Saku Koivu’s Return: Pre-season Game 1

The Habs lace them up tonight to kick off the first pre-season game of the 2006/2007 season.

All eyes will be on Saku Koivu to see how he plays in his first game since going down with a terrible eye injury last April.

The Canadiens are giving a lot of prospects a chance to play and tonight we’ll see action from:
- Carey Price
- Guillaume Latendresse
- Duncan Milroy
- Kyle Chipchura
- Jonathan Ferland
- Ben Maxwell
- Matt D’Agostini
- Jon Gleed
- Ryan O’Byrne
Other than the concern surrounding Koivu, the pressure will be on Latendresse to show last season’s strong camp was not a fluke.

The new look Bruins will have Marc Savard, Zdeno Chara and rookie prospect Phil Kessel in their lineup.

Game on.

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21 Comments

#1 Tom says:
September 19, 2006 at 10:55 am

Are they gonna show the game on TV ?

#2 HabsFanStuckInOttawa says:
September 19, 2006 at 12:36 pm

Good question Tom…I would REALLY like to know if they are shoing this/other games on TV. And if not, WHY??

The other thing…

Now don’t get me wrong because I love Saku, but I dont think we should be getting our hoped up here. This game seems like a bit of a field test. If it doesn’t go well, we may see Saku out for a while as he will need further surgery (sp?). The note about the catarac he developed was a bit worrying to me. Needless to say I am hoping for the best.

Go Habs Go,

If I can’t watch this game tonight, I’ll be listening to it online!!

Cheers,

#3 HabsFanStuckInOttawa says:
September 19, 2006 at 12:37 pm

shoing = showing

#4 Gui says:
September 19, 2006 at 2:45 pm

if you have the NHL network…you could watch the game….
Its all about AM radio

#5 Razz says:
September 19, 2006 at 3:36 pm

This is a responce to Rob from the previous post. When Gainey arrived to Montreal, it was clear to many, including myself, that Brisebois was very inconsistent and had to go. Nevertheless, Gainey himself gave him a 4 million dollar a year contract.

Tonight: Montreal 4-0 Boston.

Id like to see a goal from the top line and the rest by rookies.

#6 jack tornton says:
September 19, 2006 at 5:51 pm

Razz:

Why not 14-0 for montreal??
It’s a hope. right?
Let’s dream big then lol!
But I don’t think 14-0 would be a dream….I know that the score won’t end up being 14-0 because the canadiens are too generous! They will probably let them score a goal or 2 and they will score lets say 5!Therefore the score would be 5-2 in my opinion!

#7 Habs#1 says:
September 19, 2006 at 6:42 pm

I want to see how Kyle Chipchura is going to do. He’s going to be the team’s futur second or third line centre and captain. Though of course I, like everyone else wants to see how Saku will do. I really hope he does well other wise Grabovski will probably have to start playing before he’s ready.

Another thing I want to see is if my assumption that the Bruins are overrated is true. I just think that Chara is definitly not worth 7.5 million(he makes more than Lidstrom, Pronger and Nidermayer), that Marc Savard made a living playing on the same line as Hossa and Kovalchuk and that Kessel is going to turn into the Terrel Owens of the NHL.

I’m trying to get RDS on satellite out here in Alberta since french CBC dosen’t carry the games on Saturday’s anymore and I’m sick of listning to Bob Cole and Harry Neal every saturday talk about how much better the Leafs are than everyone.

#8 Razz says:
September 19, 2006 at 11:57 pm

Lidstrom makes 7.6 million/year next 2 years. (15.2M for 2).

#9 stevejur says:
September 20, 2006 at 12:01 am

If anyone cares you can listen to all the games at:

http://www.cjad.com/shows/canadiens
(cut and paste)
Just click on “listen now” when the game begins.
Great, clear channel.
Enjoy!

#10 Rob says:
September 20, 2006 at 12:50 am

Well, JT, you were right in a way; it was 5-2! I didn’t see the game; I was watching the future Habs’ franchise player, Sidney Crosby, play live. How bad were we? Were Boston’s defence really as “porous” as someone said they were going to be?

