Puck Possession: A Missing Factor in the Habs Season

Canadiens coach Jacques Martin uses a puck possession system, really?

Speaking to the media before Tuesday’s game against the Washington Capitals, GM Bob Gainey felt the game against Washington would show where his team’s limits are.

“We’re in a race with a lot of teams (eight or nine), for three or four limited spots,” he said, “Our play reflects that’s where we should be.”

The Canadiens surely found their limits in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the contending Capitals. Washington fired 42 shots at Carey Price, missed the net 19 times, and had 18 blocked.

That’s a total of 80 discs of frozen rubber in the direction of the Canadiens net. By comparison, Montreal had just 52. Keep in mind that this is a team that had their best player, Andrei Markov, back on the ice.

Gainey also noted that when they face the seven or eight teams vying for the those four playoff slots, the Canadiens need to take them on head-to-head.

So for 2010, the Canadiens are 0-2, both against top-eight teams, and are 6-18 overall against Top-15 teams in the league.

Gainey knows his squad is not a top tier team, but can contend for the playoffs. As we all know, once the playoffs begin, it’s a whole new season.

Injuries aside, the biggest concern with the Canadiens right now is puck possession.

When Jacques Martin was hired as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, he saw his new team as a puck possession based squad.

Gainey, in the introductory press conference, said how he was always impressed by Martin’s defensive and possessive coaching style.

That was reiterated by Martin on Wednesday after the team’s off-ice workouts. The coach defines his system in this audio sound byte courtesy of HabsInsideOut.com

Well folks, we’re 45 games into the season, sitting miraculously at .500.

There is no stat in the NHL to calculate time of possession, it would be difficult with all the loose pucks, but give it time. The available statistics do show that the Canadiens’ puck possession game is clearly not there.

The Canadiens rank second last in shots for, with 27.3 on average, and are tied with Anaheim for third in shots allowed (32.8).

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that those numbers show that the Canadiens are a lot less in control of game flow than their opponents.

Nor does it help the possession factor when they are the third most penalized team, in terms of minor penalties, in the league. That heavily contributes to Montreal  being shorthanded a league-leading 193 times.

Play like that offsets their top-ranked power-play unit, where 33 of the team’s 112 goals (27th overall) come from.

Habs fans can enter their complaints about the calls by the referees to their heart’s content, but discipline is always the factor in a minor penalty.

Now that the key players are all healthy, Kostitsyn brothers the current exception, the Canadiens have 37 games to improve their possession game before the second season. If they don’t it may be an early golf season instead.

Talking to Hockey Central (Rogers Sportsnet, Fan590) on Wednesday afternoon, Martin remains optimistic that the team’s upcoming home stand will put his team in the right direction.

The Canadiens play their next four games, and six of their next eight, at the Bell Centre. Montreal has lost their last four home games.

Kostitsyn Injury Update: Jacques Martin cancelled Wednesday’s practice in favour of off-ice workouts, and a team meeting.

Sergei Kostitsyn did skate for just over a half hour, in a track suit, to gauge the injury to his left ankle. He was joined on the ice by the team’s head athletic therapist Graham Rynbend.

It is unlikely that he or brother Andre (lower body) will play in Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.

Dickie Moore (l), Jacques Plante (c), and Floyd Curry during the Habs dynasty era.

This Day in Habs History:  On January 6, 1963, Jacques Plante became the 4th goaltender, in NHL history, to record 300 wins with a 6-0 shutout victory over the New York Rangers.

It is also Habs legend Dickie Moore’s 79th birthday.

Habs Twelve Days of Trivia Contest: Day 6

It’s day six of my Twelve Days of Habs Trivia!

Each day, from December 1 to December 12, I will post a trivia question about the Montreal Canadiens.

Don’t worry, they won’t be too difficult.

Once all the questions are posted, send me an email with all twelve answers.

Entries must be received by December 14, 2009.

All correct entries will be placed in a hat, and the lucky winner drawn.

