habsguy26

I know. I'm pissed.

Cammalleri, 5th rounder, and the rights to a European goalie prospect for Rene Bourque, 2nd rounder in 2013, and prospect Patrick Holland. (CONFIRMED)

Cammy to Flames for Bourque + Salary dump... most likely Sarich

Scratch that, he's going back to the Flames

Reports on twitter are saying to Columbus for Brassard and two picks.

I think Lundqvist is a lock. Maybe even the Hart Trophy candidate. He was my pick at the start of the year for both and it looks like its gonna pan out.

Thats a great point. This is a classic case of discrimination. All the Frenchies think they can dish it out because they got it in the 40's and 50's, But god damn, this is 2012. Its weird.. the most racist people in the world are French, and Black.

I was offering you the Coors. Because its the most watered down beer around!

No. Bryz for a case of Coors and Scott Gomez. Final offer.

Randy Cunneyworth doesn't buy the widespread notion that he is a lame duck who will be gone this summer when the Montreal Canadiens find a bilingual head coach. The interim coach said Tuesday he is working on learning French and hopes that significant strides will be made by the time the decision is made on who will be behind the bench next season. Owner Geoff Molson and general manager Pierre Gauthier have promised they will have a coach who can speak French in place for the 2012-13 campaign. That appeared to rule out the unilingual Cunneyworth, but the Toronto native doesn't see it that way. "With any team, it can be uncertain if you don't win or accomplish the goals you set forth," he said. "I'm working hard to pick up the language as much as I can and as quickly as I can. "Hopefully that will be the case by the time some of the decisions are made. A lot will depend on how successful this team is and that's really my priority right now. The language is secondary, but very important as well for me because I think it's an important marketplace where I'd love to be able to address everybody in both languages and talk to everybody concerning hockey." There was an outcry among the club's many French-speaking fans when Cunneyworth was promoted to head coach after the Dec. 15 firing of Jacques Martin. He became the club's first coach in four decades who was unable to speak at least some French. On Monday, Gauthier apologized to any fans offended by the move and reiterated that the team will have a bilingual coach next season. He did not rule out Cunneyworth, who insists he picks up at least the hockey terms and expressions just by being around the team's French-speaking employees. "You hear people talking and you pick up on what they're saying because you know what it's related to," he said. "Hopefully over time, just being around and working at it, it would be exciting to pick up the language and learn it to a greater extent. "It's an ongoing work in progress. I'm not ignoring it in any way. But my main focus is the hockey, for sure." Gauthier's decision to dump the veteran Martin and promote Cunneyworth to his first NHL head coaching job was a public relations disaster. Some politicians even weighed in by slamming the move. It hasn't helped that the team is also mired in a three-week slump with only one win in the last eight games, including a 1-6-0 record under Cunneyworth. The Canadiens have dropped to 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings, eight points out of a playoff position, heading into a home game against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday night. "Everyone can make excuses about guys being injured, but the reality is that everybody's got to be better," defenceman P.K. Subban said. "And once we start winning, you'll see, the talk's going to be a lot less about who's behind the bench." The Canadiens are entering a make-or-break stretch in which they play 11 of the 15 games at home. If they don't use that to go on a winning run, they will likely miss the post-season for the first time since 2006-07. The trouble is, they are 5-7-6 at the Bell Centre so far this season, to the consternation of their fans. "We know how it is at home," added Subban. "Nobody likes to be booed and nobody likes to hear the fans not be energetic about our team. "I take it personally out there. And I don't blame them. You want them to demand the best. It will add a little fuel to our fire." Perhaps more importantly for Cunneyworth, the Canadiens are in an 11-day stretch in which they play only three games -- all at home -- so the new coach will finally have time to work closely with his players. He coached his first game at home and was on the road for the next six, with little time for practice. The Canadiens have rarely been blown out. But they have blown leads or given up weak goals late in games that cost them points. Eliminating mistakes has been Cunneyworth's biggest challenge. They hope to get a boost from the return of captain Brian Gionta, who has been out with an undisclosed injury. He skated with the team for the first time since he was hurt Dec. 8 against Vancouver. Gionta won't play against the Jets, but hopes to be ready for Saturday's home game against Tampa Bay. Centre Scott Gomez and winger Ryan White are back on the ice but are not ready to skate with the team. Defenceman Andrei Markov, who has yet to play this season, will not return from reconstructive knee surgery until after the all-star break.

