Habs : Parros gets green light from doctors

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After enjoying a day off on Friday, the Canadiens returned to the ice Saturday morning in Brossard and got some good news concerning George Parros.

“I got the green light from the doctors to play in a game,” Parros, who has been recovering from shoulder surgery, said on the team’s official Twitter account.

And fans watching in Brossard might not have recognized Ryan White, who is known for the long hair flowing out of his helmet, but showed up at practice with a new style: a shaved head.

The lines at practice were:

Pacioretty-Desharnais-Briere
 Bourque-Plekanec-Gionta
Galchenyuk-Eller-Gallagher
Moen-Prust-Parros
Bournival-White

The defence pairings were:

Gorges-Subban
Bouillon-Tinordi
Markov-Diaz
Murray

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HAbs : Emelin skates in full gear before Sunday practice

Source : hockeyinsideout

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There were some significant developments before the Canadiens’ practice in Brossard Sunday.

For starters, Alexei Emelin (photo above) was on the ice in full gear with strength coach Pierre Allard. It’s not Emelin’s first skate since having reconstructive knee surgery in May, but he was in sweats for his workouts last week. The defenceman is on target for a returun in early December.

Douglas Murray, who has a lower-body injury, was also out on the ice early, as was forward George Parros, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Parros was skating for the first time without a non-contact jersey and was part of the regular practice. Travis Moen got a head start as he rejoined the regular practice after missing two days with a lower-body injury.

Also joining in the regular practice were defencemen Francis Bouillon and Nathan Beaulieu. Bouillon has been listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Beaulieu banged up his shoulder in practice early in training camp and has yet to appear in an exhibition game.

Eleven players, mostly youngsters who played both games against Carolina, were limited to off-ice training, and the lineup on the ice Sunday was very close to what the roster will look like on opening night Oct. 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.

Tomas Plekanec was on a line between Rene Bourque and Brian Gionta, while David Desharnais was at centre with Max Pacioretty and Daniel Briere. The two Gallys - Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher - were with Lars Eller, and the fourth line had Ryan White between Moen and Brandon Prust. Parros was with Martin St. Pierre and Nick Tarnasky.

The defence pairings were P.K. Subban and Josh Gorges, Andrei Markov and Rafael Diaz, and Bouillon with Beaulieu.

 The off-ice group included a few players who are on the bubble: defencemen Jarred Tinordi, Magnus Nygren and Greg Pateryn, and forward Michael Bournival.


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Habs : Return of the general

Source : canadiens.nhl.com



We sometimes take certain things for granted. In their absence, we tend to discover just how important they really are. And, we appreciate them even more when they return.

That’s somewhat been the story of rearguard Andrei Markov, a general who has long patrolled the Canadiens blue line.

Having only contested 73 of his team’s 272 games between 2009 and 2012 after undergoing several knee surgeries, the Russian defenseman returned to form when the NHL season began back in January.

After putting his knee to the test in the KHL with a 21-game stint with Vityaz de Chekhov during the lockout, Markov showed that time spent in his native Russia played an important role in his being able to perform consistently during the condensed 2012-13 NHL schedule. His decision to head overseas ahead of the regular season was welcomed by Canadiens brass.

“The fact that Andrei played in the KHL helped him,” indicated Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. “He hadn’t played for such a long period of time. We obviously had no control over whether or not he would play in the KHL, but internally we were pleased. We knew that he had to find his rhythm again. The best way to do that was to play hockey, and that’s what he did. He had a great start.”

If the Canadiens started the season off at a torrid pace and began heading down a path that would see them jump from finishing 15th in the Eastern Conference in 2011-12 to second in 2012-13, partial credit goes to number 79 who registered four goals, including three game-winning markers in three consecutive games – a first for a defenseman in team history – and four assists during the first six games of the season in January. All doubt had been set aside. The Markov of old was back.

At his post for each of the 48 regular season tilts and five playoff games, Markov was a veritable workhorse for head coach Michel Therrien’s defense corps, logging at least 20 minutes of ice time in all but two games over the course of the year. It was a tall order for a 34-year-old defenseman who hadn’t laced up his skates in practically two years. Markov, however, met the challenge in front of him head on. He finished the season with 30 points, 23 of which came on the power play, finishing second only to teammate P.K. Subban who led all NHL defensemen in that category.

