All Habs Headlines: Friday July 17, 2015 |
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On this day in hockey history… 1989 — The Rangers named “Big deal” Neil Smith as their new General Manager. 1989 — Bob Gainey retired after 16 seasons with Montreal. 1994 — The St. Louis Blues hired Mike Keenan to be their new General Manager and Head Coach. 1997 — The Canadiens signed veteran goaltender Andy Moog. |
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► Tinordi re-signed
- The Canadiens signed one of their two remaining restricted free agents in Jarred Tinordi on a one-way, one year deal worth $850,000.
- Tinordi, who missed games this season due to an upper body injury, will require waivers to be sent down and will most likely be claimed
- The 6-foot-6-inch defenceman made the Canadiens right out of training camp last season but was sent down after 13 games and was never called back up. He had two assists in those 13 games and was a minus-5.
- In 44 games with the Bulldogs last season he had seven points, was a plus-9 and had 36 penalty minutes on a middle of the pack team. In his AHL career he has 29 points in 158 games and is a minus-9. The former captain of the London Knights had 30 career OHL points in 111 games and was a plus 31.
► Louis signs with the Isles
- In one of the worst examples of pandering to local fans, the Canadiens new owner insisted on taking Montreal-area product over power forward Chris Kreider in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Louis Leblanc was a bust and was finally traded to the Anaheim Ducks for nothing one year ago. After spending the entire season with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL, he wasn’t re-signed.
- After initially deciding to head to Europe in the fall, it is being reported that Leblanc has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders. With the abundance of young talent on the Isles roster expect Leblanc to suit up for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season.
#Isles Transaction: Louis Leblanc agrees to terms on one-year, two-way deal → http://t.co/uNqTuiALiN
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) July 17, 2015
► Carey, Angela and Josh raise money for charity.
- Last week we told you about the fundraising effort by Carey Price and his wife Angela to support breakfast programs for children in British Columbia. A gala event was held on Thursday evening at Mission Hill winery as part of a day long set of activities. Former Price teammate Josh Gorges and his wife were in attendance.
- In an interview with TVA, Carey Price said, “This foundation is important for Angela and me because she works in small communities and in remote towns. It’s very similar to where I grew up so I can really associate myself with people that charity foundation. It is important that children have access to the resources needed to properly start their day. This is paramount to the future of our country.”
- Carey and Angela raised $161,000 for the charity.
Last night #BCC, @troikaceo, @CP0031 & @AngelaPrice24 raised $161,000 at a benefit dinner for BC breakfast programs! pic.twitter.com/VtdRvpzuL6
— BreakfastClubCanada (@BreakfastCanada) July 16, 2015
► What about Fucale?
- At the recent Habs development camp, Zach Fucale was the only goaltender who was part of the Canadiens organization. Michael McNiven (OHL), Alex Dubeau (QMJHL) and Mathew Mancina (OHL) were all invitees to camp on a try-out basis. It should have been an opportunity for Fucale to shine.
- According to a report, Dubeau of the Moncton Wildcats was told by Stephane Waite, the Canadiens goaltending coach, that he was the best goaltender in camp.
- Dubeau said, “… to spend a week in the company of officers and team personnel, it’s been great. Being part of the Canadiens, I loved it. It has been great and I’ve only had good comments. Stephane Waite told me that I was the best goalkeeper.”
- Dubeau still hopes to sign a professional contract but failing that will play for the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds this fall.
► Johnston surprised to be signed by Habs
- During the Canadiens development camp, it was the big five who got most of the attention: Nikita Scherbak, Mike McCarron, Daniel Carr, Charles Hudon and Sven Andrighetto. But following camp, Marc Bergevin made a ‘surprise’ signing, invitee Ryan Johnston. The Colgate University offensive defenseman was signed to a two-year, two-way entry-level contract.
- Speaking to the Sudbury Star, Johnston said, “I wasn’t expecting anything, especially not a contract offer because it doesn’t happen often. I was in disbelief, I still am, but I’m proud of myself that someone took enough interest to offer me a contract. It’s a dream to try to get a deal.”
- Johnston was a 10th round pick of the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL draft but chose to play U.S. college hockey instead saying, “I was small in my Grade 12 year, and I wasn’t ready for major junior. The college route gives time for kids to mature more. It’s perfect for late bloomers like myself and you get that extra four years of hockey under your belt and it prepares you to play a faster-paced game.”
