Habs at the Worlds, Prospects At The Memorial Cup, Gallagher For The Calder And More...

Good Morning Addicts!



Alex Galchenyuk celebrates his goal against
Russia in USA's 8-3 win on Thursday.

 The Montreal Canadiens may have started their off season earlier than they had hoped but there are still a few Habs who have yet to hang up their skates for the summer.

Alex Galchenyuk scored what provd to be the game winner for Team USA in the World Hockey Championships on Thursday as the Americans rolled over Russia 8-3.

Raphael Diaz notched an assist on Switzerlands game winner in their 2-1 win over the Czech Republic that same day. Tomas Plekanec had an assist on the Czech's only goal.

Galchenyuk and the Americans will face Diaz and the Swiss this afternoon at 1:00 pm with the winner advancing to the final against Sweden as the Swedes shutout Finland 2-0 this morning. The loser of today's match up will play Finland for Bronze.

Habs And Hockey News

- A pair of Habs defensive prospects lost in their 2013 Memorial Cup debut. Dalton Thrower and Darren Dietz of the Saskatoon Blades fell 3-2 to the London Knights in the tournament opener.

- While it may be a shock that Habs coach Michel Therrien was left off the ballot for the Jack Adams Trophy, here's a reminder as to why Brendan Gallagher should come home with the Calder Trophy.

- Pat Hickey of the Gazette writes up on something that has been true for too long now as he points out that the Habs need to get bigger.


(Photo by Martti Kainulainen/Associated Press)

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CBA Update, Spengler Cup for Canada, More...

Happy New Year HabsAddicts!!!

As 2012 has come and gone, hope springs eternal in the National Hockey League CBA negotiations. After the NHL presented a comprehensive 288-page offer to the NHLPA on Saturday, both sides have been talking both on the phone and face-to-face over the past three days.

Late last night, both sides broke off talks as the NHL presented another counter-offer to the Players' Association, who they themselves submitted a proposal of their own on New Year's Eve. There doesn't seem to be very much separating the two sides. According to some insiders, both sides have agreed on the ten year term length of the next CBA. However, the two major points of contention remain the $60 Million salary cap in 2013-2014 and escrow payments in years five to ten of the agreement.

While it seems there is plenty to be optimistic about, until both sides have an agreement in principle, fans continue to wait with baited breath.

Chris Johnston of the Canadian Press provides a report on last night's negotiations.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes

- Team Canada, on the strength of a pair of goals by Ryan Smith and John Tavares respectively, cruised to their first Spengler Cup victory in five years over HC Davos 7-2.

- Team USA thrashed the Czech Republic early this morning 7-0 in quarterfinal action at the World Junior Hockey Championships, booking themselves a semi-final showdown with Team Canada. John Gaudreau led the American squad to victory, on the strength of his power play hat trick.

- Joanne Ireland of PostMedia News explores the all-world contribution to Team Canada's World Junior team by Edmonton Oilers' forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

- The Sarnia Sting, minus Alex Galchenyuk, put an end to the London Knights' 24-game winning streak, beating them in overtime 6-5. The streak was the longest is the second longest in OHL'S history, behind the 25-game winning streak set by the 1983-84 Kitchener Rangers and ahead of the 2009-10 Barrie Colts, who had their streak stopped at 22 games.

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