Canadiens Health a Question, Gally's Nine Games, Subban's Fantasy Focus And More

Good Morning Hockey World!

We are now into the second week of August and optimism in Montreal is becoming scarce.

With a possible - and at this point probable - lockout looming over the 2012-13 season and P.K. Subban still unsigned, there's a certain feeling of panic among Habs fans.

While the lack of a contract heading into a season is hardly new, the thought of having a shortened season, or god forbid no season at all, has everybody worried.

Whatever happened to the good old worry of can the Canadiens stay healthy?

Every team has questions heading into any season and if there is in fact a 2012-13 campaign, health will be key for the Canadiens moving forward.

Are you optimistic that health will be on the Habs side?

Habs and Hockey News

- Will the Habs 2012 number one pick, Alex Galchenyuk get a nine game look with the Canadiens?

- HabsWorld turns their Fantasy Focus over to P.K.Subban

- Midway into August, the Shane Doan saga continues

- Thursday marked the 24th anniversary of the infamous Gretzky trade, can you remember where you were?


(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Another Lockout?, Habs Prediction, Quick Surgery, Bouwmeester and More

Hello Hockey fans!

Gary Bettman is slowly putting his cards on the table.

Although Don Fehr seemed open to the possibility of beginning the 2012-13 season without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Gary Bettman made it clear that was not an option for the league.

"We reiterated to the union that the owners will not play another year under the current agreement" he said.

Translation: if there is no new deal, the owners will lock out the players.

Not exactly what fans want to hear.

So, do you think there will be yet another lockout? 

Habs and Hockey News

- The Hockey News unveiled their No. 12 and 13 spots in their annual predictions. The Montreal  Canadiens unfortunately occupy the 13 slot, behind the 12th ranked Toronto Maple Leafs. In fact, five of the seven Canadian teams are predicted to be in the bottom four. One can only hope reality is much different. 

- The HabsWorld podcast returns. 

- Los Angeles King and Vezina Trophy winner Jonathan Quick underwent minor surgery. 

- Hockey Inside/Out offers their analysis on the latest CBA developments. 

- Jay Bouwmeester is again in the rumor mill.

- Kevin Allen of USA Today gives us ten bold predictions for the upcoming season. A lot of said bold predictions are actually reasonable enough. Except the one about Rick DiPietro staying healthy.


(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Worried about Subban, Ken Dryden's Birthday, Markham and More

Good AM Hockey Fans!

I don't mean to hammer away at the P.K Subban contract situation. I really don't.

But in fairness to me and my daily task of writing this roundup, nothing else is going on. Nada. Rien. Nichts.

Eric Engels, over at HockeyBuzz, feels like patience is required and that the situation will resolve itself, most likely before the beginning of camp.

Generally, I share his view. But, I must admit, the fact this has stretched so long has me somewhat concerned. I feel that Subban his now more of an offer sheet or trade candidate that at any previous point.

In any case, I want to know, are you getting worried?

Habs and Hockey News

- Ken Dryden turns 65 today.

- TSN has been reporting that Graham Roustan submitted his plans for an NHL-sized arena to the city of Markham. If this is successful, the area could easily compete with Quebec City or Seattle for any relocated franchise.

- Given the recent injury news regarding Andrej Meszaros, the Philadelphia Flyers have signed Marc-Andre Bourdon to a multi-year extension. Ryan Kennedy, over at The Hockey News, believes the organization's eye for talent will help them weather the recent news.

- THN continues unveiling its predictions, this time looking at no. 14 in each conference. The good news? Montreal is not there.

- Adam Davis, of WRVM in Nashville, is suing the Predators because of an injury sustained will practicing to be a human puck. Let me get this straight. Davis agreed to the stunt, which sounds insanely dumb to begin with, and then gets injured practicing for it. And now, as if he could not foresee any potential risks in this stupid endeavor, is suing the Preds.

(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Jeff Skinner Extension, Rene Bourque Profile, Erik Cole and More

Good AM Habs fans!

Well, it sure seems that the Carolina Hurricanes are not messing around this summer.

After trading for Jordan Staal, signing Marc-André Gragnani, Joe Corvo and Alex Semin, Jim Rutherford is now apparently close to inking Jeff Skinner to a long-term extension.

Bob McKenzie reports that the deal is for six years at around $5.75 million per season.

Given their similar ages and importance to their teams, one has to wonder if this deal will somehow impact the contract P.K Subban eventually receives. And, yes, I know one is a forward and another a defenseman.

