Montreal Canadiens unveil 2012-13 Schedule

The Montreal Canadiens 2012-13 regular season schedule is now out.

And for starters the Canadiens won't be starting the season versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

And as well they will be starting at home for a change.

Circle Thursday October 11 2012 (provided their won't be a lockout) as the Canadiens will play host to the Ottawa Senators.

Worth mentioning, former team captain Saku Koivu returns to the Bell Centre on Saturday October 27 when the Habs play host to the Ducks.

And Mike Cammalleri pays his respect as the Flames visit the Canadiens on November 13.

And the Canadiens traditional Super Bowl matinees will continue once again this season when on Sat Feb and Sunday February 3rd, Canadiens entertain both the Islanders and Senators respectively.

Montreal Canadiens 2012-13 Schedule
Oct-12
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
THU, 11 OCT 2012	OTTAWA	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SAT, 13 OCT 2012	@ TORONTO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 16 OCT 2012	BOSTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN
THU, 18 OCT 2012	@ BOSTON	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 20 OCT 2012	WASHINGTON	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 23 OCT 2012	@ MINNESOTA	8:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 25 OCT 2012	PHILADELPHIA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN
SAT, 27 OCT 2012	ANAHEIM	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 30 OCT 2012	@ CALGARY	9:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
Nov-12
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
THU, 1 NOV 2012	@ EDMONTON	9:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 3 NOV 2012	@ VANCOUVER	10:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 6 NOV 2012	PHOENIX	7:30 PM	RDS
THU, 8 NOV 2012	WINNIPEG	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 10 NOV 2012	NY RANGERS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC/MSG
TUE, 13 NOV 2012	CALGARY	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 15 NOV 2012	@ WINNIPEG	8:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 17 NOV 2012	@ COLORADO	10:00 PM	RDS/CBC
MON, 19 NOV 2012	NASHVILLE	7:30 PM	RDS
TUE, 20 NOV 2012	@ NJ DEVILS	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS/NBCSN
SAT, 24 NOV 2012	VANCOUVER	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 27 NOV 2012	@ TAMPA BAY	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN
Dec-12
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
SAT, 1 DEC 2012	TORONTO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SUN, 2 DEC 2012	@ COLUMBUS	6:00 PM	RDS
TUE, 4 DEC 2012	CHICAGO	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN
THU, 6 DEC 2012	@ BUFFALO	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 8 DEC 2012	BUFFALO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
MON, 10 DEC 2012	CAROLINA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 12 DEC 2012	@ NY RANGERS	7:00 PM	RDS
THU, 13 DEC 2012	LA KINGS	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 15 DEC 2012	@ BUFFALO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
MON, 17 DEC 2012	BUFFALO	7:30 PM	RDS/NBCSN
WED, 19 DEC 2012	@ OTTAWA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
THU, 20 DEC 2012	@ WASHINGTON	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
SAT, 22 DEC 2012	@ TORONTO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC/NHL-US
THU, 27 DEC 2012	@ TAMPA BAY	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
FRI, 28 DEC 2012	@ FLORIDA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
MON, 31 DEC 2012	@ CAROLINA	8:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
Jan-13
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
THU, 3 JAN 2013	NJ DEVILS	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 5 JAN 2013	TORONTO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 8 JAN 2013	FLORIDA	7:30 PM	RDS
THU, 10 JAN 2013	@ PHILADELPHIA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 12 JAN 2013	@ DALLAS	2:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SUN, 13 JAN 2013	@ ST-LOUIS	7:30 PM	RDS
WED, 16 JAN 2013	PITTSBURGH	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
FRI, 18 JAN 2013	@ PITTSBURGH	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 19 JAN 2013	BOSTON	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC/NHL-US
TUE, 22 JAN 2013	TAMPA BAY	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
TUE, 29 JAN 2013	EDMONTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 30 JAN 2013	@ DETROIT	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN/NBCSN
Feb-13
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
SAT, 2 FEB 2013	NY ISLANDERS	1:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SUN, 3 FEB 2013	OTTAWA	1:00 PM	RDS/CBC
WED, 6 FEB 2013	CAROLINA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
FRI, 8 FEB 2013	@ PITTSBURGH	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 9 FEB 2013	TORONTO	7:300 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 12 FEB 2013	@ NY ISLANDERS	7:00 PM	RDS
FRI, 15 FEB 2013	@ BUFFALO	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS/MSG-B
SUN, 17 FEB 2013	@ WINNIPEG	2:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 19 FEB 2013	SAN JOSE	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 20 FEB 2013	@ NY RANGERS	7:00 PM	RDS
SAT, 23 FEB 2013	PITTSBURGH	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC/NHL-US
MON, 25 FEB 2013	@ OTTAWA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 28 FEB 2013	BOSTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
Mar-13
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
SAT, 2 MAR 2013	NY ISLANDERS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
MON, 4 MAR 2013	@ BOSTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN/NBCSN
THU, 7 MAR 2013	@ WASHINGTON	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
SAT, 9 MAR 2013	@ TAMPA BAY	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SUN, 10 MAR 2013	@ FLORIDA	6:00 PM	RDS
WED, 13 MAR 2013	OTTAWA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
FRI, 15 MAR 2013	@ PHILADELPHIA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN
SAT, 16 MAR 2013	@ NY DEVILS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 19 MAR 2013	@ OTTAWA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 21 MAR 2013	NJ DEVILS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
SAT, 23 MAR 2013	@ NY ISLANDERS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 26 MAR 2013	WINNIPEG	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
WED, 27 MAR 2013	@ BOSTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN/NBCSN
SAT, 30 MAR 2013	NY RANGERS	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
Apr-13
Date	Opponent	Time	TV
TUE, 2 APR 2013	PHILADELPHIA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
THU, 4 APR 2013	WASHINGTON	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
SAT, 6 APR 2013	BUFFALO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC
TUE, 9 APR 2013	FLORIDA	7:30 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS
FRI, 12 APR 2013	@ CAROLINA	7:00 PM	RDS/TSN-HABS/NHL-US
SAT, 13 APR 2013	@ TORONTO	7:00 PM	RDS/CBC

