Rotating captaincy? No, thanks!

Taking an early morning peak over at RDS, I noticed that their poll of the day was whether or not the Montreal Canadiens should employ a rotating captaincy option before selecting a definitive captain for the 2009-2010 season. This caught me by surprise, naturally, because I’ve always thought of RDS as being a collection of hardliners bent on the French Question and the rich history of Les Glorieux. After all, these are the guys that regularly host Bertrand Raymond on L’Antichambre.

So, how it comes to this? Is the organization that undecided? Earlier this week, it was reported that Andrei Markov was offered the captaincy. No offense to Andrei, but I feel that his quiet demeanor and overall working knowledge of the English (not to mention French) language would be a hindrance to his handling of the media; especially after those blowout losses or heartbreaking shootout defeats. Markov is more of an on-ice captain, leading the squad with his superb passing and sound defensive play. In the locker room, I simply feel he would lack the charisma and know-how of a Saku Koivu, for instance.

Give and Go

My apologies for the lack of recent activity on this blog. I was out of town for the long weekend, and then came down with a terrible cold upon my return. I’m still not 100%, but I figured I’d share a few stories that caught my eye in the past week. I am working on a new article profiling fantasy-worthy Habs, so stay tuned for that sometime soon. Ladies and gentlemen, here is your Friday morning Give and Go.

• The Sundin Sweepstakes are definitely not as interesting as they were last year. Give it up Mats, it’s time to call it a career.
• Ovechkin is drawing the battle lines concerning the 2014 Olympic Games. Good for him, I say. Since when is the NHL allowed to deny a player his patriotic right to represent his country? A high-profile player like him making a stand is definitely admirable. Expect others to follow suite.
• Kessel is done with the Bruins. I don’t blame him, really. Weren’t they supposed to be clearing cap space to sign him? That Wozniewski signing doesn’t really help, does it? The writing has been on the wall for quite some time.
• Hey, if Carey thinks the team is set, then I’m convinced too.
• Everything is on the line this season for Bob Gainey. It’s now or never Bob, let’s hope those summer signings pay off (read: past the second round in the playoffs).
• Bonding over golf. What do you think is more likely, Gomez scoring a 70 on the course or scoring 70 points on the ice?
• An emotional day for Mr. Gillett as he passes the torch to a new generation of Molsons. Thank you for your time and efforts George, you were an excellent owner.
• Another day, another language issue. But, then again, there are some positive language issue stories, like P.K. Subban taking French lessons in preparation for his eventual arrival in Montreal. I love this kid.

That’s it for now. Go on, enjoy the beautiful weekend we have lined up. I’ll be resting up and back in action for Monday!

Give and Go

It’s Friday, finally. Long weekend looks mighty good right now, and we’re nearing the start of the season, slowly but surely. Here is your Give and Go.

• Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Hockey has finally started league registration. If you’ve never tried fantasy hockey, I strongly suggest you do. You’ll thank me later, if you can ever manage to leave your team’s roster page.
• Speaking of fantasy hockey, Puck Daddy is placing Andrei Markov at #96 out of the top 100 fantasy-worthy players in the league. Yep, that’s exactly where the second best blueliner in the league belongs.
• The Hockey News cleverly speculates on Paul Kelly’s dismissal from the NHLPA.
• Glen Healy has resigned as Director of Player Affairs of the NHLPA. There goes the second best coif in the business.
• Francois Gagnon provides some great insight on the Luongo deal. That CBA loophole keeps getting bigger and bigger.
• Habs on the Prize takes a good look at what Robert Lang could bring to the table. Personally, I’d take a Robert Lang over a Tomas Plekanec any day.
• Captain Markov to the rescue? Red Fisher seems to think so. This isn’t the first time that it’s been brought up, either. Is the Habosphere making a case to Jacques Martin?
• Lions in Winter puts together a great piece on which Habs are doing the scoring.
• Back to Andrei Markov, here’s a little something to get you pumped up for everyone’s favorite Russian d-man.

Politicizing the offseason

Well, we are only 30 short days away from the first official puck-drop of the 2009-2010 season. Bloggers, columnists, and analysts are all getting antsy in anticipation for the big moment. In the meantime, however, we try to fill out pages with whatever hockey-related story comes along during the offseason. Most stories are news briefs on current events (or lack thereof), opinion pieces on offseason acquisitions and moves and previews for the upcoming campaign.

Of course, some of the talking heads will try to create a controversy story where one does not exist at all. I’m referring specifically to Bertrand Raymond’s chef d’oeuvre over at Rue Frontenac. In it, Raymond finds it justifiable to criticize Bob Gainey for (wait for it)… a lack of French-Canadian players on the team (gasp). Ah, yes, it had been some time since this old red herring flew around again.

Looking ahead: July 1st, 2010

Alright, alright, so I might be jumping the gun a little but it’s August and other than indicted NHL superstars or rumors of the week, there isn’t much in the headlines nowadays.

