Sven Is In The Ghetto

Called up on December 5th to replace Lars Eller, who is out with a shoulder injury, Sven Andrighetto didn't wait to make an impact, recording a point in each of his first three NHL games (2 goals and 1 assist). The 21-year-old native of Zurich, Switzerland is currently playing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Jiri Sekac. 

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Andrighetto is the first Habs player to record to record at least a point in each of his first three NHL games since Pierre Mondou accomplished the feat in 1977-78. 

Andrighetto, a 5-foot-9, 183-pound forward who played two seasons in the QMJHL with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies before the Canadiens drafted him, was enjoying a solid sophomore season with the team's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, prior to his call-up.

In 21 games with the Bulldogs, the speedy winger/center had recorded 9 goals and 9 assists for 18 points and +1 rating under the tutelage of head coach Sylvain Lefebvre, The season before, Andrighetto had potted 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points in 64 games with Hamilton, good for second among the team's forwards. 

Andrighetto, who was selected in the third round (86th overall) of the 2013 NHL draft after being passed over twice at the draft, is quite happy to find himself in the NHL right now. Still, the young European doesn't take anything for granted and savors every moment he spends with the team that drafted him and believed in him.

Read the article I wrote on Sven more than two years ago before people knew him. Sven Andrighetto: The Next Undrafted Gem

If we look at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the only other player drafted outside of the first round to play more than one NHL game is Anthony Duclair of the New York Rangers (7 points in 18 games). Luckily for Habs fans, as opposed to Duclair, Andrighetto is not eligible for the U20 World Championship Tournament since he is 21 years old.

Andrighetto is part of a new generation of Swiss players who are enjoying tremendous success in the NHL along with the likes of youngsters Nino Niederreiter and Sven Baertschi. He is also the fifth Helvetian athlete to play for the Canadiens after David Aebischer, Mark Streit, Yannick Weber and Raphael Diaz.

Both Andrighetto and rookie Jiri Sekac give plenty of credit to veteran Tomas Plekanec for their success as he has been a very good role model and mentor for the kids. The fact that Plekanec is used to help younger players has helped the two rookies to gain confidence and take chances offensively as they know the veteran center will have their back if they commit a turnover. 

Thanks to everyone for the support and gratulations. Been a special day I will never forget. Would have been better to win the game! #habs
— Sven Andrighetto (@Andrighetto25) December 7, 2014

While he is currently enjoying tremendous success at the NHL level, Andrighetto is not a lock to remain with the Bleu Blanc Rouge for the rest of the year as Lars Eller is slated to return to the line-up around Christmas, and maybe even earlier. Eller's presence would create a logjam in the Habs' top nine, which means Andrighetto could very well be the odd man out. 

Let's hope that Andrighetto doesn't turn into the next Cory Conacher, another small winger who was off to a stellar start (24 points in 35 games) in 2012-13 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before being shipped out to the Ottawa Senators for lanky G Ben Bishop. Since the trade, Conacher has played 106 games with the Senators, Sabres and Islanders, recording only 10 goals and 24 helpers for 34 points with a +4 rating. Earlier this week, the Islanders waived him and he was not claimed by the 29 other teams...

The moral of the story is that while Andrighetto is enjoying much success right now, it doesn't mean he will turn into the next Pavel Bure. Keep your hopes not too high Habs fans and enjoy the Swiss wave while it lasts.

Do you think Marc Bergevin should make room up front so that Sven can remain with the big club?

**********************

Follow me on Twitter for more updates on the Habs and hockey in general.

Read More

Max Pacioretty Heading Home, Tomas Plekanec,US Hall of Fame, More

Good AM!

After a brief three week stint in Switzerland, it appears that Max Pacioretty has decided to pack up and head home. Apparently, the American power forward has been unable to play due to a flu and inflammation in his elbow.

Pacioretty had only one goal in five games with Ambri-Piotta.

Currently, the Montreal Canadiens have five other players abroad. Yannick Weber and Raphael Diaz are in the Swiss league, Andrei Markov is in Russia and the two Tomas' — Kaberle and Plekanec — are in the Czech Republic.

Of the group, Tomas Plekanec is performing best with 16 points in ten games.

Habs and Hockey News

- Speaking of Habs players, Peter Budaj remains without work and is working out in Denver.

- Mike Modano, Ed Olcyzk and Lou Lamoriello enter the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame. Over at ESPN, Scott Burnside has a piece on the recently honored Olcyzk.

- It is official: NHL players have now missed their first pay-day of 2012-13. But, as Stu Hackel points out, the owners are also bleeding some green.

(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

Read More

NHL - NHLPA Talks Resume, Habs on Players' Tour, More

Happy Friday all!

As you probably know, talks between the NHL and NHLPA are set to resume today. In fact, officials from both sides have blocked off the whole weekend for negotiations.

On top of that, rumor has it — okay, Eklund has it — that the NHLPA may even have an offer up its sleeve, and a good one at that. Apparently, they would be ready to drop-down the cap next year to around 55%, with it progressively going down each year until it settles around 50%.

