2008 NHL Offseason - Canadiens Watch

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2008 NHL Offseason - Canadiens Watch

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Sundin Saga Over - Robert Lang Joins the Canadiens, Brisebois Re-signs

September 13th 2008 02:09

Canadiens Get Plan B

Tired of waiting for the big Swedish forward to make up his mind, GM Bob Gainey finalized the Montreal Canadiens' roster yesterday by acquiring center Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks. In exchange, the Blackhawks got Montreal's second-round 2010 draft pick which was acquired by dealing Mikhail Grabovski to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Towards the middle/end of August, Bob Gainey had stated that he'd look elsewhere if Mats Sundin couldn't make a decision. Gainey's primary targets were teams that were exceeding the salary cap and needed to unload a few players to get under – Chicago was one of those teams. Lang, entering the final year of a two-year $4 million contract, is a good Plan B for Gainey. The Czech native got at least 50 points in eight consecutive seasons, bringing some consistency to the Habs. Last year, he scored 21 goals and had 33 assists with a rating of plus-9. This year, he'll rejoin ex-teammate Alex Kovalev whom he centered on a line during the late 90s.

Lang's $4 million salary also allowed Gainey to re-sign veteran defenseman Patrice Brisebois whose future hinged on Sundin's decision. With Breezer back in the fold, Carbo now has a back-up for both injuries to the defensive corps and on the powerplay.

My thoughts on all this? I'm happy to see Brisebois back with the Habs. Even though, he's losing his speed and is often a liability in defense, he was played well enough on the playoffs to get another chance. I just hope that Carbo really uses him as a 7th defenseman this time around, and gives more playing time to O'Byrne. As for Lang, I don't really know much about him but he seems better than Smolinski, so that's definitely an upgrade. His addition gives the Habs three scoring lines and one gritty line which should really help to spread out the workload. Instead of overworking Plekanec, the Kostitsyns, Koivu, and Kovalev, Carbo knows that he can get scoring from everywhere especially since we also have Tanguay now.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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Montreal Canadiens News & Updates

August 18th 2008 05:11

Gosh, it's been awhile since I've written anything in here. I guess that's what happens when you cover a winter sport. Anyways, got a couple of news to share so here it goes.

First off, the Canadiens have signed another one of their prospects to a three-year pro contract. Defenseman Yannick Weber will join the Hamilton Bulldogs this fall after spending two seasons with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. A puck-moving defenseman, Weber is seen as a second version of Mark Streit especially since both men come from Switzerland. Click HERE for the official press release.

With the departure of Yann Danis, Corey Locke, Mikhail Graboski, and the promotion of Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxime Lapierre, Kyle Chipchura, Jaroslav Halak, and Ryan O'Byrne, the Bulldogs will look very different next season offensively. After the recall of both Grabovski and Halak last season, the Habs farm-team tanked in the final stretch. Gainey is probably trying to avoid the same thing by stacking the team with his latest signings - huge, strong stay-at-home defensemen who play a physical game.

Speaking of defense, the NHL.com have a nice piece on the Habs' prospects. Click HERE to read it.

Finally both the pre-season and regular season schedules are out. Pre-season starts on September 22 and ends on October 4, including two games against the Detroit Red Wings. Regular season starts on October 10 against the Buffalo Sabres.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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Canadiens Sign Forward Max Pacioretty

July 17th 2008 22:15

Max-Pac turns pro

The 19-year-old left-winger signed his first pro contract (three years) after spending only one year playing college hockey in the CCHA with the University of Michigan. Drafted 22nd overall in the 2007 draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty is a 6'02'', 199 lbs power forward with good hands and a strong body. In 2008, he was named the CCHA's Rookie of the Year and is currently participating in his second development camp with the Canadiens where he was described as being "head and shoulders" above everyone else. In September, management will look if he's ready for the NHL when he'll attend training camp with the Habs. He'll most likely play his whole season in Hamilton unless there are some injuries in the big club.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Canadiens Re-sign Defenseman Ryan O'Byrne

July 16th 2008 23:45

O'Byrne will start his sophomore season this fall

It's officially done. The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed all their essential RFAs while trading two centers (Locke and Grabovski) who didn't seem to have a future in the organization. Their latest signing is 6'5'', 228 lbs defenseman Ryan O'Byrne who will start his second NHL season in 2008-2009. O'Byrne signed a three-year, $2.85 million contract that will see him make $700,000 this coming season, $725,000 in 2009-2010, and $1.4 million in the final year (interestingly enough, he'll make more money than Josh Gorges in his final year while Gorges will earn more for the next two years). Drafted in the third round (79th overall) in 2003, O'Byrne made $595,000 last season and has revealed himself as a steady defenseman when partenered with veteran Roman Hamrlik.