Former Habs in the 2012 Playoffs

Two weeks into the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, I can’t stop to think the amount of former Canadiens participating.

16 former Habs are still playing in the 2012 Playoffs.  Here's a rundown.

Phoenix Coyotes: 

  Kyle Chipchura (C); whom Habs traded to Anaheim in 2009 for 4th Round Pick ,2011 (Magnus Nygren – D)

Florida Panthers:  

 Jose Theodore (G); whom Habs traded to Colorado in 2006 for David Aebischer (G).

New Jersey Devils: 

  Dainius Zubrus (F); whom Habs traded to Washington Capitals in 2001 along with Trevor Linden in exchange for Richard Zednik (RW), Jan Bulis (C), and 2001 1st Rnd Draft Pick (Alexander Perezhogin).

San Jose Sharks: 

  Domenic Moore (C); whom Habs lost to free agency in 2010 to Tampa Bay Lightning.

St. Louis Blues: 

   Jaroslav Halak (G); whom Habs traded to St. Louis in 2010 in exchange for Lars Eller (C), and Ian Schultz (RW).

  Matt D’Agostini (F); whom Habs traded to St. Louis in 2009 in exchange for Aaron Palushaj (F).

Nashville Predators:

   Sergei Kostitsyn (F); whom Habs traded to Nashville in exchange for Dan Ellis (G) and Dustin Boyd (C).

Andrei Kostitsyn (F); whom Habs traded to Nashville in 2012 in exchange for 2nd Round Pick (2013).

Hall Gill (D); whom Habs traded to Nashville in 2012 Blake Geoffrion (F) and
Robert Slaney (F)

Ottawa Senators:

  Matt Carkner (D); whom Habs drafted in 1999 but never signed with the Canadiens and signed with the San Jose Sharks as a free agent in 2001.

New York Rangers:

 Ryan McDonagh (D); whom Habs drafted in the 2007 but whose rights were traded to the New York Rangers in 2009 along with along with Christopher Higgins, Pavel Valentenko, and Doug Janik to the New York Rangers for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Michael Busto.

Washington Capitals:

 Roman Hamrlik (D); whom Habs lost to free agency in 2011 to the Washington Capitals.

Boston Bruins:

 Benoit Poilliot (F); whom Habs lost to free agency in 2011 to the Boston Bruins.

Philadelphia Flyers:
  Michael Leighton (G); whom Habs traded in 2007 to Carolina for a 2007's 7th Rnd Pick (Scott Kishel, D.

