Posts by Pat Hickey

The Canadiens find themselves short on defenceman for their minor-league team in Hamilton after free agent Andre Benoit signed a two-way deal with the Ottawa Senators.

Benoit was part of the Bulldogs' Calder Cup-winning team in 2007 and then played one season in Finland and one in Sweden before returning to Hamilton last season. A puck-moving defenceman, the 26-year-old had six goals andf 30 assists last season. The loss of Benoit leaves the Canadiens with only five defencemen on the farm although they do have eight – including recent addition Alexandre Picard – on the NHL roster.  

• Steven Hindle looks at the D prospects

Doug Jarvis, who was dropped from the Canadiens coaching staff after Jacques Martin became the head coach, has been hired as an assistant coach by the Boston Bruins.

Jarvis will replace Craig Ramsay, who left the Bruins to become head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers. Jarvis spent three seasons with the Canadiens, including working under Bruins head coach Claude Julien. He sat out last season but was being paid by the Canadiens.  

Jarvis played 13 seasons in the NHL and was part of four Stanley Cup champion teams in Montreal. He won the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in 1984 with the Canadiens and the Masterton Trophy for dedication to the game while playing for Hartford in 1987.  

• Are you counting the hours till the Heritage Classic? Love the Flames jersey. Where they playing the game, Ronald McDonald House?

One of the good things about the salary cap - from a team's perspective - is that there are some bargains out there.

The Canadiens added veteran defenceman Alexandre Picard on the weekend and he signed a two-way contract which will pay hinm a meagre $600,000 if he sticks in the NHL. That's less than the $850,000 he made last season in Ottawa and Carolina. Picard will collect $105,000 Cdn if he plays in Hamilton. He and Curtis Sanford are the only Bulldogs earning more $100,000 and that's a recognition of their veteran status.

• Juniors want Avtsin

• Bruins cap situation, after signing Seguin

The contract Louis Leblanc signed with the Canadiens last week has a potential value of $3.6 million U.S. but only if the youngster makes the NHL team directly out of junior hockey.

The entry-level deal is the standard two-way contract and kicks in when he plays his first pro season which presumably would be 2011-12. According to our friends at capgeek.com, the contract has a cap hit of $1.2 million which includes an $810,000 base salary, $300,000 in bonuses and a $270,000 signing bonus which is spread over three seasons.

If Leblanc doesn't make the Canadiens, he'll still get the signing bonus and will be paid $67,500 Canadian playing in Hamilton.

*  *  *

What have you done for us lately?

The Blackhawks have walked away from the $2.75 million Antti Niemi was awarded in arbitration.

Chicago has signed Marty Turco, for $1 million less.

And no one mentions Cristobal Huet ... or his $5.6 million contract

The signings won't  be announced until next week but the Canadiens have signed forward Ryan Russell and goaltender Cedric Desjardins to two-way contracts which pay them $550,000 U.S. if they play in Montreal and considerably fewer Canadian dollars in Hamilton. And that three-year deal Alexander Avtsin signed Thursday will carry a cap hit of a shade over $600,000 if he makes it in the NHL.  

And Gregory Stewart, who started last season with the Canadiens but was sent to Hamilton on Nov. 20 after playing only five NHL games, has signed as a free agent with Edmonton. It's a two-way deal  

Larry Carrière is coming home to serve as asssistant general manager of the Canadiens.

Carrière, who grew up in Park Extension and St. Laurent, joins the Canadiens after serving as pro scout for the Washington Capitals since 2004.

Carrière, who's 58, spent the previous two decades with the Buffalo Sabres, handling the duties of Assistant General Manager from 1995 to 2004 (including a brief stint as General Manager in 1997). He was also Buffalo's Director of Player Evaluation (1993 to 1995), and an amateur scout from 1983-93.

Andrei Markov with Judge Gilles Duguay and an RCMP officer following Markov's swearing-in ceremony Friday in Montreal.
Allen McInnis, Gazette

Defenceman Andrei Markov was sworn in as a Canadian citizen Friday morning along with 31 other new Canadians who spent 30 minutes aftrer the ceremony having their pictures taken with the veteran defenceman.

