Watching the World Juniors Championships during these past two weeks, I can’t stop to wonder about what future Team Canada’s starting goalie Zach Fucale might have in the NHL.  Drafted in the 2nd round, 36th overall in last year’s 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Fucale started the 2013-14 Under-19 tournament as a backup to Jake Paterson.  But after two games, Fucale has started in every game and is headed to the medal games this weekend with Team Canada looking for Gold.

Looking back at the past 10 years of World Junior Championships, the biggest goalie names to come out of Team Canada have been the Pittsburgh Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury (2004), the Canadiens’ Carey Price (2007) and Toronto Maple Leaf’s  Jonathan Bernier (2008). All three have already had distinguished careers in the NHL.  Fleury has won a Stanley Cup in 2009 and has over 270 wins already in his career.  Price has been the Habs #1 goalie for 4+ seasons already has 160+ wins.  And this season Bernier is now solidifying himself as a #1 starter in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Being part of Team Canada doesn’t guarantee success.  Since 2008, the jury is still out on which goalie will have a bright future in the NHL.  Back in 2010 Martin Jones shared Team Canada’s goaltending duties with Blues’ prospect Jake Allen, and this season Jones started his NHL career winning his first 8 starts with the LA Kings.  He’s since lost 3 games but might just be the next big goalie name since Price/Bernier.

Other names to look for in the coming years are Bruins prospect Malcom Subban (Team Canada, 2013), and perhaps Habs very own Zack Fucale.  But let’s give Fucale five more years before we measure his true potential.

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THE HABS WEEK THAT WAS by GOHABS.com (week ending December 8, 2013)
GOHABS.com Habs Week in Review.

Overall: W:19 L:9 OTL:3. PTS:41
2nd in Atlantic Division, 3rd in Eastern Conference.

Record for week ending December 8, 2013: GP: 4 // W: 4 // L: 0 // OTL: 0 // PTS: 8

Monday December 2, 2013

W: New Jersey Devils 2, at Montreal Canadiens 3

The Montreal Canadiens having come off a huge physical and mental game against Toronto, started their slow in their first of back to back games against New Jersey.  New Jersey started Martin Brodeur in what could possibly be his last start facing the Habs in Montreal  New Jersey opened the scoring only to see Habs jump to a 3-1 lead before Michael Ryder narrowed the score.  Habs managed to fend off the Devils and continue their winning streak,

Wednesay December 4, 2013

W: Montreal Canadiens 4 at New Jersey Devils 3 / SO

Heading into the third period, with the Canadiens up 2-1, this match up was looking like it was going to be a classic New Jersey style snooze-fest.  But that wasn’t the case.  With a flurry of 5 goals goals in the third period, including 3 goals in the final 4 minutes of regulation.  peter Elias scored with 80 seconds left in the game to give the Devils a 3-2 lead, but with Peter Budaj pulled for the extra attacker in the final minute, David Desharnais deflected a shot from the point by Brian Gionta to tie the game at 3-3 and send the game into overtime.  Nothing was decided in OT, and Peter Budaj was in his third shootout of the season and picked up the win.  Budaj, already has 5 wins as a backup this season.

Thursday December 5, 2013

W: Boston Bruins 1 at Montreal Canadiens 2

With the Canadiens playing their 5th game in seven nights, everyone expected a let down from the Canadiens as they were quickly running out of gas. But first place in the ATlntaic division was in play as the Canadiens were 1 point behind the Bruins heading into the game.  The game saw an unfortunate incident whereby Max Pacioretty checked Johnny Boychuk into the boards behind the net and Boychuk  hot his head first.  Boychuk had to be carried off the ice on a stretcher.  It was later revealed he injured his back on the play.  Pacioretty was assessed a 2 minute penalty for the unintentional play. The game fell into a lull after that play especially by the Bruins as the Canadiens scored two goals in the second with goals from Tomas Plekanec and and Max Pacioretty to take a 2-1 lead.  In the third period, despite being out-shot 16-6 by the Bruins, Habs hung on to win 2-1.  As Michel Therrien said after the game, the Canadiens “emptied the tank” and were given a day off on Friday and temporarily moved into first place in the division and 2nd in the conference.

