goalie in the Q sits 12th since 1984 with a .904 rate. Two Habs stoppers that made brief third period appearences in the Canadiens goal stopped everything. Olivier Michaud made 14 3rd period saves against the Oilers in 2002, and Randy Exelby stopped the one shot he faced in 1989. More on Exelby in a bit.

There are 13 former Montreal Canadiens playing in the present playoffs. They are: Chris Chelios, Theodore, Stephane Robidas, Cristobal Huet, Mike Ribeiro, Dainus Zubrus, Aaron Asham, Donald Brashear, Mathieu Schneider, François Beauchemin, Radek Bonk, Craig Rivet and Sean Hill. The Habs also have 3 former coaches in the playoffs ( one who's summer they are about to fast track ), one brother, and a son in law.



















In the 1915-16 season, when the Canadiens first won the Stanley Cup, their coach was Newsy Lalonde, who also happened to be the team's captain and the NHL's leading scorer that season. Years later, another former Canadien won a major NHL award ( no, not the Jack Adams Trophy, smart guy!) while coaching his team. I'll put the answer to that bit of trivia at the bottom of the page while you old timers wrack your brains. A clue would be: this player won the award while coaching a team other than the Habs.

Some round numbers: Matt D' Agnostini became the 700th player to wear a Habs jersey in the NHL on April 3, 2008 against Buffalo. After 71 goaltenders, D' Agnostini was the 629th skater. Gregory Stewart became number 701 one game later. Michael Ryder's next regular season goal in a Canadiens uniform will be his 100th. It will tie him with Serge Savard at number 54 on the Habs all time list. Alex Kovalev's next regular season point will be his 200th in a Habs jersey. He currently sits 70th all time, tied with Mathieu Schneider. Larry Robinson's career plus minus with Montreal is a fat plus 700. Wow!

Former Canadiens defenseman Guy Lapointe was a major prankster and general all purpose comedian. The Gazette's Red Fisher once said that Guy was his own biggest fan. Lapointe, in addition to being a power play specialist from the blueline, was vital to his team as well by being a clown and keeping things loose and stress free. Players would return from practice and find their shoes nailed to the dressing room floor or filled with shaving cream.

One time during the 1973 playoffs, the Canadiens were preparing to face the Philadelphia Flyers in the midst of their terrorizing Broad Street Bully era, and on the morning of one game, a group of Habs players were gathered together and staring off silently from a hotel balcony, an obvious sign of tension for what lay ahead. As visions of brawling fights and high sticks swinging filled the players minds, Lapointe sensed the impending feeling of doom while quietly looking around for a few seconds. Seeing the fear in his team mates eyes, lapionte dropped to his knees, cupped his hands together and raised them skyward. "Let us now pray", said the defenseman, as his brothers in arms buckled beside him in laughter. Players had tears streaming from their eyes and the laughs lasted a good while. Lapointe's goof had done the trick and the tension was erased. After losing Game 1 of the series, the Canadiens came back to win the next four, on their way to Stanley Cup number 18.


















Patrice Brisebois ranks 9th on the Habs all time list of most seasons played. He is 17th in most career games with 834. Saku Koivu is 23rd in games played with 727, and 34th in season with 12.

I'm a big fan of watching the annual NHL Entry Draft. I like all the trade drama, the talk of future stars and the wheeling and dealing of draft picks in the later non televised rounds. Each draft has over 200 chosen players, most of which you will never hear from again.

In 2000, Canadiens GM at the time, Andre Savard was involved in a couple of deals wherein teams swung multiple picks one team's way in order to move up in the draft order and select a player they coveted. The Mighty Ducks had it bad for Ilya Bryzgalov that year, and gave the Canadiens 3 draft choices in order to take the Habs 44th overall pick and select the goalie. In return, Montreal received Anaheim's picks for rounds 3, 4, and 5, or 78th, 124th, and 145th overall, who respectively became Josef Balej, Michel Ouellet, and Ryan Glenn. Balej was the player Bob Gainey dealt to the Rangers for Alex Kovalev. Ouellet, who is now with Tampa, was not chosen by the Canadiens in the 124th slot. Montreal traded picks number 124 and 145 to Pittsburgh in order to move up 10 positions and select Christian Larrivee, a big center with Chicoutimi in the QMJHL. Larrivee didn't exactly pan out. After a whole 11 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs over 2 seasons, he is now a member of the Rodovre Mighty Bulls in Denmark. The Habs in the end, might have been best off staying put, but it's strange sometimes how these things work themselves out. Just another proof that drafts are often crapshoots.

Mikko Koivu, Saku's younger brother, was drafted one position ahead of Mike Komisarek in 2001. Had the Wild not taken Mikko, one wonders who the Habs would have taken if presented with the choice?

