Kovalev's Agent Denies Rumours About Contracts

Scott Greenspun (Kovalevs Agent) denied rumors about a contract for Kovalev that included captaincy."I have never received an offer from the Canadiens. I've had no conversation with Bob Gainey,"Greenspun said. " When Alex comes back from his vacation in Russia I will continue to look for a contract for him. Alex has told me about his desire to be in Montreal. But hay, if they do not offer us a contract he probably won't not be back in Montreal next year." Only time will tell with who will be back on Montreal next year.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Larry Robinson Wants to Coach Montreal

According to RDS, Larry Robinson is interested in becoming the Montreal Canadiens next head coach. Robinson played for Montreal in the 70's and 80's and has won 6 Stanley Cups as a player and has won 4 Stanley cups as a coach." I would not Mind at all to coach Montreal," he said." I mean I have had success with them as a player now maybe it's time for me to do it as a coach." He has coached the Devils and the Kings in his career.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Latendresse Wants to stay in Montreal With A Long-Term Contract

In a press conference earlier this Month, Latendresse stated that he wants to stay in Montreal for a long time."I'm looking for a somewhat long term deal with the Montreal Canadiens," He said. "I know that I'm not going to get a 10 year contract. Those kinds of deals are deals that a player like Carey Price might get. I would at least want a 5 years contract. I understand the circumstances with the Salary cap but we both now that I'm not a 3 million dollar player. I just want enough money that they can give me." This season the Cap is lower than last season. So that means that Montreal might not be able to afford a 5 year contract.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

GAINEY INTRESTED IN BRIERE, LUPUL AND DRAFT PICKS

According to Chuck Gormley from the Courrier-Post, Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has talked to Flyers GM Justin Herbert about Draft Picks(which would include James Van Riemsdyk or Luca Sbisa),Joffrey Lupul and Briere.In return, the Canadiens would trade Carey Price and Mike Komisarek.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

POLICE CLEAR KOSTITSYNS OF ANY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY

Today in Montreal, the Montreal police fully cleared Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn of any illegal activity after the Canadiens players were linked to Mangiola Pasquale's offer to give them girls and cars if they play bad on the ice. The Montreal Police had no evidence for this case so the police had no choice but to let them go. As for Mangiola, he will face many charges, including bring drugs into Canada, possession of a gun and the use and selling of cocaine.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo
Photo By Andrew Di Pardo

Habs offer Kovalev New Contract And Captaincy

According to sources, Kovalev was offered a $7.5 million dollar contract for 1 year which would include Captaincy.Koivu, has been the Canadiens second-longest serving captain. His nine seasons with the 'C' has made him just be 1 year year back from the legendary Jean Beliveau(who was captain for 10 seasons)."If I'm not signed by July 1, I don't think I'll be back in Montreal," Koivu said last month. "Finishing your career with one team would be awesome in a way, but it's too early to say because I don't know what the team's plan is. We lost yesterday, so I need time to sit down with my family and figure out what's best for us."

Koivu talked to the media today and said:"The most important thing is to stay positive at this point and don't worry about what's going to happen."According to sources, Kovalev wants to remain with the Canadiens and negotiations with the team would continue when he returns from his vacation. Only time will tell who will stay on the Habs.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

OTHER NHL NEWS:ROY SAYS NO TO AVALANCHE COACHING OFFER (For this story go to TSN.ca)

If you would like to read about the Stanley Cup Final just go to my other blog at:http://stanleycupfinal.blogspot.com/

Canadiens sign Swedish LW Mikael Johansson to a 1 year contract

According to Swedish media, the Canadiens have signed signed Mikael Johansson to a 1 year contract, from the Swedish champion Farjestad (Karlstad)to a contract.Johansson had 95 points in 203 games in the highest Swedish league with Farjestad in the 08-09 season.This would be the fourth time a Farjestad player has been with the Canadiens. The last 3 players from farjestad that had played for Montreal was Kjell Dahlin, Thomas Rundqvist and Jonas Höglund. Johansson will most likely be on the second or third line of the Habs next season.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

OTHER NHL NEWS:Patrick Roy was offered to be head coach and general manager of the Colorado Avalanche. (for more on that story go to TSN.CA)

