Montreal Canadiens Training Camp: Day Four

The stands at the Brossard training complex were not as crowded today as the Habs took to the ice for a fourth day of practice.

Tomorrow, the Canadiens will play their first pre-season game against the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre.

“It’s a good opportunity,” said forward Scott Gomez, who was amazed to hear that the Bell Centre will be a sell-out for a pre-season game.

“Whether it’s pre-season or not, once you step on that ice, in that atmosphere you realize how special it is that you’re in the NHL.”

Gomez will play on a line Thursday with Mike Cammalleri and Andrei Kostitsyn.

“I didn’t realize how good a player he is,” he said of Kostitisyn.

“He’s a complete player, a guy we’re definitely gonna need him this year whether we play together or not.”

“I feel good with these two guys,” said Kostitsyn. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Like Gomez, Cammalleri was equally surprised that the Bell Centre is a sell out for a pre-season game.

“Is that what is, twenty-one and change?” he asked. “Wow, here we go!”

Carey Price had his first session today with new goaltending coach Pierre Groulx.

“It was tough,” he said on the outing. “It was a pretty good little skate this morning.”

Price figures his style of play shouldn’t change that much under his new coach.

“I think there’s going to be a few minor adjustments, but I think it’s going to stay the same technically,” he said.

“Mentally I think I might be a little bit more prepared this year to deal with everything that goes on.”

The 22-year-old said likes the mentality of the Canadiens dressing room this season over last year.

“I think our guys are bonding better this year,” he said.

“Over the next couple weeks we’re going to have to keep that up and keep working as a team.”

Price will also sport a new mask, for the Canadiens Centennial, that features goaltenders Ken Dryden and Gump Worsley.

He’s also going to the red goal pads, which will raise the eyebrows of many fans.

"I’m the same size in this, as I am in white,” he said and doesn’t feel the red pads were a part of his failure last year.

“It’s all up here. I don’t beleive in curses. I’m not a very superstitious person.”

The Montreal Canadiens site offers more comments on Price from his new teammates.

Game time Thursday is at 7:30pm (EST).