Budaj goes with # 30

As if to give us things to talk about, the Montreal Canadiens spread out number selection over three different days during the past week.

After Erik Cole took number 72 and David Desharnais switched from 58 to 51, today the club announced that Peter Budaj will wear number 30 this season. Budaj had worn number 31 with the Colorado Avalanche, but that is Carey Price's territory with the Habs. Interestingly, 30 is the same number David Aebischer selected in Montreal after coming over from the Avs.

A question remains, then, as to why Desharnais didn't take number 15, since the article announcing his switch indicated he had in the past chosen 51 only because 15 was already taken. With Jeff Halpern's departure, the Habs have no 15 in the organization.

Full story: http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569012

Erik Cole to Wear Number 72

The Canadiens announced today that new Hab Erik Cole will wear number 72 in Montreal given that his old number 26 is occupied by Josh Gorges. Not that it really means much, but this can't be a good sign for Mathieu Carle's future in the organization (presently an RFA) as his number at the NHL level had previously been 72.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569318&navid=DL|MTL|home

Why 72? Cole thought better than to ask Gorges to give up the number 26, and instead went with the number he once wore in Ontario Junior B hockey.

Some clips via Canadiens.com from his press conference in Brossard today:

Desharnais Takes #51

Per an article on Canadiens.com this morning, David Desharnais will change his number for the upcoming season - his first as a full-time NHL'er - from 58 to 51.

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=569090&navid=DL|MTL|home

One might infer based on the article that either Erik Cole or Peter Budaj - the 2 new Habs - will take the number 15 vacated by Jeff Halpern (more likely Cole).