Vancouver Canucks:

Chris Higgins (F);  whom Habs traded to New York Rangers in 2009 along with Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko, and Doug Janik to the New York Rangers for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Michael Busto.

Maxime Lapierre (F); whom Habs traded to Anaheim in 2010 in exchange for Brett Festerling (D)
5th Rnd draft pick, 2012.

Some of the players moved explains why the Canadiens failed to make the playoffs in 2011-12. One can argue not one player acquired in those trades have helped the Canadiens move forward. Too many deals where the Canadiens got little in return in terms of player procurement despite the fact the majority of the players were 3rd or 4th line players.

Mario Perrazzino

email:  mario@gohabs.com

GOHABS.com

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/GOHABSdotCOM

What's in a Number: The Canadiens #57 and #25

On Trade deadline day the Canadiens traded forward Andrei Kostitsyn.  They also acquired forward Brad Staubitz off waivers from the Minnesota Wild.

In another roster move the Canadiens called up prospect Blake Geoffrion of their AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs.

Blake Geoffrion will make is Montreal Canadiens debut.  Blake Geoffrion will be the fourth generation family member to play for the Canadiens.  His great-grandfather was Howie Morenz.  His grandfather was Bernie "Boom-Boom" Geoffrion.   Blake's dad, Danny Geoffrion, also played for the Canadiens back in 1979-80.

Normally the Canadiens assign numbers to rookies, but in this case, due to Blake's rich family history with the club, Blake got to choose.  He's decided to go with #57.   Paying homage to both Morenz (#7) and Boom-Boom Geoffrion (#5). 

Blake Geoffrion will be the 5th different player to don the #57 for the Montreal Canadiens.  The last player to wear #57 was Benoit Pouliot who did it for two season as recently as 2009-2011.  Chris Murray was the first ever Habs to wear #57 back in 1994-96.

Brad Staubitz will also make his Montreal Canadiens debut.  A veteran of several seasons in the NHL, Staubitz has opted to wear #25.  No. 25 was recently worn by Mathieu Dandenault through the 2005-09 seasons.  No. 25 was worn by distinction by both Jacques Lemaire, 1967-79, and by Vincent Damphousse, 1992-99.  Don Aiken was the first ever Hab to wear #25 back in 1957-58.

Mario Perrazzino

mario@gohabs.com

GOHABS.com

Twitter:  @GOHABSdotCOM

Has the next Canadiens GM been chosen? Maybe!

Today (Tuesday Feb 22, 2012)  there was an interesting back and forth tweets between @TonyMarinaro and myself @GOHABSdotCOM.

@TonyMarinaro writes ... Disappointed Habs fans do not worry. I have been told that everything will play itself out this summer. Everything.

I countered: @GOHABSdotCOM:  @TonyMarinaro does that mean #habs current regime will still be in place at the draft?

To which Tony replied: @TonyMarinaro:  @GOHABSdotCOM read between the lines.

Which now got me thinking.  Just this week Habs let it be know around the league, with days prior to the trade deadline, Travis Moen, a UFA after this season, is no longer being offered as trade bait.  

Who says?  And why?  Is it Geoff Molson calling the shots?  Gauthier? 

I doubt it's neither.  Gauthier can't be trusted like I can't be trusted next to a cookie jar.  Gauthier is responsible for the two biggest albatross in recent NHL memory in the trading for Scott Gomez and in the trading for Tomas Kaberle.  I think Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford is getting a bonus for unloading Kaberle.  But that's a discussion for another day.

Was it Geoff Molson who asked that Moen be removed from the trading block?  I doubt it because Molson knows as much as evaluating NHL talent as I know about quantum physics.

So my guess is, that the incumbent GM has already be known who he wants to retain moving forward. 

And is that incumbent Pierre McGuire?  Hmmm, as recent as last week McGuire, who does daily hits on TSN990 Radio in Montreal, shared his vision of the seven pieces of piecing  winning product.  He mentions the Canadiens have four:  In Goal they are set with Carey Price.  On defense with Subban and Emelin.  Power Forward with Max Pacioretty.  Missing, are three top centres including a shut down guy.  McGuire mentions Lars Eller can become that shut down guy.  Which leaves to two top tier centres missing. (IMO, it's only through drafting and developing you can find that).  And McGuire did say " with all due respect to  Tomas Plekanec" but he's not a top 2 centre. 

