No Excuses For Bourque, Cole Happy To Be Back, More...

Good Morning HabsAddicts!!!

Canadiens' forward Rene Bourque, who was acquired last season in a trade with the Calgary Flames for Michael Cammalleri, has been the ire of many since his arrival in Montreal. Coming with a reputation of being short in the heart department, he did nothing to dissuade fans with his play last season.

Bourque, who is coming off abdominal surgery over the summer, skated with some of his Habs' teammates in Brossard on Wednesday, and, according to Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette, is ready to convince fans that there is more to him than those rumours would suggest.

Eric Cole, who during the NHL Lockout was quite outspoken about the labour dispute, spoke to Dave Stubbs of the Gazette, and explained how he had mixed emotions when he found out a deal was struck. From relief that it was over, to disgust that it took so long to figure out, Cole is definitely excited to hit the ice.

Habs and Hockey News and Notes:

- Most of the hockey world was stunned when Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment announced that Maple Leafs' General Manager Brian Burke was relieved of his duties and replaced by his second in command, former Vancouver Canucks GM Dave Nonis. Speculation is that MLSE President Tom Anselmi and the new members of the BCE/Rogers ownership group did not believe Burke and his arrogant demeanour were how they wanted to be represented. With Nonis taking over at the helm, it's expected that the team will continue with the same philosophy, as far as hockey operations are concerned.

Some have suggested that the rift between Burke and MLSE is rooted around the possible acquisition of Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Roberto Luongo. It's believed that MLSE Thinks that the recent moves made by Alex Anthopoulos and the Toronto Blue Jays have taken the attention away from the Leafs, when they should be front and Center in the Toronto sports scene, and trading for Luongo would change that.

- Yesterday, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously ratified the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Katie Strang of ESPN.com explains that all that is required, for the lockout to officially be over, is for the players to vote for ratification. The NHLPA's 700+ membership is expected to vote electronically, and expected to conclude late Friday or Saturday.

- Speaking of Luongo, Enrico Ciccone, an analyst for TVA Sports, tweeted that the Philadelphia Flyers may be interested in getting Luongo. With their ill-advised long term signing of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, could the Flyers really afford to get Bobby Lou?

(photo: Gazette File Photo/ Dave Sidaway)

Posted in: brian burke,Dave Nonis,Enrico Ciccone,eric cole,habs,mlse,NHL,Philadelphia Flyers,ratification,rene bourque,roberto luongo