In other news, the Canadiens also signed defenseman Shawn Belle who was acquired from a trade with the Minnesota Wild. Belle signed a one-year, two-way contract so he'll probably start the season in Hamilton and come up in case of injuries.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Canadiens Trade Forward Corey Locke to the Minnesota Wild

July 12th 2008 01:52

Locke for Belle - Another defenseman for the Habs

The Montreal Canadiens proceeded to a minor transaction today, trading RFA Corey Locke for the Minnesota Wild defenseman Shawn Belle. Both players were drafted in 2003 – Locke was Montreal's pick in the fourth round (113th overall) while Belle was the St. Louis Blues' first round pick (30th overall). The defenseman was traded to Dallas in 2004 before the Wild acquired him in 2006.

Both players spent the past three years in the AHL. Corey Locke actually spent the past four seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs while Shawn Belle played in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans (Carey Price's junior team) from 2003 to 2005. Shawn also won the gold medal with team Canada at the 2005 World Junior Championships. Their NHL experience is slightly different as Locke played his first game with the Canadiens on January 8th 2008 while Belle played nine games for the Wild in 2006-2007

[ Click here to read more ]

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Josh Gorges Re-signs with the Montreal Canadiens

July 11th 2008 00:30

Gorges

After a relatively quiet month of June, all is coming together for the Canadiens' centennial year with a flurry of signings during the past week. Gorges is the third RFA to re-sign with the Habs, agreeing to a three-year, $3.3 million contract. It's a nice raise for the undrafted defenseman who made $495,000 last year. Gorges went from back-up defenseman to undeniable starter last year – even replacing Mike Komisarek as number 2 D-man. Things will only look better for him next year as Mark Streit's departure opens up a spot on the powerplay. Bob Gainey only has one RFA left to sign – Ryan O'Byrne. No doubt that there will be an announcement very soon.

To read more about Gorges, click HERE

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Goalie Jaroslav Halak Re-signs with The Montreal Canadiens

July 9th 2008 16:26

Halak

It took awhile but it's finally done. Halak will be back with the Habs for the next two years after signing a $1.55 million contract. After Andrei Kostitsyn, Halak's signing was the most important issue for the Canadiens. Now, the organization finally has its four goalies – Price and Halak with the Canadiens, Desjardins and Denis with the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) – and is almost set for next season.

Read more about Halak HERE
[ Click here to read more ]

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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UFA Watch: Enforcer Georges Laraque Signs With The Montreal Canadiens

July 8th 2008 17:34

The Rock

After being the Pittsburgh Penguins' bodyguard during the 2007-2008 season, tough guy George Laraque will spend the next three years fulfilling the same role with the Canadiens – a team that relies heavily on skills and lack physical toughness. A Montreal-native who vowed to never play for the Canadiens because of fan and media pressure, Laraque finally changed his mind and signed a $4.5 million contract with the Habs. Since coach Carbonneau always rolls four lines during games, Laraque better be ready to play more minutes than usual. Furthermore, his 6'3'' frame and 243 lbs will make him a nice addition to the Canadiens' powerplay where he'll be able to mask the opposing goalie and tap in any rebound.

The Canadiens also signed goaltender Marc Denis to a one-year, two-way contract after the departure of Yann Danis. An NHL veteran, Denis will serve as a back-up solution to Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak in the big club while also supporting Cédrick Desjardins in the AHL.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Canadiens' Mikhail Grabovski Goes to Toronto

July 3rd 2008 19:24

Grabovski is gone

The Montreal Canadiens have traded RFA Mikhail Grabovski to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Greg Pateryn and the Leafs' second-round choice in 2010. Pateryn was selected in this year's draft in the fifth-round (128th overall) while Grabovski was selected 150th overall in the 2004 draft's fifth round.