Jacques Plante played 33,226 regular season minutes for the Montreal Canadiens from 1953 to 1963. If you break that total down it becomes 7 months, 20 days, 10 hours, and 46 minutes. That would be like going between the pipes on October 1st at midnight and staying there until May 20th of the following year, at a quarter to 11 in the morning! Former Habs goalie Randy Exelby spend a whole 3 minutes in the Montreal net in 1989. It was long enough for Exelby to be credited with having an NHL career stat as a Canadien player and slightly longer than it took Habs starter Patrick Roy to run to the Habs dressing room and relieve himself. They are not called relief goalies for no reason!

Answer: Doug Harvey coached the 1962 New York Rangers while winning the Norris trophy for best defenseman.
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Habs For Breakfast - April 4, 2008

You have to appreciate how these bunch of Habs have the ability to win games in different ways, with a varying cast of heroes changing on a nightly basis. We looking one gelled team right now!

There are four intangible that I've always maintained a team needs to go deep into the playoffs and win a Cup with. They are goaltending, faith, harmony, and line depth.

Right now, the Smolinski, Begin, Kostopoulos line are playing about as good as one can expect of a fourth line.

This team gets along and there is no turmoil whatsoever this season.

They believe in themselves. How could they not.

Their goalie is a zone, mentally. Carey Price is not surrendering the type of goals he was earlier in the season, when concentration and puck tracking seemed his biggest woes.

Add it all up!

Ryan O'Byrne had this to say about Carey Price last night after the game:

"He’s just so relaxed. Nothing fazes him," shrugged O’Byrne. "He’s the first guy to be chatting it up with someone in the room before a game, and you never see that in a goalie."

Do I like our chances? I Love our chances!




















Habs Keep Conference Dream Alive - Gazette

"The Canadiens can put the pressure on the Penguins with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night. The Penguins would then have to win their final game Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers." - Pat Hickey

Price Can Lead Canadiens To Promised Land - Gazette

Admit it: you knew all along that with only one game remaining in the season, the Canadiens would have the Northeast Division championship locked up and still be in the race for No. 1 overall in the Eastern Conference. Yeah, sure you did. - Red Fisher

Canadiens Eliminate Sabres With Win - TSN

"It gives us a chance to finish first," said Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau. "We don't know what will happen on Sunday, but if we win on Saturday, it will force Pittsburgh to play their best players."

How Sweet it Is - Except If You're A Sabres Fan - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"The Habs aren’t being stopped, eliminating the Buffalo Sabres tonight in a completely convincing, except for some brief moments in the third period, 3-1 win. And they won it in style, even with injuries, even with the northeast sewn up, because, like Alex Kovalev says, "a team starts the playoffs the way they end the season." - Dennis Kane

1st In The East Still Up For Grabs - Lions In Winter

Our first goal on the Power-Play was our nicest tonight. The Habs PP is so effective these days that I have come to take goals like this one for granted. Kovalev fed it back to the point to Hamrlik. Hammer then sent the puck straight back to the right side to Streit who released a very good slapshot. In front of the net Higgins was providing the screen and had just the right touch to tip it up over Miller. - Tobalev

Gorgeous Gorges - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"I wonder if Bob Gainey has allowed himself a small, secret smile at the way Josh Gorges is playing these days? Or whether Doug Wilson has stopped kicking himself yet. I wasn't sure how things would work out when Craig Rivet got traded to the Sharks for Gorges and the Sharks' first-round pick last year. I wasn't even sure how I felt about it. On one hand, Rivet was a lifetime Hab who'd given a lot of himself to the team. On the other, he was having a pretty rotten season and had betrayed the "A" on his sweater by getting angry and dividing loyalty in the room." - J.T.

Q & A With Mikhail Grabovski - McKeen's Hockey

"McKeen's recently had the opportunity to chat with Grabovski before he was recalled by the Canadiens at the trading deadline. The talented forward talked about his AHL exploits, splitting time between Hamilton and Montreal, coming back from injury, playing in Russia, representing Belarus, and his overall game." - Kevin Wey

4-3-08: Canadiens 3 Sabres 1 - Theory Of Ice

"It’s a little scary how irrelevant our injury ‘woes’ are starting to seem. No Koivu, Komisarek, Bouillon, Ryder, or (incidentally) Grabovski, and yet no obvious deterioration in the Habs’ overall game. Not to say that I don’t want those guys healthy again for the playoffs, but there is clearly more to the team’s success than just good luck with bones and muscles." -E















Eyeing The Calder Trophy - Montreal Canadiens.com

"You often hear about a goalie being in the zone for a period of time. Carey certainly was at the World Juniors, in Hamilton, and even with his junior team," explained head coach Guy Carbonneau. "And now since the trade deadline, Carey has been in that zone."

The Numbers Game - April 3, 2008 - Montreal Canadiens.com

"7 Canadiens players, now including Chris Higgins, to have reached the 50-point mark this season, the most since seven Habs also turned the trick in 1988-89."

Le trio de Smolinski a donné le ton - RDS

"Ce trio va très bien depuis le retour de Steve, a indiqué Guy Carbonneau. Chaque joueur comprend bien son rôle. On parle ici de vétérans qui font le travail défensivement et qui obtiennent ainsi des occasions de marquer."

