dlbalr

Without scanning through the CBA to find the exact answer, I would suspect he can return as a result of the fact he's on a conditioning stint, a max of 2 weeks in duration. For the record, emergency moves can still be made; teams aren't forced to dress less than 20 if injuries hit during this time. The freeze is in place essentially so that there isn't unnecessary player movement with the Christmas holidays forthcoming. Guys like Weber/Pyatt go down as there won't be a need for them at the moment, but if someone goes down tomorrow, they'd be able to come back.

Probably a good sign that both Tom Pyatt and Yannick Weber were sent down this morning. http://twitter.com/habsworld_net/status/6800950785 My guess is that Hamrlik will be ready for tomorrow and the team will dress 7/11 again. Also on the injury front, Benoit Pouliot will play tonight for Hamilton, see the Bulldogs GDT for his linemates.

Hamilton Bulldogs vs Adirondack Phantoms Friday, December 18, 2009 Puck drops at 7:30 PM ET Listen to the game live at www.talk820.com Lineup Notes: Pouliot will play alongside Darche and Desharnais Both Tom Pyatt and Yannick Weber are expected in the lineup

Just saw a report of that as well. Amended the Habs lineup (and quickly made a correction on the Twitter page), added a link to tonight's game stats as well.

HW Preview Projected Montreal (15-17-3) Lineup: Cammalleri - Plekanec - A.Kostitsyn S.Kostitsyn - Gomez - Lapierre Moen - Metropolit - D'Agostini Pacioretty - Pyatt - Laraque Spacek - Mara Gill - Gorges Bergeron - O'Byrne Price Notable Injuries: Gionta, Hamrlik, Markov, Pouliot Projected Minnesota (16-14-3) Lineup: Brunette - Koivu - Miettinen Latendresse - Brodziak - Havlat Kobasew - Belanger - Clutterbuck Boogaard - Sheppard - Earl Schultz - Johnsson Zanon - Zidlicky Scott - Hnidy Backstrom Notable Injuries: Bouchard, Burns, Nolan, Sykora (Andrew Ebbett is questionable) Puck drop is at 7:00 tonight. TV: TSN, RDS, FSN (US) Radio: CJAD, CKAC Game Statistics

Hamilton comes close to tying it but fall 3-2.

Darche brings the Bulldogs within a goal, 2:12 to go in regulation! Darche [8] (Stewart, Wyman) 17:48 - why is Darche playing with Stewart??

The self-implosion continues, 3-1 Admirals.

Milwaukee ties it, 1-1 now in the 3rd. Less than a minute later, 2-1 Milwaukee. Ouch.

Bulldogs lead 1-0 after 2, Desharnais with his 9th of the season from Glumac. Shots are quite one-sided in favour of the 'Dogs, 23-9. Sanford back in goal despite Desjardins having back to back solid starts. Also, Benoit Pouliot is not in the lineup.

I put little stock in the details of that story especially considering the source - let's see, Gainey just happens to open up to a single reporter and then go on about how expectations should be tempered. The person who never comments on rumors goes and says who he's talking to. Does anyone find that beyond out of character for him? I don't doubt that there's some discussion going on, but I don't see Gainey opening up with the actual details of the discussion any time soon.

Washington is in cap purgatory right now (though Nylander going to the AHL should solve some of that) and have a lot of guys to already re-sign next year (including Backstrom & Semin), while Colorado won't spend the money - their owner has said so already since his focus is the Denver Nuggets and not the Avs. In all seriousness, based on the cap, I consider Hamrlik to be the second most untradeable player on the team behind Gomez. Veteran teams don't have the cap space or even in some cases, enough tagging room to take him on. If the Habs have to take 4 million back in salary to move him, there's no point. They're better off waiting until he has an expiring deal to move him I think.

I agree, too early to retire...go create tonight's GDT, try and change your luck.

Can he though? With the cap expected to go down a bit, a $5.5 M aging veteran who many thought was a buyout candidate after this season (based on last year's play) may not bring back as much as you hope. He's certainly playing well, but I can't think of too many contending teams who can pencil in that contract next year without breaking up part of their existing core. Someone might take him, but Montreal would have to eat a bad contract back for sure as part of any deal.

I like the idea in general, one other thing I'd suggest is a GDT schedule if people aren't interested in following the tradition of win and you do the next one. (5 or 6 different posters...) I know that last week that made things a little rough on me, hence the one being posted just after the one game ended. If there was a schedule, people would know in advance when they're responsible for doing one, with all of the personalizations and whatnot to be included depending on the poster.

I remember that 2 years ago they were talking long-term deal but the reported dollars being talked about then were 5 years and $25 mil - heck, there was a report that said Plekanec turned that down. I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that this is his final season in Montreal, he'll price himself right out of Montreal if he keeps this up.

Give it time, he's not going to be able to step in and eat 25 minutes + right away. I wouldn't expect to see him return to Markov-like form for at least 3-4 weeks after his return. Since he's missed pretty much the entire year, the first few weeks back will be essentially a 2nd training camp.

I agree that it may be difficult to trade for an upgrade simply because goalies generally have next to no value on the market. That's not a shot at Gainey, but moreso a look at the situation over the past few years. It's very rare that we see a top-6 forward be moved for a goalie, even more rare a cheap top-6 forward. Sure, Halak's young and has potential, but so did Miikka Kiprusoff and he was only worth a 2nd rounder at the time he was moved to Calgary. Giroux would be nice to get, one rumour (and considering the source, I don't believe it for a second) has the Flyers actually offering him for Halak, but I don't see the Habs being able to get that much. If Halak moves, it'll most likely be for a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick, or a prospect. As for Grahame, to emphasize this, he has not signed with the Flyers but rather their AHL affiliate in Adirondack. If he's any good, then perhaps he's the short term solution but I wouldn't pull Philly out of the Halak mix just yet...if they're actually in it to begin with.

Mentioned it in the GDT yesterday, here's what I got from a Canadian Press report:

Last I heard, Trunev wasn't a lock either - he's on the preliminary roster like Leblanc is for Canada.

Here's what I just saw in a game recap: I'm starting to doubt that he'll be up in time to face off against his old squad now.

Yep, he was injured before the season even began actually. I seem to remember hearing during one of the broadcasts last week that he's at least another 6-8 weeks away; when he does come back, he'll be in Cincinnati.

The new shutout streak begins...sadly, I don't see this one lasting as long as the last one did.

3rd underway, Bulldogs to the PP. Stevenson scores on the PP, 2-0 Hamilton! (A PPG? I think I'm going to faint...)

Desharnais scores, and here come the toys! A shorthanded breakaway to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 lead!