Saturday December 8, 2013

W: Buffalo Sabres 1 at Montreal Canadiens 2

Once of the toughest part of playing a team in last place as the Habs were looking for their 5th consecutive win, is getting motivated to play them.  The first period was a clear indication because shots on goal were 5-4 Sabres and scored tied at 0-0.  The second period, Habs exploded for 3 goals including Tomas Plekancec’s team-leading 11th goal of the season.  Although the Sabres played tight and scored early in the third, it wasn’t enough as the Canadiens went on to win their 5th in a row and are the hottest team in the NHL with a record of 9-0-1 in their last 10 games.

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THE HABS WEEK THAT WAS by GOHABS.com (week ending November 3rd)
GOHABS.com Habs Week in Review.

Overall: W:8 L:7 OTL:0. PTS:16
5th in Atlantic Division, 6th in Eastern Conference.

Record for week ending November 3, 2013: GP: 4 // W: 2 // L: 2 // OTL: 0 // PTS: 4

Monday October 28, 2013

W: Montreal Canadiens 2 at  New York Rangers 0

The Montreal Canadiens helped re-open the newly renovated Madison Square Garden in New York.  But the story of the night was Habs backup Peter Budaj who made 27 saves to record his 11^th career shutout.  And Budaj made it 10 straight regular season wins dating back to last season.  Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk provided the scoring for Montreal.  Prior to the game the Canadiens recalled former first round draft pick Louis Leblanc and got 15 shifts in his first Habs game this season.

Milestones: Douglas Murray plays his first regular season game in a Canadiens uniform.

Tuesday October 29, 2013

W: Dallas Stars 1 at  Montreal Canadiens 2

The Canadiens played their second game in as many nights and once again it was a defensive show down.  Although Dallas outshot the Canadiens 27-24, Carey Price was solid in nets as the Canadiens got by with goals my Michael Bournival and Rene Bourque.

Milestones: Both Ryan White and Michael Blunden played in their 100^th career regular-season NHL game.

Friday November 1, 2013

L:  Montreal Canadiens 3 at  Minnesota Wild 4

The Canadiens road trip was a special one because the dad’s were allowed to accompany the team, a Father & Son weekend of sorts.  First stop; St. Paul, Minn.  The game marked the return of Habs enforcer George Parros who has been sidelined since that unfortunate fall to the ice the first game of the season in a tilt against Toronto’s Colton Orr.  This was not one of Parros’s better nights because his line with Parros, Ryan White and Michael Blunden were on the ice for the Wild’s first three goals.  The Canadiens battled back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game at 3 midway into the third period.  But defenseman Francis Bouillon let Jason Pominville out of his sight and Pominville scored the winner with just over 5 minutes remaining.  It was Pominville’s second goal of the night.

Saturday October 26, 2013

L:  Montreal Canadiens 1 at  Colorado Avalanche 4

The start of the game was delayed slightly as Colorado honoured Adam Foote in a jersey retirement ceremony.  It was a hard fought game the first 45 minutes of the game, with the game tied at 1, but two miscues by P.K. Subban and the game was had in the third period.  After the game head Coach Michel Therrien wasted no time to throw P.K. Subban under the bus.  In the post-game interview Therrien was quoted as saying “Our defenceman that cost us the game …  The second one (goal), the same defenceman  made the same mistake, cost us the game”.  Therrien didn’t call Subban by name, but it was obvious that’s who he was referring to.  Subban wasn’t the only player in the doghouse, as David Desharnais who has scored only once this season, was benched for part of the third period.  And there’s more.  It appears Desharnais has lost his spot at centre as Therrien FINALLY put Alex Galchenyuk at centre (his natural position) on a line with Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty, who returned to the line-up after missing 8 games with a pulled quadriceps muscle.

Player Movement for the week:

October 28, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens recall defenceman Greg Pateryn from Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).

 October 29, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens return forward Patrick Holland to the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).

 October 31, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens re-sign defenseman Alexei Emelin to a 4 years, $16.4M contract.

November 3, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens return forward Michael Blunden to the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).

November 3, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens recall forward Martin St-Pierre from the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).

NOTE:  any player called up after 5pm only counts against the cap the following day.

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THE HABS WEEK THAT WAS by GOHABS.com (week ending October 27th)
GOHABS.com Habs week in review.

Overall: W:6 L:5 OTL:0. PTS:12
5th in Atlantic Division, 7th in Eastern Conference.

