Gainey Knows Price Under Pressure

From franchise saviour to the second coming of Ken Dryden, Carey Price has avoided no superlatives on his mercurial rise to the ranks of NHL stardom.

In a year where his exploits have been mirrored against those of Patrick Roy in his rookie rise with the Canadiens, who won a Stanley Cup after a surprise Calder Cup in 1986, the expectations placed on Price are so high as these playoffs loom, one must wonder how a 20 year old young man can handle the pressure.

Of course Price is no run of the mill goalie. He defies almost every goalie stereotype with a coolness so alarming, a nonchalance so boring, one could be tempted to check his pulse.

Mountains of hype seem to have little effect on his demeanor, and he seems to know precisely what is being asked of him.

"They do not raise conference title banners in this building", he was quoted as saying earlier this week.

Rivers of ink were spilled in the pre - season as to how the Canadiens should treat such a precious gem of a prospect. Little of it was adhered to. Even Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau felt strongly that Price remain in the AHL and be brought along more slowly.

He made the Canadiens out of camp!


















When opinions suggested picking Price's opponents carefully for game , there he was back on October 10, winning his first NHL start against none other than the high flying Pittsburgh Penguins.

Between then and now, Price has had moments of appearing merely human. A pair of consecutive weak games found him back in Hamilton where most figured he'd finish out the season. The Canadiens stated Price needed to play more often while working out some kinks in his game.

That Price was at best average in Hamilton was a surprise. So was his recall after 10 games. So was the trading of Cristobal Huet to Washington to allow Price all the needed room to assume the mentality of a number one goalie.

Like many Bob Gainey moves, fans and onlookers reacted to the news like a deer in the headlights of oncoming doom.

"What the devil is he thinking?", might have been the kindest initial reaction to Gainey's rabbit from a hat.

It now appears that Gainey, not unlike Price in some ways, is quite singular in his approach to sizing up situations.

Gainey, as facts have attested, has assembled quite a crack scouting staff. They look beyond the obvious talent and skill of players for mental attributes that are best described as an edge.

Searching for that uniqueness among young players means peeling back the layers of what it is they do very well, and analyzing what it is that makes them tick as hockey beings. Maturity beyond their young ages, leaderships traits and qualities, personal affronts defeated, work ethic and living habits all make up these background checks. Often when the Canadiens select a player, the word character follows his name.

What Gainey and crew are intent upon finding, is that difference maker between what is a good junior or college prospect, and a professional. The seek the man inside the boy.

Last June for example, when the Canadiens selected Ryan McDonagh in the first round, head scout Trevor Timmins mentioned at one point that the Habs had seen the player compete in over a hundred games in the past few seasons.

They have had a watchful eye on his progression since the age of 16. It was an astounding revelation.

The NHL is about pressure and committment, demeanor and dedication.

The Canadiens scout as if performing vital autopsies on living breathing hockey players, and understand early in a players learning curve what they can and cannot yet aspire to.

We get to see Carey Price perform and be interviewed. He's judged in our eyes on great saves, bad goals and offhand and rhetorical quotes.

Bob Gainey knows what Carey Price eats for breakfast!

Often what we don't see in a player's personal day to day existance are determining factors for team decisions. What we are not privelege to, not only create a nessecitated distance and mystique between fan and athlete, it also creates misunderstandings and misconceptions we have about those players.

We know that Carey Price has shown great promise and looks like the real deal, while giving off the impression that little perturbs him.

Bob Gainey looks at how Price took charge when Cristobal Huet was injured, and how he returned to a quieter more condescending way upon Huet's return. The difference in dressing room and off ice demeanor in Price when he held fort in the starting goalies absense revealed to Gainey that his young goalie was more comfortable and offered better performances when in a starter's role.

It was the difference between waiting to assume command, and taking command for Price. It had much to do with having the room to completely be himself.

It is why Bob Gainey did not err in dealing Huet, while stunning an unsuspecting public with the move.

The GM has concrete idea's of what he was getting into. Fans and followers are surprised by Price's success down the stretch.






















Bob Gainey will never be an arrogant man. He is humble, cautious, planning, decisive and studied. Perhaps one day, his quiet and successful methods will no longer come under such fire and rabid questioning.

How does Gainey understand why Price is so effective under pressure?

It might go back to background checks and character.

Carey Price's mother is chief of an Indian reservation. She deals in people's lives on a daily basis.

I do not recall which NHL player said it at the time, but the perspective was a pearl of wisdom. This player, when asked about the pressure most assumed he was under, straightened it out by saying, "What pressure? Pressure is having three children and a pregnant wife, you have a mortage and bills to pay, and you've just lost your job!"

Now that is grounded in perspective.

Hockey is kicks.

Perhaps when you come from a family where parents deal with lives in the balance, this distinction gets a whole a simpler and clearer. Maybe only humble beginnings enable this view, and surely Carey Price has had that.

A bad goal after all, is nothing more than a bad goal. Life or death it is not. The spotlight contorts it's meaning when a million eyes are on it.

When one has the ability and the common sense to place events in their proper perspective, it allows them the composure to deal with them head on.

By shucking off outside pressure like water off a duck's backside, Carey Price focuses on what he needs to do to get the job done.























Maybe when Gainey and staff consider player's off ice habits, they zero in on such traits that would make a kid a winner regardless of which career they would choose. When scraping off the boastful nature and machismo of an athlete, the revealed human being often is the truest picture.

It seems that Gainey has known Price quite well for some time now. His goalie is unique in a position well known for it's rare birds. What pressure does to him, is bring out his best. Challenges are his game.

Gainey, in his regular season ending press conference, made reference to what he saw Price achieve first hand and up close last season in Hamilton. He made a parallel between Price's comfort zone then and now, and traded Huet to enable it happen once more.

The gesture does guarantee the success will be duplicated, it only removes what was seen as one barrier that could prevent it. Gainey knows goalie personalities well enough to manage the area with expertise. He has won with goalies who beat to different drummers before in Dryden, Roy, and Belfour. You could say the man is well schooled.

Tonight, Carey Price's biggest test awaits him.

It makes a lot of us who are just getting to know him very nervous.

Good thing for us is, Carey Price likely doesn't see it that way at all.
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Looking Back On A Successful Regular Season

What a difference one year can make!

Last season, the Canadiens rode the hot goaltending of Jaroslav Halak, in for the injured Cristobal Huet, trying desperately to cling to an elusive playoff spot.

In 11 games from March 10 to April 3, Montreal were 9-2, and saw their hopes of advancing to the post season vanish with consecutive losses in their final two games.

The 6-5 heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 5th did them in.

That final game was a fair representation of what 2006-07 was to the Canadiens. It all about breaks, bounces, and unpredictability.