Actually, they both said it was nothing personal

Never!

Hey everyone, just a little blog here to keep you guys updated on the World Juniors in Edmonton. Canada plays Russia tonight in the semis -- a rematch of last year's gold medal game and the infamous 3rd period collapse of Mark Visentin and Team Canada. Today, I will be telling you people who may not be following the World Juniors, who is making a big name for themselves. I'll also throw in who is disappointing me the most. So without further ado, I'm just gonna jump right into it. 5) Scott Wedgewood - G, Team Canada NHL Team: New Jersey Devils, Drafted in 2010 (3/84) GP: 2, GAA: 1.00, SV%: .966 Scott has won both of his games in goal and gets the call tonight against Russia. He is a very good butterfly goalie who covers the bottom of the net well. Look for him to be in the NHL soon and take up what Martin Brodeur leaves off in New Jersey. 4) Andrei Vasilevski - G, Team Russia NHL Team: Draft eligible in 2012 GP: 4, GAA: 1.23, SV%: .973 Vasilevski has been fantastic during his tenure with Team Russia this World Juniors. He best game came in his last one against the Czech Republic, where he made 38 saves (most in the 3rd period, and all being spectacular). He is only 17 years old, and he is already being dubbed "Emperor Vasilevski" back home in Russia, apparently. Look for him to be picked in the top 3 rounds in his draft year (maybe even the 1st round) 3) Teemu Pulkkinen - RW, Team Finland NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings, Drafted in 2010 (4/111) GP: 5, G: 6, A: 4, P: 10 It appears that Detroit's superior scouting system has another late draft robbery. Pulkkinen has showed flashes of excellent talent and leadership qualities and may be the next superstar in Detroit. He is so fast for a player his age, it is unbelievable. He's also been playing with men since he was 16. You may see him lace up the skates for the Wings as early as next year. 2) Mark Stone - RW, Team Canada NHL Team: Ottawa Senators, Drafted in 2010 (6/178) GP: 4, G: 7, A: 2, P: 9 The only reason why Mark Stone wasn't a 1st rounder in 2010 was because scouts weren't sure if he would be able to recover from a serious concussion. Well, I think its safe to say, he has. The forward has been Team Canada's go-to-guy, 5 on 5 and on the power play, even spending some time on the PK. It appears Stone is the complete package. 1) Petr Mrazek - G, Czech Republic NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings, Drafted in 2010 (5/141) GP: 5, GAA: 2.59, SV%: .927 Another gem for Detroit late in the draft. His stats aren't as pretty as Wedgewood's or Vasilevski's, but Mrazek has easily provided MVP goaltending for this mediocre at best Czech Republic team, and keeps them in every single game. Look for him in the NHL soon. Very soon.

He has no intentions of leaving -- but that's what he says now. If you ask me, if Columbus does end up winning the 1st overall pick, they should trade down. and I completely agree about Washington.

Thank you! It took me roughly 8 hours after i finished watching countless youtube videos and reading countless scouting reports.. glad you liked it!

