While the Canadiens need to address depth issues in their goaltending, the future of the Canadiens defense is promising. Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges are the anchors of a defense that broke in two rookies last year – Alexei Emelin and Raphael Diaz last season. P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber were in their second seasons, Behind that, a very deep farm system.
After winning four of the six monthly segments, Carey Price is the Canadiens Molson Cup winner for the 2011-2012 season. Erik Cole finished second and Max Pacioretty third in voting based on fan three star voting throughout the season. Cole was named the monthly winner for March.
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.
Among other things on our Sunday review – Max Pacioretty has an appointment NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan Monday morning. The league will also be talking to the game officials about the way Saturday night’s Pittsburgh game ended. The Canadiens penalty killers make news and the Hamilton Bulldogs are worse off than the Canadiens in the injury department.
Canadiens played three games last week, losing at home to Edmonton and then taking road victories in Phoenix and Nashville. With the back to back wins they again moved to even .500 for the season. Outstanding performances came from Max Pacioretty, Josh Gorges, Brian Gionta and David Desharnais.
Andrei Markov in Florida having his knee checked; Tomas Plekanec-star of the week, Josh Gorges-babysitter, Erik Cole, Travis Moen, Andreas Engqvist, Bournival injured and more. All making news in the first week of the Canadiens 2011-2012 season.
The Canadiens lost their second exhibition game in a row, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre Wednesday night. The star of the night was 18 year old defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, who led all players in ice time and assisted on the Canadiens lone goal.
The Canadiens front office has completed it’s off season work and can relax until the mid-September training camp opening. Some thoughts on Josh Gorges, the importance of team chemistry and the outlook for the coming year.
Josh Gorges has signed a one-year 2.5 million dollar Canadiens contract avoiding a scheduled July 28th arbitration hearing. By signing for one year Gorges becomes eligible to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the coming season. It is expected to be the final roster move before training camp opens September 15th. With 21 players signed, the Canadiens are 5.18 million dollars below the NHL salary cap of 64.3 million.
The Team 990 reported Monday night that Andrei Markov and the Canadiens have reached agreement on a two-year 11.5 million dollar contract. Markov’s agent Don Meehan subsequently denied the deal will be completed until he meet with Canadiens generall manager Pierre Gauthier this weekend at the NHL draft meetings in Minnesota. Even without the Markov signing, the Canadiens find themselves in excellant shape as they approach July first free-agency.