For certain followers of the team, the ending result was dubious - a happenstance of the oddball calamities that inflicted the team. Some knew the Canadiens were a better team that the record showed.

For others, it was testimony that the Habs were still at square one. Faith, in the big picture for doubters, was fleeting.

So, what happened this season? What were the causes of behind the Canadiens launching from tenth place a year ago into the top spot in their conference this season?

It all started with the believers in the team, the GM, the coach, and the entire organization, understanding that the end result last season was not a true reflection of where the Canadiens were at.

No one panicked, no one was fired, the blueprint was not blown up.

Instead, the continuity of faith in the plan was reaffirmed.























General manager Bob Gainey hit the summer free agency period with a Plan B that might have worked out better than his Plan A.

When the homerun swing for Daniel Briere and the attempted resigning of Sheldon Souray failed, Gainey went for depth. Subtracting Souray, Radek Bonk, Mike Johnson, Janne Niniimaa and David Aebischer from the starting lineup, the Habs GM latched onto Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Smolinski, Patrice Brisebois, and Tom Kostopoulos, and with them, brought in character and experience.

Gainey's best moves may have involved doing his homework in regards to the Canadiens youth corps.

With over a half dozen prospects ready to contribute in Montreal, he managed every case perfectly.

Young players on the table in off season discussions included Price, Halak, O' Byrne, Grabovski, Lapierre, Latendresse, the Kostitsyn brothers, and Kyle Chipchura.

Many organizations follow structured means and motto's where each player is treated the same, when it comes to making it to the National Hockey League.

Gainey treated every player scenario individually based on a progression expectation. He tested skills, maturity, and and compatibility in each player, and learned exactly where each one stood.

When training camp broke, Gainey dispatched Lapierre, Halak, O' Byrne and the younger Kostitsyn back to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Many thought all four had earned a spot - but there are only so many openings.

Opinions were divided over the camps of Latendresse and Sergei Kostitsyn, and the cases of Price and Grabovski making the big club caught many by surprise.

In certain cases Gainey was examining reaction and adaptation. He kept a pulse on maturity and an eye on domination in the AHL.

The fate of the Hamilton Bulldogs be dammed - Gainey wasn't in this to win back to back Calder Cups!

The tests that Gainey layed out for individual players paid great dividends. Eight of the nine players are currently with the Canadiens - save for Chipchura, who likely a victim of depth.

Price played well, but not steady enough to satisfy the team. A stint, a reality check of sorts, in Hamiltom at mid season served him well. He has been a different netminder since his callback, to the point where Gainey did not bat an eyelash in dispatching Cristobal Huet to the Capitals so that Price could assume his destiny.

Max Lapierre coasted when he should have been focused in camp. His easing off the gas pedal cost him a Hamilton reminder. He returned to the Habs with renewed dedication.

Halak brooded upon his send down, a victim of numbers. No fault of his own, the Canadiens needed to learn what Price was capable of at an NHL level, as they had an impending free agent goalie to assess. After a shakey start, Halak reaffirmed his AHL dominance and his NHL worthiness.

Andrei Kostitsyn and Guillaume Latendresse shared a similar microscope. Both had qualities worthy of being solid NHL'ers, but their work habits represented question marks.

For Andrei Kostitsyn, it was an application to a more physical game that was being looked at. Intensity and a willingness to pay the price were his faults, and patiences were tested when he was sat off on occasion.

For Latendresse, the Canadiens organization kept a close eye on his dedication to learning. Not blessed with wingers of size, the Canadiens needed the big winger for his physical element as much as his scoring. A different approach was applied to his learning curve and there was a marked improvement in his on ice awareness while he maintained his offensive numbers.




















Grabovski and Chipchura were left to duel it out as fourth line center and eventually both were sent back to Hamilton.

Grabovski had lost his spot with the team initially for two main reasons. The first, which had nothing to do with his play, involved the Canadiens getting good offensive contributions from everyone to the point where he was not really needed. The second was the fact that Chipchura had outplayed him and it didn't do any good for him to be sitting around.

Chipchura's half season was a positive one, where he often looked very instinctive for a player of his young age. He did a lot of things well, but when measured against Maxim Lapierre in a similar role, his role and roster spot became expendable.

Sergei Kostitsyn was a revelation of sorts. He had been scoring at a point per game pace in Hamilton when called up and he has never looked back. He offered a physical dimension Grabovski did not have and also was a most compatible winger on whatever line he was given to play on. He also had a profound effect on his older brother, and somehow having the two together brought out the best in Andrei.

O'Byrne came as advertised and hasn't disappointed. He is a patient and poised defender who does not try to do to much. His size and his reach demanded a big league tryout and he passed it with steady play. O' Byrne seems to improve with each passing week, and I recently heard one assessment by a former NHL coach who said that O' Byrne is ahead of Mike Komisarek at the same stage.























In the grand scheme of things, it was important for Gainey to find out exactly what he had in all this youth. They were all tested at the NHL level and though trial and error Gainey and Carbonneau learned what their youngsters were capable of bringing to the team. Seeing each indivudual player as a piece of a larger puzzle, enabled the team to find out exactly where other individuals fit.

What helped speed up the process for Gainey was the Hamilton Bulldogs surprise Calder Cup win in 2007. That bought players experience they could not have gotten otherwise, and not only was it beneficial to their progression as professionals, it also expediated Gainey's evaluation of his best prospects.

An abundance of talented youth injects a great faith in a team when every player understands their role. It can cause division and individualism if players feel their jobs or roles are threatened.

None of this seemed to occur with the Canadiens this season. Most players who were sat out for a game or two were quickly brought back into the lineup to contribute. One has to assume that Carbonneau understood how to manage not only his players, but their personalities.

Dealing with the ego's of third and fourth line players, as well as the extra defenseman the team carried, was crucial to not causing a division and the creation of player cliques.

It is obvious that both Carbonneau and Gainey learned a great deal about how to proceed with this from the Stanley Cup win of 1986.
















The storyline of the Canadiens 23rd Cup will always center around the exploits of Patrick Roy's rookie season, but in truth it had as much to do with how a team with 9 rookies at any given time learned the hard lessons of bonding for the betterment of team goals. Veterans and newcomers that season ran into conflict upon occasion, but this season the Habs seemed to steer right by such problems.

The tales of Alex Kovalev playing big brother to many of the European talents on the team is but one example of possibly many in regards to how this team gelled almost from the start. Veteran players such as Koivu, Hamrlik, Markov, Smolinski, Brisebois, and others surely were as supportive of the team first scheme.

Much has been made of Gainey's off season chats with Kovalev and the dividends they have paid, and rightfully so. For a player to show up with a freshened attitude, and who turns himself from a team cancer to it's most outspoken leader, it has an unestimable trickle down effect on the overall chemistry of a team. Leadership needs to come from many areas on a winning team, but when it is sought and found where it should be is most reassuring, especially on a young squad seeking guidance in their initial seasons.