Hope everyone had a safe and fun new year. Here's to an amazing 2012! Since the NHL is (almost) officially half way through the 2011-2012 season. Based off the current (January 1, 2012) standings, I will predict the entire 1st round of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which is set to take place in Pittsburgh this June. So sit back and enjoy, and get a first look at who your team may be drafting! Note that this is only part 1, if you guys approve I'll post part 2 for all of you Philly fans. First overall pick belongs to The Columbus Blue Jackets: Columbus selects: Nail Yakupov from the Sarnia Sting (OHL) Nail Yakupov is arguably the most highly skilled player available in the 2012 NHL Draft. In the 2010-2011 season, he put up outstanding numbers, recording 101 points in 65 games, and scoring nearly 50 goals for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. This was as a rookie. Scouts are already drooling over Yakupov's skill that will surely make him a top scorer in the NHL someday. Selected 2nd overall by the Sting in the 2010 CHL Import Draft, Yakupov played along fellow rookie star Alex Galchenyuk this past season, and it will be interesting to watch the two dominate helpless defensemen during the 2011-2012 season. Yakupov has been criticized for being a selfish player by some, but others love how he uses his teammates to score goals. “The Russian Factor” scares some NHL scouts away, but Yakupov has made it clear that he has no intentions of leaving the NHL for the KHL. NHL Comparison: Alex Ovechkin Second overall pick belongs to The Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim selects: Mikhail Grigorenko from the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) Mikhail Grigorenko is yet another Russian player looking to be selected in the top three. He is an extremely talented center with great hands, amazing IQ, superb vision and tons of offensive upside. He is a mainstay on Russia's junior national team as their top center, and was voted Player of the Tournament at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge. NHL Comparison: Nick Backstrom Third overall pick belongs to The New York Islanders: New York selects: Mathew Dumba from the Red Deer Rebels (WHL) Matt Dumba is a strong and swift skater with a big shot and a knack for delivering open-ice hits with his six-foot, 172-pound frame. He has a hard and accurate shot that he gets through to the net consistently. Matt’s puck control is top notch, he’s able to beat players one on one and drives the net like a power forward. One of the biggest things about Matt’s game is that he makes very few mistakes, and the few mistakes he does make, he’s able to recover from by using his good hockey sense. NHL comparison: Dion Phaneuf Fourth overall pick belongs to The Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina selects: Filip Forsberg from Leksands IF (Swe)A dynamic skater with stellar offensive instincts, Filip Forsberg (no relation to Peter Forsberg) is a star on the rise in Sweden. Forsberg has an elusive stride that makes him very difficult to contain. His speed is extraordinary for a player so young. He carries the puck well on his stick and he is very poised. He is not very big but he is very strong. He can maneuver through tight spaces with ease. Forsberg is an offensive threat who has a quick shot, crisp passes and soft hands. He can dangle around opposing defensemen and come in on goal very well. ​NHL Comparison: Martin Havlat Fifth overall pick belongs to The Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay selects: Ryan Murray from the Everett Silvertips (WHL) Murray was the team captain for Canada in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and led them to a gold medal. He is regularly noted for hisgreat puckmoving ability. In 70 games with the Silvertips in 2010-2011, Murray scored 46 points, including 40 assists. Ryan Murray is looked at as a future two-way defenseman in the NHL, and will likely be a solid defenseman for years to come. NHL Comparison: Kris Letang Sixth overall pick belongs to The Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton selects: Jacob Trouba from the U.S. National U18 Team (USHL) Jacob Trouba is a big, (6'1") physically deadly defenseman coming out of the USHL. He was supposed to rival Yakupov for the top pick, but since his stock has dropped. He isn't really offensive, either. He has the potential to be a top pairing, bruising defender. NHL Comparison: Scott Stevens (not quite that good, just had no one else in mind) Seventh overall pick belongs to The Montreal Canadiens: Montreal selects: Alex Galchenyuk from the Sarnia Sting (OHL) Since being selected first overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, Alex Galchenyuk has had a lot of pressure on him to perform at an elite level. So far, he's doing just fine. In his rookie year in the OHL, Galchenyuk tallied 83 points in 68 games for the Sarnia Sting, scoring 31 goals.The 6'2 teenage star is certain to go very high in the 2012 NHL Draft, and grab another load of very high expectations in the process. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Galchenyuk was drafted into the OHL from the Chicago Young Americans after absolutely dominating the league, scoring 87 points in just 38 games. NHL Comparison: Marian Hossa Eighth + Ninth overall picks belong to The Washington Capitals: Washington selects: Zemgus Girgensons from the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) A native of Riga, Latvia, Zemgus Girgensons has been a pleasant surprise in North America. He has good size, soft hands and a physical edge to his game that make him a can't-miss prospect. Girgensons has great skating stride and he plays well at all ends of the ice. He has tremendous leadership despite not knowing a lot of English. His first season in North America with the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints was a huge success, nearly going a point per game, and winning the Clark Cup as league champion that season. A smart, two-way centre, he can play in all situations and he can be counted on for also dishing out the big