Post by habslive on Aug 2, 2008 17:44:15 GMT -5
The Montreal Canadiens, somewhat reeling after losing Bryan McCabe and Ryan Smyth to expansion, have begun trying to make up for that loss with the addition of two key free agents.
First, GM Rob Seitz tabled an offer to Brian Gionta, a deal both parties felt was fair as Gionta's production slipped last season. Still, the Canadiens felt that he will turn it around this season and could be a prime candidate for a rerate.
Next, the Habs continued to revamp their blue line, which is looking like the meanest defense corps in the IHL, by adding towering defenseman Hal Gill. Gill will be expected to punish opponents in the corners, chip in on the penalty kill and pair up with Jan Hejda to complete as respectable a defense the Habs have had in years. Finally, the Canadiens dealt emerging playmaker extraordinaire Pierre-Marc Bouchard, along with offensive defenseman Kris Letang to bring back a familiar face, the Russian Mullet, Alex Kovalev, who will man the wing on a line with Mike Richards and Alexander Frolov. The team also signed veteran forward Mark Recchi and farm center Rich Peverley.
When asked about the changes his team made, Seitz replied, "We've had a good team the past couple of years, scoring goals as well as almost any team in the league. That's great, but if you look at past IHL champions, they were all built from the goal out. We love the way Nabokov stepped up this season, and we feel that the changes we made on defense will help us tighten up in our own zone."
With all the changes, the Canadiens lineup currently looks like this:
Alexander Frolov (80)- Mike Richards (82)- Alex Kovalev (82)
Ryan Malone (78)- Derek Roy (81)- Mark Recchi (78)
Alexander Steen (75)- Craig Conroy- Brian Gionta (77)
Guillaume Latendsuck (73)-Eric Belanger (76)- Drew Stafford (75)
Brian Campbell (81)- Brent Seabrook (79)
Mark Streit (79)- Dennis Wideman (78)
Hal Gill (77)- Jan Hejda (76)
Spares: Bryce Salvador (75) , Mike Mottau (75), Rhett Warrener (73)
Goal: Evgeni Nabokov (83)
First, GM Rob Seitz tabled an offer to Brian Gionta, a deal both parties felt was fair as Gionta's production slipped last season. Still, the Canadiens felt that he will turn it around this season and could be a prime candidate for a rerate.
Next, the Habs continued to revamp their blue line, which is looking like the meanest defense corps in the IHL, by adding towering defenseman Hal Gill. Gill will be expected to punish opponents in the corners, chip in on the penalty kill and pair up with Jan Hejda to complete as respectable a defense the Habs have had in years. Finally, the Canadiens dealt emerging playmaker extraordinaire Pierre-Marc Bouchard, along with offensive defenseman Kris Letang to bring back a familiar face, the Russian Mullet, Alex Kovalev, who will man the wing on a line with Mike Richards and Alexander Frolov. The team also signed veteran forward Mark Recchi and farm center Rich Peverley.
When asked about the changes his team made, Seitz replied, "We've had a good team the past couple of years, scoring goals as well as almost any team in the league. That's great, but if you look at past IHL champions, they were all built from the goal out. We love the way Nabokov stepped up this season, and we feel that the changes we made on defense will help us tighten up in our own zone."
With all the changes, the Canadiens lineup currently looks like this:
Alexander Frolov (80)- Mike Richards (82)- Alex Kovalev (82)
Ryan Malone (78)- Derek Roy (81)- Mark Recchi (78)
Alexander Steen (75)- Craig Conroy- Brian Gionta (77)
Guillaume Latendsuck (73)-Eric Belanger (76)- Drew Stafford (75)
Brian Campbell (81)- Brent Seabrook (79)
Mark Streit (79)- Dennis Wideman (78)
Hal Gill (77)- Jan Hejda (76)
Spares: Bryce Salvador (75) , Mike Mottau (75), Rhett Warrener (73)
Goal: Evgeni Nabokov (83)