Desharnais brûle le ECHL - RDS

"Le centre natif de Québec occupe le premier rang des compteurs (28-74-102) de la ECHL en plus de présenter un différentiel de plus-35 dans l'uniforme des Cyclones de Cincinnati."

Canadiens 3 Sabres 1: "Ramenez la Coupe" - La Presse

"Le message était on ne peut plus clair: ramenez la Coupe à Montréal. Coiffant, en grosses lettres, les noms de tous les joueurs du Canadien, ce message occupait chaque centimètre d'une longue bannière blanche que des partisans ont plusieurs fois déployée d'un bout à l'autre d'une rangée de la section 107, hier soir, au Centre Bell." - François Gagnon

Viacheslav Fetisov, compatriote et fan de l'Artiste - La Presse

"Je n'aime pas classer les joueurs. Mais Alexei Kovalev, du point de vue des habiletés, a toujours été en haut de la liste, autant aujourd'hui qu'à l'époque où les Rangers de New York ont gagné la Coupe Stanley, quand il était encore tout jeune. Dans la centaine d'années d'histoire du hockey, il y a peu de joueurs qui ont été capables de faire ce qu'il accomplit avec une rondelle." - Viacheslav Fetisov

Carey Price entre dans sa bulle - La Presse

"Carey est dans sa zone depuis la date limite des transactions, a estimé Guy Carbonneau. On a vu dans le passé, aux Championnats du monde junior et l'an dernier à Hamilton, que plus les matchs sont importants, plus il est capable de garder son calme et de faire les arrêts."

D' Agnostini et Srewart int cru à on poisson d'avril à retardement - La Presse

"J'ai été surpris et je suis excité. J'arrive dans une équipe solide qui a gagné le championnat de sa division. Je vais donc travailler fort si je suis appelé à jouer", a déclaré D'Agostini, hier matin, quelques instants avant que l'entraîneur-chef Guy Carbonneau ne confirme sa présence au sein d'un trio avec Chris Higgins et Sergei Kostitsyn." - Pierre Lacouceur

Comme l'année de la dernière coupe - Le Journal

"Le Tricolore a anéanti les der niers espoirs des Sabres de Buffalo de prendre part aux séries éliminatoires en l'emportant 3 à 1, hier soir, au grand plaisir de ses partisans avec qui il renouait après une série de trois matchs sur les patinoires adverses." - Marc de Foy

L'increvable Steve Bégin - Le Journal

"Steve Bégin nous étonnera toujours. À chaque fois qu'on le pense au bout du rouleau, il revient plus fort. Il est increvable! Le vétéran attaquant a joué comme s'il avait 20 ans hier soir. Il a secoué les puces de ses adversaires en appliquant huit mises en échec toutes plus percutantes les unes que les autres. Il lui reste du jus, le vieux! " - Marc De Foy

"Carbonneau a fait du très bon travail": Lindy Ruff - Le Journal

"C'était un pari risqué, a raconté le pilote des Sabres, Lindy Ruff, après la rencontre. On aurait pu se sortir du match, mais ça nous a remis dedans." Ce dernier a tenu à lever son chapeau au Canadien, qui n'a pas donné beaucoup de marge de manoeuvre à ses jeunes joueurs. "Nous ne voulions pas accuser un déficit. Le Canadien joue un système difficile et il a fait un bon travail à nous fer mer la porte", a expliqué l'entraîneur." - Charles Rooke

"Price ne connait pas ce qu'est la pression": Bryan Smolinski - Le Journal

"Ça fait du bien de contribuer à l'attaque, même si la mission de notre trio est surtout défensive, a raconté Smolinski. Des joueurs clés manquent à l'appel et il faut que d'autres en fassent davantage pour combler ces pertes."
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Habs For Breakfast - And Other News Too

The Habs news is a little thin today, so before getting to the links, I'll share with you 3 little stories concerning hockey and myself over the last 24 hours.

A funny thing happened earlier this morning. I posted my Carey Price Calder piece and I come home to find an e-mail from T.C Deneault (Hockey News, Habs World) giving me a kudos and saying great minds think alike!

I'd say, to the more eloquent than I, T.C., "Yes, but at the same time?"

Strange indeed.

Even stranger, another e-mail yesterday from a reader who shares the same name as I.

To the other Robert Lefebvre, have you ever had something like this happen?

On the subject of the double pronged Price posts, if you have read it, go back and check out Anvilcloud's devil's advocate take on the article, in the comments section.

I had a reader who once thanked me for making him think about certain things differently. My readers allow me that same privelege.

Another funny little story concerning my hockey playing daughter Crystal, who plays for the Cornwall Pee Wee Typhoons.

Crystal, who I used to refer to as Poke Check back in the day when I went by Reality Check (Yikes!) on this site, is turning into a scoring version of Max Lapierre, if you will.

