Progressing Habs Unveil New Layers

What was most likeable last night's sixty minutes of hockey against the Flyers, and in Saturday's win over the Leafs, was in witnessing how certain Canadiens players have evolved over last season. The progression of the young players is often a thing taken for granted, but watching them gel with equally motivated veterans is purely a thing of hockey beauty.

In just three games, I've noted some significant differences in the way players are approaching and embracing their roles on the club.

Alex Kovalev, has had a handful of great flashes already, but he doesn't appear as burdened with the notion he has to carry the team on his back like before. The translation of an urgent Kovalev into a more relaxed and defined attacker could prove to be addition by subtraction.





















As the team's most offensively gifted player, the focus on Kovalev has always been extreme. With the progression of linemates Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn into forces of their own, the focus on Kovalev has been lessened. The reduced puck time could show Kovalev to be equally dangerous without it, as he now becomes a delicious option for his linemates, rather than it consistently being the other way around.

It used to be that if a team were able to grind Kovalev into a quiet game, the entire line was shut down. That's not likely to happen much anymore.

As the Habs lineup has suffered little turnover in the past few seasons, players have adapted more to all that Kovalev does. Again, in the less is sometimes more analogy, it has freed him up to do different things. A Kovalev with more options, and an added split second to play with, is a scary proposition for opposing teams.

In Toronto on Saturday, Plekanec found Gretzky's office, and the immovable Kovalev was an unlikely recipient parked on the edge of the goal crease. It was quite the unfamiliar scene.

So was him finding a dashing Roman Hamrlik early in the third for the game tying goal.

Hamrlik is obviously comfortable moving up on the play, even in four on four action. It takes a level of confidence in team mates to pull such risks, and his security in knowing he is covered speaks well for the team as a whole.



















Andrei Kostitsyn made a pair of great individual plays to begin the second period. They showed his game reading skills to be progressing quite nicely.

On a Flyers breakout, he was in deep flattening Mike Richards to break up the play and turnover the puck. As soon as he recognized his team's possession, Kostitsyn got onside, received a pass, and fired a screened bullet through a defender past a stunned Martin Biron.

Last season's Kostitsyn might have taken a second or two longer in getting up and onside, and likely would have tried to beat that defenseman one on one, turning over the puck.

Don't be at all surprised to watch the elder of the Kostitsyn brothers hit for 35 to 45 goals this season. His confidence and hunger almost predict it.

Robert Lang has so far brought what was expected of him, and it has been a treat in getting to learn what it is he is all about.

Lang has all kinds of talent. He has a wicked shot, and above average passing skills. The knowledge of how to find open space in a hurry, or recognize when another player is about to gain it. He does not seem as slow or as hesitant as was advertised, but actually seems awfully motivated to deliver the goods.

The impression I get of Lang, is that while he is perceived as a one year rental player of sorts, he is poised to make himself an indispensable asset on the club. It's as though he is saying that he's comfortable as a third line center, and by the end of the season, he'll show that the Canadiens won't find a better suited one.

Alex Tanguay has had some roadbumps getting in synch with Saku Koivu so far, but it is only natural for two players whose games are so carved out and defined after many years in the league to take some getting used to each other.

What has revealed itself so far, is that it is Tanguay's play that commands the line. Koivu's workload is in the process of being redefined. As a center who in the past often had to do much of the winger's work as well as his own, it will take the trio some time to get used to the makeover.

In previous years, Koivu has not only had to be the setup man for Ryder and Higgins, but he has also consistently been the second man into corners. It has led to him taking many seemingly desperate penalties over the years - hooks and slashes behind the play - and contributed to wearing him down earlier in the game than anyone would like.

With Tangauy able to work the puck as well as Koivu can, the line is freed up to approach things differently. Similar to Kovalev without the puck, Koivu is now able to complement his linemates in a different fashion, by being the recipient or the player on the edge of the crease.

Having Guillaume Latendresse use his better assets on this line also enables more options for Koivu and Tanguay. Latendresse has more size and reach than Ryder had or Higgins has, and with that he is better suited for one on one battles in the corners. How difficult he is to move off the puck is an often underrated facet of the big winger's game, but it can now be adeptly used to buy time for his mates.