Many decisions were made by team managemant throughout 82 games. There are always lineup substitutions, line mate changes, callups, demotions, off ice incidents, and game plan alterations. Players all have their opinions on what they believe works and doesn't work. When decision made by Carbonneau or Gainey produce the desired result time after time, players cease to question the motives or means, and simply place faith in those decisions as being best for the team.























When Bob Gainey chose to part with Cristobal Huet at the trade deadline, he had to consider many evaluations. Gainey had to not only know for certain that Price was ready to handle the starters role, but also have a solid idea how the players themselves would react to it.

Huet was obviously a respected and appreciated team mate. Many mourned his trading away, but few doubted Gainey in knowing that it was the right thing to do. There were no players questioning the risk of the move or Gainey's bravery in being so decisive at a crucial time.

Gainey obviously has his thumb on the pulse of team, otherwise he would not have risked such a trade. He had to now that his team had faith in Carey Price and the character to soldier on.
In the 19 games in the post Huet era, the Habs went 14-4-1 to finish out the season.

In looking back over what has been the 2007-08 regular season, you will find all kinds of individual benchmarks, career years, and shining statistical notes. Numbers are spit out about how the Canadiens have not done this or that since whenever, and it all adds up to one big sexy spin.

The angles and views build great confidence, from players down to fans, but it is wise not to get too caught up in the allure.

What the Montreal Canadiens did best in this season was build, gel, and progress.

They are getting closer and closer to that Holy Grail destination, and if 2008 doesn't turn out to be the year, we can be comforted in the knowledge that a foundation has been poured, secured, and cemented for the future.

Regardless of how far the Habs go into this playoff, what has been learned along the way should serve them for years to come.
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The True Value Of Cristobal Huet

Robert L Note: Mathias Brunet of La Presse has placed in context, the Cristobal Huet trade, better than anything I have read all week. I don't agree with every single point he makes - such as blaming Huet for the Stillman OT winner 2 years ago - but it's an overall well balanced read that is quite informative and interesting. Here's the translation:

There is often a tendency, in the province of Quebec, to overevaluate our favorite hockey players.

Over the last week, certain fans have reacted to the departure of Cristobal Huet as though the Canadiens had just lost Patrick Roy.

Huet was quite a revelation for the Canadiens. He uprooted an erratic Jose Theodore two seasons ago, and helped the team qualify for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, in the first round, Huet cracked as the Canadiens had the Carolina Hurricanes in a stranglehold in the last minute of the third game, and let in a Rod Brind' Amour goal that never should have beat him. There was also that weak overtime winner by Cory Stillman in game seven.

The goaltender from France rebounded well in the first half of the following season, but started showing signs of weakness just before Christmas. His injury at the time disguised the fact that before he was hurt, he had begun to struggle.Huet also had a good start to this season, but even when he was at his best, his market value wasn't very high, despite what many people might have otherwise thought.


















In December, an NHL scouting insider was quoted in a publication as saying that the 32 year old netminder "could not return an impact player to the Canadiens in a trade. He is neither Brodeur or Luongo, and while his statistics are good, his evaluation is closer to that of martin Gerber - a goalie who still leaves doubts. Other than two seasons in Montreal, he does not have a lot of NHL experience. Unless a team really falls desperate, he could fetch no more than a second or third round pick should the Canadiens choose to trade him."

It should be mentioned that this scout, whose team wasn't in the running to aquire a goaltender, made this assessment when Huet was topping the all star game votes for goalies and was in the top 10 in goals against average and save percentage.

He was no longer in such lofty statistical company when the Capitals made his aquisition this week after having surrendered 27 goals in his last seven games. His 2.55 GAA ranked him 20th, his save percentage 12th, and his win total 23rd.






















The scout did recognize that the market for goalie movement was not a heightened one. Ilya Bryzgalov, always a solid backup for the Ducks in Jean-Sébastien Giguère's absense was practically given away to the Coyotes on waivers.

Senators GM Bryan Murray wasn't able to move Ray Emery or Martin Gerber, and Chicago wasn't any more fortunate in their attempts to shed Nichlolai Khabibulin's contract.

So why not keep Huet as an insurance policy? Because Carey Price becomes a better goalie minus a veteran presence that was susceptible to replacing him at the slightest sign of worry.

When I wrote the acticle on Huet in December I believed he was an important piece for the Canadiens from now until the end of the season. But deceiving performances of late combined with the fact that Price had his best moments when Huet was injured gave me a diferent impression. Price plays better under pressure.















Now let's discuss the worth of a second round pick. On November 16, 2003, the Sharks sent Miikka Kiprusoff to the Flames for a second rounder because Evgeny Nabokov was their undisputed number one goalie. Kiprusoff is obviously a superior goalie to Huet and Sharks fans weren't happy to see him blossom in Calgary. Nabokov is still as solid in San Jose and the Sharks used the pick to take Marc-Edouard Vlasic in the second round two years later. Let's say the trade is digested easier today.

With their second or third round picks, the Canadiens have been able to draft the likes of Tomas Plekanec, Maxim Lapierre, Guillaume Latendresse, Ryan O'Byrne and Alexei Emelin, who should be quite a player once he arrives in North America. These players aren't duds.

Remember also that Mike Ribeiro, Patrice Bergeron, Shea Weber, Mike Cammalleri, Jonathan Cheechoo, Mike Fisher, Patrik Elias, Doug Weight, John Leclair, Éric Desjardins and José Théodore were all second round picks. With Trevor Timmins flair, anything is possible.

Last week on CKAC, former Nordiques coach Michel Bergeron recalled the fans outrage when the Canadiens traded Jeff Hackett to the Sharks, only to see him skip California and go straight to Boston. GM Andre Savard was wallopped in the media and it was said how Hackett would return to haunt the Habs in springtime when Boston won the Cup. It never happened - not even close.

Talent has no age. The Canadiens are in a better position with Price than they were with Huet, even though the man was a class act and despite the fact that there will still be the usual ups and down between now and the end of the year.

Habs For Breakfast: Not Full Yet?

Thought I'd throw out another ten links as Le Journal online was a bit late getting up and NHL.com had a couple of really cool pieces on Alex Kovalev in the last few days that I just found this afternoon.

This daily Habs For Breakfast series seems to be a popular feature with readers as each post is getting near 700 hits per day. I never would have thought there would be such an interest in the links, especially since my pieces are in English and 60% of the links are in French. I decided to give the idea a try as I usually read all these media sites and blogs on a daily basis. It's pretty simple work for me to put the links up as I peruse them - it's an hour of reading and 25 minutes to post them up.