We'll see come draft day when according to Tony Marinaro, this should all be play itself out.

Mario Perrazzino

www.gohabs.com

mario@gohabs.com

Twitter: @GOHABSdotCOM

Habs poor start traced to pre-season

Pat Hickey of The Gazette explains that corporate greed made no favors for the Canadiens poor start.

Hickey: Habs suffered from busy preseason

Just this weekend I was thinking the same thing.  If you recall the Canadiens had a poor training camp record and it continued during the preseason.
I always wondered how could a team gel and work out the kinks on Power Play without Markov in the lineup, and with new faces on defense all together (Emelin, Diaz, Campoli), and how would Erik Cole fit in.

Instead, they play so many home games at the Bell Centre during preseason because they can.  The players aren't paid during pre-season, and 15,000 people flock to the Bell Centre regardless.  Easy money right?

Sure.  But short sighted because their poor start of the start of the season compromised their entire season and now they won't be generating any revenues during the playoffs (each home game brings in $1.5M-$2M of revenues) because most likely, they won't make the playoffs this season.

A few facts about Habs' preseason schedule. Canadiens played 8 pre-season games of which 6 were designated home games (they played 5 at Bell Centre and 1 in Halifax).  And they played two road games (Ottawa and Quebec City).  The 5 home games, fans and season-ticket holders were charged for the games at regular season prices (season and mini-season ticket holders were forced to buy these tickets as part of their package).  Oh yes why the disproportion home vs road during preseason?   Well the Canadiens entice visiting teams to play at the Bell Centre paying for their trip and accommodation.  Otherwise some of these visiting teams would be playing in front of crowds of less than 5,000 in their own rinks during the preseason.  Having the games at the Bell Centre, Habs get to keep the gate revenue and this revenue helps pay for revenue sharing. 

Incidentally, the Canadiens record during the preseason this past season? 1-6-1.  They have yet to recover since.

Mario Perrazzino

mario@gohabs.com

Twitter:  @GOHABSdotCOM

 Web:  http://www.gohabs.com

October 6, 2011 marks the Canadiens’ 102nd season; and 40% turnover from last season.

Last year the Canadiens began their season against the Toronto maple Leafs on october 7, 2010.

When comparing opening day rosters from the previous year, it’s hard to imagine that there has been a 40% turnover in opening day roster from the previous season.

The Canadiens dressed 8 different faces versus the Toronto Maple leafs than one full season ago.  Note that newly acquired forward Blair Betts, just claimed off waivers, is out with a lower-body injury, and Yannick Weber was a healthy scratch. 

Now when you compare the Canadiens’ 2011 Opening Day Roster with their last game of the 2010-2011 campaign, in April 2011 during the first Round of the dtanley Cup Playoffs, their turnover rate is 30%, or 7 players; Blair Betts, Peter Budaj, Chris Campoli, Erik Cole, Raphael Diaz, Andreas Engqvist, Alexei Emelin are the new faces since the last time Habs played together last Spring.  Gone are Alex Auld, Tom Pyatt, James Wisniewski, Roman Hamrlik, Brent Sopel, and Benoit Pouliot.

2011 opening day roster:

Blair Betts, Peter Budaj, Michael Cammalleri, Chris Campoli, Erik Cole, Mathieu Darche, David Desharnais, Raphael Diaz, Andreas Engqvist, Alexei Emelin, Hal Gill, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Josh Gorges, Andrei Kostsitsyn, Travis Moen, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Carey Price, Jaroslav Spacek, P.K. Subban, Yannick Weber.

 Injured: Andrei Markov, Ryan White, Lars Eller

2010 opening day roster

Alex Auld, Dustin Boyd, Mike Cammalleri, Mathieu Darche, Lars Eller, Hal Gill, Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez, Josh Gorges, Jeff Halpern, Roman Hamrlik, Andrei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre, Travis Moen, Ryan O'Byrne, Alexandre Picard, Tomas Plekanec, Benoit Pouliot, Carey Price, Tom Pyatt, Jaroslav Spacek, P.K. Subban.

Injured: Andrei Markov.

 ---

 Mario Perrazzino

mario@gohabs.com

Twitter:  @GOHABSdotCOM