Depending on where the puck placed, and the tightness of that possession, either Koivu or Latendresse will be heading for the net and bringing a player with them. As the line has the skills for better battling, passing and shooting options, it makes them more chameleon - like, and harder to pigeonhole as per tendencies.

It will take some time for Koivu to get used to not running interference for Higgins cycling out of the right boards, or having but Ryder as a triggerman on the opposite side in the high slot.

So far, even through some miscommunications between Tanguay and Koivu, one can already see the potential in the line developing. Fans will get to see a whole set of unfamiliar moves from Koivu this season, and they will begin to understand what a set of shackles having Ryder as a line mate was.

Perhaps the biggest blooming of a player I've seen so far, has been in the play of young Sergei Kostitsyn. I actually cannot rave enough about him so far.

It is difficult to see yet where he fits in best on the team, as he actually gels and plays great with just about anyone. He can bring a whole different set of skills to Koivu's line, just as he has so far done playing with Robert Lang.

When employed on the powerplay, his workspace involves his entire side of the ice, from the circle to the net, and back to the point. What enables him to be so dangerous is his vision. That he can adapt and play with anyone is quite a skill card, but the fact that he actually uses all his options is even more threatening.

Added to that whole package, is an obvious keeness to shoot more and go head first into rebounds. Throw in that he is brazen little bugger when it comes to battling for the puck and that he is defensively sound while being offensively unlimited, and you have yourself a player who has likely only showed the tip of the iceburg so far.

His training camp was a touch on the quiet side, but there he is after three road games, leading the club in scoring. There will be no sophomore jinx here!

Photos by Dave Sandford / Len Redkoles NHLI via Getty Images courtesy MontrealCanadiens.com and Tim Shaffer / REUTERS courtesy Habs Inside Out.

Habs Begin New Season Looking For A Difference

In 2007-08, the Montreal Canadiens were the surprise team of the NHL - by a longshot!

Such a surprise cannot happen a second year running, as teams will be better prepared to face the Canadiens this time around.

With such a notion in mind, the Canadiens were busy tinkering with their powerplay over the last few practice sessions, trying to remain a step ahead of the adjusting competition.

It might seem odd to some, that the Habs would be focusing on the one perceived part of their game that is unquestionably not broken. The old adage of "why fix it if it ain't broke" must have crossed many a hockey mind upon learning of this. I know that it did mine.

What the Canadiens have been doing, is moving elements of the powerplay unit around in order to find ways to adjust to opponants having figured out how to stiffle the Habs deadliest of weapons.

Assistant coach Doug Jarvis, a former defensive specialist who guides the club's powerplay, is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but merely seeking to keep it round and rolling.















During last season's playoffs, Boston and Philadelphia, due to a growing familiarity with what players such as Andrei Markov and Alex Kovalev bring do best, began to shut down their passing lanes and play both men much tighter.

The result was significant enough for the Canadiens to look into ways of adding new wrinkles to their power play game plan.

Should the idea of having Markov work the left point produce sparks, the opposition would then be faced with being not only concerned with which players are sent out to work the power play, but also which setup will be employed.

Over the past few seasons, the Habs PP has been one well greased gear. Teams were just about keened on ways to grind Sheldon Souray to a halt two seasons ago. Last year, Mark Streit's precision ably replaced Souray's blast and kept opponants guessing.

This time around, the Canadiens can explore the talents of Alex Tanguay and Sergei Kostitsyn in different setups, or utilize Guillaume Latendresse on the crease's edge in a Tomas Holmstrom manner, to keep teams on their toes.

Over the past seasons of power play success, the Canadiens were known for hardly practicing that aspect of their game at all. With the successive departures of Souray and Streit, what makes the unit tick has inevitably been broken down for the opposition to see. Hence the idea of throwing them some curves to keep them dazed and confused.

Whatever the method or solution, the importance is in keeping options open and keeping ideas from becoming stagnant.




















As I thought of all the possibilities the Canadiens could employ in new powerplay alignments, it brought to mind some interesting observations about the team, it's coaching staff, and overall goals.

When last season began, the goal was to win as many games possible and hopefully not have to wait until the final date of the season to clinch a playoff berth. Along the way, that goal changed, and when the Canadiens won the Eastern Conference, sights were set on the Stanley Cup.

This season, or more precisely - this off season - the goal was squarely to win a 25th Cup.

