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Canadiens Sign Last RFA Matt D'Agostini To 1 Year Deal

The Canadiens announced today that Matt D'Agostini has agreed to terms for a 1 year contract for the 2009-10 season. While the terms were not disclosed, one would think that with just over 2 million left in salary cap and with players like Pacioretty, Latendresse, and Lapierre getting around $800,000 and Gregory Stewart at $500,000, you can bet that D'Agostini's numbers are are between those markers.

Now that it appears that Bob Gainey has signed all the RFA's and with a little room to wriggle under the salary cap, one can now go about wondering if there is another move to be made prior to the season's start, or does Gainey allow the team to gel and hold off on any earth shattering trades until the trade deadline.

Please read on for the official Habs press release on D'Agostini.

Gregory Stewart Signs 1 Year Deal With Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have come to terms with one of the two remaining RFA's when they signed Gregory Stewart to a one-year deal. The last player left unsigned is Matt D'Agostini. Please read on for the official Habs' press release.

Maybe Going Vegan Makes You Crazy!

Nick Murdocco, 1/2 of The Franchise, has been going off on Big George Laraque over BGL's decision to become a vegan during this off season. Prince Fielder from the Milwaukee Brewers announced his turn to vegetarianism before the start of the baseball season, and it hasn't seemed to effect his aggressive instincts one bit, as this video shows. Fielder was looking to "get answers" from Guillermo Mota for hitting Fielder with 1 out to go in the 9th inning despite being up 7-4.

Canadiens, Tomas Plekanec Avoid Arbitration and Agree on 1 Year Deal

The Best case scenario for both sides has presented itself today as the Montreal Canadiens announce that forward Tomas Plekanec has agreed to a one year term with the team.

Bob Gainey has been quoted in the past as saying that once one goes to arbitration, regardless of which side wins, there is always a remnant of ill will or misgivings after what may have transpired while in the process. If this is the case, then both sides have spared themselves this situation and both can now look forward to the 2009-10 season.

A one year deal will allow both sides to re-evaluate the individual's and the team's performance at season's end and before they decide to either go sepparate ways or reunite for a longer run, going forward.

Barring any unforeseen changes to the roster, Plekanec will most likely centre the 2nd line and be matched up with the likes of Mike Cammilleri and Andrei Kostitsyn.

Please read on for the official Habs press release.

Montreal Canadiens Sign Goaltender Curtis Sanford to 1 Year Deal

The Canadiens annunced today that they have signed a 1 year 2-way deal with goaltender Curtis Sanford. The 29 year old does have NHL esperience, having played in St Louis and more recently Vancouver so let the rumour mill begin.

Most would say he is heading straight to Hamilton and that he is being added strictly for depth. But with veteran Marc Denis chomping at the bit to play on the big stage and Cedric Desjardins progressing well in Hamilton, as well as Price and Halak taking the top spots in Montreal, isn't Sanford one too many? Just ask Yann Danis.

Is there a trade on the horizon or are we all looking for something to talk about before October? Talk amongst yourselves.

Please read on for the official Habs press release on Sanford.

Montreal Canadiens 2009-2010 Schedule Released

The NHL has released the 2009-2010 schedule including, of course, the much anticipated Habs schedule. 

Particular home games and dates of note, since the Canadiens will seemingly face many interseting matchups with most of their UFA's signing elsewhere across the league:

Guillaume Latendresse Signs 1 Year Deal with Montreal Canadiens

Just a day after he stated that talks were going well and that he expected a contract to be signed withing the next few weeks, it was announced today that Guillaume Latendresse has agreed to terms with the Montreal Canadiens. 

The contract is said to be a one year $803,000 deal that may be a win-win for both sides.

Latendresse, who the fans hope will develop to be the next Canadiens power forward has not yet had a 20 goal season with the Habs, but with a new look, a new face and a fresh new start for the team, this may be the breakout year that both Latendresse, the Canadiens and the fans are looking for.

Also, in the same Canadiens Press release, they announced that they have also signed defenseman Shawn Belle to a ine year-2 way contract. Please read on. 

Will Ovechkin Play Montreal Canadiens At Olympic Stadium?

According to an article in the Globe and Mail by Tim Wharnsby, it appears that the NHL 2009-10 schedule, to be released tomorrow, would tentatively include a game on November 28th that would have the Washington Capitals facing off against the Habs in an indoor match at the big O.

While there will already be the touted "Winter Classic" at Fenway Park between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers on New Year’s Day, this particular game would be added as a final touch to the Canadiens' centennial celebration that officially ends on December 5th.

Andreas Engqvist signs three-year, two-way contract with Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens, according to Bob Gainey prior to the entry draft, were looking for a big centre to bolster their line-up. The good news is they found one. The not so good news is that he is a relative unknown with no NHL experience, and may or may not play for the big team this year.

Coming off an injury, Engqvist only played 31 games while playing in the Swedish Elite League, but managed 9 goals and 7 assists in that span. At 6-3, 196 pounds, he would definitley not be the heaviest, with many of this teammates tipping the scales at over 200 pounds, but would be be tied with Big Georges Laraque for tallest forward on the team.

Terms were not disclosed and one would assume he will start the season in Hamilton so allow him to adapt to the style of play and work out any potential kinks in that recently operated wrist.

Habs' official press release attached. Please read on.

Kyle Chipchura Signs for 1 Year With Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that Kyle Chipchura has agreed to terms for a one year deal for the 2009-10 season. Chipchura has been up and down in both his NHL career and consistency and one would think that this is a make or break season for the 6 foot 2 centreman.

Chipchura was an Restricted Free Agent and had until July 15th to accept the Habs's offer or make himself available to offer sheets from rival clubs. Other RFA's still to resoond to Bob Gainey's qualifying offers are Matt D'Agostini, Guillaume Latendresse and Gregory Stewart, whule Tomas Plekanec has opted to go the route of arbitration.

This may be the best season yet for Chipcura to be put in an environment to succeed. With the Habs' new look and the addition of players condusive to team chemistry, Chipchura could easily be placed at centre as a 3rd or 4th liner with the likes of D'Agostini, Paccioretty, Stewart, Laracque and Moen at any given side.

Please read on for the official Habs Press release.