While I am at it, I want to thank readers for tuning into Eyes On The Prize in record numbers this month. I guess it had to do with the trade deadline speculation, a pair of links at Habs Inside Out on the Gainey and Pocket Rocket stories from Dave Stubbs, the Breakfast posts and the enthusiam over how good the Habs are doing. In all, readership shot up by 5,000 additional pair of eyes.

Now, to maintain the interest.....

The fun my friends, as you can sense it, is just beginning!

I had a good giggle when I saw the TSN site using this title to promo the Habs Devils battle tonight!

Eyes On The Prize - TSN

"Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils have it and the Montreal Canadiens want it - the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Northeast Division-leading Canadiens seek their third straight win and first place in the conference standings tonight when they host the Devils, who are just one point ahead."

Kovalev Taking Flight With Montreal - NHL.com

"I think he’s spreading his joy to the whole team," said Carbonneau. "It’s always fun when you have veteran players that will show the ropes to the kids. They come in and work hard in the gym, work hard on the ice to get better. That’s the reason they’re good, they work hard a lot. It’s fun for (young players) to come up and see those guys, because they don’t have a choice, they have to follow and keep working hard."

Piloting His Own Destiny - NHL.com

"Kovalev said he has taken some teammates up in his plane, including defenseman Mike Komisarek. "I gave him the controls," said Kovalev. "He actually took off himself. It was a little bit too hard, but he got the experience. I backed him up. We went from the airport, we went out a few miles, he did some steep turns and all that, and it was pretty exciting for him to try it."

The Big Red Machine - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"This season, I've seen Kovalev block shots, hustle back to cover his own zone and unselfishly dish the puck to his much younger linemates when he might have scored himself. His wristshot from the right circle has the accuracy of a night-vision scope.....Make no mistake about it, Alex Kovalev is the engine pulling this Habs train to first place in the East." - J.T.

Brodeur étonné que Huet se retrouve à Washington - Le Journal

"J'ai été surpris que le Canadien décide de faire confiance aux jeunes Carey Price et Jaroslav Halak. À mon avis, il est toujours bon de pouvoir compter sur un gardien d'expérience pour seconder une recrue", a raconté Brodeur au téléphone avant d'affronter Huet et les Capitals, hier soir, au New Jersey.

Latendresse a joué les Butterbean - Le Journal

"Plusieurs vétérans ont félicité Guillaume Latendresse pour sa victoire aux poings contre Nolan Pratt, à qui il a presque infligé un knock-out. Latendresse porte maintenant le surnom de Butterbean, en l'honneur du super poids lourd du même nom."

"Ce n'est vraiment pas mon style de jeu, mais Pratt m'a invité, commentait Latendresse. Entre les deux périodes, je me demandais si je lui avais fait mal."

Kovalev jouera tant qu'il avencera - Le Journal

"C'est Alex qui décide. On lui accorde le plus de congés possible pour qu'il soit au mieux les jours de matchs. Il a bien joué malgré cette blessure et on va le faire jouer tant qu'il ne nous dira pas qu'il n'est plus capable d'avancer", a indiqué Guy Carbonneau.

Un moment difficile à passer - Le Journal

"Je pense que le voyage dans l'Ouest va s'avérer salutaire pour l'équipe. Il va nous permettre de passer plus de temps ensemble et nous en aurons besoin, surtout que nous sommes à un moment décisif de la saison." - Guy Carbonneau

A un point d'être premier - La Presse

"En plus de se hisser au premier rang de la division Nord-Est, un point devant les Sénateurs d'Ottawa, le Canadien se retrouve à un point des Devils du New Jersey et du premier rang de l'Association de l'Est. Le premier rang sera à l'enjeu ce soir, au Centre Bell où le Canadien accueillera justement Martin Brodeur et les Devils." - François Gagnon

Plekanec et Kovalev ont le triomphe modeste - La Presse

"C'est plaisant d'avoir débloqué après une série un peu difficile, mais c'est surtout la victoire qui compte. Nous nous passons bien la rondelle et sur les deux premiers buts, Alex m'a servi de très belles passes", a lancé Plekanec.

Habs For Breakfast - 2008-02-29

The Habs Beakfast skipped a day - Mom's 72nd birthday.

Here are the more essential reads from yesterday and today.

Habs Youth Movement Pushes Veterans To The Side - The Gazette

"They have become the casualties of a winning team - one that appears determined to sink or swim with its youth. Forwards Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos, along with defenceman Patrice Brisebois, were acquired as free agents last summer, signed by general manager Bob Gainey for their experience and veteran leadership. And, coming off yet another non-playoff season, Gainey perhaps wasn't quite certain about the composition of his team." - Herb Zurkowski

"It was a little bit shocking": Huet - The Gazette

"The classy goaltender, who was traded to the Washington Capitals yesterday for a second-round draft choice in 2009, said his only regret was that he hadn't played better in recent weeks." - Pat Hickey

One Hungry Offense - Montreal Canadiens.com

Halak hopes to give Price a battle - The Gazette

"After bouncing back and forth between Hamilton and Montreal during the past year, Halak received a vote of confidence Tuesday when Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey moved Cristobal Huet at the trading deadline and said the team would go forward with Halak and Carey Price." - Pat Hickey

Price Ready To Take Over Canadiens Net - TSN

"Nothing's going to change for me,'' the Vancouver native said. ''It's just looks like I'll be playing more minutes."

Price Is Money - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"Well, Carey Price justified his GM's and his teammates' belief in him...for one night at least...with a great performance against the Thrashers. As for the other price...the one for bringing those same Thrashers' Marian Hossa to Montreal...it was too high." - J.T.

Jaroslav Dangerfield? - The H Does Not Stand For Habs
"I'm not saying Halak is better than Price or that he'll be some kind of miracle worker for the Habs if the team isn't working together to win. But he's a good young goalie in his own right who does deserve some notice for his contribution to the team in the past." - J.T.

Leafs Need Version Of Gainey - Toronto Star

"It's worth remembering that twice – once in 1997, once in 2002 – the Maple Leafs under president Ken Dryden came oh-so-close to landing Bob Gainey to run the team's hockey office." - Damien Cox

Au front avec des jeunes - Le Journal

"Il y a un respect mutuel entre Gainey et les joueurs" raconte Mike Komisarek. "Il a décidé de faire confiance aux deux jeunes gardiens et, également, de ne pas se départir de joueurs clés pour faire l'acquisition de Marian Hossa. Maintenant, c'est à nous de répondre à l'appel et de faire le travail demandé."

Grabovski entend saisir sa dieuxième chance - Le Journal

"Après avoir brûlé la Ligue américaine, Mikhail Grabovski entend maintenant obtenir sa place à Montréal, comme l'ont fait avant lui les frères Andrei et Sergei Kostitsyn, ainsi que le Québécois Maxim Lapierre."


