hit when needed. He has acclimatized quite nicely to the North American style. NHL Comparison: Joe Thornton and Morgan Rielly from the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) Morgan Rielly has potential. Rielly may be destined for greatness in the NHL one day. At this point he is just another defensive prospect who needs more seasoning in the WHL. Rielly is a sharp player at both ends. His knowledge could expand. The knowledge will grow and develop over time getting stronger. NHL Comparison: Kris Letang Tenth overall pick belongs to The Buffalo Sabres: Buffalo selects: Cody Ceci of the Ottawa 67's (OHL) A big defensemen with dynamic, fast skating and huge offensive upside, Ceci can win races to the puck and can stop breakaways. The player, considered a 200-ft defenseman, can go deep into the opponents’ ice and still return to his position. Thanks to agility, he is capable of quarterbacking power plays --where his slap shot shines. He is also good at executing the first pass to start the breakout, essential to the start of a good offensive rush, and at winning one-on-one battles in his own zone. Ceci is very calm, composed and consistent with the puck. If this eighteen-year-old wants to be more of a defensive asset on his team, he should start getting in front of opponents’ shots more often to reduce the goalie’s amount of work. He could also improve his mobility along the oppositions’ blueline to get open. Another year in the OHL is all he needs to become a well-rounded NHL defenseman. NHL Comparison: Brent Burns Eleventh overall pick belongs to The Los Angeles Kings: Los Angeles selects: Brandon Gaunce of the Belleville Bulls (OHL) Brendan Gaunce has great vision, skating ability, hockey sense, a pro calibre shot, and unbelievable leadership qualities on and off the ice. He was the highest-scoring AAA minor midget hockey player in Ontario in his OHL draft year with 55 goals and 93 assists for 148 points in 86 games with the Markham Waxers. In his rookie year with the Belleville Bulls, Gaunce had 36 points in 65 games, and will be relied on heavily in the 2011-2012 season. One of Brendan's role models growing up was Brendan Shanahan. Considering his size, Gaunce is an above average skater, however it will need to be improved to be a star at the next level. NHL Comparison: Shane Doan ​Twelfth overall pick belongs to The Phoenix Coyotes: Phoenix selects: Slater Koekkoek of the Peterborough Petes (OHL) In only his first season in the OHL, he became the team's most reliable defenceman. The Petes are a young team and, even for a 1994-born player, he surely brought leadership and drive. His work ethic is exemplary and he has veteran savvy. Koekkoek has a heavy and accurate shot; it would not be out of the question to see him score double-digit goal totals in the OHL, even by next season. His passes are crisp and quick. He has a fluid skating stride that allows for him to jump into the rush. Additionally, Koekkoek can also play physical, making him a great all-around defenceman. He has potential to be a powerplay quarterback in Peterborough. His leadership was evident at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2010 where he helped Team Ontario win gold; he also won gold at the 2011 Memorial Tournament of Ivan Hlinka for Canada as an alternate captain. He plays the game with passion and tenacity; he is an exciting player to watch. His name might be hard to say but, in time, everyone will be saying it. NHL Comparison: Ryan Suter ​Thirteenth overall pick belongs to The Ottawa Senators: Ottawa selects: Griffin Rienhart of the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) This six-foot four, two hundred pound blueliner from the Edmonton Oil Kings has all the tools needed to have a successful pro career. His father Paul played over 600 NHL games in his career, and his brother Max is a highly touted Calgary Flames prospect. Griffin thinks that one of his strong points is his shot, which isn't too surprising given his size. But scouts will also tell you that his mobility on the ice is another strength. Pro scouts are salivating at the thought of having Griffin on their blueline some day, as big mobile defenseman are highly sought after in today's NHL. He only drops this low because of a serious knee injury he suffered early last year. NHL Comparison: Shea Weber Fourteenth overall pick belongs to The Winnipeg Jets: Winnipeg selects: Olli Maatta of the London Knights (OHL) Maatta is a solid, two-way defenseman who does not possess any significant deficiencies. His excellent feet and agility allow him to stay with even the speediest of forwards, resulting in quality one-on-one defensive coverage and giving Maatta shutdown capabilities. Maatta is an aggressive defender, as he successfully takes away time and space from the opposing puck carrier by consistently closing the gap. Though he is not the type to stand up a player at the blue line, his strong frame and physical play make Maatta a tenacious defender along the boards. His attack mentality and ability to push opponents off the puck both lead to continuous success in the defensive end. NHL Comparison: Paul Martin Fifteenth overall pick belongs to The New Jersey Devils: New Jersey selects: Nick Ebert from the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Nick Ebert has taken his game to a whole new level in the last few years. Ebert was playing in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks at the age of 15, a remarkable feat, and now he's taken his talents north to the OHL, playing his first season with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010-2011. He was lighting up the New Jersey high school circuit just a couple of years ago, once scoring two shorthanded goals on the same penalty-kill. Now that he's playing at a higher level in the OHL, Ebert is still getting better every game. During the 2010-2011 season, Ebert put up 41 points in 64 games while scoring 11 times. NHL Comparison: Jack Johnson Alright folks, there you have it. If you enjoyed, let me know in the comments so I know if I should even work on part 2, because this literally took me all night.