The Prize pack will consist of:

• A DVD copy of the original series of “Peter Puck : How to Play the Game”
• Five packs of cards from the Canadiens Upper Deck Centennial Set
• A set of reusable Montreal Canadiens Stickers
• A Montreal Canadiens bumper sticker
• A die-cut indoor/outdoor magnet
• A collection of four 1/64 Die-Cast Canadiens vehicles
• An assortment of 50 Montreal Canadiens hockey cards with some nice surprises in them

The prize pack will have an approximate value of $50.00

Good Luck to all!

Here’s trivia question number six:

Maurice Richard and Jacques Plante both were head coach for what WHA team?

New Jacques Plante biography: A must read for all hockey fans

Fifty years after he changed the world of hockey, a complete biography of hockey’s most important goalie is set to be released.

Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey, gives a complete look into the life of one of the greatest men to stand between the pipes.

in his first book, author Todd Denault left no stone unturned in his research to give us insight into Plante’s life, from a prodigy teenaged player to the pinnacle of greatness in the NHL and well beyond.

Mr. Denault, a freelance writer and member of SIHR (The Society for International Hockey Research), realized that outside of a book Plante co-authored in 1971, that there was no full-scale biography on the Hall of Famer.

Denault spent countless hours researching books, interviews and newspaper articles devoted to the hockey legend. He also spoke to over forty individuals (a virtual whose who of teammates, coaches and journalists) who played with, or against him, coached or documented his career and game up with a fascinating biography.

Most of Plante’s story is publically known for his time and experiences with the Montreal Canadiens, but Mr. Denault captures his entire life in true essence.

From his first goalie stick, carved out of a branch by his father, to his first retirement from the NHL, his return to play with St. Louis, Toronto, Boston and Edmonton (WHA), and final retirement at age 46, the author covered all aspects.

While Plante’s worldwide claim to fame is donning a mask on a regular basis, after that famed day on November 1, 1959, the reader also learns of the legends other noted contributions that revolutionized the game and how the role of a goaltender has evolved.

Mr. Denault even looks into Plante’s post-playing career where he again changed the game as the first goaltending coach in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and later returning to Montreal.

The book is a must read for any hockey fan (not just Canadiens fans) and the Mr. Denault is to be commended on bringing it to light.

Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey will be available at all major books retailers (conventional and online), in both French and English, on October 27.

Online ordering info, and more information, can be found on the publisher  McLelland and Stewart’s website.

Other Book and related links:

Official Facebook page

Habs Eyes on the Prize’s interview with the author

SIHR (The Society for International Hockey Research)

Habs World (where Mr. Denault is a frequent contributor)

Hockey Book Reviews - hockey book reviews and interviews.

New address and monument for Habs, and more.

Former Canadiens greats, and other dignitaries admire the new Centennial Monument outside the Bell Centre. Photo – Monteal Gazette

While the 2009-10 edition of the Montreal Canadiens were practicing in Edmonton, in preparation for Saturday’s game against the Oilers, former Habs legends gathered at the Bell Centre for a special ceremony.

The City of Montreal made it official, on Friday afternoon, that a street along the location of the Bell Centre will now be known as avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.

The renaming of the street applies only to the section of De La Gauchetière West between de la Montagne and Peel streets.

A new sign was placed on the corner of the De La Gauchetière and de la Montagne streets.

A new monument, a tribute to the 761 players who wore a Canadiens jersey for the team’s first 100 seasons,  was also unveiled at the centre of the Canadiens’ Centennial Plaza.

The the monument features Canadiens players awarded NHL individual honors during their career, the team’s annual record since the it’s first season (1909-1910) and is completed with a list of all general managers and head coaches in team history.

Pierre Boivin, President and CEO of the Club de hockey Canadien, along with Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of the City of Montreal, presided over the ceremony.

Montreal Canadiens Ambassadors Jean Béliveau, Yvan Cournoyer, Guy Lafleur and Réjean Houle were also in attendance, as were former Canadiens Elmer Lach, Dickie Moore, Phil Goyette, Don Johns, Jean-Guy Morissette and Yvon Lambert.

