HABS SEND 21 PLAYERS DOWN TO THE AHL

       Today in Montreal, the Canadiens sent 21 players down to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. A few of the big names were Blake Geoffrion, Mike Blunden and Louis LeBlanc who all played on the Habs last season. Montreal decided to send those 3 players down as a result of the recent NHL lockout.

THE FULL LIST:

• Alexander Avtsin
• Alain Berger
• Michael Blunden
• Michaël Bournival
• Gabriel Dumont
• Brendan Gallagher
• Blake Geoffrion
•  Patrick Holland
• Louis Leblanc
•  Philippe Lefebvre
•  Joonas Nattinen
• Steven Quailer
•  Ian Schultz
•  Nathan Beaulieu
•  Morgan Ellis
• Brendon Nash
•  Greg Pateryn
•  Joe Stejskal 
•  Jarred Tinordi
• Peter Delmas (G)
•  Robert Mayer (G)

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

A message to our fans (From the NHL)

The following message to fans was issued by the National Hockey League on Sunday:

Despite the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League has been, and remains, committed to negotiating around the clock to reach a new CBA that is fair to the Players and to the 30 NHL teams.

Thanks to the conditions fostered by seven seasons under the previous CBA, competitive balance has created arguably the most meaningful regular season in pro sports; a different team has won the Stanley Cup every year; fans and sponsors have agreed the game is at its best, and the League has generated remarkable growth and momentum. While our last CBA negotiation resulted in a seismic change in the League's economic system, and produced corresponding on-ice benefits, our current negotiation is focused on a fairer and more sustainable division of revenues with the Players -- as well as other necessary adjustments consistent with the objectives of the economic system we developed jointly with the NHL Players' Association seven years ago. Those adjustments are attainable through sensible, focused negotiation -- not through rhetoric.

This is a time of year for all attention to be focused on the ice, not on a meeting room. The League, the Clubs and the Players all have a stake in resolving our bargaining issues appropriately and getting the puck dropped as soon as possible. We owe it to each other, to the game and, most of all, to the fans.

From,

the NHL

CBA EXPIRES, LOCKOUT IN PROGRESS

          AT 12:01am this morning the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) has expired and the NHL are once again in a lockout. There is currently no time frame for how long the lockout can go."We talked with the Union this morning and in light of the fact that they have nothing new to offer, or any substantive response to our last proposal, there would be nothing gained by convening a bargaining session at this time," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "I'm sure that we will remain in contact in the coming days." The discussions were that Cominissioner Gary Betteman had with  NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daley were about player contracts.

      Betteman feels that the NHL is dishing out too much money to help teams pay their fees and he says if the players get a pay reduction than the teams won't have to go to the league for money. Under the expired CBA, players made 57% of the teams renevue share and Betteman wants to reduce it to 47% over the next 6 years. Bill Daley and the players believe that they should get more money. Some players even said if they get a pay reduction they might not want to play in the NHL. "Today we suggested that the parties meet in advance of the owners' self-imposed deadline of midnight tonight," Steve Fehr, special counsel for the NHLPA said. "Don Fehr, myself and several players on the Negotiating Committee were in the city and prepared to meet. The NHL said that it saw no purpose in having a formal meeting."

        "There have been and continue to be private, informal discussions between representatives of both sides." Teams are currently not ready to announce the cancellation of training camps (which would open next week) and the NHL is getting ready to announce the cancellation of pre-season games. How long will the lockout go on you ask? Who knows? It might be 2 months and it might be 1 full season. Only time will tell.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

Showdown 2012: NHL Lockout Special FULL

SUBBAN IS STILL NOT SIGNED, BUT HE'S NEGOTIATING

          It is now September 12th and Marc Bergevan still hasn't closed a deal with Canadiens star defence man P.K Subban. Bergevan had offered Subban a 2 year $5.5 Million dollar contract, but Subban wanted a longer deal. So it was quickly rejected. “I’ve never felt one ounce of pressure, I’ve never put any pressure on anybody to do anything. I’ve had two years and two playoffs to prove that I can play and be a top defenseman in this league and I think I’ve done that," Subban Said. "A lot of people ask me questions about my contract, if I could print one out and fill it out I would. Ultimately it’s not up to me – it’s up to my agent and the Montreal Canadiens organization to get it done. I’m confident that they will.”

        But some good news coming out of today. It has now been reported that Subban is close to signing a 3 Year Deal. But if he does sign a deal it will probably be after the NHL's CBA deadline on September 15th. I think the CBA is a big contribution to as if Subban will sign in Montreal this year because if no deal from the NHL is made by the deadline there will be a lockout. If there is a lockout Subban may want to play else where which would result in him not signing in Montreal.

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

HABS HIRE EX NHLer JOHN MADDEN AS A MEMBER OF THE PLAYER RECRUITMENT GROUP

             Habs GM Marc Bergevin announced that he has signed former NHLer John Madden as a member of the amateur player recruitment group. Madden is responsible for scouting players from the US college level. In 13 NHL seasons Madden played 898 games and he had 165 goals along with a total of 348 points. In those 13 seasons he won two Stanley Cups (New Jersey in 2000 &; Chicago in 2010).

Written By Andrew Di Pardo

THR HABS HIT THE ICE

FIRST LINE

Classic Blooper: Down But Not Out

Classic Blooper: Collision Course

INTERVIEW WITH PK SUBBAN

Blooper:GRETZKY SCORES A GOAL FOR THE CANADIENS

Top 10 Goals from the 11-12 Season (Habs)