Record for week ending October 27, 2013: GP: 3 // W: 1 // L: 2 // OTL: 0 // PTS: 2

Tuesday October 22, 2013

L: Edmonton Oilers 4 at Montreal Canadiens 3

After the Canadiens opened the first period with two goals, the Canadiens were probably thinking they were in cruise control. After first intermission, the Oilers had second thoughts. Their coach Dallas Eakins had to motivate his team and remind themthem what Lars Eller thought of Oilers as a team (Eller was quoted as saying the Oilers remind him of a junior team running around with no structure).  The Oilers went on the score four straight goals. The Canadiens scored their third goal with two seconds left in the game with an extra attacker. After the game Coach Therrien was asked what he thought of Eller’s pre-game comments. Therrien’s response: Those were “inappropriate”.

Milestones: Patrick Holland, who was called up from Hamilton last week, played in his first NHL game.

Thursday October 24, 2013
W: Anaheim Ducks 1 at Montreal Canadiens 4

The Anaheim Ducks visiting in Montreal can only mean one thing; the return of Saku Koivu to Montreal and the never ending debate of whether the Canadiens should retire Saku Koivu’s number (oh how the standards have fallen, but I digress). The game also marked the last appearance of Teemu Selanne’s as Selanne is retiring after this season. The Canadiens It appeared had a simple game plan for this game; play a full 60 minutes and never let the foot off the pedal. Anaheim made it extremely easy for the Canadiens because the Ducks were a complete no-show. Although the Ducks out-shot the Canadiens 32-25, the Canadiens were never threatened by Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry, two players sure to make Team Canada at the upcoming Sochi Olympics. The Canadiens got fire power by the Plekanec-Gionta-Bournival line which combined for 7 points in the game.

Saturday October 26, 2013
L: San Jose Sharks 2 at Montreal Canadiens 0

San Jose Sharks showed Montreal hockey fans why the Sharks only lost 1 game in their first 10 games of the season. The Sharks dominated on all stats. And only gave up 1 power play opportunity. The Sharks’ Logan Couture benefited from an odd bounce during a dump in around the board, with the puck bouncing to the front of the net while Carey Price waited behind the net trying to intercept the puck thinking it would stick along the boards. This made the game 2-0 and San Jose never looked back. Unfortunately the Canadiens continue to make use of the infirmary as Travis Moen got a puck in the face and had to leave the game. (It was later revealed Moen suffered a fractured orbital bone and will be out one week). The game verses San Jose capped off a 5 game home stand where the Canadiens went 2-3.

Fun fact: Josh Gorges was acquired from San Jose back in 2007 when the Canadiens traded Craig Rivet to San Jose. Draft picks also changed hands with Habs receiving a 2007 first round pick (Max Pacioretty) and San Jose received a 2007 fifth round (Jean Demers). Jean who????? Safe to say who won that deal.

Player Movement for the week:
October 23, 2013 The Montreal Canadiens return defenceman Jarred Tinordi to Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
October 23, 2013 The Montreal Canadiens recall defenceman Greg Pateryn from Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
October 26, 2013 The Montreal Canadiens return forward Patrick Holland and defenceman Nathan Beaulieu to Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
October 27, 2013: The Montreal Canadiens recall forwards Patrick Holland and Louis Leblanc from Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).

NOTE: any player called up after 5pm only counts against the cap the following day.

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THE GOHABS.com WEEK THAT WAS (week ending October 20^th)

Recapping the Habs week October 13-20.

Montreal Canadiens 5W-3L-0 OTL, 4th in Atlantic Division

 A weekly blog recapping the Habs week that was.

Record for week ending October 20, 2013:  GP: 3  W: 2  L: 1  OTL: 0  PTS: 4

Tuesday October 15, 2013

W:  Montreal Canadiens 3 at Winnipeg Jets 0

The Canadiens finished off their first road trip of the season with a shutout win over the Winnipeg Jets.  But the win was a costly one as forward Max Pacioretty went down with a left quad muscle strain.  Pacioretty is expected to be out of the line-up for 3 weeks. On a positive note, Daniel Briere picked up his first goal of the season (his first in a Habs uniform).

Carey Price made 36 saves to record his 20^th career shutout moving him to 9^th spot on the club’s all-time shutouts leader, just one shutout behind Charlie Hodge.

Milestones: Brian Gionta played in his 700^th career NHL game. Josh Gorges played in his 500^th career NHL game.