Lafleur was impressed to see even the single-game players honored by the Canadiens and that two of those players, Johns and Morissette, were invited to attend Friday’s ceremony.

"We always talk about the dynasties and things like that, but we're celebrating the 100th anniversary and everybody's part of it," he said.

"They proved it today by having guys here who only played one game with the team. I'm very happy about that."

A photo gallery, from the Montreal Gazette, can be found here.

A video montage of the ceremony, from canadiens.com is seen below.

 

Beliveau OK without a Habs captain: Habs Hall-of-Famer Jean Beliveau feels there is not need to hurry to find the team’s next captain.

"Since we have so many new players, give the organization a chance to know them better," Beliveau said. "There's nothing wrong starting with three alternate captains.

"Even if they have to wait until Christmas, by that time they should know. It's not only what they do on the ice, but it's also the way they face situations (that shows if ) they have the ability to wear the C."

Laraque’s new PSA for PETA: The Canadiens heavyweight has a new announcement for PETA. Warning: The content is a little graphic.

Ironic that I had a craving for a vegetarian dish before I read about this.

What’s everyone else doing??

Like the Canadiens this season, All Habs has brought some new faces to their writers to their team.

Robert at Habs Eyes on the Prize is always putting together numbers and finding new stories.

First up, he looks at the Canadiens inefficiency to rebound after a loss in which their opponents score six goals or more, a dismal 13-18-2 since 2001.

He also dug up a feature on ,YouTube, with Todd Denault, author of the upcoming biography Jacques Plante: The Man Behind the Mask.

Lions in Winter wonders if the acquisition of Marc-Andre Bergeron is the solution to the current hole in the Canadiens defense.

CJAD’s Rick Moffat talks on the comparison of a young Carey Price to a young Roberto Luongo and a recount from an ex-Hab on his own experiences after witnessing the Canadiens bag skate on Thursday.

In Case You Missed It: Habs news and Blogger Views for September 2

 Ken Danby’s painting “Facing Off”

The countdown is on to the start of the NHL season and bloggers are quickly getting more active as the season approaches.

Here’s some of the highlights from the last 48 hours:

Habs Eyes on the Prize talked to Todd Denault, author of “Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey”.

Dave Stubbs (HabsInsideOut.com) also gave a brief review of the book.

Oh Canadiens has an exclusive interview with the boys from The Score’s “Cabbie on the Street”.

Jason at Flying Frenchmen has his take on recent comments from Bertrand Raymond.

The Daily Hab-it has Lots of Q’s and an attempt at some A’s on the upcoming season.

Yves on Habs has compiled some individual statistical milestones being closed in on.

Puck Daddy (Yahoo! Sports) lists the Top 100 Fantasy Players for 2009-10. Mike Cammalleri at #34 and Andrei Markov at a highly debatable #96.

Got a Habs blog of your own or one that you like?: Fire me an email and I’ll add it to my blogroll. I am also adding other hockey sites as well!

Former Canadiens winger and coach, and current Devils assistant coach, Mario Tremblay turned 53 today. Wonder if Patrick Roy sent him a card?

Their lone NHL game was with the Bleu-Blanc et Rouge : M to Z

Part Three of my series on players who had their one career NHL game in a Montreal Canadiens uniform.

In total, 29 players saw their lone chance in the NHL as members of the Montreal Canadiens.

Whether it was part of a tryout, an injury substitution or a draft pick bust, they all have their place in Canadiens history.

A special thanks to Robert at Habs Eyes on the Prize for getting me a few of the photos featured in this series.

Previous posts:

Part One (A to E) Part Two (F to L)

Frank Mailley – D

The Canadiens picked up Mailey from the Washington Lions (AHL). He played his lone game against Chicago in Dec 1942.

Keith McCulley – D

Signed as a free agent on Oct 23, 1932, McCulley played in his sole NHL game, for the Canadiens, during the 1934-35 season.

Irv McGibbon – RW

A scoring star in his native Nova Scotia, McGibbon was signed in October 1941 but only managed a minor penalty in his lone game in the 1942-43 season.