Canadiens management set out to fill specific needs, and they addressed issues of team toughness, increased offensive versatility, and third line center depth.

The combined acquisitions of Georges Laraque, Alex Tanguay, and Robert Lang received a rare round of raves from a normally critical fanbase.

The result - for the first time in ages, the Canadiens begin a season as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.


















Refreshingly, it is not only the self contained rabid fanbase and media that thinks so. Publications outside of CH central, in print and online, as well as a recent GM's poll, all figure the Habs to be thick in the mix.

A quote from Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau this week, stating that there were no more strictly defensive lines on the club was a definite eyebrow raiser. It was quite in contrast to a quote Guy Lafleur ate and regurgitated early last season, having to do with the team being nothing more than four fourth lines.

What it all adds up to - these new angles and perceptions - is that the Canadiens are not willing to play the part of predictable foes.

As teams are surely now gunning for what they believe is a sized up opponant, the Habs are now talented and deep enough to explore their own possibilities while others watch and wonder.



























Some changes the Canadiens make along the way are sure to frustrate even the fans who have them pegged, but it's all the Habs should do with a lineup that has had little variation over a season.

The cards are the same, but the order in which they are played will be shuffled periodically. In a deck loaded with aces, the odd joker up the sleeve keeps opponants off balance.

Tonight in Buffalo, we will begin to be refamiliarized with this hockey club. Initial stutters and slips will make us fans nervous. New experiments will cause perspiration temporarily. Newness will await the comfort of a win streak to settle us all in.

After a month of training camp reports, great rookie showings, cuts and more cuts, a groin pull or seven, and a dizzying array of new line combinations, there was one quote from coach Carbonneau that summed up the hunger of the entire organization for me.

When asked to qualify the performance of many an impressive rookie along the training camp way, Carbonneau responded that it was the play of the veterans, who arrived focused and driven, that made the hopefuls look as though they belonged.

This season, from all appearances, the Canadiens are approaching it with an edge.

That might be all the difference between a team that wins a regular season conference title, and one whose gaze is focused squarely on a big silver mug.

Photos of Montreall Canadiens in practice courtesy of Habs Inside Out and the Montreal Gazette.


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Towels Set To Swirl For Habs Hopes

Alex Kovalev says "Anything is possible!"

Captain Saku Koivu calls this edition of the Canadiens the best since he joined the club as a rookie in 1995.

Optimism at this year's Canadiens camp isn't hard to spot.

It seems it is on the smiles and in the words of everyone, everywhere one looks.
Over a summer consumed with waiting for Mats Sundin to decide if he wanted croutons on his tossed salad, it seems that Canadiens fans were trapped in a forward time warp between anxiety and disbelief.

That all washed over the moment Bob Gainey pulled the trigger on the eve of camp, and brought in a smiling and delighted to be here Robert Lang.

Those not immediately convinced about Lang's attributes - like myself - were quickly swayed upon hearing that the well travelled vet sprung to life, threw his sticks and pads in the trunk, and high tailed it from Chicago to Montreal faster than you can Savardian Spinnarama.

All this glee coincided with a bevy of hockey publication confirming what every fan already knows - that the 2008-09 Habs are built to last long into this centennial season.

Cue Gainey and coach Carbonneau with fever settling wiseness, alerting all concerned that the Canadiens cannot again surprise and that nothing is ever won in advance.

From training camp come stories of a lighter Carey Price, a still energized Kovalev, a quicker Guillaume Lavitesse, and as always a grounded captain Koivu, and you can pretty well deduce where and why the geyser spurts all the optimism one can handle so early in the season.

The puck drops tonight, but don't yank for that towel to wave just yet. After six exhibitions to sort out line combo's, the real deal will get underway.

At that point, it will take another 82 games and then some, to learn whether all this optimism is warranted.

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Latendresse Continues To Impress, Joins Kovalev Lang Line

Article transcribed from François Lemenu's column in today's La Presse

A pleasant surprise was awaiting Guillaume Latendresse on the first day of the Canadiens training camp. The young 21 year old winger found himself on the left side of Robert Lang and Alex Kovalev during the first of three scrimmages Saturday at the Sportsplex in Pierrefonds. The line will be together come Wednesday, when the Habs face the Red Wings in Detroit.