My goodness, this kid has learned to stir shit lately!

My daughter and her team are off to the Provincials in the Toronto area next week, and as most team's seasons are over, all the Typhoons have left to play for opponants, to remain sharp, are local boys house league squads. The teams are fairly evenly matched.

Crystal is going to the Provincials for the third straight season - a rare accomplishment I think
Perhaps it is the more rugged side of the boys game that is bringing the little terror in her. Her eagerness to poke pucks loose at the goal crease has been earning her the wrath of many defenseman and there's lots of after late whistle shoving going on. Sticks and gloves come up, ankle slashes come down.

Something she calls "fun"!

At 13, she is starting to develop a fearlessness and it manifests itself in funny ways. At school last week, the son of the coach who had cut her from the higher level travel team was taunting her based on missing that cut back in September. Two days later Crystal pounded the piss out of him in the schoolyard. He leaves her be now!


Last night against a boys team from Charlottenburgh county, she registered a girl travel team version of the Gordie Howe hat trick. No, not another fight, but a penalty, a goal and an assist.

The girls won the game and won 5-3, Crystal added a second goal and a eight inch bruise across her thigh from an antagonized player in the corner. The two teams play each other again tonight.

When a team mate's grandfather remarked to me about the Howe feat, he threw me a trivia question about Gordie and he was surprised I had the answer.

There's been a lot spoken about and written of on Howe lately, on the event of his 80th birthday last week. The grandparent, who is old enough to recall Howe's Cups with the Wings asked me if knew how often Howe had fought in his career, and I told him that I had just heard he'd only dropped the gloves 21 times in 23 NHL seasons.

I also knew that the man himself only fought, scored, and assisted in a game once. Now there's a myth!

Crystal has a big thing about making the Provincials. When the time comes for the regional and district playdowns, she brings her game up several notches and grows fiesty. She wants it real bad! The competing teams of the area are very matched in all ways, so the common scores are usually 1-0 or 2-1. In the nine playdown and exhibition games played up until the second week of March, Crystal had 7 goals and 5 assists - her team scored a total of 21 goals in those games.

This year I get the feeling she will not be satisfied with only making it - she wants a gold medal!


Late Season Surge Allows Only One Goal With Man Advantage In Past 36 Chances - Gazette

"A month ago, the Canadiens had one glaring weakness. While the power play had been ranked No. 1 for most of the season, the other special team - the penalty-kill - ranked 24th in the National Hockey League. The team's success rate stood at 78.9 per cent, several points below the league average." - Pat Hickey

Habs Eyeing eastern Conference Title - TSN

"I think we have a shot at it," Carbonneau said Wednesday. "I think everyone in the room wants to give it a shot. I'm not going to play two lines and four defencemen the rest of the year. We won in Ottawa (on Tuesday) and not a lot of people thought we could beat them with the injuries we had. We have two games left against teams we're able to beat, so I don't see why we shouldn't try."

The Optimist vs The Pessimist - Four Habs Fans

In celebration of the division title (pessimist's note: stop celebrating we haven't won anything yet!), we thought we'd do something a little different today for the game review. Playing the role of optimist, 1998 Emmy Award Winner Panger. In his usual role of pessimist, HF29. So let's break down the Habs performance.

Game Day Routine: Getting Ready For The Sabres - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"Because the game’s on early here on the west coast, at 4:30 pm, I know I need to get my nap in early too. So I’ll head to bed about 11am and sleep until 1:00. This gives me time to have my carbs and several coffees for a quick boost and not feel too bloated by the time the puck drops." - Dennis Kane

Dwelling On The Kerfuffle In Kanata: Blame It On The Opera Singer - Dennis Kane's Excellent Montreal Canadiens Blog

"If I was better man, a nicer man, a good man, I’d feel differently about the mess the Ottawa Senators find themselves in right now. But I’m a terrible man, a bad man, so I’m quite giddy, thank you very much." - Dennis Kane

Lafleur To Sue Police And Solicitor General - TSN

"The suit targets Crown prosecutor Lise Archambault, Montreal police officer Francoise Fortin and their respective employers, lawyer Jean-Pierre Rancourt said in an interview Tuesday. Rancourt said Lafleur's reputation has been tarnished by the decision by authorities to proceed with the arrest warrant instead of a summons."
























D'Agnostini fera ses débuts - RDS

"Guy Carbonneau a annoncé que Michael Ryder ne serait pas en mesure de participer à la rencontre puisqu'il s'est blessé à une jambe mardi face aux Sénateurs. Son absence permettra à Matt D'Agostini de disputer son premier match en carrière dans la LNH."

