Gainey’s work is ‘probably done’

Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey has just met with the Montreal media at the team’s Brossard training facility to discuss his team’s entirely new face. He said his work this free-agency season is “probably done.”

There are conversations ongoing, though not in any hurry, with Alex Kovalev. Colour Alex Tanguay gone. Ditto long-time captain Saku Koivu.

En français, Gainey said he was trying to find talent, not necessarily size, and feels he has achieved that.

He said the neither Kovalev nor Mike Komisarek exchanged contract numbers, hence Gainey’s immediate pursuit of other players.

Gainey added that chemistry played a role in his acquisitions, which is part of the reason why Brian Gionta was brought in to play with Scott Gomez and Mike Cammilleri; Tanguay wasn’t seen to be the solution there.

There was discussion about the new captain, so we’ve seen the last of Koivu in a Canadiens jersey. Gainey said head coach Jacques Martin will be in town next week and the captaincy issue will be talked about then.

source: habsinsideout.com

Brian Gionta signs with the Montreal Canadiens

Brian Gionta signed a five-year, $25-million contract tonight.

Mike Komisarek joins the Toronto Maple Leafs

Mike Komisarek signed a 5  year 4.5 million deal with the Leafs.

Mike Cammalleri joins the Montreal Canadiens

Mike Cammalleri signed a 5 year 30 million contract.

Hal Gill joins the Montreal Canadiens

Gill who played for the Stanley Cup Champions  Penguins is now part of the Montreal Canadiens.

Jaroslav Spacek joins the Montreal Canadiens

Jaroslav Spacek signed to a three-year, $11.5 million deal. The 35 year old defenceman played the last three seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and had 45 points (eight goals, 37 assists) in 80 games.

Habs can forget about Marian Hossa

Hossa signed a 12 year contract worth 5.2 million a season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Happy Canada Day! And Happy Free Agent Day! :-Þ

The hunt for the free agents will start at 12 pm Est. Will GM Bob Gainey surprises all?

We can forget about the Sedin twins. They re-signed  with Vancouver.

A new start for Christopher Higgins

Christopher Higgins has known only one NHL organization. As he moves to the Rangers, he now knows two.

Christopher Higgins’s mother, Sue, is thrilled beyond words on Long Island, her son soon to be playing much nearer home. His father, Bobby, is another matter. A Canadiens fan “for 50 years,” Higgins says, Bobby Higgins is burying his son’s Canadiens paraphernalia. Or at least putting it behind closed doors in the basement for now.

Higgins has played 282 regular-season NHL games in his career, which began at age 20 during the 2003-04 season. Drafted by the Habs in the first round (14th overall) in the 2002 entry draft, the Canadiens is the only organization he’s known as a professional athlete.

Tonight, I reached Higgins at his summer home on Long Island, where the day’s trade to the New York Rangers was still sinking in. He spoke glowingly of his time in Montreal and of the fans in this city, no matter their voice on any particular night.

New York is a dream come true. But leaving Montreal doesn’t happen without many memories being stirred.

Higgins told me his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since even before the trade was announced, his first knowledge of it coming in a voice mail left by Canadiens GM Bob Gainey. Higgins’s buddy, Mike Komisarek, might yet wind up back in Montreal, he said, though he said the defenceman keeps his cards close to his vest.

source: Dave Stubbs from Habsinsideout.com