"It's just one practice, but it's quite the beginning. I recall lining up alongside topline players at my first training camp in Montreal, but when you find yourself playing with Kovalev, it's hard to top. I have to seize the opportunity in front of me".

Saturday's lines aren't carved in stone. Coach Guy Carbonneau will pass through many experiments during the six preseason games. This first trial run is an interesting proposition for the skater from St. Catherines, Quebec.


















"Our group our centers has never been this strong. I'l be content to play nomatter who I play with ", said Latendresse, alluding of course to Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec.

Over the course of the summer, Latendresse improved his skating stride and shed a few pounds.

"I want to take my career in my hands. I don't want to find myself toiling between the third and fourth lines any longer. I'm at a new stage in my career."
Canadiens conditioning coach Scott Livingstone has notice a difference in Latendresse.

"He's satisfied with what I accomplished over the summer months, but I don't need to be reminded. I notice a difference myself. It doesn't feel as though I am battling myself as much on the ice. I have more energy. I still feel fresh enough to have a second practice, no problem."

It was the first time Lang skated with Latendresse. The Canadiens new centreman offered this startling revelation.

"I don't really know him. I only met him for the first time last week, but he is quick", Lang said sincerely. "he looks like a very good player to me."


















Kovalev also appreciates the efforts made by Latendresse.

"He's working much harder. He wants to improve and become a better player. I hope he become more regular in that he is more focused on what he needs to do."

Carbonneau himself has been pleasantly surprised by Latendresse's progress.

"It's surprising. He's come a long way. Guillaume has recognized that he needed to improve several facets of his game."

"Even though he's been limited to eight or nine minutes of icetime per game, he still managed to score 16 in both his two seasons", the coach added. "Myself, I've always had confidence in his talent."

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Will Latendresse Now Be Called Roadrunner....and more camp news

Last week at this site, I had an overwhelming reponse to a piece entitled "Adjusting Latendresse". The pro Gui rant hammered out in frustration to his naysayers received the largest one day traffic hit this site has seen since it's inception.

What I enjoyed most though, were the many returning positive comments from readers who "got it". The piece also made its way to several message boards where, and the response there wasn't the usual snarly remarks either.

Makes me hope that the kid turns some heads this season, and has a strong campaign.

If his first few days at camp are any indication, he's grooved into the right track.

Why do I like Latendresse so much?

It has all to do with the package between his ears.

The kid is grounded and has a great understanding of his environment. He gets it, that he is under a spotlight on a constant basis in Montreal, and despite whatever one's misgivings about him as a player, he works very hard on different aspects of his game.

In the media scrum that is Montreal, it is tough for players to give special attention to fans, but I have read it on more than one occasion that when Lats is on the road, and sees fans wearing his jersey, he makes a beeline for them as soon as he's able. That's called class, folks.

There has been much written about the effort Guillaume has put in this summer to improve his skating. He's trained hard over the past couple of months in order to show up for camp in the best shape possible, and by all accounts the sweat has been worth it. Working out with skating specialist Paul Lawson, the big winger has not only impressed so far, he has in fact floored team mates at observers with great showing in tested drills. Teammate Francis Bouillon stated yesterday that Latendresse finished near the top, after being one of the slower (okay, slowest!) Habs last season.

On Guillaume's mind yesterday, was a thought offered to one journalist: "Wouldn't it be wonderful to play my whole career in Montreal?"

That's why I like this kid's thinking!

EXCITED TO BE A MONTREAL CANADIEN MUCH!

Speaking strictly for myself, the tone of this traing camp was set the moment I read that newcomer Robert Lang, upon being traded to the Canadiens a week ago Friday, hopped in his car, equipement packed in the trunk, and drove 12 hours from Chicago to Montreal.





















Once in town, Lang seemed to enjoy having 57 microphones thrust in his face, and his first juicy quote came when the name of the forever indecisive Mats Sundin was dropped.

"Good for me, too bad for Mats!"

It must be said that Lang's refreshing attitude and enthusiasm are a 180 degree, diametrically opposite reponse to the slow to get it Swede.

I admit, I wasn't too sold on Lang at first, but now I am quite pumped to see this guy play.

Players bristling with anticipation is contagious. I've rarely seen such a fever pitch for a training camp.