Habs and Hockey News

- Sean Lloyd continues his excellent profile series, this time looking at the much maligned Rene Bourque.

- Over at HabsWorld, their Fantasy Focus series keeps trucking on with Erik Cole getting the spotlight today.

- Hockey Inside/Out looks back at last summer's deaths of three NHL enforcers.

- The Hockey News has begun rolling out its annual predictions, starting with No. 15 in each conference. Take a wild guess.

- Stu Hackel looks at the New Jersey Devils' dire financial situation and wonders if any Phoenix-like scenario is possible.


(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Montreal Canadiens Offseason Player Profile: Rene Bourque

Bourque Looking to Rebound In First Full Season With Habs

Rene Bourque - RW
6'2" 211 lbs
2011-12 Stats 76GP- 18G- 6A- 24 Pts

The Price

Bourque is heading into the third year of a six year contract which has an average cap hit of $3.33 million. Naturally, that may seem like a high price to pay for a forward who lacked in production last season and finished with a -24 rating.

However, 2011-12 was Bourque's worst season production wise since 2007-08, when he accumulated 24 points with the Chicago Blackhawks. Since then Bourque has scored 83 goals and put up 164 points in 287 games.

If Bourque can regain his scoring touch and have a 50+ point season similar to his previous two campaigns then he may live up to his cost.

Performance

His eight points and -16 rating in his 38 games with the Canadiens last season was definitely a disappointment.

To be fair, there were not many players who didn't under perform last year and 2012-13 will be a test to his worth with the club.

The Fit

With the success of the Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole line last season Bourque will likely start on the second line with Plekanec and Gionta. A natural right winger, Bourque will need to adapt to the left side of the ice as Gionta will return to the right wing.

If coach Michel Therrien can get Bouque to use his size and play more physically then he should be able to produce, thus earning him some time on the second powerplay unit. With his build, Bourque has the potential to stir up traffic in front of the opposition's goal and bang in some blue collar goals.

Until Bourque can provide some offense he will continue to be a scapegoat for the team's struggles. Will having Gionta return to the line up help boost his numbers? Or would Bourque fit more on the thrd line with Lars Eller, playing on his natural right side?


Check out other player profiles:

Ryan White
Travis Moen
Brandon Prust
Colby Armstrong
Carey Price
Lars Eller
Francis Bouillon
Tomas Plekanec
Raphael Diaz
David Desharnais


---
Sean is a freelance writer currently contributing to HabsAddict.com. He is also a regular blogger and frequent panelist on the Habs post game show at MontrealHockeyTalk.com You can follow Sean on Twitter.

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Desharnais and Plekanec's Potential, Breakout Player, Meszaros and More

Good AM Hab fans!

Over at my previous writing haunt, HabsWorld, the guys have begun again rolling out their Fantasy Focus series — an attempt at projecting the statistics of the Montreal Canadiens' top players.

So far, they have touched on Tomas Plekanec and David Desharnais.

All this notion of predictions leads me to a question: who do you think is poised for a breakout this year in Montreal?

Habs and Hockey News

- TSN reports that Philadelphia Flyers' defenseman Andrej Meszaros is out indefinitely with a torn achilles tendon. Given that the Flyers already have Chris Pronger sidelined and lost Matt Carle to free agency, this is certainly a hard blow to the team's blueline. Who knows, they might even target P.K Subban with an offer sheet given their holes in the backend.... just kidding. Sort of.

- Donald Fehr says he feels there is still plenty of time for the NHL and NHLPA to reach a deal on a new CBA.

- Stu Hackel reports on the possibility of advertisements appearing on NHL jerseys.

- Former Hab Hal Gill says he is happy to see Shea Weber return to the Nashville Predators.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images North America)

Read More

Messier wins grievance, Will the Isles move to Brooklyn, Doan update and more

Morning puck addicts!

I know I keep saying this, but man is it ever a slow news day!

It seems like each day there is less and less to talk about. I guess that's why there are foolish rumours flying all over the place. In times of slow news the rumours mongers seem to come out in droves, monging their rumours as they do.

I don't know about you, but I'm enjoying the spectacular weather we've been having (in Montreal) and the summer in general.

What about you? What have you been doing to fight off the dog days?

Hockey News

-Mark Messier won a grievance against the Vancouver Canucks and got a nice pay day out of it!

-Habsworld.net's fantasy focus turns to David Desharnais.

-Are the Islanders moving to Brooklyn?

-No one knows where Shane Doan will land but it now seems that the Sharks are off his list.

(Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images North America)

Read More