Gally/Kristo Play for Bronze As Diaz Goes For Gold, Nygren Officially Signs With Habs And More...

Good Morning Addicts!



Habs defenseman Raphael Diaz (left) goes for gold today at
the WHC as his Swiss team takes on Sweden.

 Alex Galchenyuk and Danny Kristo may not have finished the World Hockey Championships with gold medals as they ould have liked, but the two Montreal Canadiens are on their way to bronze medals as the Americans are currently up 2-0 over the Finns with less than five minutes to go in the second period.

Galchenyuk, who joined the tournament after the Habs were eliminated from the NHL playoffs, has so far notched one goal in four games and a -2 rating. Danny Kristo played in all nine games for the Americans and came into the bronze medal game with one goal, two assists and a -1 rating.

Raphael Diaz, who also joined the tournament late has one game left this afternoon as his undefeated Swiss team will take on Sweden for the gold medal. Switzerland beat Sweden 3-2 earlier in the tournament on their way to a 9-0 record leading up to this afternoon's final.

Diaz has an even plus/minus rating in his three games played and one assist.

Habs And Hockey News

- With year one in the books as the Habs new GM, Marc Bergevin looks forward to continuing his mission of turning the Montreal Canadiens into a winning team.

- Here are Eldon MacDonald of The Hockey Writers 2013 NHL Draft rankings for picks 31 through 60.

- Magnus Nygren has officially signed with the Montreal Canadiens.


(Photo by Petr David Josek/Associated Press)

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Habs Face Leafs In Crucial Season Finale, Price/PK struggling, Kristo To Represent USA And More...

Good Morning Addicts!



Carey Price will need to be on his game tonight if he gets the
start against Toronto.

 The Montreal Canadiens are in Toronto tonight to face the Maple Leafs in the final game of the season for both teams. Toronto has owned the Canadiens this season winning three out of the first four meetings including two blowouts.

Montreal has already clinched home ice in the first round of the playoffs but will need to give all they have tonight regardless to prove to themselves they can keep up with the Leafs. There is a very high probablility that these two teams will meet in the first round of the post season and there is no doubt that Toronto will try to make a statement tonight.

It's no secret that the Leafs are a bigger and tougher team and I would be surprised if they didn't bring their physicality to tonight's tilt to initimidate the Habs. Brendan Gallagher will undoubtedly be a target as he has been a pest against Toronto all season.

If Carey Price starts in goal you can be sure that there will be alot of crease crashing in an attempt to get him off his game. If the Leafs can get inside his head the Habs will have a hard time making it through to the second round.

This is one of the Canadiens most important games of the season. A playoff berth may have been clinched for over a week and home ice may be secured but it is imperative that their offence is buzzing, their defence is strong and their goaltending stellar. I do believe that once the playoffs start the season means nothing and everything resets but when one team has been as dominant as the Leafs have been over the Habs this year the importance of one last win can not be ignored.

If you were Michel Therrien, would you rest guys like Andrei Markov and Francis Bouillon to prepare them for the playoffs. Would you have Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk sit to avoid possible injury?

How about between the Pipes? Should Price sit to avoid further humiliation against a team that has had no problem putting pucks past him or would you give him the chance to prove to the team as well as himself that he is capable of leading this team past Toronto?

Habs And Hockey News

- Fred Poulin (@FredPoulin98) points out that the penalty kill also plays a factor into the Habs recent struggles.

- Andrew Berkshire @AndrewBerkshire brings up some good points in questioning whether or not this is Marc Bergevin's team that has brought success back to Montreal.

- Hamilton Bulldogs forward Danny Kristo will represent team U.S.A. in the upcoming World Championships in May.


(Photo by Bryanna Bradley/The Gazette)

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Habs/Devils,Desharnais Extension,Habs North American Prospects And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Jarred Tinordi (right) wll make his NHL regular season debut
tonight against the Devils.

It's been quite a slow week in Habsland with only one game, a 4-3 victory over the Senators, this week. The Canadiens are back at it tonight as they face the Devils in New Jersey. It's the teams second tilt of three this season with the Habs coming out on top 4-3 in their first meeting back in January.

While Montreal is heading into tonight's game after two days off, the Devils are playing their second game in as many nights dropping a 2-1 decision to the Philadelphia Flyers in a shoot out last night.

Lars Eller is coming off his most dominant game of the season. Eller scored the teams first goal of the night in Ottawa and provided the shoot out winner with a nifty move. Aside from his production on the scoresheet Eller finished the night with seven shots and played an aggressive game at both ends of the ice.

