2007 Pre-Season Begins!

It’s been five long months since the Canadiens have hit the ice to play an NHL game.

Tonight the Habs host the Penguins in the first of back to back pre-season games.

This time last year it was Saku Koivu returning from an eye injury and Guillaume Latendresse’s much discussed second time trying to make it to the show. Whispers and excitement of Sergei Samsonov’s anticipated start with the Canadiens were circulating all over town….Mickey Ribs was sent packing and Janne Niinimaa was looking for a fresh start as a Hab….

Much has changed.

This year the main storyline seems to be Carey Price and what the Canadiens have in store for him in the near future.

It will be interesting to watch and see what he does, and how difficult he will make it on management to send him down.

Roman Hamrlik, Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos among others will play as Canadiens for the first time.

Game on.

Related Bookmarks Tags

There are currently no tags for this post.

Leave a Comment

21 Comments

#1 DTD says:
September 17, 2007 at 3:02 pm

Price is not ready for the NHL yet. He needs another year with the Bulldogs.

Huet needs to have a great 1st half. And be traded to a cup contender who needs a good goalie. Then Halak will be #1. Halak is a better goalie than price….

#2 Xtrahabsfan says:
September 17, 2007 at 3:07 pm

Can’t wait for the outcome,really hope we smoke em!Go Habs!

#3 DTD says:
September 17, 2007 at 3:21 pm

I bought a LCD TV last year. I got the HD box last night and RDS as well 82 habs games to watch. Can’t wait.

#4 superfan says:
September 17, 2007 at 3:59 pm

DTD, this is not wrestling, one to many knocks on the head…huet traded? halak better than price? what have you been smoking?

#5 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 17, 2007 at 6:58 pm

I would have to agree with u there superfan lol

#6 Dancan81 says:
September 17, 2007 at 7:13 pm

Is RDS HD happening? If so on Bell Expressvu?

#7 Habs Blog says:
September 17, 2007 at 7:17 pm

HD on RDS should be ready for first regular season game of the year.

#8 Xtrahabsfan says:
September 17, 2007 at 8:46 pm

Yo Superfan,I agree with DTD trade Huet mid season,infact send him to the sharks,and start Price and split duty with Halak,let the rebuild commence a.s.a.p.

#9 Jordan Richardson says:
September 18, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Moving a goaltender midseason so that he can play on a “contender” is not going to build anything but uncertainty for the Habs. Huet needs to solidify himself and play the majority of the year, giving his team consistency and helping Price and Halak build.

#10 Habs#1 says:
September 18, 2007 at 6:20 pm

Geez Kovalev why do you tease us in the pre-season when we all know you’ll go back to not caring during the regular season.

The Habs/Pens rivalry is heating up though, too bad till Price becomes a superstar the Habs will get killed by them

#11 DTD says:
September 18, 2007 at 9:29 pm

Same old Habs as last year. Can’t score 5 on 5. Halak was very weak tonight. 2 very soft goals. The top line was a no show again. Dejavu……

As for my #9 post Halak did not prove himself tonight that’s for sure.

Huet will be #1, Halak #2 and Price will be back with the Bulldogs.

THIS WILL BE A LONG YEAR…………..

#12 slyburger says:
September 18, 2007 at 11:47 pm

DTD, you cannot draw conclusions after only 2 pre-season games. I bet you were feeling quite good about the team last night after we beat Crosby and an almost complete penguins team, as did I. I was at the game tonight and while it was disapointing, we gotta remember that most of these players are tests and are not even NHL material. Once Carbs pares down the team then you can start to come to conclusions. But i think we will be a different team by then. Take all the good points of team A and the good points of team B and throw all the bad points out the window and you’ve got yourself a competitive team. And besides, Higgins hasn’t even laced em up yet

So far, Kovalevs lookin good, Huet’s lookin good, Kostitsyn is looking to break out. Add those factors to last years team and we’re in the playoffs.

#13 DTD says:
September 19, 2007 at 7:22 am

I hope that you are right Slyburger …………..

#14 fan3 says:
September 19, 2007 at 1:13 pm

‘And besides, Higgins hasnâ€™t even laced em up yet ‘

Ya, what gives with that? I was looking for him the last two games! Do they not want to show our secret weapon on National Television until we absoloutly have to?

#15 HabsFan4life says:
September 19, 2007 at 2:58 pm

His shoulder isn’t quite ready for the full contact yet.

#16 Stuart-SB77 says:
September 19, 2007 at 3:42 pm

I think AK27 is back! I don’t think he’ll get under 60 pts this year guys. Kovalev is starting to think of finally winning the cup again.

#17 Don Carnage says:
September 20, 2007 at 8:57 am

I am looking forward to seeing who will make the team this year. Let’s hope AK27 is as deadly as an AK47 this year , we need to score tons.

#18 Slyburger says:
September 21, 2007 at 1:04 pm

“His shoulder isnâ€™t quite ready for the full contact yet.”

Wasnt he training like a beast all off season and meditating and all that ****? And now he’s to weak to play? what gives?

#19 gp says:
September 21, 2007 at 1:34 pm

Easy guys..Higgy did work out like a beast, and its just precautionary stuff. It’s preseason and the Habs rather be “overly” safe than sorry. I know he wants to get back as soon as possible too, but he understands the reasons..
GP

#20 Jaker 1 says:
September 21, 2007 at 4:16 pm

I had the chance to see the game Wednesday night in Moncton against NYI. The only thing that really concerns me is a legitimate tough guy.Murray did well in a couple of tussels but I think they need a guy that other team are going to say to themselves “we can’t push around their smaller players or we will pay the price”. Right now I don’t think any team will fear that.That just one small negative but on the positve I think this is going to be an exciting team to watch. When no one expects anything from you, you usually have nothing to lose.

#21 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 21, 2007 at 6:19 pm

Totally agre with you on that one jaker

Leave a Comment

ShoutBox

Last Message 2 hours, 1 minute ago

Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
Avatar37 : «link»
Avatar37 : go.
Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
Avatar37 : «link»
Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).