- While Johnston was a Senators fan growing up he has a respect for the passion of Canadiens fans saying, “Everyone knows Montreal has some of the best fans in any sport, so it would be a lot of fun when the time comes to play in front of that crowd. I’m looking forward to the benefits of having fans that care so much for their team.”
► More travel for the Canadiens
- Along with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes the Canadiens will play the third most back-to-backs this season, the same amount as the season before.
- The Canadiens will be traveling 2812 more miles (4525.48 KM) than they were last season a small differential compared to the 5044 extra miles (8117.53 KM) the San Jose Sharks will be traveling this season.
- The Habs’ first back-to-back is on October 10th and 11th when they play the Bruins in Boston then fly to Ottawa to face off against the Senators.
► ESPY’s get it wrong
- It was the annual Espy Awards on Wednesday night, and the best player voted on by NHL journalists and players was robbed of an award.
- Chicago’s Johnathan Toews was named the best player in the National Hockey League at the ESPY’s ahead of Carey Price, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Tavares and his teammate Duncan Keith.
- Toews had 28 goals and 66 points in the regular season and, as usual, turned in on during the playoffs with 21 points in 23 games on the way to securing his third Stanley Cup.
- Price also had quite the season with a franchise record 44 wins to go along with his unprecedented 1.96 GAA and .933 save percentage. He swept the four awards he could have taken home at the NHL awards ceremony (Vezina, Hart, Jennings, Pearson).
► The Leafs stand alone
- Forbes released their 50 most profitable sports organizations and the Toronto Maple Leafs are the sole NHL team to make the list.
- The Leafs are 31st on the list with a profit margin of $1.3 billion, last season their profit margin was $1.15 billion and they were ranked 26th.
- According to Sportsnet stats the Maple Leafs’ value has risen by 465 percent since their last post season series win in 200-3-04 against the Ottawa Senators. At the top of the list is Real Madrid of La Liga at $3.36 billion, they hold the title for the second straight year.
► Petry explores Montreal
- Jeff Petry seemed to have a fun time at one of the best restaurants in Montreal, Garde Manger.
Thanks to @gardemangerMTL & @ChefChuckHughes for a great dinner! Unreal food, but even better staff! #firstclass pic.twitter.com/oN38WPogFc
— Jeff Petry (@PetryJ) July 16, 2015
► Ducks get Kesler under contract
- The Anaheim Ducks signed their second line centre Ryan Kesler to a six year contract extension worth $41.25 million with an average annual value of $6.875 million. This contract extension will take the 30-year old through the 2021-22 season.
- In his first NHL season not wearing a Canucks uniform he recorded 20 goals and 47 points in 81 games. The veteran’s two way game and ability to shut down the opponents best players is what make him so valuable thus the massive extension.
- “We’re going to want another [Stanley Cup]. We have the group to do it. We have all the pieces. We were one game away from going to the final, and that experience will help us next year.”
- The Ducks acquired the former 40 goal man and a 3rd round pick from the Canucks in exchange for Luca Sbisa, Nick Bonino and the 24th overall pick in the 2015 draft with which they picked Jarred McCann.
► Del Zotto deal done
- The Philadelphia Flyers and defenceman Michael Del Zotto agreed on a contract extension that will pay the former 20th overall pick $7.75 million over the next two seasons.
- Del Zotto originally signed with the Flyers after the Nashville Predators, who acquired him in exchange for Kevin Klein, chose not to re-sign him last season. The 23-year old had no place on a stacked left side in New York that included Marc Staal and Ryan McDonagh.
- This season was the third highest point total of his career with 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 64 games. Had he played the entire season he would have been on pace for 12 goals, 31 assists and 43 points which would have been his 2nd highest point total per 82 games.
► Take it slow Max
- Blake Bennett prefers that the Canadiens not rush No. 67 back in Pacioretty Need Not Be Back for Season Opener
► Are you panicking yet?
- Still waiting for that big trade? Read Forward Depth: Should Habs Fans Be Concerned? by Michael Ham-Fan
► Habs waiting game
- J.D. Lagrange looks at To trade or not to trade.
► Youth movement?
- Corey Desormeaux asks and answers the question Are the Canadiens Starting a Youth Movement?
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