Raphael Diaz (concussion), Rene Bourque (concussion), Brandon Prust (shoulder) and Michael Ryder (lower body) will all miss tonight's contest for the Habs. Michael Blunden has been called up from Hamilton to replace Ryder and Jarred Tinordi who was also called up from the Bulldogs will make his NHL debut.

Hab killer Martin Brodeur is out for the Devils  with a back inury.

Habs And Hockey News

- David Desharnais will play his first game since signing a four year contract extension with the club.

- Our own Fred Poulin (@FredPoulin98) takes a look at the Montreal Canadiens North American Prospects Worth Watching.

- With the realignment given the green light, Habs Eyes On The Prize has explained the rules to the Habs new conference.


(Photo by Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

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Cole Nursing Injury, Kristo Gets Another Game, Winter Classic Canceled? And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

It seems the the current lockout isn't all bad for Canadiens fans. Okay fine, trying to find any posistives that come from a shortened - if not canceled - season is kind of reaching but at this point we can use some optimism.

In an interview with Dave Stubbs, Erik Cole talks about an injury he suffered either at the end of the season or during an April workout. Suffering a "lower body" injury, Cole may not have been ready for the beginning of training camp or even the pre-season.

That's right, the prospect of starting the season without one of the team's top producers last season is the possible silver lining to the delayed start of the 2012-13 season. This lockout has officially begun to have me desperate to find any good news on the NHL front.

Habs And Hockey News

- A report out of the Toronto Star claims that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman plans on canceling the Winter Classic if an agreement isn't reached by November.

- The Los Angeles Kings will have 52 names engraved on the Stanley Cup, look here to find out who will be left off.

- Habs prospect Danny Kristo received an additional game suspension following a team party on September 15th

- TMZ reported friday night that the family of the late Derek Boogaard is suing the NHLPA for money remaining on his contract. Sportsnet however has reported that the NHLPA has yet to be served.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images North America)

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Habs News, Devils Force Game Seven, Luongo Out? and More

Good morning Hab fans!

It's been a while, but there was actually a fair bit of Montreal Canadiens related news yesterday, namely concerning Max Pacioretty, Danny Kristo and Jim Nill. Details can be found here.

Elsewhere, it increasingly looks like Roberto Luongo's days in Vancouver are numbered. In the final day of media availability yesterday, he said in no uncertain terms that he would waive his no-trade clause.

However, with teams succeeding with far cheaper and younger netminders — Mike Smith, Jonathan Quick, Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliot and Braden Holtby immediately come to mind — who will want Luongo's expensive contract?

Good luck with that.

Habs News

HabsAddict.com - Habs Roundup: Pacioretty, Nill and Kristo

La Presse - Les défis du futur DG du CH

TSN - Alfredsson, Lupul, Pacioretty finalists for Masterton Trophy

TSN - Habs GM candidate Nill says he's staying with Red Wings

Hockey News

ESPN - End of the road for Luongo in Vancouver?

The Hockey News - The series hockey forgot heads to Game 7

The Hockey News - Rory Boylen: Coaching, goaltending and discipline carry the West

TSN - McKenzie: A healthy Zajac makes the Devils a better team

TSN - Armstrong, Poile and Tallon nominated for NHL GM award

TSN - Crosby, Toews decline invitations to World Championship

USA Today - Devils top Panthers, force Game 7

(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

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Habs Roundup: Pacioretty, Nill and Kristo

Max Pacioretty Nominated For Masterton Trophy

Somewhat expectedly, Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty has been nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators and Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs are the other finalists.

Pacioretty had a career year in most categories, scoring 33 goals and 32 assists for a team leading 65 points. He was also second on the Canadiens with five game winning goals

The trophy is awarded annually to the "player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey". The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association after each team nominates one player.

Pacioretty returned to action after missing the Habs' final 15 regular-season games and the playoffs last season after he was checked — head first — into a stanchion by Boston Bruins' blueliner Zdeno Chara.

Canadiens fans will bitterly recall that Chara was not handed any supplemental discipline following the incident.

As @WinterLions hilariously pointed out on Twitter, "I don't get why Pacioretty is a Masterton Trophy finalist. I mean, it was just a hockey play after all."

Jim Nill To Remain With Red Wings

After engaging in talks with the Montreal Canadiens, it appears that Detroit Red Wings Assistant General Manager will remain in the Motor City next season.

Although he claims there was mutual interest between him and the Habs, Nill explained that the timing was not right because of an illness in his family.

However, the fact that the organization reached out to Nill should be reassuring for Montreal Canadiens fans. The notion that Geoff Molson and company are considering a unilingual anglophone demonstrates that they are exploring all options available to them.