This Habs Inside Out clip does not contain the quote in question, but Lang is clearly juiced about the hold Habs fans have on their team.


Untitled from Habsinsideout on Vimeo.

KOMISAREK THE NEXT CAPTAIN?

RDS is reporting that the Canadiens training camp guide cover might just a peek into the future. Featured on the front page are three captains - two former and one current, namely Jean Beliveau, Serge Savard and Saku Koivu. At the top of the page sits a photo of Mike Komisarek, a not so subtle hint perhaps.

No word yet that Komisarek, an American of Polish descent, is enrolled in french classes at McGill.

KOVY PRIMED AGAIN

It seems that the Canadien off season orders from trainer Scott Livingstone have been followed and are paying great dividends. Alex Kovalev has dropped a dozen pounds in an effort to keep up with young guns. Kovy says that the Russians felt that his speed and quickness again, were not up to par.





















I like the idea of the Russian team pissing Kovalev off at the end of every season. If this latest slag motivates him as much as it did last season, we're all in for a treat. If AK27 had his way, the season would start today.

Good news, bad news was the revelation that Carey Price was overweight last season, and not by a little either. Having dropped close to 20 pounds for this camp, the notion gives much credence to reports he was pooped in last seasons playoffs.

THE PIPELINE OF PROSPECTS NEVER ENDS

I had to crack a big smile this morning, when I ventured over to Habs blogger Dennis Kane's site. Kane is one of the few good guy Habs fans online who is older than I, and his off beat tales of all things Canadiens never fail to both educate and enlighten me daily.

His latest post, is a preview of the Habs draft choices for 2027! Check it out.

Dennis lives on the west coast, a true Habs fan who never lost his roots. When I think of how much the Canadiens are loved across this country, I think of Dennis as proof posive the Habs are this country's team, from sea to sea.
















CAPTAIN KOIVU BRIMMING

Perhaps the best notion that we fans are about to go on one sweat ride this season, is Canadiens captain Koivu's uncharacteristic and unbridled assessment of the team this season.

In an interview posted at TSN yesterday, Koivu spoke about what it feels like this time around in Montreal, as opposed to previous seasons.

''When I first came here, my first two years, we had a pretty good team on paper and on the ice,'' he said. ''But this one, I think, has more youth, has more potential, and I think it's better. This is the best team in a long, long time that I think the Montreal Canadiens have had.''

I don't know about you, but my life will never be complete without seeing this gutsy warrior hoist that big silver Stanley over his head.

Feeling it could be coming this year is bliss!

Lessons From This Weekend's Lang Trade To Montreal

From the Puck Daddy website, by Greg Wyshynski.

Reprinted at this site to spam warnings at HIO.

The Montreal Canadiens traded a second-round pick in 2010 to the Chicago Blackhawks late last Friday for center Robert Lang. Not exactly the Gretzky Trade as far as impact goes, but still a rather interesting education on the mindset of these two teams.

Lesson No. 1: Youth is served in Chicago. The Blackhawks were talking more about the opportunities the Lang trade will give young players than the vital salary cap savings his departure provides ($4 million). Specifically, Dave Bolland and Petri Kontiola will be counted on to help the team up the middle.

Lesson No. 2: The Bulin Wall will not fall any time soon. The Blackhawks have steadfastly refused to make public a desire to ship out goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, despite his $6.75 million salary. Part of this is the fact that Cristobal Huet is a goalie who only started more than 50 games for the first time last season, so having Khabibulin around isn't all that detrimental for the first few months of the season. But more to the point, the Blackhawks are clearly feeling they are in a strong bargaining position with Khabibulin. They'll listen to offers, as The Fourth Period reports, but they won't actively shop him until the market dictates it. Wait until some team's goalie plans go down the toilet and they come knockin'. Or until Dean Lombardi just can't take the pain anymore in LA.

Lesson No. 3: Alexei Kovalev has sway in MTL. Columnist Steve Simmons of the Free Press writes: "One of the reasons the Montreal Canadiens settled on the usually disappointing Robert Lang is he played well alongside Alexei Kovalev in Pittsburgh." This isn't to say that Kovalev pushed for the trade, but would it shock anyone to see those two reunited on the depth chart?



















