habsguy26

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.

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

And I thought your remark about Laraque was good.......I think I have finally found my signature line if someone does not beat me to it......

I do what I can

No thank you. Its excruciating watching Shelley drag his knuckles on the ice 2 minutes a game.

Thanks for the welcome!

And yes, I completely agree.. But, have we found this in Max Pacioretty? He has 19 points so far this year opposed to Cammalleri's 11. Erik Cole also has 14 points.

@flyerrod

Thanks! That actually means alot!

I was thinking of Downine... but hey. The guy is 5'11 or something. Sure he is edgy, but not big enough. Parros is 6 foot something (too lazy right now to go find out) and is the perfect guy for the job! Wouldn't he look good in blue, white and red?? (then again, who doesn't?)

@DaGreatGazoo

Agreed. If they didn't make the change now, Eric Staal would've definitely pulled a Dany Heatley. Carolina will rebound, they're too talented not to.

Thanks!

While I don't think its too important, it does make handling the INSANE Montreal media a lot easier. I was really hoping Muller would take over for Guy when he was fired but he isn't a french guy so I guess not... Carolina netted themselves one hell of a coach today.

Thanks! And if Ek's "sources" are correct, then thats great!! Parros can be part of the package!

I actually thought this was hilarious! Hahahahahaha, its a joke... made me laugh anyways! What characters.You know these guys have chemistry when they do this kind of stuff. Good job guys.

Thanks!!!

Just a short little blog to get things started here. My name is habsguy26. Obviously, this is my first blog here on hockeyblogs.net, but I've been blogging on hockeybuzz.com for the past 2 years under the alias 'habsteen26' and I think I've gotten pretty good. My blogging style incorporates my opinions and facts. I usually spend hours on end researching for most of my blogs and that's something I take pride in. Some of my blogs will simply be a question, that I will answer in the blog, and ask for your comments and opinions on said subject. So, when I seen that nobody has yet to create a Habs themed topic on this website, it is with great pleasure that I am the first!!!!

So.... What do the Montreal Canadiens need in order to take the next step?

Let's go through this with trial and error.

1) A new coach?

A) Natta. Martin is a very proven and well respected coach in the National Hockey League. The players seem to enjoy playing for him and he seems to enjoy coaching the players. And its not like he hasn't won anything in Montreal: He lead the Habs through a story book play off run a few years back and were finally ousted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the Easter Conference Final. Next.

2) An enforcer?

A) Maybe. How many times have we lost games to Boston because we got pushed around? We had Laraque, but he was more useless than the white crayon. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Habs need to acquire George Parros from The Anaheim Ducks. It's not like he would be difficult to obtain (likely a low draft pick, 4th round at the highest, or a minor leaguer.) Also, the dude can play hockey. Sure, he only has 16 goals and 30 points in 378 games, but in those 378 games, his +/- is +11. That's pretty good for an enforcer last time I checked. He's one of the best fighters in the NHL, very respected league wide, good locker room guy, he has a degree from Princeton, AND, he has a sweet stache. What's not to love? Make it happen PG!!!

3) A top 3 scoring machine?

A) Since this is being proposed right now, I'm gonna say yes. But, if this was being asked two years down the road from now, I'd disagree completely. Right now, Cammalleri isn't quite cutting it. In his 151 games as a Hab, (including this season) he has only scored 50 goals and 108 points. Really, thats not all that bad, but its not what we expected when we handed him 30 million smackaroos a few years back. He needs to be better. So does Gionta. So does Gomez. Why would I disagree 2 years from now? One name: Brenden Gallagher. He will be the biggest scorer Montreal has seen since Mark Recchi. Max Pacioretty won't be bad either.

So, that does it for the premier blog of habsguy26. If you would like to share your opinion, don't be shy!!!

Happy Hockey,

Habsguy26

Twitter: allanrayer

Email: gohabsgo26@hotmail.com