All Habs Headlines: Tuesday July 17, 2012
On this day in hockey history… In 2008, the Montreal Canadiens signed Max Pacioretty to a three-year contract with the young forward foregoing his remaining eligibility at the University of Michigan.
ALL HABS HEADLINES
► Canadiens abandon plaza: A visit to the Bell Centre in Montreal should always include a walk through Centennial Plaza and photos with towering statues of Canadiens legends Howie Morenz, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur. If you want the experience you better hurry because the Canadiens are about to unearth the plaza to make way for a 48-story condo project named the Tour des Canadiens.
Geoff Molson announced the $175 million project on Monday that will offer 534 units for sale and feature a ground-floor sports bar. The organization promises to relocate the statues and each one of the 20,000 personalized bricks bought by Habs fans for the plaza.
“We’re very excited to play an active role in one of the greatest features of this real estate venture, namely the sports bar complex that will likely be one-of-a-kind and unique across Canada. Tour des Canadiens owners will enjoy various advantages directly tied to the Montreal Canadiens and the Bell Centre. Among the benefits, there will be an annual private skating session for condo owners at the Bell Centre.” — Geoff Molson
► DeSimone checks out Devils: Member of the 2011-12 Hamilton Bulldogs, forward Phil DeSimone is attending the New Jersey Devils development camp. DeSimone is a good friend of Habs forward Max Pacioretty. In 76 games with the Bulldogs in 2011-12, DeSimone had 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points and a plus-minus rating of minus-30.
► Sens nab Lawson: Former Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Nathan Lawson has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators. Lawson, 28, played 44 ganes for the Bulldogs last season posting a record of 19-17-4 with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage while recording five shutouts. Lawson was made expendable when the Canadiens reacquired AHL goaltender Cedrick Desjardins.
► The name remains: It can be argued that the familial connections of Blake Geoffrion to the Montreal Canadiens will forever overshadow his on-ice contributions, but the legend will live on at least one more season as the young forward signed a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. The six-foot-one, 190-pound Geoffrion will receive $803, 250 when playing in the NHL — his salary while playing in the AHL will be $62,500. Projected as a depth call-up, Geoffrion will likely begin his season in Hamilton.
► New at All Habs Hockey Magazine:
Out of the Red, White and Blue: Contracts, Subban, UFA’s, CBA negotiation
Who’s this guy? All Habs Special Edition – Steve
Following the Future: MacKinnon, Jones
La Coupe Stanley s’arrête à Laval
CH : Une 25e Coupe Stanley en 2015
All Habs Mailbag: Markov, Jagr, Ryan, Depth, Subban, Beaulieu