Lesson No. 4: Contrary to reports, The Sundin Derby is not dead in Montreal. Yes, Lang is a Plan B transaction in light of Mats Sundin's inability to commit to playing in the NHL this season. But if Mats decided to suit up for the Habs this December, does anyone in his or her right mind believe Bob Gainey will say "thanks but no thanks ... we're Robert Lang men?"

Lesson No. 5: In the future, there will be no Robert Langs. A 37-year-old complimentary player making $4 million will go the way of Crystal Pepsi in this League over the next several seasons. It's already happened to Bobby Holik, who saw his salary decrease in signing with the Devils. There will be far fewer Robert Langs than there will be players like Kevyn Adams and Geoff Sanderson -- proven veterans who have been invited to camp by the Blackhawks, hoping to stick for a reasonable salary.

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As An Answer, Robert Lang Poses More Questions

Tired of waiting for Mats Sundin to figure out what he wants from life, Habs GM Bob Gainey yesterday, jumped at the chance to bring in the well travelled Robert Lang to fill in an opening at center. One previously reserved for the indecisive Leaf at large.

This trade announcement, it doesn't quite pack the same punch, dropping down from the bald Swede to the hairy Czech, now does it?

My first thoughts were, "Hold on a minute. Isn't Lang supposed to be the dude that is too old, too slow, too soft, and too expensive for the role of a third line center?"

Like really, isn't this the third coming of Radek Bonk?

I have the gnawing feeling I've seen this movie before.

Admittedly, I can't drink to this. It's a big tall glass of confusion here, with a shot of disappointment for a chaser.

Journeymen players, like Lang, are exactly that, for a reason. I learned that lesson last season, after a brief spark of joy over the Habs adding Bryan Smolinski.

After much excitement in Detroit upon his acquisition a few seasons back, the Red Wings realized fairly quickly that Lang's addition did not bring them closer to the Cup. There's been lots of whispers about him just not having that crucial edge ingredient that makes winners what they are.

It said that when the going gets tough, Lang goes sightseeing!

Yes, Lang perenially posts decent numbers, but it has mostly been on also ran teams that never seem to go playoff deep. That's not comforting at all.

Can Habs fans expect him once again to reach the 20 goal, 50 point plateau?

I say, if we see 15 netters and 20 helpers from this 38 year old, we've struck gold!
















Among Lang's attributes are a rare right handed shot from center, strong faceoff skills, experience, and familiarity with former team mate Alex Kovalev.

In addition to that, Lang is thrilled to be coming to Montreal, of course. He'll be sporting the expression and smile that would have been way more soothing had it been worn by a dithering, follically challenged Viking.

Looking for a silver lining here, it might just be that for the first time in a long time, Lang might not be asked to shoulder an offensive burden with Montreal.

High hopes and weighty expectations of helping carry the club's offensive attack will not fall solely on Lang, and that might help him.

He will likely be pencilled in on a line featuring Guillaume Latendresse and one of either Chris Higgins or Sergei Kostitsyn. While such a line combo offers promise, it will only work as much as Lang's committment works.

As for him seeing ice with Kovalev, that will happen in practice. Coach Carbonneau won't break up the Plecs - AK27 - AK46 line barring an unforeseen drought.

Another of Lang's attributes is his size. At 6' 3", and 215 pounds, it looks as though he fills the club's prerequisit of getting bigger down the middle. What worries me is that size means little unless it is used, and that's contrary to Lang's reputation.

Truly, I cannot pronounce myself one way or another on this latest Gainey move. I have loud reservations. I trust the Habs GM's judgement more often than not, but instinct and gut are telling me this move is a risky one.


















Back about ten days ago, Gainey spoke in analogies about the Habs chances of landing Sundin. Ironically, as Sundin prepared to announce a sponsorship deal with Poker Stars, Gainey compared potential moves to a deck of cards.

Barring a Sundin bagging, Gainey pointed to teams presently over the salary cap limit, and suggested his plan B involved hitting on those teams.

His quote was, "We have cards we can play, but 8, 10, 12 cards down in the deck....that's not a card we want to play."

Is Lang, Gainey's ace? The real deal?

I'm standing still on this call.

I'd rather be raising a Sundin!

Here's a clip of some of Lang's better Detroit highlights. Keep in mind that fans clips such as these, never show a player's low lights.

Get excited all you wish, my verdict comes later in the year!