Smolinski a accepté un rôle plus défensif - La Presse

"Il s’en est dit des choses sur Bryan Smolinski cette saison, et pas toujours des gentilles. Mais force est d’admettre qu’il joue peut-être son meilleur hockey de la saison par les temps qui courent." - Marc Antoine Godin

Komisarek sera là pour le début des séries - La Presse

"Mike Komisarek devrait recommencer à s’entraîner avec ses coéquipiers, ce matin. Voilà une bonne nouvelle, car dans la foulée des 12 000 blessures qui ont affligé le Tricolore récemment, on s’était presque mis à croire que la moitié de l’équipe serait sur le carreau au début des séries." - Marc Antoine Godin

La bagarre de Markov: intentionnel ou accidentel? - Le Journal

"La remarque la plus juteuse est venue de Mike Komisarek, qui joue en compagnie de Markov depuis belle lurette. "J'ai aussi été étonné, a lancé le robuste défenseur américain. Je n'ai pas eu la chance de parler à Marky, mais je compte bien lui demander si c'était intentionnel ou si ses gants sont tombés par accident!" - Martin Leclerc

Carey Price et le trophée Calder: une question d'utilisation - Le Journal

"Je crois que Carey devrait figurer par mi les finalistes», a plaidé Guy Carbonneau hier. "Il mérite d'être considéré pour le titre de recrue de l'année. Il n'a pas joué toute la saison, mais il a été placé dans une position très difficile toute la saison. Il n'a que 20 ans et ce qu'il a accompli est remarquable." - Martin Leclerc
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Five Camp Hopefuls Should Avoid The Cut

Today the Canadiens will announce a large group of cuts for players whose hopes are now Hamilton bound. What will remain of the players in camp for the final two exhibition games, are prospects that the Habs organization, and coach Guy Carbonneau, feel have a shot at starting the season in Montreal.

For those players, the questions surrounding whether they stick with the team or not, have everything to do to with the quality of contributions they can offer the Canadiens this season if they are in fact NHL ready. Determining whether they stick in the final tally will speak for their progress, as well as their ability to adapt to a more involved game with bigger consequences.

As I am writing this in wee hours of Monday morning there is a good chance that cuts have been announced by the time you read this.

From what I've seen and read of the Canadiens camp and games so far, I see but five players able to complement the Habs destination this season. Considering that the team could ice a full roster without a single Hamilton promotion, this number is consistant with the players ages and developemnt within the organization so far.

Maxim Lapierre and Andrei Kostitsyn are not in the equation - they are Montreal Canadiens in every way.

In a previous post, I stated that goaltender Carey Price would start the year in Montreal, but it does not seem to be in the cards. I still firmly believe that the team would be better off with Price in tandem with Huet. The Habs brass has other ideas, and the cautiousness is understandable in regards to the gem they are dealing with. I've no qualms with the notion that an abundance of AHL playing time can only help the future star.

It will be an interesting file to watch unfold!

Other than Price, there are four other hopefuls I feel are NHL ready, though their futures quite obviously do not fit into the Canadiens present circumstances.




Corey Locke, Duncan Milroy, J.P. Cote and Yann Danis have each progressed professionally to the point where they are surely good enough to be NHL players - just not in Montreal at present. As they are not in the Canadiens current plans, the team must act quickly to determine their fate and gain a return on their values.

I like what all four have to offer, but there are only so many seats on the bus.

After eliminating those five names from the group, the Habs brass will be staring down five more players that have been bright lights in the teams first five exhibition games.

Those players include Matt D' Agnostini, this camps biggest revelation, and Sergei Kostitsyn, a slick and multi skilled talent who has shown an uncanny ability to find the net and adapt to his surroundings better than any other hopeful.

Rounding out the group are speedball Mikhail Grabovski, the well rounded and groomed Kyle Chipchura, and rugged defenseman Ryan O'Byrne.

The reason these five players will stick around the longest have to do with the options they present to the team and it's current needs.

O' Byrne is a lanky but rugged rearguard whose size is an element currently in short supply on the Habs blueline. His addition is only a matter of time, as he is a projected talent still in need of grooming. The Canadiens must decide between which destination can offer him the quickest progression. He would garner large chunks of AHL ice time in Hamilton as opposed to seeing perhaps 35 NHL games with Montreal should he make the cut. This decision will have much to do with whether they deem he can offer the Canadiens more than Mathieu Dandeneault and Josh Gorges at this point.



Grabovski is an offensive catalyst, whose speed is blurry enough to make oppositions coil. Trouble is, he lacks a great deal of finish on plays and shows compatibility with only a few of the Canadiens regulars - namely the elder Kostitsyn and Alex Kovalev. His lack of adaptability to other players may tag him as a player who needs a step back before stepping up for good.




Sergei Kostitsyn brings the same cards as Grabovski to the table along with more versatility. While being speedy, he also shows a knack for multiple usage. His hunger has been commended as he is an able passer and shooter, whose instincts into defensive areas are also apparent. He has also been compatible with only a select few from the Habs lineup, but has the tools of a sparkplug who can contribute from any line.