Koivu mise sur la concept d'équipe - Le Journal

"Les succès d'une équipe ne peuvent pas dépendre que de deux ou trois joueurs, a-t-il dit. Ça va prendre la contribution de tout le monde." - Saku Koivu

Gainey dévoile son objectif - Le Journal

"Le Canadien a été la dernière formation canadienne à remporter la coupe Stanley, dit-il. Je veux qu'il soit la prochaine équipe du Canada à la gagner." - Bob Gainey

Carbo se méfie des Sabres - RDS

"Le Canadien a perdu ses trois derniers matchs face aux Sabres de Buffalo. Le dernier affrontement remonte au 24 novembre, il y a plus de trois mois. A ce moment-là, les Sabres se remettaient encore du départ de Daniel Brière et de Chris Drury. Plus maintenant."

Melanson est devenu indispensable - RDS

"Rollie est ce qui se rapproche le plus d'un adjoint d'expérience. C'est comme s'il était lui-même un gardien auxiliaire, dit-il. Il peut leur suggérer des choses, il peut leur parler." - Mike Komisarek

Grabovski veut imiter les Kostitsyn - RDS

"A son retour début février, il a repris le temps perdu, inscrivant 18 points dont huit buts en sept matchs. Son rendement lui a valu le titre de joueur de la semaine dans la Ligue américaine."



Gainey n'a pas sacrifié les jeunes - RDS

"S'il a perdu Marian Hossa qui est, rappelons-le, un joueur de location, Gainey a conservé tous ses jeunes joueurs, ses atouts, qu'il pourra toujours utiliser dans d'éventuelles transactions lors du repêchage, durant la période d'embauche des joueurs autonomes ou simplement pendant l'été."

Une histoire de gardiens - RDS

"Un gardien numéro un dans la LNH, dont je vais taire le nom, me posait la question lundi soir. Il ne comprenait pas pourquoi Huet, qui a été élu gardien du mois de janvier de la Ligue, avait perdu la confiance des dirigeants de l’équipe dès que Carey Price avait été rappelé. Est-ce vraiment sa fiche de deux victoires et trois défaites depuis le rappel de Price au début du mois qui a forcé les dirigeants de l’équipe à l’échanger?" - Renaud Lavoie

For Sale: Never Used Pair Of Red, White And Blue Gloves

It's been a hectic two weeks leading up tp yesterday's 3 PM deadline, and in this morning after the big disappointment - and an oustanding Canadiens win - I'm still a little peeved at Bob Gainey.

Not for trying to aquire a premier forward in Marian Hossa.

Not for failing to land Hossa.

I'm peeved, slightly less this morning, for Gainey getting us all swept up in it.

Talk about a frenzied hockey city - post impact player Gainey quote!

Hossa sightings at airports, phantom gloves on order, and rumours galore. You'd think it was playoff time already. The absurdity that everyone including myself were swooped up in reminded me of when Patrick Roy had his appendix removed between playoff games, and someone put a bid on it!

Montreal gets like that, and Gainey should have seen it coming. Hockey fever at it's most fervent.

I was surprised as many were when he came out and spoke his intentions out loud. For a man who usually is low key about his goals, the admission was uplfting and stunning. In the aftermath, declaring he was out to hit a home run only set up disappointment.

When Gainey made the quote, I considered the effect on the Montreal media. It had the same effect on me. I got swept up in a way of hope.

I recall thinking, "Bob, what are you saying! Come to your senses!"























Bob came to his senses at 2:53 PM yesterday, apparently. When dance partner Don Waddell's asking price became a touch too lofty for Gainey to assume, the wise man backed down.

What happened was Waddell did as any GM worth his salt would - he upped the ante until the last minute. When the Thrashers GM asked Gainey for more, the good Bob stood his ground. The Penguins had offered the four bodies they ended up sending and the Canadiens balked at the offer of Mikhail Grabovski, Matt D' Agnostini, Mark Streit, and Ryan O'Byrne.

You can decide which offer you'd choose, but Waddell went with the two NHL regulars offered by Pittsburgh, a first round pick in 2008, and the disappointing Angelo Esposito that the Pens chose last summer.

Gainey could not see the Habs as being improved, had they surrendered three assets from their starting lineup, and good for him!

This team did not look too shabby on the ice last night, but the playoffs are a whole other test.
What confounded me from the get go, was that the Canadiens have plently of offfense. After last night's game, they have scored 201 goals. Detroit have 203 with one more game played. Ottawa has 210.























Offense is not the problem, defense is more of a concern.

Markov, Komisarek, and Hamrlik rate a great top three, though none will be confused for Pronger, Niedermayer or Lidstrom.

Francis Bouillon and Josh Gorges have surprised of late - in certain games. Ryan O'Byrne is coming along as well as hoped.

There's Mark Streit to sub on the PP point and fill in when penalties get hairy and rotations go out of whack, Mathieu Dandeneault in emergencies, and Patrice Brisebois when...when...when hell starts to freeze.

It would have been good to see Bob add, say, Adam Foote or another top 4 d-man to the corps.

Instead, Gainey delivered the curve I so greatly feared when writing about this two days ago.

Certainly many weren't prepared to see Cristobal Huet dealt, especially at a time when there was little market for goalies. The returning second round pick does not make Gainey look genial today, but he may be looking at things differently than most.

Standing to lose Huet to free agency this coming summer, and with Jaroslav Halak once again standing on his head in Hamilton, a choice needed to be made. As this is a young team, perhaps Gainey wants his goaltenders to peak at the same time the core of the team reaches its apex.

That is not now. It might just be next year. It will surely be the year after, in many estimations.
In order to have the goaltending be where it needs to then, the process of them being front and center, taking the bullets, must begin now. With Huet in the picture, this would not have happened.

Yesterday cemented the notion of Price as the man of the moment, over simply being constantly regarded as the goalie of the future. Gainey's decision makes clear the future begins now.

It was good then that he sacrificed none of it yesterday.

Gainey's final piece, his home run signing, Hossa even, can come this summer.

He'll appear a great deal wiser when it happens - as long as he doesn't tell the world exactly what his intents are with two weeks notice.

Habs For Breakfast: Trade Deadline Hangover Edition

Good thing this day happens but once a season!

The stress felt by fans must be nothing compared to that felt by the players. I had to work a 3 to 11 shift, which was bad enough. Then I get called in for 2 PM, which means I had to wait until 5 PM last night for the disappointment of knowing the Canadiens made no other moves than the Huet trade. In the end, I'd have been just as content had Gainey not made any moves at all.

