Montreal Canadiens

For the first time in a long time, Montreal Canadiens' fans can actually relax heading into the Free Agent Frenzy of July 1st. With a week left to go until this year's set of NHL contracts are due to expire, the job seems to be half done for GM Pierre Gauthier and the Montreal Canadiens. The goaltending controversy has seemingly been resolved, as Jaroslav Halak has been traded to the St. Louis Blues and the reigns of the organization have been handed to Carey Price. The need to replenish the prospect ranks has been partially met with the acquisition of Lars Eller and Ian Schultz, and will be further met in two days at the draft, where the Canadiens will draft 27th overall. And f...

Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs ended an entire season of speculation when they announced Dion Phaneuf as their new captain, the 18th in their long storied history. The decision was generally met with approval from most Leafs fans. Phaneuf certainly represents the team that Brina Burke has built this far well, in terms of truculence, belligerence, hard work, and, of course, Canadiana (or I guess North-Americana, but anyway). From an outsider's perspective, or more specifically, a Montreal Canadiens perspective, I can't help but find ways to make fun of this decision. This is the man that nearly cried in every interview he did after he was traded from the Flames to the Leafs thi...

According to Bob McKenzie and TSN, there will be 2 (count 'em, TWO!) NHL Winter Classics in 2011. TCL reported nearly two months ago that Pittsburgh would be hosting the traditional Winter Classic on January 1st, 2011 against their rivals, the Washington Capitals, but it seems like the NHL is going to reward hockey fans with a SECOND outdoor game. The second one will be played in Calgary at McMahon Stadium, home of the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, and will take place sometime in February. The Flames will be hosting the Montreal Canadiens, who will become the only Canadian team to play in two outdoor games, having played the host team in 2003 in Edmonton, a game which the Canadie...

Two games, two consecutive shutouts, and with their latest 3-0 lost at the Wachovia Center last night, little to no hope left for the Montreal Canadiens, in their quest to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in two decades. Most people will tell you that anything past that first round series win against the Capitals was gravy for the Canadiens, and in all honesty, they'd be right. I thought so myself, especially going into this series against the Flyers. But truth be told, the way they're losing, while being so close to a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals, so close to, as so many have put it, destiny, or fate, if you will (because acco...