Good blog I'd love to see Roy be the coach or GM of my Habs... maybe even both.

The Montreal Canadiens' whacky season got a little weirder Monday. The team's general manager took the unusual step of issuing a qualified apology, barely two weeks into the reign of new coach Randy Cunneyworth. The Dec. 17 hiring of Cunneyworth, on an interim basis for the rest of the season, touched off a language controversy. He is the team's first coach in decades unable to speak French. "I'm sorry if we upset people. Because that certainly wasn't our intention," Pierre Gauthier told reporters Monday. It was a far cry from the defiant response Gauthier offered last month, when a reporter asked about Cunneyworth's inability to communicate with francophone fans in their language. At the time, his testy reply was that languages could always be learned. On Monday, he stressed that Cunneyworth's hiring was not necessarily permanent and he said his status would be re-examined after the season. "What will happen in the future, at the end of the season, is that we will re-evaluate the whole file," Gauthier said. "As (owner Geoff) Molson said in his communique a week ago, it's very important to us that our head coach be bilingual. "So that will be part of our decision at that point." The Cunneyworth hiring touched off a language flap given that the Habs, for their entire century-long history, have always marketed themselves as French Canada's team. It's been 40 years since the team last hired a coach who couldn't speak French. That controversy has merely been fuelled by the team's poor play; under Cunneyworth, the Habs have won only one of seven games. Our on-ice struggles also continue, as we have dropped dropped seven of our last eight games and currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference. Habs owner, President and CEO Geoff Molson has been quite concerned with his club's performance this season, which prompted to the firing of head coach Jacques Martin on Dec. 17. On Dec. 7, TFP first reported that Molson and the Canadiens' top management brass were considering a major shakeup, which let to Martin's dismissal, and could soon result in the firing of GM Pierre Gauthier. Gauthier has been widely criticized for his moves recently, including his latest acquisition of veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who has two-years left on his contract beyond this season at a cap hit of $4.25 million. According to two separate sources close to the organization, Gauthier will not be back with the club next season and could be let go once the 2011-12 campaign is over, while interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth could share the same fate. Gauthier, however, said on Monday that he isn't concerned by any rumors related to his job and that the concern remains on the ice. With the trade deadline looming, the Canadiens could be a significantly seller if they fail to make any ground on a playoff spot or their season continues to dwindle down the standings. Gauthier hinted that the team's upcoming homestand -- eight of their next 11 games are at home -- will determine what moves he'll make. However, with Gauthier presumably in limbo, it's believed all major decisions will need to be approved by Molson, who is reportedly being anchored by former Habs GM Bob Gainey, who named Gauthier his replacement and remains within the organization in an advisory role. Yesterday, the Habs locked up stay-at-home blueliner Josh Gorges, an important piece to their roster, to a six-year, $23.4 million contract. Montreal's internal focus will shift to goaltender Carey Price and young star P.K. Subban, both of whom can become restricted free agents this summer. "In due time, we'll address those contracts," Gauthier said during his mid-season address to the media. Meanwhile, any major trade could prove to be difficult, as the likes of Brian Gionta and Michael Cammalleri possess no-trade clauses and could have to approve any deal the team tries to make. Their salaries, however, pose another concern; they do not reflect the offensive output either player has failed to produce this season. "We need to focus on turning this team around," Gauthier said. "We'll be in a good position (this summer). We'll have all the resources to keep all the young players we want to keep." If the Canadiens remain a bottom-feeder team in the East leading up to the Feb. 27 trade deadline, management could entertain offers for impending unrestricted free agents Andrei Kostitsyn, Hal Gill and Travis Moen.

The new year got off to a bang for the struggling Montreal Canadiens as defenceman P.K. Subban and centre Tomas Plekanec exchanged punches during practice on Monday. The two clashed during a one-on-one drill. Both dropped their gloves and threw punches until Josh Gorges and other teammates stepped in to stop it. No big punches landed, neither player was hurt, and both players stayed on the ice as practice resumed. The Canadiens (14-18-7) went 1-5-0 on a road trip that ended with a 3-2 loss in Florida on Saturday. They have one win in their last nine games. Their next game is Wednesday at home against Winnipeg.

