All Habs Headlines: Tuesday July 21, 2015 |
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On this day in hockey history… 1996 — The New York Rangers signed free agent forward Wayne Gretzky. 1997 — Buffalo Sabres named Lindy Ruff as their new head coach. 1998 — Calgary Flames claimed Hall of Fame defenseman Phil Housley off waivers. |
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► Price raises money again
- The event is called Olie and Stu’s Desert bash. It is an annual charity reception named for Olie Kolzig and Stu Barnes former teammates with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL.
- There is a third unnamed host, Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who also played for Tri-City. To that Kolzig said, “We are really considering putting Carey’s name on the event. He resonates with a totally different generation. To be as humble and unassuming as he is a rare trait for an athlete. I think the Tri-Cities is fortunate they had a guy like that to watch, and they call him one of their own, especially since he married Angie.”
- Price donated a signed jersey which raised $3,100. The event brought in more than $100,000 for the Carson Kolzig Foundation which supports autism programs in the area. Kolzig was happy with the numbers saying, “The auction went really well. We had one generous cash donation ($20,000), and Carey (Price) was his usual generous self. It was a fun time.”
► Brule signs for another year in KHL
- Think back to the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Many in the Montreal media were screaming from the rooftops that the Canadiens should choose Gilbert Brule with the 5th overall pick of the draft. The remainder were advocating for Benoit Pouliot from the Sudbury Wolves.
- As we know, Bob Gainey and Trevor Timmins were roundly criticized for picking Carey Price. Pouliot went to the Minnesota Wild with the 4th pick and Columbus used the number six pick to grab Brule.
- Pouliot has had an undistinguished career with six NHL teams and is presently a member of the Edmonton Oilers. He had a career high of 19 goals last season.
- Brule has been a bust. Last season, Brule scored 10 goals for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL.
- On Saturday it was announced that Brule had signed with the KHL’s Medvescak Zagreb.
► Eller on the road
- All NHL players spend a good deal of time away from home during the season. The Canadiens will travel more than 60,000 kilometres in 2014-15.
- Lars Eller was asked by Canadiens.com to share some of his favorites while on the road. He mentioned Madison Square Garden and Rogers Arena in Vancouver as very special places. Eller said that MSG is “a different setting than anywhere else” on the road. MSG also has the best visiting dressing room in his opinion saying “the stalls are very tall. It seems like they were made for basketball players.”
- Eller said that there are so many good restaurants on the road. Roots Steakhouse (New Jersey), Eataly (Chicago) and Ocean Prime (Tampa Bay) are at the top of the list.
► Quebec submits application
- Quebecor has submitted an application for a NHL expansion franchise to come to Quebec City. A second bid was received from Las Vegas.
- The NHL released the following statement, “The deadline for filing an application and proceeding in the NHL expansion process was last night. We can confirm that we have received two applications: one from Bill Foley for a franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one from Quebecor for a franchise in Quebec City, Quebec.”
- Quebec started the construction of a building in September 2012 and it will be finished in September which puts them ahead of Las Vegas who just recently starting the building process. Quebec’s arena, the Videotron centre, will also feature Jean Beliveau plaza.
Bring back the #Nordiques! https://t.co/Yi6ol45aOd
— Planète Nordiques (@PlaneteNords) July 20, 2015
► Reway trains
#feelinggood pic.twitter.com/eJ4TsUVqFo
— Martin Reway (@rewy77) July 20, 2015
► Vinny still on the block?
- And so the saga continues with Philadelphia Flyers forward Vincent Lecavalier who GM Ron Hextall is still attempting to trade according to NHL.com.
- Lecavalier was signed to a 5-year $22.5 million contract before the 2013-14 season and it was reported that the Canadiens were in the race to sign the recently bought out forward.
The only thing stopping Flyers GM Ron Hextall from dealing away the aging star is the lack of a trade partner. This is unsurprising considering his $4.5 million cap hit for a 35-year old who’s best days are well behind him. - Lecavalier had this to say on his offseason preparation when interviewed by RDS.ca, “I’m still in shape, I really just want to get my chance. I am confident in my abilities and I move on.”
- He also spoke about the need to have a good attitude even during his struggles: “I kept a good attitude. You do not want to be a cancer in the room. You want to stay a good teammate, and that’s what I tried to do. A good bunch of guys, it makes things easier. It is the past. I want to be in shape in September and playing hockey, that’s it.”
► Galiev ready for camp
- Take a look at this somewhat disturbing video of Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev eating a throbbing cobra heart.
► Gretzky on McDavid
- The best player to ever play the game of hockey gave his opinion on Edmonton Oilers phenom for about the three hundredth time but this time he spoke about, amount other things, the transition from the OHL to the NHL: “Going right from junior to the NHL? That’s a big step for Connor, but he’s the one guy who can handle it. He’ll be fine. With his speed and his shot and his creativity and his hockey knowledge, that’s as good as anybody.”
- Gretzky compared the jump he made from the WHA to the NHL to the jump Connor will have to make: “The WHA was better than junior hockey, but wasn’t as good as the NHL, I had the one year to get groomed. I was playing against men, but not the best men in the NHL.”
- When asked for an approximation of how many points McDavid will get Gretzky gave this response: “I don’t know what to expect quite honestly. The best players in the game only managed 87 points to win the scoring title last year because the game is so defensive right now.”
► Smith signs long term
- The Nashville Predators have signed 25-year old centreman Craig Smith to a five-year contract extension worth a grand total of $21.25 million. The former 98th overall pick had 21 goals and 44 points in 82 games last seasons on a team that is very deep down the middle with Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson, Paul Gaustad and himself.
- Last season were his career highs in goals assists and inevitably points posting a 24-28-52 line.
- Much like P.K. Subban’s situation Smith and the Predators went to arbitration and during the process agreed on a contract extension. Smith was demanding $4.75 million in arbitration and the Predators submitted their suggestion at $3 million. The Average annual value on his 5 year contract is $4.25 million.
► Habs on opening day
- Andrew Giesbrecht wonders what to make of the Habs in October.
► DD and Max
- Corey Desormeaux takes a look at the on ice chemistry between David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty.
► Habs offense improving?
- J.D. Lagrange takes a look at if the Habs have made any progress on improving their scoring.
► Take it slow Max
- Blake Bennett prefers that the Canadiens not rush No. 67 back in Pacioretty Need Not Be Back for Season Opener
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