Montreal Canadiens Report

Montreal Canadiens Report

It has been a few days since I have provided any updates on the Habs and how they fared through the pre-season, so here is a quick rundown of all the news and info concerning the Canadiens as they get ready for their season opener tomorrow night in Toronto.

The Canadiens Opening Night Lineup:

Forwards
Pacioretty-Gomez-Gionta
Cammalleri-Plekanec-A.Kostitsyn
Latendresse-Lapierre-D’Agostini
Moen-Metropolit-Laraque
 

Defense
Markov-Spacek
Hamrlik-Mara
Gorges-Gill
 

Goaltending

Price
Halak

Extras: Chipchura, Stewart, O’Byrne

Training Camp Review:

- Although they were among the final cuts this September, Tom Pyatt, Ben Maxwell, Yannick Weber and Curtis Sanford made serious impressions on the Habs coaching staff. All of them should see a call-up or two throughout the year.

- Sergei Kostitsyn wasn’t even among the last cuts in training camp, having been sent home before the team went on their retreat in Caledon, Ontario. We’ll get into more of that later on.
- Jacques Martin has a cool, calm and collected approach to his brand new squad. His presence has been welcomed by everyone and his experience has already begun to show itself as the Canadiens on-ice systems have already improved.
- Carey Price and Jaro Halak have both had strong camps. A case could be made for both of the netminders as the #1 for the Canadiens, yet logic and popular opinion will tell you that Price will get the Lions share of the workload. Expect Jaro to shine in every opportunity he gets and to become a seriously attractive option to a team in search of a young #1.

- Ryan O’Byrne improved every single day through camp. His new team-mates and coaches have allowed him to re-capture the confidence which allows him to play with a mean streak. Impressing upon himself, his team, coaches and the fans how much of a force he wants to be, Habs fans may soon forget the summer departure of Mike Komisarek to long-time rival Toronto.

- Brian Gionta has been the strongest and most impressive player. He has put points up in every contest through the pre-season and has many buzzing that he will be the next captain of the Canadiens. I believe he has a great shot to lead this team, yet as it stands, it appears that Jacques Martin and Bob Gainey will be holding off on naming a team leader for now.

- Scott Gomez has what it takes to be one of the best players in the NHL and it seems that he is finding his comfort zone in his new home. Playing alongside Gionta is certainly a bonus for both players due to their prior chemistry, yet it will Mr.Gomez who will bear the biggest brunt of Habs Nation criticism as he brings home the most dollars. Despite the automatic spotlight that constantly shines on whomever makes the most money on the Canadiens, Gomez appears to be in excellent shape and as determined as ever.

- Mike Cammalleri, who will patrol the 2nd line with Pleky and AKost, is the other piece to the Habs new offensive puzzle. Although he suffered a minor lower-body injury near the end of the pre-season, he is healthy and ready to go against Toronto on Thursday. He has gotten a ton of press but perhaps not as much attention as the aforementioned duo of Gomez and Gionta, but he will prove to be the lynch pin that will either make or break this team’s success. That’s alot of pressure to shoulder, but given how excited Cammy is, I am sure he will thrive in a puck moving, speed oriented system.

The Sergei Situation

Following his demotion to the Hamilton Bulldogs, it appears that Sergei Kostitsyn has chosen not to report to the Canadiens affiliate and has demanded that Montreal’s general manager Bob Gainey trade him.

This is definitely a predicament as, considering not one of the 29 other teams in the NHL chose to claim him off waivers, there does not appear to be much of a market for the maligned Belarussian.

It seems that Sergei is slowly falling into the bad routines that befell former Habs Mikael Grabovski. Grabovski’s demands for ice-time and lack of consideration for his team ended getting him sent down the road to the Maple Leafs. Considering that Kostitsyn has not bothered to even attempt to get himself back on track, it appears that he may be backing himself into a corner.
If no one wants Sergei and he refuses to report to Hamilton and work hard to recapture the attention of the Canadiens management, he may be forced to think of playing hockey outside of the NHL.

It is not becoming of a young, talented player when he demands a trade following a demotion. It demonstrates a lack of maturity and a need for attention, something that has no place in a “team” environment.
Kostitsyn is ridiculously talent, yet like many who have come before him, talent doesn’t necessarily provide for a free pass.

If he