MCeh

Astute, Aussie. During the off-season transactions (that eventually involved acquiring Sammy + Johnson while letting go of Bulis + Zednik), my chief concern was BG moving toward an increased offense. Last season Bulis + Zednik totalled 36 goals, and 70 points. Last season Sammy + Johnson produced a total of 39 goals, and 107 points. The said Czech/Slovak goal production can at least be met by our new Russian/Canadian package in '06-'07, but more certainly the point production can be exceeded. Furthermore, when you consider the four players' NHL numbers, Bulis and Zednik's combined then averaged goals per game is 0.23, and points per game is 0.50. The identically determined numbers for Sammy and Johnson are 0.26 GPG and 0.67 PPG. With regard to defense, I can't remember either of the two ex-Habs being a factor on the PK last season. When Bulis was more receptive to a 2-way/checking role, he seemed to excel in smothering his opponents as he played along side Joé Juneau and Niklas Sundstrom in '04 -- but Bulis made it quite clear prior to the '06 playoffs he would only be content with purely offensive responsibilities. There would be no negociating. Zednik has a certified robustness about him, but it seemed it wouldn't breach his stoic exterior. If there was ever a time he more often imposed his physical strength and reversed opponents' transitions, I can't remember it. Bulis and Zednik's combined +/- rating throughout their careers is -2. The same combined figure in Sammy and Johnson is +73. Samsonov's individual career rating of +41 indicates that while relatively tiny in stature, he should be somewhat defensively responsible (if he can backcheck it's already a net gain). Johnson individual career rating is +32, and even as a PK specialist in Phoenix he finished last season with a respectable +7. Incalculable is the synergy among linemates, and teammates by extension. We just have to wait to observe it, and hope Sammy + Johnson add more fluidity to their group where Zednik + Bulis might not have been able to.

Excerpt from an RDS report, translated: [...] Montreal's newest head coach was hoping his valiant defenseman's injury would heal over the summer. But it wasn't the case. Now Carbo hopes surgery won't be necessary. "It's still a concern - we'll see tomorrow or Wednesday the exact state of his knee. Everyone will pray for the best. That's what happens when a player gets injured in the season.. you have to wait some months for it to heal naturally," declared Carbonneau.

http://canadiens.com/eng/team/redirect.cfm...=habsRoster.cfm Just covering the bases.

Thumbs up! Although a Predators/Sabres game might induce seizures.

Just glancing at Habs' D depth.. HabsProspects.com offers it's assessment of the best defensive and offensive defensemen. Top Defensive Defensemen Winner- Ryan O’Byrne Runner(s) Up- Alexi Emelin, Jon Gleed O’Byrne made big strides this year especially with his defensive play where he was used on the top pairing and logging over thirty minutes a game at times. His size, skating and speed give him the chance to shut down forwards and make it tough on them to get past him. Emelin also showed a great deal of improvement in his defensive play, which saw him work his way onto the top pairing in Lada after spending most of last season on the bench. Gleed is often overlooked among the Canadiens prospects but he had a solid senior year with Cornell and was teamed up with Ryan O’Byrne on the top PK unit, which helped Cornell to be one of the top penalty killing teams in the NCAA. Top Offensive Defensemen Winner- James Sanford Runner(s) Up- Alexi Emelin, Andre Benoit Sanford led the Hamilton Bulldogs in scoring for defensemen despite finding himself on the bench at points throughout the season. Sanford is an exciting player to watch since he can create offense with his skating, passing and speed, he’s willing to pinch in and likes to rush the puck up ice. Not only did Emelin stand out for his defensive play but he also led his team in scoring among defensemen. He has a good shot from the point and can find the open man making him a threat on the power play. Benoit started off his pro career with a bang, was a force on the PP for Hamilton but went into a major slump during the middle part of the season. The rookie turned things around towards the end of the year and managed to end up second on the team in scoring for defensemen behind James Sanford. Benoit like Locke was a high scoring star in the OHL, with both of them being a big part of the PP in Hamilton. Emelin, named in both categories, is locked in the Russian Super League. O'Byrne and Gleed have only regularly played as far up as the NCAA. That leaves James Sanford (AHL) and André Benoit (AHL) who after Jean-Philippe Côté might fill any voids. Perhaps Andrew Archer (AHL) by virtue of size? Just looking.

While we're on this tangent, here are some numerous BAD hockey logos.

No other (*i think*) Habs-owned, Bulldog defenceman has played a game in the NHL. Worrisome. I guess that fact lends itself to the talk of the Habs' interest in Vishnevsky, who's just out of arbitration. Administration needs to be diligent in expediting Emelin's AHL transfer... the transfer of any of the better D prospects to Hamilton needs hastening.

A little birdy told me he's comparable to Ribeiro in his vision and playmaking. But also that his skating remains sluggish by NHL standards. I hope the bird's wrong though. Dagenais evidenced wicked skill with his shots from the slot, yet we all saw how he is many steps behind without the puck. I don't wish a similar dichotomy in Locke.

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/209629.html To get an assessment of a persistent left knee injury, Bouillon will travel to Vail, Colorado. An operation may be necessary.

I grew up on hip-hop.. but it's hip-POP now. Adulterated, saturated with alpha male posturing. I'm seriously stuck on Sam Roberts' new album -- on the songs "An American Draft Dodger in Thunder Bay" and "Mystified, Heavy" in particular.

On the after hours telecast of Sports30, Michel Lacroix mentioned the blue & gold sweater of the 70's will be used in 15 games as the alternate. Two of the fifteen games pit the Sabres against the Habs.. so we've a little less eyesore.

http://www.celsiusdesign.net/sabres/logos.html <-- .. almost every one there has a "hockey feel" to it. The one they're going with belongs painted on the side of a football helmet. <<Blech>>

Gainey in The Gazette: "I don't see making any more moves," Gainey said. "We have 23 players under contract." Having the intention to acquire Brière but then stating the above on record would seem like unnecessary shiftiness.

