Post by Carbon - Former Canadiens GM on Jan 5, 2009 21:32:09 GMT -5
It was another disappointing day at the Bell Centre.
Having finished with yet another winning record and placing 4th in the Eastern Conference with the 2nd best record, fans were not to be let down as the Habs fought past the New York Rangers in an exciting 7 Game Series with veteran winger Miroslav Satan potting the winner in OT. After once defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in which the Canadiens were seen as the underdogs as with their series with New York, they would go into the Eastern Conference Finals as the underdogs for a third time, up against the New Jersey Devils and their high octane offense. Ultimately Montreal would be swept as the Devils would go on to represent the East in the Stanley Cup Finals.
However fans have much to look forward to next year. GM Carbon has not changed the core of his team which accounted for the majority of the scoring. "We hope the the Kostitsyns continue to dominate at a high level and that Higgins numbers will improve with a whole year on the top line," Carbon said of his top forwards. With Campbell and Markov working the back end and Price still in net expect a high finish for Montreal once again.
Of course changes had to be made in the system, one of which Head Coach Guy Carbonneau cited as being a lack of two way forwards. GM Carbon heard this call and did not disappoint. Out were offensive players like Satan, Clutterbuck and in were players Ray Whitney, Daniel Briere and Daniel Cleary.
Habs fans were further pleased when Carbon brought back favourite Sheldon Souray to increase their defensive credibility.
"Its great to be back with the team, I'm really looking forward to working with some old teammates and bringing the cup back to Montreal." Souray said.
The return of Souray also marked the announcement of the captaincy within the organization as the Habs had gone the previous year w/o a captain.
This coming season also represents the first time in a while a Swede has donned the red, blue and white. Drafted 27th overall C Jacob Josefsson who surprisingly dropped will be expected to fight Robert Nilsson for the 3rd line Centre job.
Captain: Alexei Kovalev
Alternate Captain: Sheldon Souray
Alternate Captain: Brian Campbell
The following is the Canadiens projected lineup for the 09/10 season:
(Forwards)
Line 1: A. Kostitsyn (80) - Higgins (81) - S. Kostitsyn (81)
Line 2: Whitney (79) - Briere (80) - Kovalev (81)
Line 3: Cleary/Nilsson (78) - Nilsson/Josefsson(78) - Upshall (78)
Line 4: Burish/Cleary (75) - Chipchura (78) - Laraque (76)
(Defense)
Pair 1:Markov (79) - Campbell (81)
Pair 2:Boynton (77) - Souray (79)
Pair 3:Dandenault (75) - O'Byrne (74)
(Goalies)
Starting: Price (88)
Back Up: Halak (79)
And so as one season comes to the end Montreal fans hope that the playoff trend continues and will next year make an appearance one round later in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Captain Kovalev, Head Coach Carbonneau, Souray, and GM Carbon will now be available for questions
Alternate Captain: Sheldon Souray
Alternate Captain: Brian Campbell
The following is the Canadiens projected lineup for the 09/10 season:
(Forwards)
Line 1: A. Kostitsyn (80) - Higgins (81) - S. Kostitsyn (81)
Line 2: Whitney (79) - Briere (80) - Kovalev (81)
Line 3: Cleary/Nilsson (78) - Nilsson/Josefsson(78) - Upshall (78)
Line 4: Burish/Cleary (75) - Chipchura (78) - Laraque (76)
(Defense)
Pair 1:Markov (79) - Campbell (81)
Pair 2:Boynton (77) - Souray (79)
Pair 3:Dandenault (75) - O'Byrne (74)
(Goalies)
Starting: Price (88)
Back Up: Halak (79)
And so as one season comes to the end Montreal fans hope that the playoff trend continues and will next year make an appearance one round later in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Captain Kovalev, Head Coach Carbonneau, Souray, and GM Carbon will now be available for questions