"Not playing over the course of two years and then playing two games in two nights, four in six. I was tired just traveling with the guys," explained Bergevin with a grin. "In general, we’re happy with the way he performed."

Having coached Markov during his early days in the NHL, Therrien was happy to be able to count on his general game in and game out. Markov’s triumphant return did not go unnoticed when it was announced that he was the Canadiens’ candidate for the Bill Masterton Trophy.

"It’s a great demonstration of perseverance. He went practically two years without being able to play," said the Canadiens bench boss. "He’s a player that we used a lot, who’s important at the heart of our team and who played in all of our games. When we talk about perseverance, Andrei is an excellent example of that."

The Voskresensk, Russia native took full advantage of the season to cement his place among the best defensemen in team history, moving up to fifth on the all-time points list with 399 points. Legends Serge Savard and Doug Harvey are in sight for Markov in 2013-14.

While the campaign may have ended earlier than expected after a successful regular season, the veteran rearguard is optimistic about what the future has in store.

“We expected more. Regardless of where you finish in the standings, you want to get past the opening round. Everyone was disappointed,” confessed Markov. “We’ve got a good group of young players who will get even better next season. We’ve got a bright future ahead of us.”

Patrick Roy, new coach for Avalanche, returns to Colorado to turn around team

Source : Denverpost.com

When the Avalanche needed a final piece for its roster in 1995 to become a championship club, it looked toward Quebec at Patrick Jacques Roy. Eighteen years later, the Avs look to Roy to lead them back to glory, this time as their coach and vice president of hockey operations.
The Avs again imported one of Quebec's biggest treasures, naming Roy their sixth coach in team history.

"This is an unbelievable day for me," Roy said in a team news release. "It's a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me. Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player, I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am."

Because Roy remains in Florida, where he has a second home, and because of the holiday weekend, the Avs will not introduce him at a news conference until next week.

Even though Roy received the front-office title, it will be Sakic, named executive vice president of hockey operations two weeks ago, who has the final say on personnel matters.

"All along, Patrick was our top candidate," Sakic said in the news release. "Patrick has a great hockey mind. There is no one more passionate about this game. He will bring that winning attitude to our dressing room."

Not long after he took over in his new role, Sakic set his sights on Roy — despite originally saying he didn't want to hire a coach from junior hockey, where Roy has coached and been general manager since 2005 with the Quebec Remparts. Sakic quickly amended his words, however, saying the field for a coach was wide open and Roy would be an attractive candidate.

Sakic flew to Roy's offseason home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., where the
deal essentially was hashed out. Roy, 47, becomes the most high-profile coach in Avs history as a Hall of Fame goalie who won four Stanley Cups (two with the Montreal Canadiens, two with the Avs) and a record three Conn Smythe Trophies in three decades (1986, 1993 and 2001). He compiled a 307-128-32 record with the Remparts, including a Memorial Cup championship in 2005. As he was known as a player, Roy has been a fiery coach in Quebec, with some occasional headline-grabbing because of his temper. But just as when he was a player, he has been known for winning.
"It's going to be good for all the young guys that we have. That's what the team needed," said Avs forward P.A. Parenteau, a Quebec native. "He's a proven winner. I'm really happy."
Playing goalie with Roy looking over your shoulder might be daunting, but Avalanche veteran 
Jean-Sebastien Giguere — who grew up idolizing Roy — welcomes the challenge.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him as my coach," Giguere said. "I watched him growing up, and I played against him, and now I get to play for him. It's very exciting. And in all seriousness, I think he'll be good for (Semyon Varlamov) too. To have a man like him giving you pointers as a goalie, that's not too bad."

Former Avs defenseman Adam Foote said he was "just so happy for Colorado hockey fans" with the hiring of his former roommate.

"The special part about Roy is, he's ready," Foote told KKFN 104.3.

• View slide show of Patrick Roy.

"He's spent almost a decade with his family in Quebec. It's such good timing for Patrick, and Joe made the right call."

Roy inherits a team that finished last in the Western Conference, a draft lottery team three of the past five seasons. It has 22 players signed for next season, at a salary cap-averaged payroll of about $56 million — about $9 million under the cap.