Shelley for Gomez?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I also love this deal. 30 is around the age where defenders peak, and I am super excited. And I have a feeling Carle will bolt... just a feeling.

Nice blog. What about Kaberle for Spacek?

Pierre Gauthier announced today the signing of Josh Gorges to a six-year contract extension. The 27-year-old defender will earn an average salary of $3.9 million per year over the six years of the deal. Gorges, who is one of the Canadiens assistant captains, has a goal and nine assists in 39 games this season while leading the team with a +6 plus/minus differential. Overall, this is a good signing. Gorges is a heart and soul defender who makes sound plays and blocks a ton of shots. He is also a great leader, perhaps a future captain. What do you guys think of this signing? Does it buy time for Gauthier?

Well... I have nothing noteworthy to say, so without any sort of transition, let's just jump into this, shall we? 1) Nathan Beaulieu, D Drafted: 1(17), 2011 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 27, G: 7, A: 16, P: 23, PIM: 51, +/-: +18 The Canadiens' number one selection in the 2011 entry draft debuts in the number one spot. Beaulieu spent last season with the stacked Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. With Saint John, Beaulieu won a Memorial Cup championship, and was named to the tournament's all-star team. He had 12 goals and 33 assists. A mobile, puck-moving defenseman, Beaulieu rounded out his play during his draft year. In addition to his array of skills and awareness on the ice, namely an ability to quarterback the powerplay and make things happen offensively, Beaulieu is a sound risk-taker. His talent is part of a greater, more complete package. Scouts have considered Beaulieu to be developing a "special" skillset. This year, he is back in Saint John for another Mem. Cup run. 2) Brendan Gallagher, RW Drafted: 5(147), 2010 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 24, G: 19, A: 20, P: 39, PIM: 35, +/-: +9 No Vancouver Giant stood taller last season than 5'8 Brendan Gallagher, who has enjoyed the view near the top of the WHL in scoring in consecutive seasons. The fifth-round pick was a leader for the Giants, and a crucial part of their offense. In 66 games, Gallagher amassed 44 goals and 47 assists, best on the team, and eighth-best in the WHL .He was also among the league leaders in plus/minus (with plus-30), and amassed 108 penalty minutes. Overall, Gallagher possesses an intriguing combination of pure talent, instinct for the game, and competitive fire. 3) Danny Kristo, RW Drafted: 2(56), 2008 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 14, G: 7, A: 10 , P: 17, PIM: 8 , +/-: 0 Kristo enjoyed a lauded freshman season with the University of North Dakota, but his sophomore season was decidedly less agreeable. He got off to a slow start, before finding his game. An otherwise terrific year was interrupted when Kristo suffered frostbite in his foot. He returned to action after a period of uncertain recovery, to finish the season with eight goals and 20 assists in 34 games. What is most appealing about Kristo is his confidence and his combination of offensive creativity and defensive responsibility, all boosted by his skating ability. Kristo should play a huge part of the team's success this fall. He enters his junior season with the Fighting Sioux as the team's active leader in points. 4) Louis Leblanc, C Drafted: 1(18), 2009 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 14, G: 4, A: 6, P: 10, PIM: 4, +/-: -7 The 2010-11 season was Leblanc's first QMJHL season, and his last. This year is his first AHL season, and perhaps his last. He's pretty used to being a rookie. It didn't take long for the former collegian to become an important part of the Montreal Juniors. He finished in the team's top three in scoring during the regular season with 26 goals and 32 assists. He also participated in the World Junior Championship, taking home a silver medal, and was a member of Team QMJHL in the 2010 Subway Super Series. If Leblanc returns to the QMJHL, it will be with the Shawinigan Cataractes, who acquired him in the offseason from the Juniors. Oh, and tonight (November 30th, 2011,) he will make his NHL debut in a game against the Anaheim Ducks. 5) Aaron Palushaj, RW Acquired via trade with St.Louis Blues (Matt D'Agostini), 2010 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 7, G:1, A: 8, P: 9, PIM: 10, +/-: -3 No other Bulldogs forward made a more sustained impact last season than Palushaj. With injuries to the Montreal forward corps, Palushaj's playing time increased in his first full campaign with Hamilton. Palushaj finished the regular season with a total of 22 goals and 35 assists. He had 57 points in 68 games. Palushaj is a smart, responsible player who possesses a complete game. He has the requisite skill and hockey IQ to produce a standout year in the AHL this season. That is, if he fails to crack the Canadiens lineup full time. This season in the NHL, Palushaj has 0 points through 14 games, has 4 penalty minutes and is a -1. 