Despite having immense speed and skill, Grabovski was on his way out of the organization because of a lack of size and strength. He gets knocked off the puck easily and is practically useless along the boards. Still, this is a curious move since the Habs already have a lot of defensemen in the pipeline and mainly need a power forward and/or a big center. Perhaps it's merely a move to free up some cap space since the Canadiens still have three RFAs to sign – back-up goalie Jaroslav Halak, and two regular defensemen Ryan O'Byrne and Josh Gorges.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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Montreal Canadiens 2008 Free Agents Market Watch

July 2nd 2008 03:43

Lots of activity went on today when the free agency period began. Here's a look at the Montreal Canadiens UFA/RFAs' new contracts.

Andrei Kostitsyn, Left Wing

[ Click here to read more ]

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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Montreal Canadiens 2008 Draft Picks

June 24th 2008 19:29

1st Round (25): Pick exchanged for Calgary Flames' Left-wing Alex Tanguay
2nd Round (56): Danny Kristo, Right-wing, U.S. U-18 Development Team
3rd Round (86): Steve Quailer, Right-wing, Sioux City (USHL

[ Click here to read more ]

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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Alex Tanguay Joins The Montreal Canadiens

June 21st 2008 15:11

Tanguay comes to Montreal

The left-winger was part of a trade in this weekend's draft that saw Montreal give up this year's first-round draft pick (25th overall) and next year's second-round pick. In exchange, the Calgary Flames gave up Tanguay – once they got forward Michael Cammalleri from the Los Angeles Kings – and this year's fifth-round pick (138th overall).

A 6'1'', 189 lbs forward, Tanguay is a great playmaker who will fit with the Habs' attacking style. His stats for the 2007-2008 season were: 78 games played, 58 points (18 goals, 40 assists), and a /- rating of 11. With this trade, Michael Ryder is definitely out of the Canadiens' picture while Bob Gainey has some proof to convince Mats Sundin that the Habs will be serious Cup contenders next season. Tanguay is also from Quebec, something that will make the locals very happy.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Canadiens re-sign forward Maxime Lapierre

June 9th 2008 22:28

Mad Max is re-signed

Of all the Canadiens players going into free agency this summer, Mad Max has been the first to be re-signed by the Habs to a two-year contract. As per club policy, the financial terms have not been disclosed.

A fast and gritty forward, Maxime Lapierre plays either as a center or a wingman. His speed is his biggest asset while his lack of offensive vision is his worst trait. A great penalty-killer, he is also used in key situations where the Habs have to keep the puck deep into the opponent's territory in order to kill off the clock when the Canadiens are leading the game. Although many fans expect him to be an annoying pest as well as a tough guy, Maxime has shown a certain reticence to drop his gloves, perhaps fearing to lose his model-like good looks. His work ethic is also questionable as he has the tendency to get too comfortable, taking his spot in the line-up for granted instead of busting his ass every night like he is supposed to do. He might not be one of the most-skilled forwards but his defensive talents are a great help to the team while the fact that he is francophone makes good PR for the Canadiens in a French-obsessed city.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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RFA Watch: Ryan O'Byrne - Let's Get Physical

June 6th 2008 22:10

Ryan O'Byrne

With a 6'6'' frame and 228 lbs, Ryan O'Byrne is exactly what the Canadiens need to add some size to their defensive corps. His presence on the roster takes some pressure off Mike Komisarek who has had to assume the role of tough guy with a strong physical play while also being the second half of the Habs' first defensive pairing. If Ryan O'Byrne brings some nastiness to his play, Komo won't have to come to his teammates' defense all the time. Instead, the Canadiens will be able to rely on Rhino to drop the gloves when needed. O'Byrne has already shown off his pugilistic skills in Florida where he broke his thumb during a fight. Paired with veteran Roman Hamrlik, O'Byrne shows very promising signs for the future and is definitely in Gainey's plans.

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Posted By: Ann 2 - Category: 2008 NHL Offseason

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