Matt D'Agnostini has darkhorse written all over him. The game which he brought to the Hamilton Bulldogs last season has been a highlight of the Habs camp so far. He continues to be the right guy in the right place at the right time, making him extremely hard to ignore. It will be his play away from the puck that tells his fate. While lacking in size, he has shown fearlessness in traffic. His fate may eventually be tied to what the Canadiens foresee in the case of impending free agent Michael Ryder. He has done everything possible to make the 2007-08 Habs, but patience might be a virtue he seeks. With dedication and hard work, an NHL stint isn't out of the question for D'Agnostini this season.



Kyle Chipchura is the closest of all Habs prospects as he is slotted to fill a particular defensive role on the team. Groomed in a Carbonneau and Gainey mold, many speak of the maturity in which he brings to his game. The Canadiens have a spot for him and it is up to the player to show he is ready. His positional awareness and the success he has had in camp so far tell that he must be measued against higher standards of play to gauge his progression. Count on him being in the Canadiens lineup in the first game against Carolina.



Much can change in the Canadiens next two exhibition games. Given what has been seen of the five players spoken about above, the Habs ought to give them every opportunity to play their cards in the coming days.

It will be an interesting week ahead.

Darkhorse D'Agnostini Turning Heads

With quotes from Habs Inside Out, dated 21/09/07

"A star is born" was the quote from Habs grinder Steve Begin as the doors swung open to reporters following the Canadiens 3-2 exhibition win over the Islanders Friday night.

D' Agnostini, for the record, potted two goals including the game winner in overtime.

As a Hamilton Bulldog rookie last season, D'Agnostini quickly showed a knack for such timely goals, and it appears the trend has continued throughout the Canadiens training camp. In scrimmages during red and white games, he was a regular on the scoresheet. Against Pittsburgh Monday night, he hardly looked out of place.

If he was the name on some lips through the early part of camp, he is now the name on everybody's lips right now.



Fellow blogger Matt Macaskill ( Habs World, Current Habs, and Drive to 25 ) was the first person to bring attention to D'Agnostini at last year's rookie camp, and has been high on him ever since.

During a spell last season when D'Agnostini was injured, the Bulldogs promptly slumped and rose with his return.

After the Islander game, Habs coach Guy Carbonneau set the bar high for D'Agnostini, while complementing him with Hall Of Famer comparison.

"To make the NHL, D'Agostini "has to be involved. His timing is good. His shot is NHL calibre. What he has to work on is when he doesn't have the puck. He has to be strong on the wall, a reliable player who can push people away."

Carbonneau repeated that D'Agostini reminds him of Michel Goulet, a player who "you don't notice until the red light goes on." The rookie, he said, has "a nose for the net and a good shot."

After the game, D'Agostini credited linemate Guillaume Latendresse for setting up his two goals and modestly allowed "I was in the right place at the right time."



D' Agnostini has been a perenial 20 goal scorer in junior and the AHL, but it sounds as though he could be the kind of special player who can slip through the cracks. Should his NHL game be complete enough to justify a trial stint at the NHL level, he might just be a player who eases the worries of Habs fans fearing the loss of Michael Ryder to unrestricted free agency.

He might also be the player who makes a value such as Ryder expendable, with a return value before he's lost for no return.

Not that I'm on the bandwagon of supporters for Ryder's exit, it's just that Ryder will soon be able to thank impending free agency for over renumerating his one dimensional talent. If that is to be the case, I'd rather it be elsewhere, with the Canadiens shelving out the mega bucks for more complete players.



This might be where a player of D' Agnostini's stripe comes in. If he can contribute the same element as Ryder at a cheaper cost, why not give him a full shot?

In the early season, what is there to lose?

Curious to D' Agnostini's fate with the Habs, is that he has rarely been a top line player at previous levels. This might add some balance to the questions concerning him. Does it have to do with size over anything else? Are there other concerns?

I wish I had those answers!

For now, the Canadiens might be well served to play this kid in all rmaining exhibition games in order to sense exactly who they are dealing with. Throw him daringly into a prime time role and gauge his compatability and completeness.

If we have a keeper here - isn't it better to know sooner than later?

Relax, It's Meaningless

Yes, last nights effort against the Penguins wasn't pretty, but a little perspective - please.

Many looked at the game lineups and figured rightly that one half of the Habs team could easily do away with the Wilkes-Barre Penguins. I'm guilty of thinking it myself, based on what went down the night before.

But this is why there is pre-season folks. It's all about ironing out wrinkles and getting synchronicity and cohesion reaquianted with talent. My father once told me "Patience is a virtue!" Or was that my mother saying patience is a virgin - I forget.

In all regards, taken for what it was, the 5-2 loss to the baby Penguins had enough ugly for a dozen Betty's. More than half of the players disguised as Habs last night just didn't bring their A games and on first glance the overall impression was anything but reassuring.

I thought it best to let this one simmer a bit overnight before committing my thoughts here and after letting everything merinade a few hours what I witnessed doesn't feel so harsh.



After allowing panic to crash head on with perspective, realizing that it was only the first game for most of these players lightens the blow despite the quality of the opposition.

There was a considerable amount of inexperience on the ice.