6) Jarred Tinordi, D Drafted: 1(22), 2010 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 16, G: 0, A: 6, P: 6, PIM: 38, +/-: +14 Already somewhat of a victim of his draft position and the expectations that come with it, Tinordi managed to finish his first OHL season on a higher note than he began. Tinordi is not a flashy player. Overpowering his opponents with his 6'7 200-plus pound frame suits him best. Tinordi played a stay-at-home style with the London Knights, and is a crucial penalty killer. He showed a propensity for rough play, leading the team with 140 penalty minutes during the season. He also had a goal and 13 assists. Tinordi's play got stronger as the year went along. He is back in London in 2011-12. 7) Brendon Nash, D Acquired via free agency, 2010 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 0, G :0, A: 0, P: 0, PIM: 0, +/-: 0 A two-way defenseman, Nash's statistical contributions were great in Hamilton at the beginning of the year last year. His rate of production slowed considerably as the season progressed, but he was able to show flashes of his ability to excel with the man-advantage and seize offensive opportunity. As an undrafted free agent signing, Nash's influence has been a pleasant surprise, finishing the season with five goals and 25 assists, and a team-best plus-22 rating. Currently, Nash is on the shelf, suffering from a knee injury he suffered during a pre-season game against Buffalo. He had surgery last week and is expected to return close to play off time. 8) Ryan White, C Drafted: 3(66), 2006 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 0, G: 0, A: 0, P: 0, PIM: 0, +/-: 0 White had a difficult start last season in Hamilton, but returned to form, notching three goals and nine assists along with 77 penalty minutes in 33 games. He finished the season with Montreal, appearing in 27 games, adding two goals and three assists. White was outshined by Lars Eller in training camp, falling agonizingly short of a berth with the Canadiens. Over the course of the season, however, he was given the chance to demonstrate he belonged, and is now that much closer to making the cut heading into this year's camp.This year, he missed all of training camp and has not played a game due to shoulder surgery. 9) Alexander Avistin, C Drafted: 4(109), 2009 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 19 , G: 2, A: 7, P: 9, PIM: 12, +/-: -9 In making the move to leave his home country and play in North America, Avtsin has quickly faced his fair share of tumult, and he has withstood it well. He debuted with the Bulldogs as the team's youngest player last year, as a 19-year-old -- a rare occurrence. He dealt with nagging injuries and limited ice time, as he was transitioned slowly into a relatively unfamiliar, new style of hockey. He appeared in 58 games, scoring five goals and 15 assists, far cries from what he is capable of. As Avtsin learns his new surroundings, those totals are sure to increase. Avtsin has elite skills at his disposal. This year, he is one of the AHL's fastest skaters and is a lethal weapon on Hamilton's powerplay. 10) Mac Bennett, D Drafted: 3(79), 2009 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 16, G: 3, A: 10, P: 13, PIM: 6 , +/-: 0 The smooth-skating Bennett encountered plenty of bumps in the road from the USHL to NCAA last year as a freshman. All in all, he made respectable progress in his first year of collegiate hockey with the University of Michigan. In 32 games, the 20-year-old scored two goals and 10 assists. A great skater with good hands and awareness, Bennett needs work on his decision-making. At times, he is perhaps too eager to contribute to the offense, and has been caught out of position. There is no question however, that Bennett has the tools to be a reliable two-way defenseman in the future. Honorable Mention: Michael Bournival, C Acquired via trade with Colorado Avalanche (Ryan O'Byrne), 2010 2011-2012 stats to date: GP: 12, G: 12, A: 6, P: 18, PIM: 4 , +/-: +4 Among all of the organization's QMJHL prospects, Bournival perhaps had the most noteworthy season. In addition to being named to the Team QMJHL roster for the 2010 Subway Super Series, with 28 goals and 36 assists, Bournival out-produced other Canadiens prospects playing in the league. Bournival is a tireless worker and intensely competitive. He is not big, but he is strong. He is one of the 3 Habs' prospects to receive an invite to Canada's World Junior Camp along with Beaulieu and Gallagher. Well, there you have it. Expect to see these guys in the NHL very soon. We are a very fortunate organization to have these well rounded young men. Until next time, Habby Hockey! Habsguy26 twitter: @allanrayer email: gohabsgo26@hotmail.com