HabsWorld.net --
The NHL season is just around the corner, now it’s time to see who will be given the chance to sport the CH in the upcoming season. Here is the list of players attending the Habs Training Camp.
The list is sprinkled with plenty of faces we’ve seen before, some you may never have heard of, and a few of the clubs top picks from the draft in July.
Joining the likes of Koivu and Ribeiro down the middle will be Kyle Chipchura and Corey Locke, while the highly touted Andrei Kostitsyn will be in attendance as well.
The most notable abscence from the list is none other than Michael Ryder. The fan favourite who lit up the scoreboard two seasons ago, and again in Sweden during the lockout, still awaits a contract. It would be disappointing to not have Ryder in Montreal soon. The 25-year-old should strike a deal with GM Gainey soon. As well, Cristobal Huet is injured and will not take part.
On defence, newcomers Mathieu Dandenault and Mark Streit will join Andrei Markov, Sheldon Souray and company. Tough guys Jeff Paul and Jonathan Aitken will be in attendance, as will the talented Andre Benoit and former first round pick Ron Hainsey, among many others.
The Habs most expensive player, Jose Theodore, will be back on the ice, equipped with new-look pads and another season to proove that he really is worth the money he will be given. One of the netminders joining him will be fifth overall pick Carey Price.
Below is a complete list of the 46 players that will be at Camp.
FORWARDS
Steve Begin, Radek Bonk, Jimmy Bonneau, Jan Bulis, Kyle Chipchura, Pierre Dagenais, Jonathan Ferland, Chris Higgins, Marcel Hossa, Raitis Ivanans, Saku Koivu, Andrei Kostitsyn, Alex Kovalev, Michael Lambert, Maxim Lapierre, Guillaume Latendresse, Francis Lemiuex, Corey Locke, Duncan Milroy, Alex Perezhogin, Tomas Plekanec, Mike Ribeiro, Niklas Sundstrom, Cory Urquhart, Pete Vandermeer, Richard Zednik.
Ready to Breakout?
Jan Bulis – A big year in Europe, and a new centre in Bonk could be the keys to success for the talented Bulis.
Tomas Plekanec – The former AHL All Star game MVP plays with a chip on his shoulder and has the skills to stick in Montreal this time around.
Alex Perezhogin – Played a big role with his Russian club during the lockout, and is far too talented not to be in Montreal.
Chris Higgins – A future leader in Montreal, Higgins could get a bigger taste of the big leagues this time around.
On the Bubble?
Pierre Dagenais – The big guy can score and at a good price, but if a younger guy starts to find the back of the net, and impresses in all four corners of the rink, than Pierre may be in trouble.
Niklas Sundstrom – A serviceable player no doubt, but his price tag is a big hefty for his contribution. Could a younger, faster, Perezhogin type player fill his role?
Marcel Hossa – He’s not through yet, but this is his year to show that he has what it takes to be a good pro. There is a lot of talented players a couple of years younger than him, and he will need to impress and work very, very hard to stay in Montreal long enough to make himself useful.
Darkhorses?
Duncan Milroy – An outstanding player in junior, Milroy should have room to grow and gain confidence in Hamilton no matter what this year. He has the makings of a good pro, can he impress enough to stick?
Guillaume Latendresse – A strong showing at the rookie tournament has a buzz flying around his name. Could we have another Patrice Bergeron type in Latendresse? Probably not yet, at least, but there’s always a surprise or two in Training Camp.
DEFENCE
Jon Aitken, Andrew Archer, Andre Benoit, Francis Bouillon, J-P Cote, Mathieu Dandenault, Ron Hainsey, Mike Komisarek, Kevin Lavallee, Andrei Markov, Jeff Paul, Craig Rivet, James Sanford, Sheldon Souray, Mark Streit
Ready to Breakout?
Andrei Markov – Habs fans notice him, but this should be the year where he explodes and the rest of the NHL takes notice, too.
On the Bubble?
Ron Hainsey – Ron is a gifted player who hasn’t quite panned out for us yet. We’ll see whether he has what it takes to get his act together and play full time in the pros, as a roster spot is there for the taking.
Darkhorses?
Mark Streit – The captain of the Swiss National Team and only 27-years-old, he may be more than just a depth move. A player with plenty of talent who should be very interesting to follow over the next few weeks.
GOALTENDERS
Yann Danis, Jaroslav Halak, Olivier Michaud, Carey Price, Jose Theodore
Ready to Breakout?
Yann Danis – He’s been excellent nearly everywhere he has played, from College through to the AHL. With Huet on the sidelines, he’ll get a chance to show what he can do.
On the Bubble?
Olivier Michaud – Once viewed as a guy who could be something special at the pro level, Michaud’s stock seems to have plummeted quite fast. This could be his last kick at the can at Habs camp.
Darkhorses?
Carey Price – At such a young age, we can’t expect much, can we? Just what can the highly touted Price do when surrounded by NHLers? We’ll see, and it should be interesting to see just how long he sticks around before heading back to Tri City.