Here are today's stories:

Canadiens romp over Thrashers - HIO

Price Era Gets Off To A Great Start - The Gazette

"I think this is definitely a step in that direction when they trade away an older player," said Price,. "It was definitely a surprise. I didn't think it would happen this year. Huet) was unbelievable. He was a first-class guy, a great teammate who took me under his wing. I can't say anything bad about that man."

Price Up To The Challenge - The Gazette

"Price said that Huet's influence continued even after he was traded. He left behind a message on the bulletin board in the Canadiens dressing room, that read: "Had an awesome time with you off and on the ice. Best of luck."

GM's In The Deadline Spotlight - TSN

"I think Bob Gainey is going to take a lot of heat. At the end of the day, we know what Gainey is like, he's got a lot of resolve and he's got an idea of how things should be done. That's the way Bob Gainey played hockey, and that's the way he manages." - Bob McKenzie

Price's remarkable ride to No. 1 job - HIO

Why Bob? Why? - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"'ll recover from the disappointment and I believe Gainey knows more than I do. I'm relieved he didn't trade any of the team's youth, especially Higgins, O'Byrne and Halak." - J.T.

Higgins marque deux fois dans la victoire de 5-1 du Canadien

"C'est évidemment un soulagement pour moi que d'être encore ici, a admis Higgins. Je suis content de vous parler après une bonne performance de ma part. "Tout le monde est un peu plus relaxe. Plusieurs gars serraient leur bâton trop fort dernièrement, et j'étais un de ceux-là. "


Les Thrashers trop exigeants - Le Journal

"Ils nous demandaient quatre joueurs, dont trois qui seront sur la glace ce soir», a laissé savoir Gainey lors d'un point de presse tenu en fin de journée. Nous n'aurions pas amélioré notre équipe si nous avions cédé ces trois joueurs de notre formation" a-t-il ajouté.

"Price est notre homme": Carbonneau - Le Journal

"Mais je n'aurai aucune crainte de faire appel aux services de Jaroslav Halak. Il était le meilleur gardien de la Ligue américaine la saison dernière lorsqu'il était venu nous aider en fin de saison et il l'était encore cette année. J'ai confiance en Halak." - Guy Carbonneau

Carey aime jouer avec le fusil sur la tempe - Le Journal

"Je n'étais pas craintif jusqu'à ce que mon nom sorte, a-t-il raconté après la victoire contre les Thrashers. J'ai regardé la télé durant une demi-heure, puis je l'ai fermée pour aller faire ma sieste. Je m'étais énervé pour rien." - Maxim Lapierre

Pas besoin de Marian - RDS

"On se venge comme on peut et le Canadien, qui s’est fait damer le pion par les Penguins de Pittsburgh dans le derby Hossa, a prouvé qu’il n’avait pas besoin de la vedette slovaque pour remplir le filet adverse."













Price a perdu un grand frère - RDS

"La nouvelle m'a ébranlé. J'ai été très surpris", a commenté Price, à l'issue de la victoire de 5-1 du Tricolore. "Je ne m'attendais pas à ce qu'il parte cette saison. Cristobal a été comme un grand frère pour moi. Il était toujours là pour moi. Il m'a pris sous son aile. Je ne peux dire que de bonnes choses à son endroit."

Gainey est déçu, mais confiant - RDS

"Si j'avais fait l'échange, je serais plus dans le pétrin que je le suis devant vous actuellement. Les amateurs de hockey de Montréal sont des connaisseurs. Ils auraient trouvé qu'on avait trop donné." - Bob Gainey

Ryder est toujours a Montréal - RDS

"On a eu des propositions au cours des derniers mois, mais c'était du pareil au même. On nous offrait des joueurs semblables", avance Gainey. Le directeur général a expliqué qu'il a préféré, à ce moment, garder la "carte Ryder" dans sa manche afin d'inclure son nom dans une transaction majeure, qui n'a jamais eu lieu.

J’aurais aimé finir le travail: Huet - La Presse

"Je ne suis pas en colère, même si je suis un peu surpris. Est-ce que j’ai été apprécié à ma juste valeur? Je ne sais pas. C’est une ville difficile pour les joueurs, Montréal. Quand ça va bien, tu es adulé, mais quand ça va moins bien c’est difficile. En bout de ligne, ce sont les performances sur la glace qui comptent" - Cristobal Huet

Huet's Is Out, Price Is In

Robert L Note: I'm not crazy about this deal, but it can be assumed that Bob Gainey didn't figure on resigning Cristobal Huet this summer. With Jaroslav Halak doing so well in Hamilton, and a offer of a second round pick coming to his way, Gainey perhaps felt that Huet's stock was as high as it was going to get.

Here's the TSN take on the deal:

The Montreal Canadiens have traded goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a second-round draft pick.

Huet, 32, has a 21-12-6 record and 2.56 goals-against average this season with a .916 save percentage.

With Huet dealt, the Canadiens have turned to 20-year-old Carey Price as their third starting goaltender in as many seasons. Ironically, Huet became the team's new starter in 2006, when general manager Bob Gainey dealt former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Cristobal Huet to Colorado on the eve of the trading deadline.

Huet is in the final year of a two-year contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

NHL on TSN Analysis

Keith Jones on Huet: "I'm shocked. I don't think they got enough for Huet... The Montreal Canadiens have had succeess going with rookie goaltender in the past... But I'm surprised the market was so small for Huet."

More on this as it comes in.

Habs For Breakfast: Trade Deadline Day Edition

Robert L Note: This post will be augmented with the trade news of the day, and articles relating to it as the day progresses. Tune in a few times. Should there be updates concerning the Canadiens, they will be added as I get to them.

Judging by the morning paper, today is turning out to be the Marian Hossa watch....

8:00 AM
Hossa: Je suis prêt à toutes éventualités - La Presse

"Une situation rocambolesque pourrait se produire aujourd'hui: Marian Hossa pourrait participer à l'échauffement matinal dans l'uniforme des Thrashers d'Atlanta, et arborer le Bleu-Blanc-Rouge au début de la rencontre!" - Marc Antoine Godin

Hossa changera - t - il d'uniforme dans la journée? - La Presse

"Des rumeurs qui ont atteint un sommet en matière de folie lorsque le site Internet corussports.com a annoncé la tenue imminente d'une conférence de presse du Canadien parce que des employés de l'entretien ménager venaient de donner un coup de balayeuse sur le tapis rouge de la salle où se tiennent les points de presse du Tricolore." - Francois Gagnon

Montréal m' intéresse - Marian Hossa - Le Journal

"Il s'est dit flatté d'apprendre que des amateurs au Centre Bell avaient commencé à scander son nom lors de la troisième période du match de samedi." - Pierre Durocher

Ca se bouscule pour obtenir Marian Hossa - Le Journal

"On pense, du côté de la capitale nationale, que les Sénateurs seraient disposés à échanger Antoine Vermette, un jeune espoir qui pourrait être Brian Lee, Nick Foligno ou Ilja Zubov, ainsi qu'un choix au repêchage pour rapatrier Hossa dans leurs rangs." - Marc de Foy

2:00 AM

Habs Zero In On Hossa - Yahoo Sports

"The Dallas Stars will aquire Tampa Bay Lightening center Brad richards in a multi player trade and the Atlanta Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa is heading to the Montreal Canadiens before the NHL trade deadline, an executive within the league said Monday night.