Canadiens Injury Update

Today the Canadiens G.M announced today that Canadiens forward Maxim Lapierre and defenseman Mathieu Schneider had went for surgery yesterday. Maxim Lapierre underwent a minor surgical procedure to his ankle.AS for Mathieu Schneider underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery yesterday.Lapierre played 79 games and he had 15 goals and 13 assist for a total of 28 points.AS for Mathieu Schneider underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery yesterday. Schneider Played 69 games and he had 9 goals and 23 assist for a total of 32 points.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

ROY DENIES REPORT THAT HE WAS OFFERED AVS HEAD COACHING JOB

Yesterday Night, Patrick Roy denied that he was offered a coaching job on the Avalanche."I never received an offer . . . but anyway, I'm not commenting," Roy told French language website SRC.ca.''I talked to him this morning and he said all those reports are speculation, he never received a formal offer,'' said Nicole Bouchard, director of media relations for the Remparts. According to RDS broadcaster Jacques Demers, Roy is going to take the first job that he is offered.He also said that he has to take a job that he is comfortable with. Only time will tell what NHL team he will join as head coach (if he decides to coach in the NHL).

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

AVALANCHE OFFER PATRICK ROY HEAD COACHING JOB

Roy met with the Avs' president Pierre Lacroix last week. Patrick Roy(The three-time Conn Smythe trophy winning) is interested in returning to the NHL as a head coach. Their has been alot of rumors coming from Montreal, that Roy can be the Canadiens next head coach. But in this case, it looks like Roy might want to coach the Avalanche."Patrick is a very deliberate guy who analyzes everything," Jacques Demers, who coached Roy and the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup in 1993, told The Denver Post. "He's not necessarily going to take the first job that might come along. He's going to want to go into a situation he thinks is on the right track and that he's going to feel comfortable with."Only time will tell if Roy will coach the Avs' or coach the Canadiens.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

LEMAIRE COULD BE THE NEXT CANADIENS COACH

When Lemaire was asked: If he has been talking to teams about coaching:Lemaire reasponded:"I'm talking to a few teams.I don't know where I'm going to end up or what I'm going to do. I'm just going to find what's comfortable." When asked if he'd consider returning to Montreal to coach the Habs, he told the St. Paul Pioneer Press he wasn't thinking that far ahead just yet."I won't start to mention any teams because I'm still under contract in a way," he told the paper. "But I'll be looking for a job. I don't know what type, but I'll be looking." In 15 seasons as an NHL head coach, Lemaire compiled a 540-414-177 record and led the Devils to a Stanley Cup in 1994-95.

These questions about who will coach the Canadiens? What new player will the Canadiens get? Will all be answerd during the off-season.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

PLAYOFF NEWS FROM THE EAST: WALKER SCORES O.T WINNER IN GAME 7 TO SEND CAROLINA TO THE CONFRENCE FINAL

Last night in Boston, the Hurricanes battled hard and won the game 3-2 in Overtime with a goal by Walker (who said it did not take skill for me to score)."I just went to the net and whacked one in," Walker said after his 25th career NHL playoff game. "Didn't take much skill." Once Walker put the puck in the net, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas skated directly to the bench right away."I saw the guy coming down the lane, laying up for the shot," said Thomas, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. "I saw the shot. I made the save and left the rebound up in the air."

"Walker's goal "sucks the life out of you," said Milan Lucic, who tied the game 2-2 at 6:19 of the third period. "We worked hard to get back in the series and don't get rewarded."Byron Bitz and Milan Lucic scored Bostons only goals last night.Rod Brind'Amour and Sergei Samsonov also scored for the Hurricanes.Carolina's coach Paul Maurice talked about meeting the Penguins in the next round."Just because we won these series doesn't mean we are going to change our approach against Pittsburgh," Carolina coach Paul Maurice said. "If we try to trade goals with them, it will be a short series." The Carolina V.S the Penguins series will start on Monday at 7:30pm E.T on TSN,RDS,FSN-CAROLINA,FSN-Pittsburgh and Versus.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Bowman says Roy deserves To Coach The Canadiens

Yesterday in Chicago, Former Habs coach Scotty Bottman made it clear that Patrick Roy should get the coaching job on Montreal."I think he has enough experience now and deserves an opportunity," Bowman told the Denver Post.I know he has the passion to coach. He's done a good job in junior," Said Bowman, who has won more games than any coach in NHL history. According to the Montreal Gazette, Patrick Roy has made it clear that he's interested in this position. Montreal is not the only coaching position that wants Roy as coach.The Avalanche have also showed interest in Roy.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Playoff News from the East:Penguins win 6-2 in Game 7 with Help From Crosby

