dlbalr

Peter Delmas sent to Wheeling...then recalled, then sent to Wichita (CHL) since there's no room for him in Wheeling with Killeen/Modig. At least he'll get some playing time there...I hope.

I would agree if not for the fact the team has stated Boyd won't be sent down if he clears. No cap space saving which then fuels the speculation that this was done to send the player a message. This is something the Habs have done before too (remember Garth Murray, who was waived more than once?). Several players have been waived and not sent down already this season, this tactic is becoming more popular each year, especially with the general reluctance to claim players off waivers.

Apparently there's a legal stream of these games (which means I can post it here) - the link is in here: http://www.chl.ca/article/sportsnet-ca-to-...ay-super-series

The Super Series gets underway tonight with the first of two QMJHL games. Both Louis Leblanc and Phillipe Lefebvre were named to the Q's team, however, Leblanc won't play due to injury. Lefebvre is scheduled to only play in tonight's game but that could change if Leblanc can't play Wednesday. Brendan Gallagher, the diminutive sniper that the Habs drafted last year, will play in both WHL games. The schedule if anyone wants to catch the games: http://www.subwaysuperseries.com/broadcastschedule (On at lots of different times, between the various SNET networks.) First game is on 3 SNET channels right now actually.

Claude Giroux signs a 3 year, $11.25 M extension ($3.75 M cap hit) with the Flyers. It needed to be done for sure, but Philly wasn't exactly in a great cap situation moving forward to begin with, especially with Carter needing a new deal as well.

That in itself isn't a bad thing, I think most would agree. Him coming out and talking about how things were better for him under Carbonneau doesn't help his own cause though and that's my concern. We all know he's right, but it still shouldn't be said, at least publicly. Everyone wants to be a top-6 player and I'm glad he realizes he has some work to do to get there so there is some good that comes from this. I just think he could have said it a little better.

Some comments from Martin and Boyd: http://www.habsworld.net/out.php?10624

It should be noted that if Boyd clears, he is waiver exempt for 30 days or until 10 games are played. Even though Martin may not intend to send him down right away, the option will be there this time next month as well without having to re-expose him. (I should probably note that in HW's piece...)

Als' President Larry Smith announces his resignation (interesting timing). On the plus side, that should also spell the end of Duval in Montreal (Duval is his son-in-law).

Multiple twitter notes from our twitter tracker on the main page (it does come in handy sometimes). http://twitter.com/renhockey/status/1698288206086144 http://twitter.com/JFChaumont/status/1697909703712769 And of course, my own article itself. http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2255 In a nutshell, that's basically what I was figuring. If he clears, he gets put in his place; if he's claimed, he wasn't doing a whole lot anyways. A surprising, but understandable move when you consider the logistics.

He's not on waivers to save cap space, he's not being sent down if he isn't claimed. This is a message to him, plain and simple. If no one claims him, obviously Boyd isn't as good as he thinks he is...or something to that affect.

Why not both? Cap and roster restrictions - Boyd is still on the roster now and they're carrying a full 23-man roster. Until Boyd clears (and is sent down) or is claimed, no one's getting called up. Martin has also said Boyd will not be sent down if unclaimed.

Well that turned out to be a mistake...boy, that was ugly.

It'll be an interesting game today for the Als, who are sitting Calvillo, Cahoon, Richardson, Watkins, Cobourne, plus a few others who are nicked a bit (Ferri, Proulx, Taylor). Several players will be making their Als debut today; that, coupled with MacPherson actually getting to run the playbook are about the only reasons I'm compelled to watch this game. The Argos are sitting a few regulars as well, including Boyd, Owens, Middlebrooks, Parker, and Crawford, so it's not as if it's the Argos' 'A' team vs the Als' 'B' squad.

Personally, I have no issue with Pacioretty stating he'd like to stay in the AHL for the year because he feels it's best for his development. What I did have a bit of a problem with were the thinly veiled shots at the coaching staff (that's not going to help his case, especially if Martin is around next season) and saying he'd only like to be called up if he'll be on the top-2 lines. It's one thing to make a suggestion ("I'd like to stay in Hamilton as I feel it's best for my development") but to come out and basically say only call me up if you're going to play me in the role and ice time that I want to play? That's not right. That said, kudos for recognizing that he needs more time in Hamilton and is willing to (enthusiastically at that) put in the time to succeed - even if it costs him a couple of brief callups along the way. Short-term pain for long-term gain, and that's fine with me.