Jaroslav Halak's alarm clock went off late.

Given these facts, many players hit the ice with unrecognizable mates at their side and were asked to come from behind 2-0 in a game against a lineup of players hardly any of them knew.

With that in mind, a fair assessment of much of what occured, might not even be fair. In truth certain bleu, blanc, rouges didn't belong on the ice with the bigger boys.

Not to split hairs here, but why do the Habs feel it necessary to give Francis Lemieux a shot at the team when he's yet to achieve top 2 line status in Hamilton?

Despite the loss, I saw good things in the performances of Carey Price and Ryan O'Byrne.

Price had little help from his friends and I'mmore interested in seeing how he bounces back than I am in analyzing what happened here.

O'Byrne ( Rhino Burn!) needs work on timing his hits. Hitting NHL'ers cannot be learned at the AHL level, His will be an interesting case to follow.

Matt D'Agnostini will be a good one. Another year in Hamilton, in a prime role, will help him become the complete player Montreal needs him to be. I see another Higgins in this boy. He gets his mug smushed and has a compass in his eye. He'll be a fan favorite soon enough.

Battlers Bryan Smolinski and Steve Begin showed up. Begin, throwing himself out to block shots in a pre-season PK, is who the man is. Smolinski will get more accustomed to the team once he has regular linemates.



Guillaume Latendresse showed a flare of temperment, which is good.

Captain K had a sprinkling of good shifts.

Maxim Lapierre was bristling with energy at times.The Max Factor is ready to go.

The jury takes a recess on Roman Hamrlik for now.

Francis Bouillon and Mathieu Dandeneault need some time as well.

Michael Ryder needs to understand that every shift and every play has a consequence. I fear he is setting himself up to be the Habs whipping boy this season if he doesn't start rounding into form soon enough. Just as Kovalev's every flaw was exposed last season, Ryder will be wearing the shackles of Habs fans wrath if he doesn't find a more complete game soon.

Good or bad, not much more made any lasting impressions on me.

What I took from the debacle, was that if you add the glimmering better elements of last night's game to the sure things in Monday's lineup, a team as a whole emerges.

The players who spent the evening playing leapfrog with unicorns were hardly representative of an intact Habs squad.

So there is really no need to panic for now. It's not as if this was the last pre-season test. We will all have a better idea where the Habs are in a week or so.

The problem as I see, is there's too many bodies in camp to sort out at present. Each player's limits has an impact on the play of the next guy.

What I found sadly missing this season was the rookie tournaments they had the last two years. The idea has been put aside for now, in part because the Leafs and Sens do not have enough prospects to line up against the Habs. Maybe next year the Riccoh Cup ( is that the correct spelling? ) will return.

For now, after some 15 or 20 cuts, the real stuff will begin.

So don't sweat it folks - chill - this was far from the real deal!

Expect Turnover In Big Numbers For Habs

Listening to, reading about, and watching the Canadiens training camp progress, I was struck with an odd notion upon realizing the potential that this stockpile of youth has to offer the Habs in terms of future options.

Like, what to heck are we going to do with all these players?

How on Earth does Bob Gainey plan to juggle all this talent without letting any of it slip away?

What would be the masterplan that is most beneficial to team prosperity?

I've no doubt that the Canadiens are laying the groundwork foundation for a Stanley Cup win within a reasonable number of years. In fact I'm almost at the point of thinking such is inevitable.

What is also inevitable is that large chunks of veteran players will be pawned and sacrificed in order to make room for all the rising stars the team has on the way.



I count at least 10 future bona fide NHL'ers that will make their way to Hamilton, or other destinations, for now, that should all be part of the team within 2 to 3 years. Four years max.

Names, you ask? Here goes!

Carey Price, Kyle Chipchura, Sergei Kostitsyn, Ryan O'Byrne, Matt D'Agnostini, Ryan White, Mathieu Carle, Pavel Valentenko, Mikhail Grabovski, and Ben Maxwell.

Presently AWOL but hardly forgotten, is Russian defenseman Alexei Emelin.

I did not mention Max Lapierre or Andrei Kostitsyn, as I consider them to be full time Habs until proven otherwise. I also did not check Janna Lahti in with the youth as he is an older FA signing who is an odds on bet to latch onto his NHL chance this season.




Add to those ten names, the likes of David Fischer, Ryan McDonagh, Max Pacioretty, and P.K. Subban within another year, and you can see that Gainey will need to be quite the manager of talent to see them all through to fruition.

All totalled, we are speaking of 15 fresh talents that will push out players who are currently veterans on the Canadiens, by the time the 2010-11 season gets underway.

The group consists of one goalie, seven defensemen, and seven forwards that could represent more than half of the team's lineup come that fateful season.

That is an incredible amount of influx and turnover on what would still be considered a young Canadiens teams come that season.

Current roster players that should survive this movement are the current young core of Higgins, Plekanec, Latendresse, Komisarek, Lapierre, Andrei Kostitsyn, and perhaps goalie Jaroslav Halak.



