The Official 2011-12 Montreal Canadiens Discussion Thread

[RGM81]

A one-stop shopping area to discuss all things Habs for the upcoming season!

Can Carey Price continue his elite-level performance? (YES!)

Will Scott Gomez rebound from a terrible 2010-11 season? (Here's hoping!)

Will a returning Max Pacioretty, Josh Gorges, and (eventually) Andrei Markov give the club the added oomph it needs to surpass the Bruins? (Yeah!)

Last season the Habs came within one overtime goal of knocking off the eventual Stanley Cup Champions. They've made some good off-season moves (though the jury is still out on Budaj) to bolster their offence and they've finally lured Alexei Yemelin from Russia. What do you think, Habs fans? Is le Club de Hockey Canadien stronger this year than last year?

[RGM81]

And here's our first news item: what will the Habs do with Yemelin?
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sport...424/story.html

The way things have shaped up in training camp, Yemelin is the No. 7 defenceman on the depth chart. That means there's a spot on the roster for him, but it means he won't play a lot unless someone ahead of him is injured, screws up or gets tired. And if none of those things happen, he'll slip another notch when Andrei Markov completes his rehabilitation from knee surgery.
The situation is probably not what the Canadiens envisioned when they signed him to a one-year entry-level contract. The two parties have reportedly agreed that Yemelin can return to the Kontinental Hockey League rather than accept a demotion to the Hamilton Bulldogs, but what happens if he is relegated to a season-long seat in the press box in Montreal while waiting for the occasional opportunity to play?
Yemelin is the odd man out for the time being because Raphael Diaz has been the pleasant surprise of the camp. At 25, Diaz has enjoyed a solid career in the Swiss League and in international play and he has proved to be a quick learner as he adjusts to the North American game.

Discuss!

[RGM81]

The fun continues!

Habs have picked up Blair Betts from the waiver wire. He'll be joining the team for tomorrow's game against the Leafs.

Engqvist has been sent to Hamilton, and Woywitka is on waivers.

[SkidSTL]

Can't resist:

"Who's Roy Witka?" - Mrs. SkidSTL

[RGM81]

Carey's going to be wearing pink in October:

http://ingoalmag.com/news/carey-pric...fights-cancer/

Carey Price already created a huge buzz in the goaltending world by switching to Reebok equipment this season.
InGoal Magazine has learned the Montreal Canadiens’ standout stopper will soon use all that spotlight for a good cause by wearing a set of pink accented Reebok P4 pads and gloves during October, which is both the month and the colour used to help raise awareness for breast cancer, and also the month that the National Hockey League launches its Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.
Price won’t wear the pink highlighted Reebok equipment, which includes the symbolic pink ribbon along the side of the pad, when the Canadiens open the season in Toronto Thursday because league approvals created a delay. But they are in production and he should have them soon. In the meantime, InGoal was able to obtain exclusive rendering of what the new equipment will look like when it arrives:



The side of the pads will feature the pink ribbon associated with Breast Cancer Awareness month:

[max91ess]

the pads are funny

[Japold2]

I'm happy it's Blair Betts not Avery

[RGM81]

It's opening night! Are you ready?

Montreal Stand Up!


Feels Like '93!

[sholi2000]

Long summer to an end.

I just wish Markov was ready. I know he's only one player but he's that good bringing the puck out.

On the other hand, as soon as he's healthy and putting up points, I'd be moving his butt. Not a nice play, but his history doesn't lie.

I want someone to wear #27.

That's my favorite number and it's killing me not having a Hab wear it.

[Tivo32]

1.) Price's pads look nasty, I bet they'll look even better in person! I love the pink stuff in October.

2.) I can't wait for the MTL vs. BOS games this season. :)