Born and reared in la ville de Montréal. Did New York City for a time -- loved it! But I loved Montreal that much more and came back.

Mike York can claim a past all-star season, while Ryder's only completed a full second season. That ought to reduce equalling the $2.85 million by a few hundred thousand dollars.

http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/209035.html He can't go. Foot injury.

The Canadiens fanbase is known to cover Atlantic Canada, but you might not know it reading this Telegram piece on Ryder's arbitration. The Newfoundland perspective is a novel contrast to Québec's point of view. That Ryder’s even going to arbitration is somewhat surprising. A restricted free agent, the Canadiens made the right-winger a qualifying offer of $1 million, the same money he earned last year when he led the Canadiens with 30 goals. That topped the 25 he registered as a rookie when he was finalist for the Calder Trophy. More perplexing is the Canadiens signed Mike Ribeiro to a $1.9 million deal earlier this month, a big increase on the $1.1 million he made last year when he totaled 51 points, down from 65 in 2003-04. Ryder won’t say anything — it’s not his way to rock the boat — but there appears to be a certain of lack of respect for the Bonavista hockey player who’s proven himself time and again. The media, especially the francophone reporters, all but ignore Ryder, though that may be the result of his penchant of not saying a whole lot during interviews. [...] That the two sides are going before an arbitrator only fuels the thinking in some corners Ryder would be a more valued employee elsewhere. [...] That Ryder is a finisher around the net isn’t news to the Canadiens, and they won’t go there before the arbitrator. But Montreal will likely exploit the fact Ryder was a late draft pick (216th overall in 1998) for a reason, that he’s not an easy skater, that he has defensive deficiencies. [...] The big question Campbell will undoubtedly ask is whether Ryder can contribute more than Ribeiro, who is lazy and plays scared. In that regard, Campbell seems to have an open and shut case for at least $1.9 million. The bitterness towards Ryder's treatment is layed on thick. Dumping on Ribeiro is mutual at any rate.

Can't wait to see what kind of crowd the draft'll draw in this "real" hockey city, on the centennial no less... and to witness insane cheers/jeers as the Habs announce their picks (vs. the fans picks). Heh, anyone remember when David Wilkie was selected in the 1st round, in Montréal '92? Bettman'll get double boo'd for speaking English at the commencement, and for being Bettman.

le Journal de Montréal Habs are close to hiring a scout to cover the QMJHL -- Michel Boucher is the principal candidate. His resumé includes having worked as the Kings' scout in the Q the past few seasons, and as the general manager of the Trois-Rivières "Draveurs" (QMJHL). Montreal's head scout Trevor Timmins declined to divulge names of other candidates. A near-explanation is given for the Habs' overlooking Q talent during André Savard's tenure: Timmins mainly prospected with an international scope; Savard was first and foremost Bob Gainey's right hand man and general manager of the Hamilton farm club.

She's just about my first TV/on-screen crush. She can rip the "CH" off my (extra) Habs sweaters any day. I wan do Ursa. Zod's got my vote.

Denis Potvin might know a thing or two about dignified conduct. His take on the current Islanders organization... La Presse article entitled, "Denis Potvin in Disbelief": "[...] Mr. Wang's only explanation for hiring Garth Snow: Snow had, in the past, expressed interest in the job [as general manager]. Isn't that a little odd?" Though Wang insists on the contrary, that he wants complete control of his ship is perhaps part of the [real] explanation. "At Neil Smith's layoff, Mr. Wang 'validated' his decision by citing philosophical differences," recalls Potvin, who goes on to say he better understood what was really going on when Pat LaFontaine resigned as chief consultant. "It's clear Mr. Wang didn't put into practice the teamwork he advocates. LaFontaine was no doubt shocked by what was transpiring. That's why he left," discerns the former all-star defenseman. While he speaks of his former team's state of affairs with a sense of desolation, Denis Potvin maintains he's now part of the Panthers family. "For me, the Islanders are just a memory. Besides, I prefer to remember our good times rather than what's happened [to the Islanders] these last 10 years," he concludes.

According to Keenan's discourse in The Palm Beach Post, the Panthers still want Belfour to backup Auld: General Manager Mike Keenan on Thursday refuted a report that the Panthers have decided against signing goaltender Ed Belfour. Quoting a source, Canadian sports channel TSN reported on its Web site that the team had "a sudden change of heart" and broke off negotiations with the 41-year-old goaltender. "It's news to me," he said when asked about the report. "We haven't closed the door on the situation. "We've been working through an evaluation, and that process is continuing. We've been in discussions with his agent, and it's possible he's told someone we're done talking. But if that's true, I'm not aware of it." [...] Belfour underwent a physical exam Tuesday and MRI Wednesday, but Keenan said he has yet to see the results of those tests. And even if they determine Belfour is healthy, Keenan said he wants to see the veteran on the ice before deciding. Belfour's perhaps biding his time, waiting for a Red Wings decision on his employment. He'd make a reported $1.5 million in Florida and only $500,000 plus incentives in Detroit, but he most covets the job as starting goalie. Belfour has never served as a backup since becoming a No. 1 goaltender in 1990. Eddie the Ego.

The Detroit Free Press reports the Wings have no intention of trading Datsyuk, Schneider -- and Lang. Lang is 35, but he's big and strong and performs in the playoffs. "For what he brings at his salary [$3.8 million], he's good value," Nill [assistant general manager] said.

If NHL continues to expand in the fashion attributed to Gary Bettman, we'll see a team in Jackson, Mississippi before Québec city.