Montreal Canadiens

[ericdaoust]

But then he goes on to say that he doesn't really understand what he could be doing out at 6:00am on Sunday morning and that management does not support his decision. I guess the ''I got up early to go out to Sunday brunch with my 2 cousins before church'' excuse didn't fly!

I think the issue is being out at 6AM and suffering a significant injury outside of hockey. I was not aware he had a broken foot which is "minor" when going by vehicle accident reports (because it's not life-threatening) but it will keep him off the ice for a while.

[rainydrinkwater]

@FriedgeHNIC: NHL/NHLPA announce Zack Kassian placed on Stage 2 of Substance Abuse program. Suspended without pay until cleared by doctors

@FriedgeHNIC: Most important thing is that Kassian gets the help he needs.

m.twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC

Per twitter

[ericdaoust]

Per twitter

That's crazy. Hopefully he can come out of this on a positive note.

- - - Updated - - -

Mike Weaver has retired.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...tire-1.3257159

[lektrix]

Any reason why Pleks is starting on L1 this season? I thought Desharnais was a better fit w/ Pac on L1, and Pleks was better defensively suited for a L3 role.

[ericdaoust]

Any reason why Pleks is starting on L1 this season? I thought Desharnais was a better fit w/ Pac on L1, and Pleks was better defensively suited for a L3 role.

Defensive-minded centers playing on the top two lines is nothing new in the NHL. He's there because he's better than Desharnais.

[ericdaoust]

More on Kassian situation:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/c...ikely-concern/

[newfcollins]

Habs 24CH cancelled.

http://www.allaboutthehabs.ca/habs-24ch-canceled/

Warning, that is a very long article that for some weird reason spends two-thirds of it talking about shows other than Habs 24CH. Talk about burying the lede.

[Bass56]

Habs 24CH cancelled.

http://www.allaboutthehabs.ca/habs-24ch-canceled/

Warning, that is a very long article that for some weird reason spends two-thirds of it talking about shows other than Habs 24CH. Talk about burying the lede.

I was invited to the Canadiens inaugural supper at the Bell Centre a few years back. It's a supper that is held directly on the rink for about 250 VIP guests, mostly private suite owners. Each table of 8 is assigned a Habs player. That year, we were paired up with Eller and since he was (is not) a superstar, I got to have a good talk with him as most fans were busy getting autographs from Subban and Price. One question that I had for him was about the 24CH series and how players dealt with it. After rolling his eyes, he said that guys just cope with it and that they have to watch what they say and do in front of the cameras (even though there is A LOT of editing done). He then nodded in the direction of PK, who was signing autographs and taking pictures at the table next to us, and said that HE was pretty much the only player that got a kick out of it

I think as much as fans enjoyed it, it was just too much for players as they had cameras in their face literally 24hrs a day!

[ericdaoust]

Was 24CH even getting great viewership numbers? I gotta think as much as some fans loved it I don't think the audience was overly large. Probably an easy thing to let go if the Winter Classic series is being filmed as well.

[MarmotKing]

I watched only a few episodes over the course of the show. It was an interesting concept, but I only ended up watching it when I had nothing else to watch. It should be one less distraction now.

Was 24CH even getting great viewership numbers? I gotta think as much as some fans loved it I don't think the audience was overly large. Probably an easy thing to let go if the Winter Classic series is being filmed as well.

Is it still being filmed?

[ericdaoust]

Is it still being filmed?

EPIX has taken over and has already filmed interviews.

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/ho...-for-canadiens

[Bass56]

On a side note, I'm pretty sure Smith-Pelly will fill in for Kassian on the 4th line, but do you guys think that the Habs may go after Max Talbot here, especially considering the fact that Kassian's salary won't count towards the cap while he's in rehab?

[ericdaoust]

On a side note, I'm pretty sure Smith-Pelly will fill in for Kassian on the 4th line, but do you guys think that the Habs may go after Max Talbot here, especially considering the fact that Kassian's salary won't count towards the cap while he's in rehab?

I guess it depends on how long Kassian is expected to be there because once he exits his cap hit goes back on payroll. If they are going to bother with this they might as well try to snag someone better.

[Bass56]

Any reason why Pleks is starting on L1 this season? I thought Desharnais was a better fit w/ Pac on L1, and Pleks was better defensively suited for a L3 role.

Defensive-minded centers playing on the top two lines is nothing new in the NHL. He's there because he's better than Desharnais.

Another reason would be that Desharnais clicked very well with Fleischmann (he got a contract from it) and formed a good line during preseaon with Weise. This has helped the Habs spread out their talent on 3 lines and have a good combination of offensive and defensive skill on each line.

[Bass56]

I guess it depends on how long Kassian is expected to be there because once he exits his cap hit goes back on payroll. If they are going to bother with this they might as well try to snag someone better.

True, but who is ''better'' in your opinion on the market for that 4th line role? I like Vey but I don't think he will be ''good enough'' defensively for Therrien.