They would make up a core of experiencd vets by then.

Other current veteran players from the Habs roster that may last until the 2010-11 season are Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik, as impending free agents by that point, Saku Koivu should he resign beyond his current contract, and possibly Michael Ryder and Mark Streit as longshot wildcards to still be around.

Of course, during the interim, names we've yet to crystal ball into the Habs future will also make their way onto the team, one signing or trade at a time.

Now if you add it all up for the 2010-11 season, there are the 15 fresh faces that I've named first, the 7 current young guns that should stick around until then, and a possibility of 5 veterans that could hang onto their Habs jerseys for another four years should their individual stocks dictate they are worth keeping.

That is a total of 27 players the Canadiens will have an interest in hanging onto for another 4 years, and I wouldn't bet the house on Ryder, Hamrlik, Streit, and saddest of all, Koivu.

In order to clear space for these talents, players will be shed from the team on by one over the coming seasons. It's not difficult to imagine to order of their departure, starting with players who are merely passing the current season, soon to be dealt to the highest bidder or Mike Johnsonsed into the hockey ozone.



So in order, start saying goodbye to:

Garth Murray
Patrice Brisebois
Mathieu Dandeneault
Steve Begin
Bryan Smolinski
Alex Kovalev
Josh Georges
Tom Kostopoulos
Francis Bouillon
Cristobal Huet

Not weeping?

Neither am I!

What these players fetch in terms of returns for Gainey will go a long way towards determining how quickly the Canadiens contend for Lord Stanley's mug. He will be tasked with turning over experienced players for much of the same, given the Habs young lineup.

The best news is that Gainey will have the talent and numbers to load a deal sufficiently, making it alluring enough to get exactly what he is going after.



While many fans are clammoring for Cup contention in the Canadiens 100th anniversary year, the goal Gainey may be aiming at is just beyond that season. It should be obvious by now that Gainey is not trying to win but one Cup. He is actually working to build a team that will not only win it, but contend for it for several seasons.

Gainey's greatest virtue as Habs GM up until now has been patience. His next tasks in management will be judgement and timing.

Going over the Canadiens lineup and prospect evaluations will be a kind of W5 proposition for Gainey.



What - The Stanley Cup as a goal.

When - At what point does the team shed current roster players.

Where - Judging the upcoming talent and deciding its readiness.

Who - Players that the team brings in, in the interim.

Why - Upside of potential of players, the decline of current player values, and what is available to help the team via free agency.

It is unfortunate that players we have grown to appreciate will sadly not be among us come Cup hoisting time. Speaking only for myself, it will break my heart if I don't see Saku Koivu win one in his Canadiens lifetime.

But I'll get over it!

Bulldogs Go 3-0, Need A Theme Song!

Go Bulldogs!

The Hamilton Bulldogs have taken a 3-0 lead in games over the heavily favored Chicago Wolves powerhouse. They are now one win away from reaching the Calder Cup final, and giving all Habs fans something to brag about in the process.

Again tonight, goaltender Carey Price was the first star, stopping 35 of 36 shots directed his way.

The Dogs fell behind in the first before tying the game. Corey Locke netted the winner in the middle frame as Hamilton held on for the win.















The Bulldogs seem transformed and confident since the arrival of Price with two games left in the regular season. He certainly has had a steadying effect on the team. Many of the teams wins have been close games and feature a different hero each night.

The '07 Dogs look to be rewritting the story of the 1985 Sherbrooke Canadiens, when a 19 year old Patrick Roy showed up late in the regular season to lead the team to a surprising and totally unexpected championship.



















It's somewhat fitting that the highly touted Price is helping all Habs prospects gain priceless experience in this run for the Cup. Price may be the only surefire future superstar amongst the group, but his calming influence has helped each team member bring out the best in themselves.

parent Canadiens team likely cannot believe their good fortune. For prospects at this young age to learn what it takes to win so soon in their pro careers can have a tremendous effect on their developement. Leadership is a word often associated with many of the teams players and this bodes extremely well for the Canadiens next season.















Not including Maxim Lapierre, who has in essense already graduated to the NHL, and the injured Andrei Kostitsyn, there are possibly three or four players on the Dogs roster who seem primed for a very good shot at making the big club next season. Among the players whose stock has risen greatly with this playoff run, are center Kyle Chipchura who has done an awesome job of shutting down opposing offensive forces, and Ryan O'Byrne, a hulking defenseman who has progressed all season coming in from the collegiate ranks. Good things are also happening for forwards Corey Locke and Matt D'Agnostini, who've scored timely goals in these tight games.

All that's missing at the time being, is better crowds in Hamilton for the games and a killer theme song.

This track, "Hey Bulldog" by The Beatles, might give the locals something to sink their teeth into and give fans more bark.

Be sure to listen in right until the ending, to the point where the Fab Four begin growling, snarling, and barking like fools. Lennon is priceless in this one.

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.