Montreal GM Bob Gainey, who appears to have outbid the Ottawa Senators for Hossa, pointed out last week the team traded for Alex Kovalev at the trade deadline in 2004, and despite only playing 12 games with the Canadiens at the end he decided to re-sign in Montreal."

1:45 AM

Habs Still Chasing Sniper Hossa - TSN

"It's a hockey city. I've played in Canada and I know how the people are crazy about hockey, so it's an interesting place to play. But right now that's all I can say." - Marian Hossa

Canadiens Still Trying To Swing A Deal - National Post

"It's always a tough time of the year and it's different when your name is out there but I'm still here. I'll leave my cell phone on and I'll just wait and see what happens. I'll let you know how I feel at three o'clock." - Michael Ryder

"Aucun gardien n'est a la hauteur" - RDS

L’entraîneur-chef Guy Carbonneau a fait son choix: Carey Price sera le gardien partant du Canadien mardi contre les Thrashers d’Atlanta.

Terminer pour Huet a Montreal - RDS

"Bien sûr, Huet n’a pas de contrat en poche pour la saison prochaine. Je pense donc que cette situation prouve que c’est terminé pour lui à Montréal. À moins que Price trébuche dans les prochaines parties, il va hériter du poste de numéro un." - Gaston Therrien

Les medias versent dans l'exaggeration, selon Carbonneau - La Presse

"On lance des noms, on commente les rumeurs, a-t-il continué. Je sais que ça fait partie de vos tâches de journaliste, mais c'est injuste. C'est dur pour les athlètes. Mettez-vous un instant dans leur peau et que vous entendiez depuis un mois que vous allez être échangé." - Guy Carbonneau

Eating The Habs For Breakfast - 2008-2-22

You'll dig deep for Habs playoff tickets - Habs Inside Out

"The downside to the Canadiens making the playoffs, of course, will be what you'll pay for tickets to the post-season – face-value, not to scalpers."

Canadiens Comeback Well Runs Dry - Gazette

"We've shown that we have enough offence to score goals, which was a question mark in the beginning of the season, but the thing that's made us successful is the defence-first mentality and that's what we have to get back" - Saku Koivu

No Miracles vs Malkin's Penguins - Gazette

"Most people were saying there was no way they were going to reach the playoffs this season. And you might remember that even during this season when your Habs were going through a brief slump, there were suggestions they were dead in the water." - Red Fisher

Canadiens Come Back All The Way Only To Lose - Lions In Winter

"The crowd wanted a comeback and the Habs almost gave it to us. With the score at 3-3 in the third we scored our 4th, a goal we all were hoping would have been the eventual winner." - Tobalev

Stud Shopping - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"I'm on the record as being very, very cautious when it comes to deadline dealing. I'd even be content to take the current lineup into the playoffs with maybe a little bit of third-line tinkering." - J.T.

Useless Alert! Hossa Being Fitted For Jersey And Genetalia Protection - FHF

"It has also been said that he was seen in a supermarket yesterday buying potatos and cheese, which in no doubt signifies that he is learning how to make poutine, which means he's buying a house in St-Eustache." - Habs Fan 33

Ryder Apprecie Le Soutien De Ses Coequipiers - Journal
"Il ne croit pas qu'il soit trop tard pour racheter sa mauvaise saison. On lui a demandé s'il sent que la machine est bel et bien repartie."

Le CH A Manque De Concentration - RDS

"On doit apprendre à mieux gérer nos émotions, à revenir rapidement sur terre à la suite d'une victoire émotive comme celle qu'on a obtenue mardi." - Guy Carbonneau

"On continue de donner des buts faciles": Guy Carbonneau - Le Journal

"On ne gagnera pas beaucoup de matchs en accordant cinq buts." C’est par ce commentaire que Guy Carbonneau a amorcé son point de presse et il ne pouvait dire plus vrai."

"J'ai Connu Une Soiree Difficile": Huet - Le Journal

"N’empêche que Huet a montré des moments de faiblesse. Il a paru chancelant sur trois buts et il ne l’a pas caché."

Ce Sera Une Soiree Emouvante - RDS

"Bob Gainey était un joueur d’équipe incroyable et ça me fait énormément plaisir que son chandail soit retiré. C’est toujours agréable pour moi de voir le chandail de l’un de mes anciens coéquipiers être hissé dans les hauteurs du Centre Bell." - Yvon Lambert

Hamrlik: "Cela n'est pas du tout notre style" - La Presse

"Ce soir, on pensait qu'on allait sortir fort, mais on est mal partis en donnant deux buts rapides. On doit apprendre à être plus constants." - Maxim Lapierre

Eating The Habs For Breakfast - 2008-2-21

Robert L Note: Skip this first bit if you caught the introduction from yesterday afternoont's late edition of "Breakfast". I'm repeating the foreword for the first morning readers tuning in.

Since the Canadiens are doing so fabulously well lately, eyeing down both an early playoff confirmation and a legitimate shot at first place, there is an abundance of news, stories and opinions to read. The recent spike in attention paid to the team has made it difficult for even an avid reader of everything like myself to keep up on all the happenings going about. I'm thinking that this will only increase as the days to the trade deadline wind down and the playoffs approach.

With that notion in mind, I thought that I would attempt to round up the newest of news and takes on the Canadiens in one tidy little place, provide a quick glance at what's being said and written from sources ranging from media outlerts to my favorite blogs, and the name the pieces "Eating The Habs For Breakfast".

Each day I'll be scanning my usual reading places for the latest links to the stuff I believe readers would be interested in. I'll post links to places such as the Gazette, Le Journal De Montreal, La Presse, RDS, TSN, NHL.com, and the national Canadian media outlets such as the Sun and Globe chains. In addition, pieces from my favorite blogs - Habs Inside Out, Habs World, Four Habs Fans, Lions In Winter, Theory Of Ice, The H Does Not Stand For Habs, All Habs, Hockey's Greatest Legends, Sisu Hockey, and others - will also be featured. The pieces will be no more than a day or two old, and should be everything relevant that readers could want to catch in both official languages.

Family Affair For Habs Price - Gazette

"I got a little bit teary-eyed watching Carey stand there during the national anthems," she said yesterday. "And it was wonderful to see his maturity when he was pulled, the way he was right in there with his team." That would include Price tossing his Canadiens cap on the ice to celebrate teammate Michael Ryder's shortlived hat trick."