One other interesting point I pondered at the end of the game - Kostitsyn is the team's leading scorer yet was not out there at the end. He has arguably the best shot on the team, I was surprised that he wasn't on the ice.

The Habs made it interesting at the end but their play from the 2nd to the first half of the 3rd left something to be desired. Looking at the positive side, Spacek and Gionta both scored for the first time in a while; Spacek looked half decent out there actually in a game where a lot of the D struggled. Pyatt-Lapierre-Boyd -2 each and all had less than 10 minutes of ice time, Boyd barely 6 minutes. I think he'll be out for Eller on Tuesday for sure. I don't have the time to write a full 3-Stars for the site (plus I'm exhausted from getting up so early for an MRI this morning) so here's the quick version: 1) Spacek - Goal and an assist, better defensively...gotta give him credit where possible since it may not be often. 2) Price - Didn't make the key save in the 3rd but made several in the 2nd when the Habs were asleep at the switch. 3) Darche - Had a nose for the net even though that line didn't get a point. 3 hits tied for 2nd most on the Habs behind Kostitsyn (6) HM) Gionta - He was alright some shifts and invisible others but a goal is a goal and was a long time coming. If this gets him going, tonight's game won't be a complete loss. Stat of the Night: Though Gomez is still struggling offensively, the faceoff presence was there tonight - 10/14 for 71%. The team as a whole was 27/54. Statsheet: http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20102011/ES020190.HTM

Picard, O'Byrne, and Eller are tonight's healthy scratches.

Starting goalies now confirmed, Plekanec a game-time decision but reportedly is feeling better.

RDS reporting via Twitter that Price will start.

Projected Lines: Foligno - Fisher - Alfredsson Regin - Spezza - Kovalev Ruutu - Kelly - Neil Smith - Winchester - Shannon Phillips - Gonchar Carkner - Campoli Hale - Karlsson Elliott Leclaire Projected Lines: Kostitsyn - Gomez - Gionta Cammalleri - Plekanec - Moen Pouliot - Halpern - Darche Pyatt - Boyd - Lapierre Markov - Gorges Hamrlik - Spacek Gill - Subban Price Auld Scoring Leaders: Goals: Daniel Alfredsson (6) Assists: 3 tied with (7) Points: Daniel Alfredsson (13) PIMS: Chris Neil (47) +/-: Jason Spezza (+5) Scoring Leaders: Goals: Andrei Kostitsyn (6) Assists: Halpern/Subban (6) Points: 3 tied with (10) PIMS: Travis Moen (20) +/-: 3 tied with (+7) Team Stats/Notes: Record: 6-6-1 (3rd in Northeast) Scratches: Lee Injuries: Kuba, Michalek Team Stats/Notes: Record: 8-4-1 (1st in Northeast) Scratches: Eller, O'Byrne, Picard Injuries: None Puck Drop: 7:00 PM EST TV: RDS, CBC Radio: CJAD,CKAC Last Meeting: No word on the starting goalies for either team, as well as whether or not Plekanec will return or not. HW Preview: http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2253

Former Bulldog Andre Benoit tied it early in the 3rd, before Yannick Weber tallied the winner with 7 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Engqvist and Desharnais (SH) each tallied empty netters to give Hamilton a 5-2 win. This improves their Bell Centre record to 2-3. Attendance was an impressive 13,267 (considering the Habs were playing). http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007482

On another note, how on Earth does Halpern have 3 points? He lost the draw on the 2nd goal and somehow was credited with an assist there...

Bulldogs lead 2-1 after 2 on goals by Carle (4) and White (finally gets his first, a long time coming for him). Sanford's in net, relatively untested though as the Bulldogs outshot the Sens 16-1 in the 1st period (and only led by 1). Lineup changes - Nash in for Klubertanz, Dumont for Avtsin (I assume both scratches are healthy).

Essentially a collection of misfits and (deemed by Martin at least) underachievers - Darche is a fringe player, Halpern was a late signing, and Pouliot...well, we all know he's bounced around needlessly between lines this year. Funny how things pan out sometimes. I was impressed in the second half of the 2nd period, the Habs tried to stretch the D and get their transition game going and they had lots of good chances as a result. If they play like that for the 3rd, they should be fine. However, as we've seen too many times before, will the Habs sit on the lead and let Buffalo dictate the play? I sure hope not...if they do, at least Price looks solid again tonight.