Olivier Michaud – G

Michaud signed as a free agent in 2001 and saw 18 minutes of play, replacing an injured Jose Theodore on October 26, 2001.

Still only 25, he is currently playing in the LNAH for St. Jean and there’s always a chance he could return to the NHL (see Thomas, Tim).

Jean-Guy Morissette – G

Morissette got his shot between the pipes, replacing an injured Gump Worsley, for the Canadiens on Oct 30, 1963 and gave up four goals times in 34 minutes to take the loss.

He missed the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken cheekbone in practice the following day.

Hal Murphy - G

Jacques Plante was to replace the injured Gerry McNeil, but found himself injured as well. Hal Murphy was called up from the Montreal Royals and found himself starting on November 8, 1952.

Murphy took the win in a 6-4 victory over Chicago.

Mickey (Edward) Murray – G

Murray had great success with Providence (CAHL).

With George Hainsworth injured, Murray got his shot in Montreal on February 25, 1930. The New York Americans defeated Murray and the Canadiens 4-2.

Evariste Payer – C

Payer had played nine games over two seasons with the Canadiens in the NHA (1910-11, 1911-12)

After some time in the MCSHL and two years of military service during WW1, Payer signed back on as a free agent and played one last game for the now-NHL Canadiens in the 1917-18 season.

Clement Piché – position unknown

Piché is not recognized by the Canadiens historical roster, but his name is mentioned for playing a shift, by the Montreal Gazette, during a December 21, 1921 win over Hamilton

Morris “Moe” Robinson – D

Robinson was the Canadiens sixth pick (49th overall) in the 1977 draft and played his only game in the 1979-80 season.

His big brother, Larry, had a much more successful career with the Canadiens.

Lindsay Vallis – RW

The Canadiens first pick (13th overall) in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, Vallis got his chance after three seasons in the AHL in the 1993-94 season.

He found himself back in the AHL, with Worcester, the following season and was out of pro hockey by 2001.

His profile at Legends of Hockey

Their lone NHL game was with the Bleu-Blanc et Rouge : A to E

Any fan would agree that it would be the ultimate thrill just to get a chance to play for the Montreal Canadiens for one game.

For several pro players, they got just that one game that ultimately would be their only NHL game.

Over the next few days I will be providing a little insight into these players. Some have a few interesting stories or connections along the way.

Don (John) Aiken – G

Aiken, the Bruins practice goalie was loaned to the Canadiens as an injury replacement for Jacques Plante during a game on March 13, 1958.

He took the loss after giving up six goals in 34 minutes. An excellent look back on Aiken’s “moment of glory” from HabsEyesOnthePrize.

Max “Maxie” Bennett - RW

Despite a successful minor league career, Bennett only found himself on one game for Montreal in the 1935-36 season after signing as a free agent in May of 1935.

Andre Binette – G

Registered a win (7-4 over Chicago) in his only NHL game as an injury replacement, with the Canadiens on November 11, 1954.

Garry Blaine – RW - Blaine played his lone game in the 1954-55 season.

Len Broderick – G

With Jacques Plante injured, Broderick was loaned to the Canadiens by the Toronto Maple Leafs (via the Toronto Malboros) on Oct 30 1957. He played all 60 minutes as the Canadiens won the game 6-2.

Despite a great career in Jr., he never returned to the NHL.

A great article on Broderick’s experience can be found here.

Norm “Dodger” Collings – LW

Collings rights were purchased form the CAHL Philadelphia Arrows in the 1934-35 season. He recorded an assist in his lone NHL game as was back in the CAHL the following year.

Roger Cormier – RW

Played a single game in 1925-26. Despite not playing in the NHL again, Cormier continued playing in the minors fro 13 more seasons.

Hugh Currie – D

Currie logged over 1000 games in the minor pros with several All-Star selections.

He set a then-AHL record for points by a blueliner with 65 points in 1950-51 and found himself wearing number 4 for the Canadiens that same season in his single career NHL game.

