Lockout Good For Habs? NHLPA Can't Crack, Bulldogs Camp And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

A few weeks back I wondered aloud if the lockout could actually help the Canadiens. I figured that the Habs would have a few healthy bodies returning to the line up and added with a shortened season just maybe it could work to the Canadiens advantage.

Before I had the chance to write up on it I was struck by a huge wave of laziness. It's the same laziness that has caused me to shy away from my computer everytime I decide that I should probably put up another player profile or two.

While I'm own my own when it comes to getting my profiles back on track - I'm thinking Tuesday.... it's my Thanksgiving resolution - Steve Silverman over at the Bleacher Report wrote a piece with his views on why this lockout could help the Canadiens.


Habs And Hockey News

- Steven Ellis of AllHabs explains why the NHLPA can't afford to crack

- Dan Kramer takes a look at the 30 players remaining at the Hamilton Bulldogs training camp. Kramer (@DailyCanadiens) is an excellent follow on twitter for those who are interested on Bulldogs news and updates.

- Here's an interesting read Montreal's hidden hockey history

-  Here's a look at Habs number one pick at the 2012 draft, Alex Galchenyuk as he collects four points in last night's 6-3 win over the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images North America)

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Allan Walsh, Coach K's "What If's", Yesterday's Unexpected CBA Meeting And More...

Good Morning Addicts!

Yet another week has gone by without an end to the lockout and to make matters worse,the NHL regular season schedule has been cancelled up until October 24th.

With not much new being said on either side, it's interesting to see NHL player agent Allan Walsh cover the situation via twitter.

Walsh is quite possibly the most well known NHL player agent and has never shied away from sharing his thoughts through twitter.

Walsh stirred up some controversy in Montreal a few years back when he pointed out how much better Jaroslav Halak's numbers were than starting goaltender Carey Price. The comments made sense seeing as how Halak is one of Walsh's clients and, well, we all remember how each goalie did that year.

Yesterday Walsh tweeted " After spending most of the day on the phone, the one truth no one on the NHL side wants us to know- Bettman is losing control of his room". He went on to say that over the next few days he'll be sharing facts on which NHL owners don't support the lockout. According to Walsh Bettman is "feeling the heat from the owners" and is being told "we can't lose the season".

Whether you like him or hate him he's always an interesting follow on twitter (@walsha) and Toronto Star columnist Dave Feschuk wrote a piece on Walsh that is worth a read.

Habs And Hockey News

- Coach K put up an article of "What if's" over at Montrealhockeytalk.com

- Mark Ritter of The HockeyWriters wonders about the possibility of a lottery being used to determine the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

- Here is Kevin Allen of USA Today's piece on yesterday's unexpected meeting between Gary Bettman, Bill Daly and Donald and Steven Fehr

- Number 11 on the Habs Top 25 under 25 over at Habseyesontheprize.com is Russian prospect Alexander Avtsin

- ESPN3 will be streaming at least seven KHL games starting October 9th

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Habs Get a New Psychologist, NHL Games Cancelled, Hockey on TV, More

Good AM hockey fans!

As you probably, long time sports psychologist and RDS commentator Sylvain Guimond has been hired by the Montreal Canadiens to replace David Scott.

Honestly, it's nice to start a text with real news as opposed to the usual lockout mumbo-jumbo.

Speaking of psychology, Alan Bass at HockeyBuzz offers some cool insight on the consequences of over-instruction. Honestly, this guy has become one of my favorite bloggers at HB. His pieces make you see the game in a different light.

Habs and Hockey News

- It is official, but not surprising. The first two weeks of the NHL regular season have been cancelled.

- Scott Burnside argues that the players must make some concessions for the sake of the game. Conversely, Stu Hackel looks at how ownership blunders have led the game down this road.

- RDS will air games from La Tournée des Joueurs, which features Josh Gorges, Brian Gionta and Lars Eller, amongst others.

- Sportsnet and TVASports will air games from the American Hockey League.

- Ryan Kennedy of THN wonders if replacement players are an option. I certainly don't think so. There are so many replacement leagues — CHL, AHL, KHL, Europe — it is hard to imagine where worthwhile talent would come form.

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Andrei Markov in KHL, Bulldogs Make Cuts, NHL Waits For NHLPA Offer, More

Good AM Habs fans!

As has been widely reported, Andrei Markov has signed with Vityaz Chekhov of the KHL.

Naturally, this signing leads to us to the following question.

Given Markov's lengthy injury history and still uncertain health, how do you feel about him suiting up for a team other than the Montreal Canadiens?