Coming into game 7 no one expected that the Capitals would get blown out by the score of 6-2. I've said it since game 1 of the playoffs, if you shut down Crosby you will win but if you don't your going to lose. Just look at what happened last night, Crosby scored 2 goals and added an assist for a total of 3 points.As for the Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, he only had one point which was a goal.It seems to me Crosby just outplayed Ovechkin."It feels good, just because of the way the series went," Crosby said, "not particularly because it was me and him." Malkin was surprised at this result."We were surprised" at how easy things went, Malkin said. In the Eastern Confrence final the Penguins will face either the Carolina Hurricanes or the Boston Bruins (who play game 7 tonight in Boston).

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Habs sign Andre Benoit

The Canadiens G.M Bob Gainey announced today the signing of defenseman André Benoit to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2009-10 season.Benoit,spent the last two seasons in Europe. Benoit played with Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elite League in 2008-09. He had 20 points in 54 games (4 goals, 16 assists), serving 34 penalty minutes. This is just the second signing in the Habs offseason.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Canadiens Sign P.K. Subban to three-year deal

The Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today the signing of defenceman P.K. Subban to a three-year contract.That will last from 2009-10 to 2011-12.Subban was selected in the second round, 43rd overall by the Canadiens in 2007. Subban was tied for second among OHL defensemen with 76 points which included 14 goals, 62 assists and was a plus 47. P.K Subban said that there can not be a better day to be signed than today because he turned 20 years old."This can be the best possible present that I can get to be signed by the Canadiens,"Subban said. Now that Subban has been signed his name will no longer be mentioned in trade rumors.


Written By Andrew Di Pardo

OTHER PLAYOFF NEWS FROM THE EAST: Game 7 Between The Capitals and Penguins is Tonight

Before this series began, there was alot of talk about how exciting it would be to watch Crosby and Ovechkin play against each other.They have not disappointed us so far. In game 2 Crosby and Ovechkin both got hat-tricks. But the Capitals took a 2-0 series lead anyway. But Crosby and the Penguins did not give up.Remember Malkin was struggling but broke out of that in game 3 and 5.In game 3 Makin scored a 3rd period powerplay goal that put the pens up 2-1. But the Capitals came back and tied it at 2-2.So they went to O.T. When an unlikly goal scorer Latang scored the winning goal.

In Game 4, the Penguins had a 3-2 lead going into the third.When Crosby scored to put Pens up 4-2. They would later go on to win 5-3 and tie the series at 2-2.In the 3rd period of Game 5,The Pens had a 3-2 lead with 4 minutes to go. But the Capitals did not give up as Alex the great tied the game at 3-3. So once again were headed to O.T. In overtime, Eveni Malkin scored the game winner to put the Pens up 3 games to 2 in the series. In game 6, the Caps came out strong and took a 4-3 lead in the 3rd. But the Pens did not give up as Crosby scored the tieing goal to send this to O.T once again. In Overtime, David Steckel scored to tie the series at 3-3. "I think it's going to be great game," Ovechkin said. "I think the league wants us to play Game 7."

The series is only the fourth time since 1976 that the last two Hart Trophy winners (who in this case are Crosby and Ovechkin) will face each other in the post-season. "I think (this series) is different than any other in the fact that there are a lot of guys that are playing up to another level that you don't see very often," Penguins defenceman Hal Gill said. ''It's fun to play because when you get talent like that, you know something's going to happen every time you're out on the ice." The puck drop for tonight's game will be at 7:o8pm E.T.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Carbonneau said he wants to return to coaching the Canadiens

Last night CBC asked Carbonneau if he would return to the Canadiens if Gainey askes him to? He simply reasponded "Yes I would.As a player, I was traded to St. Louis, then Dallas," said Carbonneau. "It's hard, but you learn to adapt. I'm good where I am at the moment, but I would have preferred being behind the Canadiens bench, even if the team lost in four games against the Bruins."When he was asked: if you was behind the Canadiens bench when the Habs were trailing 3-0 if he would bench Price and put Halak in?"I've always trusted both goalies," Carbonneau said.