Team president Pierre Boivin and general manager Pierre Gauthier both attended the ceremony. Gauthier spoke briefly about Markov's leadership qualities but stopped short of offering the defenceman a new contract – he has one year remaining on his current deal – or announcing that Markov would fill the vacanat captaincy.

On another note, the Hamilton Bulldogs suffered another loss when Julien BriseBois joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as assistant general manager. The 33-year-old lawyer was the Canadiens vice-president, hockey operations and also served as general manager of the Bulldogs. He served as Montreal's capologist and will fill a similar role in Tampa.

General manager Pierre Gauthier confirmed today that Dominic Moore, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Paul Mara and Glen Metropolit are not in the Canadiens' plans for next season. Gauthier said he informed the four unrestricted free agents that the team was not interested in negotiating with them. Gauthier said he thanked the four for their contributions last season but said the players didn't fit in the Canadiens' plans.

Gauthier also said he would not be making a contract offer to David Fischer. The Canadiens' first-round draft choice (20th overall) in 2006 will become a free agent on Aug. 15.

The Canadiens will receive a compensatory second-round draft choice next year ... which is good, because Gauthier sent his second-round pick to Florida for Dominic Moore.

Speaking on the opening day of the Canadiens' development camp, Gauthier said negotiations were ongoing with two restricted free agents, goaltender Carey Price and forward Maxim Lapierre. He said the team would review any further personnel moves after those players were signed.

The camp, which runs through Friday in Brossard, brings together 23 players including their five picks from last month's draft as well as some AHL players like P.K. Subban, Ryan White, Ben Maxwell, Yannick Weber and Aaron Palushaj. Also on hand is Russian Alexander Avtsin, who played last season with Moscow Dynamo. He isn't signed but Gauthier said Avtsin is interested in playing in North America and contract talks are under way.  

According to CapGeek, the Canadiens have $5.6 million available to sign Price and Lapierre.

• Gauthier, in French, on CKAC .... and the kids: Lars Eller and Jarred Tinordi

Who knew Sergei Kostitsyn was a country-music fan?

The Canadiens' former problem child squelched those rumours that he was heading to the KHL when he signed a one-year deal to play for the Nashville Predators. Kostitsyn became the Predators' property in a deal last month for the NHL rights to goaltender Dan Ellis and forward Dustin Boyd.

Kostitsyn will make a bit more than the minimum wage at $550,000 but he'll get a chance to renegotiate next summer if he can deliver on his largely untapped talent.     

Canadiens coach Jacques Martin says Tom Pyatt is a game-time decision but the two-way forward will not be in the lineup for tonight's Game 5 against the Flyers. Pyatt,  suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4 and did not skate this morning. Mathieu Darche will replace him.

My, my. Look who's arrived in Pittsburgh: it's Canadiens defenceman Andrei Markov (left) with fellow D Hal Gill.
Allen McInnis, Gazette

Andrei Markov, who has not been seen in public since he suffered an injury in Game 1 of the Pittsburgh series was on the team's charter to the Steel City today. Earlier in the day, coach Jacques Martin said there was no news on Markov's condition but it's believed that he's not ready to play.

Conor McKenna of the Team 990, who broke the news Markov had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, reports Markov has not had surgery and could suit up with the injury.

Sergei Kostitsyn, who has been in Martin's doghouse, was not on the flight.

•  •  •

Compilation of Game 4 no-calls

A handful of Canadiens were on the ice prior to a team meeting and departure for Pittsburgh.  

Tomas Plekanec and Mathieu Darche were the only regulars on the ice. They skated briefly before Ben Maxwell, Sergei Kostitsyn  and Jaroslav Spacek took shots at goaltending coach Pierre Groulx.

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Scott Gomez (Advisory: some f-bombs)| Tom Pyatt

Defenceman Hal Gill and Andrei Kostitsyn were the only impact players on the ice this morning as the Canadiens held an optional on-ice practice following a team meeting. 

The other players scheduled on the   Mathieu Darche, Sergei Kostitsyn,  Glen Metropolit, Ben Maxwell, Jaroslav Spacek and backup goaltender Carey Price.

AUDIO: Hal Gill | Scott Gomez | Tomas Plekanec | Mathieu Darche | Jacques Martin

Canadiens coach Jacques Martin has decided to start Carey Price in goal against the Washington Capitals tonight but he faces a slew of game-time decisions.

It appears that defenceman Ryan O'Byrne will make his first appearance of these playoffs but the exact makeup of the defence corps is up in the air.

Jaroslav Spacek was shaken up in Game 3 Monday, didn't practice yesterday and skipped today's morning skate. Martin called him a game-time decision. If Spacek is able to play, Marc-André Bergeron will play forward so that he's available for the power play. Mathieu Darche is likely to be a healthy scratch if Spacek is in the lineup.

• AUDIO: Hal Gill | Josh Gorges | Jacques Martin

The only news coming out of the morning skates was a minor change in the Capitals lineup. Brendan Morrison, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, is in and Boyd Gordon is out.

Morrison will centre the No. 2 line with Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich.

To no one's surprise, Jaroslav Halak will be in goal for the Canadiens.

To no one's surprise, Jaroslav Halak was announced as the starting goaltender for tonight's playoff opener against the Washington Capitals. The Caps will go with José Theodore, who escaped without serious damage by a David Steckel shot in practice. The Caps also said Nicklas Backstrom has recovered from the flu and is ready to go.

• PREGAME AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Jaro Spacek

Jaroslav Halak will get the start tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Canadiens attempt to wrap up a playoff spot in their final regular-season game.

Coach Jacques Martin said he won't make his final lineup decisions until game time but it appears that Ben Maxwell will again sit.

(Hockey Night In Canada's Elliotte Friedman reported on Twitter that Mathieu Darche is in, Ryan O'Byrne said he's in and it seemed that Sergei Kostitsyn would be a healthy scratch. But upon further review, Friedman said it seemed likely that it would be either Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre or Tom Pyatt who sits.)

The Canadiens need a win or an overtime loss to clinch a playoff spot.

For what it's worth, the numbers crunches at sportsclubstats.com say the Canadiens have a 97.9-per-cent chance of making the playoffs even after last night's meltdown in Carolina. 

There's one scenario in which the Canadiens have control of their own destiny. If they win – or lose in OT or in a shootout – against Toronto tomorrow night, they're in.

If the Canadiens  lose in regulation, there are several back-door opportunities. They're in if:

• The Rangers lose one of their two remaining games against Philadelphia or win one of of those games in OT or a shootout.

• The Rangers sweep the Flyers in regulation time.

• The Bruins lose their two remaining games in regulation – against Carolina tomorrow and in Washington Sunday.

The Canadiens will dress six and a half defencemen tonight as Jaroslav Spacek returns to the lineup after missing three games with the flu. The half is Marc-André Bergeron, who will play both defence and forward.

Jaroslav Halak will start in goal while the odd men out are Mathieu Darche and Ben Maxwell.

PRE-GAME AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Jaro Spacek | Scott Gomez | Brian Gionta | Mike Cammalleri

Goaltender Jaroslav Halak is the Canadiens' nominee for the Masterton Trophy, annually awarded to the NHL player judged to best exemplify the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.

Full details on the nomination here.

And here's a list of Masterton winners through the years, which includes four Canadiens: inaugural recipient Claude Provost, followed by Henri Richard, Serge Savard and Saku Koivu.

Defenceman Jaroslav Spacek was one of three players to skate at Nassau Coliseum this morning but he won't be in the lineup tonight against the New York Islanders.

"I've been out for four days and i want to have at least one good practice," said Spacek, who has missed the previous two games with the flu. "If I had to play, I probably could but the team is playing well."

Ben Maxwell will join Spacek as a healthy scratch. Jaroslav Halak will start in goal.

PRE-GAME AUDIO: Mark Streit | Martin Biron (hilarious on "telling the truth now" during his English interviews)

Defenceman Jaroslav Spacek will miss tonight's crucial game against the Flyers because he's suffering from flu-like symptoms. In his absence, Marc-André Bergeron will move to defence and Ben Maxwell will play on the fourth line.

The Canadiens are also missing Sergei Kostitsyn, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Tom Pyatt is taking his spot.

Carey Price, who hasn't won a game in nearly a month, will get the start tonight when the Canadiens play the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. at the Bell Centre. Price lost 3-2 in a shootout in Buffalo in his last start last Wednesday. He has two losses and no decision since he was the winner on March 2 when the Canadiens beat Washington 6-5 in overtime. 

Price will face Cam Ward in the Carolina net. Ward returned to action Monday vs. Atlanta after having missed 18 games with a bad back. He brings a lifetime record of 9-3-2 against the Canadiens.

Ben Maxwell and Tom Pyatt will be the healthy Montreal scratches tonight. 

After one day of practising with the fourth line, Benoit Pouliot was reunited with Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta at practice today.

All the lines had a familar look: Tomas Plekanec was between Michael Cammalleri and Andrei Kostitsyn; the third line had Travis Moen, Dominic Moore and Sergei Kostitsyn while the fourth line had Maxim Lapierre between Mathieu Darche and Marc-André Bergeron.

Tom Pyatt and Ben Maxwell also saw some practice time in Bergeron but Bergeron will play against Carolina tomorrow night because the Canadiens need him on the power play.

AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Marc-André Bergeron | Jaro Spacek | Dominic Moore

Glen Metropolit, who was a healthy scratch for Thursday's 4-1 win over Florida, returns to the lineup tonight against New Jersey. Metropolit will replace Maxim Lapierre as the centre on the fourth line.

Lapierre is a healthy scratch for the second time in  three games. He'll be joined in the press box by Mathieu Darche and Ben Maxwell.

Jaroslav Halak will start in goal. He has made eight appearances since the Olympic break and has earned 13 of a posssible 16 points.

As expected, Carey Price gets the start tonight in Buffalo.

Jacques Martin has shaken up his forward lines, relegating Maxim Lapierre to the press box.

Tom Pyatt, who had been playing with Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn, was replaced by Michael Cammalleri but Pyatt wll stay in the lineup. He starts in the injured Travis Moen's spot on the third line with Dominic Moore and Sergei Kostitsyn, but Martin said he may move Mathieu Darche into that spot if he needs more muscle.

Darche will start the game on the fourth line with Glen Metropolit and Marc-André Bergeron.

PRE-GAME AUDIO: Tyler Myers | Lindy Ruff | Mike Cammalleri | Jacques Martin

Michael Cammalleri is back in his usual spot on left wing on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn while Marc-André Bergeron is on the fourth line with Glen Metropolit and Sergei Kostitsyn. Both are expected to play Wednesday in Buffalo.

Travis Moen won't be in Buffalo. He suffered a cut to his forehead from Matt Cullen's skate.

Moen's spot on the third line will be filled by Mathieu Darche.

AUDIO: Mike Cammalleri | Jacques Martin

The Canadiens will continue to ride goaltender Jaroslav Halak and head coach Jacques Martin has decided to give Michael Cammalleri and Marc-André Bergeron more time to recover from knee injuries.

They both lined up as defenceman at today's morning skate and they remained on the ice after the session to work out with healthy scratch Ben Maxwell and backup goalie Carey Price.

PRE-GAME AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Ryan O'Byrne

Jaroslav Halak and the Canadiens will be looking to extend their current winning streak to seven games tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It was no surprise when Jacques Martin confirmed that Halak will get the start tonight. In his six previous wins, he has posted a 2.06 goals-against average. A win tonight would give him the longest winning streak for a Montreal goaltender since José Theodore had seven consecutive wins in 2002.

Marc-André Bergeron practised with the Canadiens this morning for the first time since he injured his knee last month. He said he felt good and was energized by being back with his teammates but his return to the lineup is on hold. He said he won't dress for the Saturday game in Toronto. 

Michael Cammalleri skated on his own after the regular practice and said he hopes to practice with the team next week. 

Tomas Plekanec, who was questionable for the Rangers game Tuesday, took a therapy day but will play in Toronto. Defenceman Paul Mara also took the day off.