Claude Cyr – G

Cyr played the third period for the Canadiens in a 6-3 loss to Toronto, on March 19, 1959, allowing one goal.

Jonathan Delisle – RW

The Canadiens 86th pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Delisle got his lone NHL game in the 1998-99 season.

He spent three more seasons in the AHL and found himself playing in Britain in 2002-03.

He returned home to the NAHL the following season.

On March 16, 2006 Delisle lost his life in a car crash along with two teammates while driving home from a training session near Beauceville, QC.

Fred “Doc” Doherty – RW

Doherty had spent time, over three seasons, in the old NHA (the Canadiens were part of the NHA) with the Toronto Ontarios, Hamilton Tigers and Montreal Wanderers.

After being out of hockey after two years, for military service, Doherty was signed by the Canadiens in the 1918-19 season and played his lone NHL game.

McFarlane Toys cancels part of Habs Centennial Series

Some bad news for Canadiens figurine collectors.

McFarlane Toys, makers of NHL licensed figures, has cancelled two of it’s Montreal Canadiens Centennial 2 Pack Series.

McFarlane began the line, exclusive to Wal-Mart Canada, with a 2-packs featuring Hall of Famers Guy Lafleur and Steve Shutt, and a Saku Koivu /Alex Kovalev pairing.

Three more pairings were scheduled for release through 2009

Yvan Cournoyer/Jean Beliveau

Maurice Richard/Jacques Plante

Patrick Roy/Carey Price

The Cournoyer/Beliveau set was due at the end of July. A poster on a collector’s board received this reply on July 28:

We've run into a real economic slowdown up there in Canada, and at Walmart in particular.

As a result, the remaining -packs are all likely to be cancelled - the Beliveau/Cournoyer has definitely been cancelled.

Sorry the program didn't work out.

McFarlane Toys

I made an inquiry on my own, noting that the Roy/Price set still appears on McFarlane’s site with a November release date.

The response I received today is as follows:

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately it seems the only Centennial 2 packs have been produced so far these are Koivu with Kovalev and LaFleur with Shutt.

Richard with Plante and Beliveau with Cournoyer have been cancelled as of now.

The Roy and Price has been scheduled for November. Thank you and take care.

Sincerely,

McFarlane Toys Customer Service

Several Wal-Marts are still well stocked with the first pairings at and inflated $34.99 each.

Considering regular single player issues typically start around $13-$14, you’d be best to give it a month or two and grab them at a reduced price.

While the economy is one factor, a collector friend of mine felt that perhaps McFarlane should not have let off with a pairing of two Habs players whose futures with the team were questionable in a matter of months.

It wouldn’t be at all surprising if some already produced issues of the cancelled pairs manage to find their way onto eBay, etc. in coming weeks.

In the mean time, look at the cool Habs stuff I got on sale over my weekend off!!!!!

New winter coat (Pro Image) $60, clock $17 (Sears), 3 pack of socks $4 (Crappy Tire), Centennial t-shirt 9Pro Hockey Life) $18…Price figure..OK I paid retail on that but it was the first one I’d ever seen in a store!

I should also mention that Pro Hockey Life, the one in Mississauga anyways, currently has Habs Centennial merchandise on for 30% off (including jerseys) and “traded player” merch at 50% off.

I don’t know if it applies online, but if you live near a location, you can grab some deals before the 2009-10 season starts.

The Hockey Hall of Fame, Part One: A must visit for Canadiens Fans!

I recently had some time in Toronto to play tourist and explore the Hockey Hall of Fame.

For the record, the last time I paid a visit to the Hall was nearly 20 years ago in it’s old diminutive home at the Exhibition grounds.

Now situated in the old Bank of Montreal Building on the northwest corner of Front and Yonge, the Hall has a massive 57,000 square foot facility to display hockey’s history.

Upon entering the foyer to the Hall through the lower level of the building, one finds a large goalie mask display known as the Mask Columns.

Encased in the columns are Ken Dryden’s pretzel mask and two masks that he used later in his career. It also shows how one of these fiberglass mask was made.