Now, don’t everyone start freaking out. It was an exhibition game, and the Habs did have a lot of their prospects in the lineup. Relax. Take a deep breath. I repeat, “Don’t start freaking out!”

#11 habby says:
September 20, 2006 at 2:55 am

Lets just say the preseason starts on Wednesday.

#12 Razz says:
September 20, 2006 at 4:01 am

Sidney Crosby, why does he remind me of Sinead O’Connor?

#13 Spicoli says:
September 20, 2006 at 10:34 am

Does anyone know why souray wasn’t in the line up?

#14 Habs Blog says:
September 20, 2006 at 10:41 am

It’s pre season. They don’t dress all the regulars for every game.

#15 Habs#1 says:
September 20, 2006 at 10:49 am

The Game was even on the scoreboard IF you take away the , I don’t know how many powarplays they gave Boston in the first period.

Plus Boston played more starters than the Habs did.

#16 Habs Blog says:
September 20, 2006 at 10:51 am

The games really don’t mean much. The only thing that was important was Koivu’s health which seemed to be better than expected.

#17 joshtm says:
September 20, 2006 at 4:43 pm

Anyone wanna take bets on who will win the stupid penalty award? Between Souray, Koivu and Samsonev, any of those three have the knack for getting stupid penalties that cost the game….But then again when all three are at their peak hey the goals more than make up for the stupid penalties. I can’t wait to see Samsonev and Koivu. The Habs still don’t have size or power yet, you would have thought by now that Gainey would have realized in the new NHL you need size to basically push the other goalie and score. This year the goalies are still getting the **** beaten out of them. Any bets on how long before one of the other teams hurts Huet? What’s his name, Corey Price, the new backup looks good too. To bad we have to wait a week before any of the games are broadcast, for those of us who don’t have access to NHL channel on the dish…

#18 PACTUM SERVA says:
September 20, 2006 at 4:53 pm

?

#19 Phil says:
September 20, 2006 at 8:15 pm

Hey Joshtm who cares about stupid penalty award:) With the “new” NHL anything can happen.Jeez sounds fair to me…13 Penalties to 6 give me a break.Boston played their little hearts out, playing their best except one.We played a lot of new blood.And had a very good look at what we have in our future.When Boston did play their new guys they were embarrassed.Bring on the regular season.Hail RDS!!!CBC can go the hell!!!

#20 habs heart 1 says:
September 22, 2006 at 10:13 pm

exhibition or no exhibition, we haven’t won a game yet! And remember, their opponents aren’t playing all their regulars either! The Canadiens as usual have no offence! that will be their downfall. You can say anything you want about these games not counting, but nobody likes to lose, and lose, and lose! That’s the recipe for the habs, because nothing was not enough was done in the off season to supply us with more offence, and I am extremely dissapointed at Gainey. He did nothing to improve this team, and I don’t see any way they will make the playoffs this year. Boston and Toronto are much improved, more so than the habs. I may not be an optimist, as far as the habs are concerned, but I am a REALIST! Boston, will finish higher in the standings than us. Toronto will finish higher in the standings than us. Buffalo will finish higher in the standings than us. Ottawa will finish high in the standings than us. Guess what that translates to? Last Place!

#21 habsland here says:
September 24, 2006 at 5:01 pm

I am a bit concerned about the habs. Yes I know it’s only preseason, but to be honest, our opponents look much sharper, and they look like professionals. We are looking like anmateurs. We don’t seem to know what to do with the puck when they get possession. Something , or should I say, alot of things are out of sync. Do you agree? Thank god, the season has not started yet. I am very worried about our center ice position. There is nobody backing up Koivu, and he’s not 100%. Ribeiro, they say is 1 step slower than his linemates, and we know already he can’t skate, so what are we going to do, and who will fill centerman position on the 2nd line? Plekanac is no better than a 4th line centerman, with no scoring talent. Did Yanic Perrault resign ? Maybe we can turn a winger into a centerman.

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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).