RDS reports that Marc Bergevin is comfortable with his blueliner's choice.

What about you?

Habs and Hockey News

- The Hamilton Bulldogs have cut 14 players from their training camp including, rather surprisingly to me, Michel Ouellet, a veteran of over 190 NHL games.

- Other than Andrei Markov, quite a few players have packed their bags for Europe, including Andrew Ladd, Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, Matt Duchesne and Jamie Benn.

-  The NHL is still waiting for a new proposal from the NHLPA. Infamous rumor reporter Eklund has suggested that this offer may present a progressive decrease in player revenues, eventually reaching the magic 50% number. Elsewhere, Adam Proteau of THN has a one-on-one chat with Donald Fehr.

- Apparently, the reported deal between ESPN and the KHL is not finalized. At least, not yet.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images North America)

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Scott Gomez Denies Alaska, Tougher Bulldogs, KHL on ESPN, More

Good AM Hab fans!

Call me late to the party, but I did not realize Scott Gomez denied signing with the ECHL's Alaska Aces. After all, it's not like the team took down the press release from their website.

Too bad. Last time he was with the team in 2004-05, Gomez was named the league's MVP and, coming out of the last lockout, had his best ever NHL season.

In any case, the Alaskan team recently added Brandon Dubinsky to their training camp roster.

I'm no ECHL expert, but they are starting to look like league favorites, aren't they?

Habs and Hockey News

- Darren Dreger reports that tension between the NHL and NHLPA is rising. News like that certainly dampers my optimism.  Elsewhere, Stu Hackel contemplates whether

- Hockey Inside/Out looks at how the Hamilton Bulldogs have gotten tougher since Marc Bergevin took over.

- HabsWorld takes a look back at where Montreal Canadiens ended up during the 2004-05 lockout.

- Steven Hindle muses over how Montreal fans must possibly endure a cold, long winter without their beloved Habs.

- The KHL recently signed a US broadcast deal with ESPN. Elsewhere, Stu Hackel contemplates whether anyone will tune in to watch the KHL. My answer? No.

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French-Canadians in Hamilton, Wayne Gretzky Optimistic, CBA Talks, More

Good AM Hockey fans!

As I was peacefully dozing off last night, a thought occured to me.

Often, people complain of the lack of French-Canadian talent on the Montreal Canadiens.

But, looking at the Hamilton Bulldogs' roster, that argument really does not have much teeth.

Michael Bournival, Gabriel Dumont, Olivier Fortier, Louis Leblanc, Philippe Lefebvre, Michel Ouellet and Frederic St-Denis are all players who can reasonably expect to crack the Bulldogs' roster this year.

To boot, four of the aforementioned own NHL experience, joining Habs' regulars Francis Bouillon and David Desharnais in that category.

In short, perhaps it is time that complaint be put to bed, don't you think?

Habs and Hockey News

- Wayne Gretzky says he is optimistic that the NHL - NHLPA dispute will be resolved by January 1st. Talks between both sides resume today. Do you share his positive outlook?

- The Hockey News' Ken Campbell comments on recent issues, including ownership and Krys Barch's comments.

- Following up on an old story from this summer, some Sault Ste. Marie greyhounds were facing sexual assault charges but now it seems their court date has been pushed back. USA Today has more.

- Finally, a bit of humor for your Tuesday. This video shows a classic goal celebration go hilariously wrong.

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NHL - NHLPA Talks Conclude, Andrei Markov Speaks, Habs Prospects, More

Good AM Hab fans!

This morning, I want to touch on a point I made in an earlier post.

As you know, the NHL and NHLPA met for three consecutive days this weekend, albeit mostly addressing more minor issues.

Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it can be a good way to build momentum and progress.

But why do these sessions always seem to end in early afternoon? Can they not last into the evening? Is there absolutely no urgency in these talks?

Many people no longer work a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. I don't know why these negotiations seem to.

Habs and Hockey News

- On the topic of this weekend's negotiations, Katie Strang of ESPN has a good report on some of the frustration felt by both sides. Elsewhere, Stu Hackel looks at some of the small gains made during the weekend.

- There is strong competition at the Hamilton Bulldogs' camp, which features a record 44 players. Not only are many players making the jump from junior, but the organization included a significant amount of invites.

- Hockey Inside/Out has a one-on-one chat with Andrei Markov.

- HabsWorld counts down prospects 20 to 16 in their annual list. 

- Evegeni Malkin is tearing up the KHL.


(Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images) 

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