Although the league cancelled the rest of its exhibition schedule, there may be reasons for hope yet.

Who knows, we may even see a last minute deal to get the season going.

Or at least the two sides negotiating past happy hour.

Habs and Hockey News

- Andrei Markov, Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges participated in a exhibition game of locked-out NHLers.

- Alex Létourneau of HabsWorld takes a look back at the Montreal Canadiens of the last lockout in 2004-05. Elsewhere, Eric Engels has ten wishes for the Habs, should they set foot on the ice this year.

- John Tavares seems set to sign with Bern and join his Islanders' teammate Mark Streit.

- Adam Proteau of The Hockey News presents an 11-point plan to end the lockout.

- Pierre Lebrun looks at how GMs are spending their time during the quiet days of a work stoppage.

(Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

Read More

Max Pacioretty in Switzerland, Mathieu Darche, Manon Rheaume, The Economist and More

Good AM hockey fans!

The strong shift of NHLers towards Europe continues. The latest player to make a move is the Montreal Canadiens' own Max Pacioretty, who has recently joined HC Ambri-Piotta according to The Fourth Period. RDS also confirms the news on their site.

Elsewhere, the Swedish Elite League was compelled to allow NHL players join its league by Anti-Trust authorities there.

As such, some players have begun making the move to the Scandinavian nation as well.

Habs and Hockey News

- Mathieu Darche, amongst others, was on Radio-Canada's Tout Le Monde en Parle on Sunday night.

- The Economist — yes, that Economist magazine — has an interesting piece on the lockout and the evolving landscape of sport ownership at large.

- Twenty years ago, Manon Rheaume became the first woman to suit up in the NHL.

- The NHL and NHLPA are slated to meet in order to discuss last season's revenue. Hmmm... how about we move the discussion to this season?

- If you are lacking you hockey fix, you can always check out this hat-trick by Rick Nash with HC Davos.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Alexei Emelin, Alex Galchenyuk, Travis Moen, Habs Prospects and More

Happy Friday Hab fans!

Fun times for me this morning, as I get to hop on CKCU's Red Zone program in about half an hour. 

As always, chatting with the gang RE: Hockey and Habs is something I quite looking forward too. 

Can't say I'm excited that the word "lockout" will be part of the discussion though. 

In any case, before I surf the airwaves, let's get to the daily news roundup. 

Habs and Hockey News

- Alexei Emelin signs with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL. I feel like the acronym 'KHL' is coming up a bit too much in these news roundups lately. 

- Alex Galchenyuk has been named captain of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. 

- On the prospect front, HabsWorld continues its countdown with Montreal's 31 to 35th best prospects. Elsewhere, TSN reveals their pre-draft rankings for 2013. 

- Hockey Inside/Out has a video chat with Travis Moen. 

- Tyler Seguin is bound for EHC Biel in Switzerland. 'Swtizerland' ... there is another word coming up a lot lately. 

- As for players not looking overseas, some are trying to organize a caravan-style circuit. 

- Adam Proteau looks at David Branch and the OHL's progressive stand on fighting. 

- In international news, Croatia has advanced to the next stage of Olympic qualifying for 2014. 'Croatia' — now that is a word that does not come up often!


(Photo Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Blaming the Agents, NHL Pre-Season Cancelled, Geoff Molson and More

Unfortunate news to start our day, as it appears the NHL has formally cancelled its 60 pre-season games. No great shock there I suppose, but a disappointment nonetheless.

So far, blame for this fiasco has been split between the owners, the league and the players. However, I must say, the agents have not nearly gotten their fair share.

After all, at times it is hard to believe that agents are acting in the best interest of their clients and the game at large. Because, in reality, best interests of their clients are not only related to dollars and years.

How can you possibly recommend a player sign a ten, 12 or 15-year deal that essentially traps you with that team for the rest of your playing days. We have seen it time and again, those contracts are virtually untradeable.

And, really, would you be ready to commit 12 years to one employer without having even worked one year there?

Nor do I understand why you would advise your client to sign a preposterous offer sheet. The money is fantastic, of course, but you also financially cripple the matching team, hence minimizing your ability to win with said team.

Of course, as an agent, you've won simply by cashing in your hefty commission I suppose.

Habs and Hockey News

- Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson is hoping for a quick end to the lockout.

- According to Guy Lafleur, the players are exploiting the owners.

- The NHL has cancelled its September pre-season games. Meanwhile, Stu Hackel is keeping a daily notebook of lockout events.

- If the new CBA is less-than-favorable, Alex Ovechkin threatens to stay in the KHL. Perhaps this is not the exagerrated threat some make it to be, especially since he also feels strongly about playing in Sochi 2014. If Olympics aren't part of the CBA, he may stay in Russia.

- More players head to Europe, this time with Jason Spezza signing in Switzerland and others in Russia. Is it just me, or will the Swiss and Russian Leagues be really good this year?

- Pierre Lebrun discusses the OHL's rule targeting serial fighters.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Read More