 Thursday October 17, 2013

W:  Columbus Blue Jackets 3 at Montreal Canadiens 5

The Canadiens returned home from a four-game western road trip and carried their momentum into their first period picking up a quick two goal lead.  It was 3 -0 Montreal in the 2^nd Period, when Columbus scored three unanswered goals to tie the game.  But with 67 seconds left in Regulation, Tomas Plekanec shot from the offensive blue line and caught Columbus netminder, Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky cheating to one side, as the Canadiens took a 4-3 lead.  Plekanec added an empty netter to seal the victory.  The empty net goal was the Canadiens second shorthanded goal of the game two shorthanded goals in the game (one being an empty net).  That brings to three for the season.  The Canadiens had none all of last season.

Milestone: Canadiens rookie Michael Bournival picked up his first NHL goal.

 Saturday October 19, 2013

L:  Nashville Predators 2 at Montreal Canadiens 1

The game turned into a goaltending dual between Habs Carey Price and Nashville’s Pekka Rinne but it was Price who was keeping the Canadiens in the game.  After each team traded goals in the first two periods, it appeared Lars Eller scored the go-ahead goal in the third.  That’s when Rinne trapped Eller’s shot over the blue line.  Although there was no conclusive replay showing the puck actually crossing the blue line, the official Chris Rooney believed it went in signalling a goal.  Probably thinking along the lines … if a tree falls in a forest, does anybody hear it?  The NHL’s Situation Room overturned the goal.  And with just over a minute left in regulation, the Canadiens were caught napping and rookie sensation Seth Jones of the Predators, averaging over 27 minutes a game, jumped on a loose puck in the slot and beat Price for what turned to be the game winning goal.  The Canadiens lost more than just the game as two more regulars succumbed to injuries.  Daniel Briere was accidentally hit to the head by Eric Nystrom, whereby Briere sustained yet another concussion. His third concussion in as many seasons.  Briere is out at least 7 to 10 days.  And late in the third, Brandon Prust went crashing into the board injuring his shoulder.  Prust is out 4 weeks.

Player Movement for the week:

October 16: Defenceman Davis Drewiskie out 5-6 months following shoulder surgery.

October 19:  Defenceman Nathan Beaulieu sent down to Hamilton (AHL).

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THE GOHABS WEEK THAT WAS (week ending October 13).

A weekly blog recapping the Habs week that was.

Montreal Canadiens 3-2, 5th in Atlantic Division

 Record for week ending October 12, 2013:  GP: 3  W :2  L:1 OTL: 0  PTS: 4

Wednesday October 9, 2013

L:  Montreal Canadiens 2 at Calgary Flames 3

The Canadiens started their western road swing and it seemed they were just not ready.  Call it jet-lagged, or lack of focus, the Canadiens trailed 2-0 after the first period.  Canadiens played catch up all game, with P.K. Subban leading the way with a goal and an assist, but his two 3^rd period penalties, one of them with over a minute left in the game, ended any chances of the Canadiens tying the game.  Journey-man goalie Joey MacDonald was the game’s first star.  Nathan Beaulieu made his first start oft he season with the Habs.

Milestone: Rene Bourque played in his 500^th career NHL game.

 Thursday October 10, 2013  

W:  Montreal Canadiens 4 at Edmonton Oilers 1

After a lack lustre game the night before, Head Coach Michel Therrien wasted no time to juggle the lines.  Eller – Galchenyuk – Gallagher, which provided 70% of the scoring in the first three games, was broken up.  Tomas Plekanec replaced Eller at Centre.  Eller centred a line with Pacioretty and Brière.  After an early second period goal by the Oilers Ryan Smith on a Power play, the Canadiens answered with 4 unanswered goals.  The Gally kids lead the way with both Brendan Gallagher and Alex Gallchenyuk netting a goal and an assist.  P.K. Subban picked up 3 assists.  Peter Budaj started his first game of the season in the win, with 27 saves.

 Saturday October 12, 2013  

W:  Montreal Canadiens 4 at Vancouver Canucks 1

The Canadiens started the game without the services of Brian Gionta who, the day before, had to rush back home to attend to a family emergency concerning one of his children.  The game tied at 1-1 in the second, featured one of the strangest goal when Dan Hamius and Roberto Luongo combined for an own goal. The goal was credited to Lars Eller.  A shorthanded goal.  That seemed to sap the momentum in the third period as the Canadiens won 4-1.  Tomas Plekanec and Josh Gorges got their first of the year, both in the third period, and PK Subban picked up another assist,

Player Movement for the week:

October 6: Canadiens  recall defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from Hamilton (AHL).