Danny Kristo To Stay in North Dakota

According to RDS, prospect Danny Kristo will remain with the University of North Dakota for the 2012-13 season. As such, he will delay his entry into the professional ranks for another year.

A second round pick in 2008, it was widely expected that the winger would join the Canadiens' organization after a career year at UND. He finished the campaign with 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points.

After a playoff-free year in both Montreal and Hamilton, Kristo's decision negatively impacts a depth chart that desperately needs replenishing.


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Louis is an Associate Editor and Senior Writer at HabsAddict.com. Born in Chicago, Louis grew up in Quebec City where he earned Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Université Laval. Find him on twitter @LouisMoustakas

(Photo by Mike Ridewood/Getty Images North America)

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Desharnais injured, Pacioretty, Kristo, Habs' prospects, Playoff roundup and more...

Round 1, Canadiens-Bruins, Boston Lead Series 3-2

Hockey Inside/Out - Stayin’ alive
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/stayin-alive

Desharnais has knee injury
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/dd-has-a-knee-injury

RDS - Le réservoir du Canadien est-il vide?
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/318689.html

Match stressant et mémorable à Boston
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/318703.html

Boston Globe - Pressure brought out their best
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2011/04/25/pressure_of_game_5_brought_out_bruins_best/

Seidenberg worked around the clock
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2011/04/25/seidenberg_worked_around_the_clock/

TSN - BRUINS TEAMMATES STILL TALKING ABOUT RYDER'S GLOVE SAVE
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=363535


News
HabsAddict.com - The Franchise Weekend Morning Show's Sunday Shinny - April 24, 2011
http://pc.habsaddict.com/2011/04/franchise-weekend-morning-shows-sunday_25.html

ESPN.com - Max Pacioretty: Twitter joke 'didn't work'
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2011/news/story?id=6419899

Hockey's Future - First round picks highlight CHL prospect pool for Montreal Canadiens
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13002/first_round_picks_highlight_chl_prospect_pool_for_montreal_canadiens/

Danny Kristo progressing into solid two-way presence
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12950/danny_kristo_progressing_into_solid_twoway_presence/

HW Recap: Here we go again!
http://www.habsworld.net/article.php?id=2469

THN.com - NHL Playoff Recap: Flyers' goalies can't kill them yet; Blackhawks beat Luongo, force Game 7
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40006-NHL-Playoff-Recap-Flyers-goalies-cant-kill-them-yet-Blackhawks-beat-Luongo-force-Game-7.html

Spector's Hockey - What Next For the Rangers and Ducks?
http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/?p=3874

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

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Habs lose, post game, Miller, Gerbe, Danny Kristo, Rumours and more...

Post game: Sabres 2 - Habs 0

HabsAddict.com - Canadiens-Sabres: Desperate Buffalo Sabres Shutout Habs at the Bell Centre
http://www.habsaddict.com/2011/03/canadiens-sabres-desperate-buffalo.html

Hockey Inside/Out - Game 74: Miller, Sabres blank Canadiens
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/news/game-74-canadiens-vs-sabres

TSN - MILLER, GERBE SHINE IN SABRES SHUTOUT WIN OVER CANADIENS
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359170

ESPN.com - Ryan Miller, Nathan Gerbe lift Sabres past Habs, keep Canes 3 points back
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=310322010

RDS - Le CH doit mieux débuter ses matchs
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/316986.html

Une visite plus menaçante
http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/316922.html

Cyberpresse - Miller impose un régime sec au Canadien

The H does NOT stand for Habs - Aftermath: Complacence
http://habsloyalist.blogspot.com/2011/03/aftermath-complacence.html


News
THN.com - The Hot List: Mayfield leads Youngstown
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/39229-The-Hot-List-Mayfield-leads-Youngstown.html

VIDEO: Penguins' Jordan Staal emerging as team's newest star
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/39228-VIDEO-Penguins-Jordan-Staal-emerging-as-teams-newest-star.html

THN.com Blog: Surging San Jose Sharks back atop the food chain
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/39230-THNcom-Blog-Surging-San-Jose-Sharks-back-atop-the-food-chain.html

THN.com Blog: Red Wings-Canucks Wednesday showdown a matchup of NHL's best teams
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/39235-THNcom-Blog-Red-WingsCanucks-Wednesday-showdown-a-matchup-of-NHLs-best-teams.html

Spector's Hockey - Latest Maple Leafs News – March 23, 2011
http://spectorshockey.net/2011/03/latest-maple-leafs-news-march-23-2011/

Hockey's Future - Danny Kristo tops among NCAA and European prospects for Montreal Canadiens
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12889/danny_kristo_tops_among_ncaa_and_european_prospects_for_montreal_canadiens/

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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