It was certainly thrilling to watch the flurry of action that characterized the Montreal Canadiens’ 2009 free agency period. No player whose contract expired was retained (and most remain unsigned), and a whole new cast of talent was added to the CH family. While July 1st 2010 is still quite some time away, the excitement of this past free agency period lingers and inspires me to forecast which players are up for grabs come next summer. July 1st 2010 certainly will not see the same sort of turnover as this year’s signing period, but there will be some big names available and Montreal’s revamped roster might prove to be enticing for potential free agents.

Give and Go

It’s Friday. You’re happy, I’m happy, here’s your Give and Go.

• Remember Jason Allison? He’s attempting a comeback with the Toronto Maple Leafs. What’s with these old-timers making comebacks? First Claude Lemieux, then Theo Fleury, and now Jason Allison? Jeez. In other news, Alex Mogilny is still doing nothing.
• On a serious note, congratulations to Senator Jacques Demers on his appointment. It says a lot to the opportunity of this great nation that a man with a limited education like his can rise to one of the highest political ranks. Good work Jacques, make us proud.
• Alex Kovalev recently revealed that he would like to finish his career in Montreal. Hey, at least he’s being upfront about it. He could have waited for a year to pass in his contract and then ask for a trade. Who does that?
• Speaking of Dany Heatley, the fans in Alberta are certainly not showing any love.
• The Hockey News takes a look at a few promising players at the Upper Deck NHL Rookie Debut. Can’t wait for Subban.
• Habs on the Prize answers a few questions the Russians have about our beloved Montreal Canadiens.
• Ryan Kennedy puts Alexander Avtsin at #6 on his list of players he’s most excited to watch in the NHL someday. Call me crazy, but any player who is compared to Alex Ovechkin definitely deserves closer to #1.
• And, just because this is one of my favorite moments in all professional sports, here is Le Comeback.

Louis Leblanc’s winning attitude

Christine Roger of Corus Sports brings us a great interview with recently drafted Louis Leblanc.

Attending Harvard this year, the young center from Kirkland, Quebec says he is ready for the challenges that playing for the Montreal Canadiens may entail. I’m sure that as a French-Canadian, he’s well aware of the spotlight and politics. Still, he has a winning attitude and I am very anxious to see what he’s got.

My goal is to play in one or two years, maximum three. That will all depend on how my progression is going. I think the team wants me soon, and it will be up to me to prove that I can crack the lineup.

Be sure to check out his profile over at Hockey’s Future.

Selling the buyout

Quick hit this morning. An article over at The Hockey News caught my eye and I thought I’d share.

Author John Grigg does an excellent job looking at one ugly side-effect of the new salary cap system: the buyout effect. While most teams are not caught with an albatross contract or two leeching precious millions from the team’s salary, others are not so lucky (see: New York Islanders). These teams have to live with an obviously regretful business decision, and are constantly reminded of that decision at every budget meeting.

So, are there any lingering contracts on the Montreal Canadiens’ books? Fortunately, no. As of this year, Montreal’s team salary is free of buyout contracts. Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen were the two last buyout contracts on the books, and they were settled last year. If you recall, they were the price to pay to dump Sergei Samsonov to the Chicago Blackhawks.

At any rate, I feel that the contracts in the post-lockout era are getting out of hand. All sorts of clever tricks are being crafted in the bowels of front offices across the league. Marian Hossa’s new contract with the Blackhawks is a shining example of what this CBA has become.

It’s about time that the league takes a good hard look at contract salaries, terms and buyout options.

Give and Go

Finally, a little action. Olympic training camps are providing hockey fans with a little something to hold them over until the season starts. And hey, only 37 days to go. On that note, here is your Tuesday morning Give and Go…

• Habs on the Prize beats me to the punch and posted a 2009 Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Preview. Very detailed information and predictions. Now, don’t get antsy and draft Cammy too early!
• Ya! The Habs Rule! takes a good look at Mike Keane, former Habs captain. 42 years young and still going strong, God bless you, Keaner.
• Jim Balsillie is tabling an amended offer for the Coyotes that would have them immediately relocated to Hamilton, with our without Gary’s blessing. Sure Jim, because that will change people’s perception of you.
• Joe Thornton seems pretty confident that he will get his ‘A’ back, if not the ‘C’. What, is Jed Ortmeyer out of the running?
• Big no to the Big O? How very disappointing.
• James Mirtle does a good job separating the hopefuls from the hopeless on Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
• Speaking of Team Canada, here’s a little something to bring you back to the glory days of 2002.

Alexander Avtsin: “Ovechkin #2”

You may or may not recall the Montreal Canadiens using their 109th overall pick to select Alexander Avstin at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, hosted in Montreal earlier this summer. What you probably didn’t know at the time is that he is already being hailed as the next Alex Ovechkin.