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THE GOHABS WEEK THAT WAS (week ending October 6^th)
A weekly blog recapping the Habs week that was.

Montreal Canadiens  1-1, 2 points, 5th in Atlantic Division

Canadiens for the week: 2 GP; 1 W 1 L , 2 points

Tuesday October 1, 2013

L:  Toronto Maple Leafs 4 at Montreal Canadiens 3

The Canadiens and Leafs renewed their rivalry to kick off the 2013-14 season.  The Canadiens broke out to a quick 2-1 lead after the 1^st period, but turnovers and “lack of execution” as described by Habs coach Michel Therrien, enabled the Leafs to score 3 more goals.  Including a short-handed goal when Andrei Markov couldn’t keep the puck in at the Toronto’s blue line when on a power play.  Despite Lars Eller picking up 3 points in the game with 2 goals and an assist, the game was overshadowed by the injury/concussion sustained by George Parros when Parros fell flat to the ice face first during a fight with Colton Orr.  Parros was rushed to the hospital and was released the next day, and is out indefinitely.

 Saturday October 5, 2013  

W:  Philadelphia Flyers 1 at Montreal Canadiens 4

The Canadiens picked up their first win of the season as Head Coach Michel Therrien let his better players play.  Lars Eller centring Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher led the way again as the line combined for 2 goals and 4 assists.  The trio even saw action on the first power play unit.  PK Subban  got ice time on the penalty kill, as he played closed to 29 minites.  The Canadiens played the game without the services of Max Pacioretty who is still nursing a hand injury.  That meant Michael Bournival made his NHL debut but saw limited action playing just over 6 minutes.  The game marked Daniel Briere’s first game against his former club.  In two games Briere is still trying to get his first point as a Hab.  The game also marked the return of Vincent Lecavalier playing his first game at the Bell Centre in a Flyers uniform.  Suffice to say, Lecavalier was booed mercifully all game by Habs fans.  Before the game, it was noted that George Parros is recovering well from Tuesday’s concussion and is now listed day to day.  Ryan White took Parros spot in the lineup.

Injury Report for the week:

• Sept 30: Douglas Murray (D) out 4-6 weeks with upper body injury.
• Oct 1: George Parros (F) out day to day with concussion.
• Oct 5: Max Pacioretty (F) out day to day with upper body injurt.

Player Movement for the week:

• October 2: Canadiens  recall defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from Hamilton (AHL).
• October 2: Canadiens return defenceman Nathan Beaulieu to Hamilton (AHL).
• October 4: Canadiens  recall defenceman Nathan Beaulieu from Hamilton (AHL).

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Looking at the year–to–year changeover of the Montreal Canadiens heading into the 2013-14 season, there is less turnover in roster players than in seasons past.  Last season coming out the lockout, the Canadiens had a new Management team, a new head coach, a new system and brought in new players.  In addition, two rookies made the roster from Day 1; Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk.

From the players who started the season with the Canadiens last season, four players are no longer with the Montreal Canadiens organization.  Yannick Weber is now playing with the Vancouver Canucks.  Tomas Kaberle was bought out of his contract and now plays back home for Kladno in the Czech league. Colby Armstrong was a UFA and signed this off season with Vaxjo HC (Swedish Elite League).  And Erik Cole was traded to Dallas Stars midway thru last season for Michael Ryder.

By season’s end, Ryder, a UFA signed with the New Jersey Devils, and Jeff Halpern, a waiver pickup last season, remains unsigned.

Who replaced these roster spots?

This off-season the Canadiens made a huge splash on the free agency market by signing UFA Daniel Brière.  The Canadiens also signed UFA defenseman Douglas Murray, who played with San Jose last season.  And tough guy George Parros was obtained from the Florida Panthers in a trade involving a minor league player.

Coming out of training camp, with injuries to defenseman Alexei Emelin, Davis Drewiske, and Douglas Murray, Jarred Tinordi was able to crack the top 6 on defence.  And forward Michaël Bournival, who impressed many during training camp, has also made the 23-man roster.  Remains to be seen how many games action Bournival will get as the season progresses.

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