European leagues are into the final weekend before the December break in their schedules. Raphael Diaz, David Desharnais and Yannick Weber played their final games. Tomas Plekanec will play Sunday.
The Kladno Knights paid the price the defection of three of their NHL stars Tuesday. They were shutout 4-0 in a key battle for second place in the Czech Extraliga. In the Swiss League Tuesday, David Desharnais and Raphael Diaz went up against each over as Fribourg hosted Zug.
Lars Eller is centering the Finland’s SM Liiga’s hottest line along with Rich Peverley and Eric Perrin. The Canadiens’ Eller, David Desharnais, Raphael Diaz and Yannick Weber all saw action with their European teams Tuesday.
Five members of the locked out Canadiens saw action in European Leagues Friday. Tomas Plekanec had a three point night, Alexei Emelin scored the first goal of his KHL season, and in the Swiss League Raphael Diaz with two assists, David Desharnais with his first Swiss League point.
While Andrei Markov remained on the sidelines with his rib problem, locked out members of the Canadiens played in Prague, Finlad plus Lugano and Zug Switzerland on Tuesday..
Two members of the Canadiens made their season debut in Europe Friday, Lars Eller with JYP Jyväskylä in Finland and David Desharnais with Fribourg in the Swiss National League.
And now there are six. Lars Eller is joining five of his Canadiens teammates in Europe. According to the website of Jyväskylä JYP Eller will start playing for the Finnish SM-liig team on November 16th.
Depth of talent is a Canadiens issue on both left and to a lesser extent on right wing. It is not a glaring problem at centre ice. where Desharnais, Plekanec and Eller hold the top three spots and there is large group of centremen who are in the wings waiting for their chance.
David Desharnais has admitted he caused Carey Price’s headache. During practice last Thursday at Brossard, Desharnais collided with Price in the goalmouth and fell on top of him, his ribs making contact with Price’s facemask and Price hitting his head on the ice.
Josh Gorges was named winner of the Jacques Beauchamp Trophy as the Canadiens player who played a dominant role without winning any other major honour. It’s the second time he’s won the award. Roman Hamrlik, now a member of the Washington Capitals, won the award last season. David Desharanais was the second choice, Alexei Emelin third.