"He's been successful as a coach and a GM," former University of Denver coach George Gwozdecky said. "They're starting to put some of the pieces back in place that were here during the glory years of the Avalanche, and Patrick is another one of those key pieces."

Roy retired from the Avs in 2003 with 551 regular-season wins and 151 playoff wins. He becomes the first Hall of Fame goalie to coach an NHL team.

"This move instantly reinvigorates the fan base in Colorado," said former DU and Avalanche winger Mark Rycroft, now an analyst with the Altitude television network. "In my mind, to bring back a legend, a guy that's got some real experience coaching, it's a home run."

Habs : DIAZ'S return from concussion will bolster defense

Source : Tsn.ca

The return of Raphael Diaz could not have come at a better time for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Swiss defenceman was tabbed to be back to face the Washington Capitals on Saturday night after missing 25 games with a concussion.

The club had been reeling on defence since an injury to Alexei Emein on April 6, and Diaz is expected to bring his skill and puck-moving ability into his spot alongside veteran Andrei Markov.

"I did a lot of skating this week and yeah, I'm ready to play," the 27-year-old said. "Of course the game speed is different.

"I need a couple of shifts and then I'll be ready."

Diaz was a key player for Montreal through the first 19 games of the season before he was injured on Feb. 25 against Ottawa.

With P.K. Subban missing the first six games while getting his contract signed, Diaz stepped up. And even after Subban returned, the five-foot-11 Diaz was usually getting more than 20 minutes per game as well as seeing some power play duty.

That gave him a chance to show the offensive flair that had made him a star in his native Switzerand before he signed as an undrafted free agent with Montreal last season. He had a goal and 12 assists before the injury.

His return gives Montreal six experienced defencemen and restores the righty-lefty balance on the three pairings, as Francis Bouillon can return to the left side with newcomer Davis Drewiske.

That should help a team that gave up 24 goals in the first six games after Emelin's season ended with a torn knee ligament, which he suffered while putting a hit on Boston's Milan Lucic. It included a three-game stretch of losses in which they allowed 18 goals.

He won't replace Emelin's physical presence, but he will help move the puck out of the zone and pick up the pace of the game.

"It's a big lift and a confidence booster for everyone," rearguard Josh Gorges said of Diaz's return. "I think he's an outstanding hockey player.

"He's a guy that does everything well for you. He'll help solidify our top six. He can play in all situations."

Diaz struggled with injuries as a first-year NHL player last season, when he had only three goals and 16 points in 59 games.

Bad luck struck again this season against Ottawa, when he was run into while falling to the ice and had an opponent's leg clip his chin.

"The problem was that I wasn't ready," he said. "I was protecting myself to fall down.

"If I saw the leg coming, it wouldn't't be that bad."

The recovery wasn't as rapid as he hoped. He wasn't able even to skate or exercise in the first weeks, but the process went quickly once he started feeling better. He has been skating for about two weeks.

It was his second concussion, after one suffered three years ago in Switzerland.

It was also a big day for winger Brandon Prust, who was named the winner of the Jacques
Beauchamp Trophy as the team's unsung hero as voted by the local media.

Prust has brought much-needed physicality to the Canadiens, whose strengths are speed and team play. He is also popular among his teammates.

"It feels good," said Prust, who signed as a free agent from the New York Rangers last summer.

"That's the easy part of the game for me -- to go out and work your butt off.

"It's what got me here, so I knew coming in everyone in Montreal would appreciate that. It's easier for me to come in than for a guy who is expected to get 50 goals. I just do my work. It's good to see it's appreciated."

Prust has five goals and eight assists in 34 games and leads the team in penalty minutes with 104.

Gorges, who won the award last year and in 2010, said Prust earned it.

"He's the type of guy that every team needs, especially at playoff time," he said. "You need that physical presence, but in the game now, you can't just have a goon. I don't want to say that word, but a guy that all he does is fight.

"(Prust) can play and he plays very well. He can play on your third line checking, he can play on your first line to open up room and make plays. On the penalty kill, he's outstanding. He does a little bit of everything and makes everyone better when he's on the ice."

Prust finished ahead of Bouillon and backup goalie Peter Budaj in voting.

The trophy was first awarded in 1982 to centre Doug Jarvis.