Behind the columns is a wall showcasing 1300 pucks acquired at different arenas and tournaments around the world.

After paying my $15 admission, that was worth every penny, one of the first things you see are nine foot statues of Dryden and Fred “Cyclone”Taylor.

I admired the massive statue of my childhood hero then glanced into the feature exhibit area that the statues guard.

A tremendous Montreal Canadiens Centennial exhibit is currently on display with memorabilia, photos, and equipment from the storied team.

A series of cabinets feature many of the team’s most honored players.

I made several passes through this exhibit during my visit, spotting something else each time.

From Jacques Plante’s personal Hart Trophy or a copy of the program from the 1975 New Year’s Eve game against Central Red Army to Jose Theodore’s toque from the Heritage Game and Joe Hall’s 1918 contract from 1918 for $700, many a unique Canadiens relic is to be found in this exhibit.

The note issued by Campbell and Selke, forfeiting the game against Detroit during the Richard Riots 

At the far end, a large video screen runs episodes of The Heroes of Hockey series, featuring Habs Hall of Famers.

If there was a chair, I would have sat there for them all!

A variety of exhibits surround the centerpiece including a tribute area of the famed Stanley Cup dynasties.

The Canadiens own three of these displays – The four Cup run from the ‘70s, the “Forgotten Dynasty” four in five from 1965 to 1969 and the unequalled five straight from 1956-1960.

 

The 70’s display shown above encases Ken Dryden’s set of gloves that he used throughout his final season (1978-79).

As I glanced through these fantastic displays, I couldn’t help but wonder, “If that stick, jersey, glove could only talk, what stories it could tell.”

My attention then turned to one of the most popular exhibits in the hall, the to-scale replica Montreal Canadiens dressing room from the Montreal Forum.

With locker stalls for several of the Canadiens Hall of Fame players, it’s interesting to look at the equipment used in the various eras.

Looking at knee pads similar to the ones Guy Lafleur once used, I thought about the massive, yet equally if not lighter, ones I have in my bag at home.

I sat down on the bench of Patrick Roy’s stall and took the massive goal pads up to my leg. As I did I looked at the smaller brown leather pads that Ken Dryden and Jacques Plante once used.

More history is played on video monitors above the room while you tour around.

On a quiet June Sunday morning, I was able to take a high detailed video of the room.

Making my way to the Upper Deck Collector’s Corner I found a treasure trove of Canadiens memorabilia.

Rookie cards of Dryden, Roy and Lafleur adorn one of the card displays while a complete Shiriff/Salada Coin set (in it’s display) was mounted on another.

I even came across a cardboard stand-up of Doug Risebrough from the 1970’s. I still have this one and several other of these at home still intact in their packaged form!

A media pass from the 1993 All-Star Game was found in a huge cabinet of passes and tickets.

I worked my way to the Great Hall, which houses the Stanley Cup, the awards trophies and the Hall of Fame plaques of all the inductees, including 44 players and builders from the Canadiens.

The wall of inductees is rather tall so you may need to look waaaaay up to find your favorite player.

  In Lord Stanley’s vault, I discovered some of the “retired” rings removed from the Stanley Cup. A few acknowledged previous Canadiens teams, so alas not all 24 Cup engravings are on the cup together.

Another find was one of the first personal miniature cups issued out to winning Stanley Cup players and management in 1957-58.

I clearly can spend another day in detail of this fantastic facility and was also interested to know that a huge resource centre is also available for public use by appointment only.

On your way out, you’ll find a pile of Canadiens collectibles to add to your collection at the Spirit of Hockey store.

I budgeted this time and just grabbed a 100th Anniversary game puck for this trip. I have a list in case you are going and would like to get me something. :)

I found it interesting that some Saku Koivu t-shirts were on at clearance prices. My trip was 10 days before the free-agent deadline.

Did the Hall know something ahead of time?

In the meantime, I offer my complete collection of Canadiens exhibit photos taken during my visit here.

I will be adding a second part on International hockey as well as another installment on the rest of the Hall  of Fame to my site in the coming weeks.