Carbonneau also talked about how hard it was to control players when they are off the ice."It's difficult, sometimes impossible, to control the comings and goings of players," Carbonneau said. "Possibly, some of the escapades outside hockey created distractions and affected performance, but these things often happen. It's just that the last year was exceptionally fertile." Carbonneau was also asked if any team had asked him to coach them when he was on a trip in Dallas.He reasponded:"No team has approached me yet," he said. "I expect to start getting offers at the end of the month, or in early June."

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

WHO WILL COACH THE CANADIENS NEXT SEASON?

With the Canadiens season over, the big question is who will coach the Canadiens next season? Rumors say it could be Jacques Martin,Bob Hartley,Marc Crawford,Jacques Lemaire,Patrick Roy or Larry Robinson. Gainey might even stay in behind the bench. Who knows!All we know is that Gainey will have a long summer to think about who he will sign and who he will chose as head coach.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Guy Carbonneau wants to know why He was Let Go

Today in Toronto,Guy Carbonneau talked to TSN's Hockey annalist Darren Dreger. Dreger asked Carbonneau if he was surprised by his dismissal."I was shocked. Not that I thought that everything was rosy and perfect," Carbonneau told Dreger and co-host Bill Watters. "I knew the team was not playing up to our potential for different reasons, but I thought that we were starting to turn things around, we were starting to get a lot healthier. I think our goaltending situation was getting stronger. I didn't expect that when we faced adversity for the first time I was going to get fired."

"I don't know what happened," said Carbonneau. "I don't know who made the decision. Obviously Bob was the one who had to deliver that decision. I know it wasn't easy for him to call me and give me the news. Maybe in the next couple of months, next couple of years I'll know a little bit more about what happened, but it's not something that keeps me awake or wakes me up in the morning." Guy Carbonneau also talked about Price raising his arms in reaction to the fans booes in the playoffs.

"I think Carey is going to be a star in this league, and definitely for the Montreal Canadiens. But the goaltender situation in this league – and no disrespect to Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur - but I think it's a tougher job now than it's ever been. There's a lot of pressure to win, and win quickly. It seems that every time a team loses, the fault is always the goaltender's. I think Carey is under pressure of being in a tough place, but he is going to learn. I think Bob made it pretty clear that he wanted to put him in a situation where he's going to learn quickly, and to learn quickly you have to fall off the horse once in a while to be able to get up quicker and learn from it."

Carbonneau was also asked about the Vincent Lecavalier offer(That 3 Canadiens players names were said in the media). "I don't know every secret or every transaction or every discussion that Gainey had with other GM's around the league, but we definitely talked every day about how we could improve the Montreal Canadiens – what's working and what's not working, who's playing well and who's not. I was aware at some point – not early in the discussions – that there was talk, and that's all I know," said Carbonneau.

Carbonneau was aksed if he was invovoled in Bob Gainey's decison to sit Kovalev down for 2 games."We had discussions with Bob (Gainey), like everything else. We discuss a lot of things every day, and I think Bob decided to have a conversation with Alex, and it was mainly his decision that we should give him the rest," said Carbonneau.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

KOVALEV IS 1 OF THE FINALIST FOR NHL FOUNDATION PLAYER AWARD

Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Kovalev of the Montreal Canadiens and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets are the three finalists for the NHL Foundation Player Award. Dustin Brown donated $50 for each of his hard hits this season, raising more than $35,000 that will be used for building a playground in town of Ithaca, NY. Alex Kovalev raised $12,000 to support the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation by autographing hats and jerseys. Rick Nash donated $100,000 to the Ohio State University Athletics Department and he gave $25,000 as a founding donor of the John H.The winner of this award will be announced Thursday, June 18,2009, during the 2009 NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vagas.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

GUY LAFLEUR CONVICTED OF GIVING FALSE EVIDENCE

Former Canadiens superstar Guy Laflur (also known as the flower),was convicted of giving false evidence in court to defend his son. Lafleur's son was guilty of giving death threats and for assaulting his girl friend in Febuary. Guy Lafleur agreed that he would keep his son under house arrest, but it was later that reveled that he drove his son twice to a hotel to spend time with his girl friend. Lafleur can possibly be put in prison for 14 years for lying in court."He's very sad," said his lawyer, Jean-Pierre Rancourt. "He was hoping for an acquittal but we will cope with this.He had no choice but to stay stoic. As a hockey player, he's used to handling stress."

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

P.S: Lafular won 5 stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens.