Cuts

Updated with Pat Hickey's story from Tuesday's Montreal Gazette.

The Montreal Canadiens made their final cuts on Monday morning, trimming their roster to 23 players in preparation for the season opener on Wednesday in Carolina.

Rookie goaltender Carey Price will start the season in Montreal as Cristobal Huet's backup. Jaroslav Halak, who was excellent during his stint with the Canadiens at the end of last season, has been sent to Hamilton.

"We see our roster as having 25 or 26 players, and we have the ability to move players back and forth between Montreal and Hamilton," GM Bob Gainey said. "Carey will start the season here, but we don't want either of our young goaltenders to be inactive for an extended period. If he goes two or three weeks without playing, we'll send him down."

Updated with Pat Hickey's story from Tuesday's Montreal Gazette.

The Montreal Canadiens made their final cuts on Monday morning, trimming their roster to 23 players in preparation for the season opener on Wednesday in Carolina.

Rookie goaltender Carey Price will start the season in Montreal as Cristobal Huet's backup. Jaroslav Halak, who was excellent during his stint with the Canadiens at the end of last season, has been sent to Hamilton.

"We see our roster as having 25 or 26 players, and we have the ability to move players back and forth between Montreal and Hamilton," GM Bob Gainey said. "Carey will start the season here, but we don't want either of our young goaltenders to be inactive for an extended period. If he goes two or three weeks without playing, we'll send him down."