Lots Of Questions As Canadiens Surge - TSN

"If you ask any player or GM about looking to improve your team, you're looking to add an impact player," said captain Saku Koivu on Wednesday. "If those guys are available and you can have those guys on your team, we're all for it."

The Team That Could....Win It All - All Habs

"Every player was focused and contributed to this great victory but I was amazed by how determined and single-mindedly focused Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev and Andrei Markov were when they started to smell "blood" in the water with the Rangers thrashing in the water helplessly. The leaders of the pack led the attack or "hunt" against the Rangers which is what good leaders do.........lead by example!!!" - Habster

The Impossible Is Made Possible - FHF

"This post is coming to you a bit later than usual because I haven't moved since Jaromir Jagr lost the puck on the shootout in front of Cristobal Huet's crease. I have sat stunned, motionless. My family has come down to the basement to get me into fresh clothes. They try to indulge me into eating something. Maybe wash and shave the growing beard that is slowly appearing on the contours of my face. I'm lost in a daze, frozen in disbelief. Maybe I'll move. Maybe one day." - Habs Fan 33

Dwelling On The Dark Ages - The H Does Not Stand For Habs

"Not only does the team have young, talented players coming up through the system, it also has the management in place to make sure those players develop to the best advantage of the franchise. Bob Gainey isn't likely to throw the next young Chris Chelios or Patrick Roy away for nothing." - J.T.

Sundogs Lose Latendresse - Arizona Daily Courier

"After one of his best games of the season on Saturday night in Arizona's 5-4 overtime victory over Rocky Mountain, Latendresse early this week learned that he would be joining his younger brother in the Montreal Canadiens organization."

Le Canadien n’est pas surestimé - RDS

"Je crois alors que le Canadien joue présentement à la hauteur de son talent. En évitant les blessures, l’équipe pourrait brouiller bien des cartes en séries éliminatoires. Une équipe qui serait négligée, car elle n’aspirait pas en début d’année à gagner la coupe Stanley comme par exemple les Sénateurs d’Ottawa." - Gaston Therrien

Saku Tient A Demeurer Ici - La Presse

"Quitter Montréal, ça n'a aucun sens. Pourquoi je quitterais cette équipe alors qu'elle sort enfin des saisons difficiles qui ont suivi mon arrivée."

La Folie Furieuse - Journal

"Aujourd'hui, dans les couloirs des plus grandes firmes d'avocats, chez les chauffeurs de taxis, dans l'autobus ou au dépanneur, on ne parle que de ça", ajoute un autre fin connaisseur, l'animateur de radio et ancien arbitre Ron Fournier.

"Je N' Oublierai Jamais Ce Match: Huet - Journal

"Je suis content d'avoir participé à un tel match et d'avoir aidé l'équipe à écrire une page d'histoire, a-t-il confié. C'était un moment magique. C'est la belle incertitude du sport. Jamais je n'oublierai ce matché."

Carbonneau Pense A La Coupe - Journal

"Oui, on peut l'être, a répondu l'entraîneur en chef, qui pouvait difficilement dire le contraire dans les circonstances. Nos jeunes joueurs ont accompli d'immenses progrès depuis un an. Nous jouons de façon plus constante."

How The Montreal Canadiens Can Win The Stanley Cup

Robert L Note - Here is an interestingly titled piece courtesy of Kevin van Steendalaar of the Bleacher Report

Bob Gainey may have the most comfortable position as general manager for an NHL franchise right now, even after much criticism from media and fans for not getting the big fish in last summer’s sea of big name free agents.

But he has proven that sometimes it pays off just go with a small catch and get the rest out of your own pond.

Some forget that this man knows how to win and build championships.

As of this article, the Montreal Canadiens sit just one point out of first overall in the Eastern Conference. Those of you who read the trade magazine or TV predictions know that many of them had them pegged to "maybe" make the playoffs with one major magazine tagging them to finish thirteenth.

If the season ended today, a lot of "experts" might be in the unemployment line.

So let’s look at the team:

Goaltending

After splitting most of the first half duties with rookie Carey Price, Cristobal Huet was established as the number one goaltender and went on to prove it earning the league’s Third Star for January.

Concerns over his longevity seem to be well under control, having started every game so far in 2008. But when he needs rest, the team’s goalie of the future is ready.

After a brief conditioning stint in Hamilton to get some playing time, Carey Price returned to the big club earlier this week and should see action against the Leafs (who he has dominated this season) on Thursday. Although Price will be the team’s future between the pipes, many believe that Gainey will try to re-sign Huet, a UFA at season’s end, for at least one more season.

Defense

The Canadiens have a modern day "Big Three" in Roman Hamrlik, Andrei Markov, and Mike Komisarek.

Emerging from the offensive shadow of the departed Sheldon Souray, Markov was voted to this year’s All-Star Game and is touted by many as a possible Norris Trophy candidate this year.

Hamrlik is a solid free agent addition as a stay at home blue liner who rarely makes mistakes.
Komisarek is maybe the most feared by forwards; a physical monster who ranks in the top of the league in hits and blocked shots, and often challenged by opposing fourth liners who quickly cower after a big shove back by number eight.

Rounding out the corps is Josh Gorges who has been a tremendous addition and logging more and more ice time, the tiny but tough Francis Bouillon, and veteran Patrice Brisebois.

Mathieu Dandineault and Mark Streit are used in both forward and rear guard positions as coach Guy Carbonneau deems necessary.

Forwards

The "new" No. 1 line of Tomas Plekanec, Alex Kovalev and Andrei Kostitsyn has been deadly since Christmas.

Speed, incredible passing and amazing scoring flare from all three individuals and Kostitisyn and Kovalev who throws the body when needed.

The young line of Maxim Lapierre, Guillaume Latendresse and Sergei Kostitsyn has been showing signs of things to come.

With Lapierre’s pest like aggressive style, Latendresse’s physical size, and Kostitsyn’s speed, scoring capabilities, and willingness to drop the gloves if needed, will hopefully help the Habs reach the top spot this year.

Veterans Tom Kostopoulus, Steve Begin and Bryan Smolinski perform excellent as fourth line energy players and will find the net when opportunity arises.

This leaves us to what is supposed to be the true first line of Saku Koivu, Christopher Higgins and Michael Ryder.

Captain Koivu is on a pace to be just below where he typically averages scoring wise, but many expected more out of him this season.
Higgins has been snake bitten on many scoring chances and two-time 30 goal scorer, Ryder, has improved his defense but is in single digits in scoring , finding himself a healthy scratch in several games.

I'd hate to imagine how deadly this team could be if this line kicked in as it could.

Coaching

Guy Carb