Exclusive: My Interview with Alex Galchenyuk

The Canadiens third overall pick from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is a grounded, nice, fun, and entertaining young man.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions for me over at AllHabs.  Check out my exclusive interview with Alex Galchenyuk here:

http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/portrait-of-a-young-man-interview-with-alex-galchenyuk-all-habs-exclusive/

Habs Ink Armstrong, Bouillon, and Prust as Free Agency Opens

Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin was busy as NHL Free Agency opened Sunday, signing depth wingers Colby Armstrong and Brandon Prust, and veteran defenseman Francis Bouillon.

My take on the moves - A Hit, a Miss, and  Hand Grenade - can be found here:
http://www.allhabs.net/feature/opening-day-of-habs-free-agency-a-hit-a-miss-a-hand-grenade/

Montreal also announced the signings of goaltenders Cedrick Desjardins and forward Mike Blunden to one-year, two-way deals.  Both should start the season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, who are looking like potential contenders for the Calder Cup.

Habs Gearing up for July 1st: Preview

My final look at the upcoming free agent class, and what it means for your Montreal Canadiens, before things get a little crazy tomorrow:

http://www.allhabs.net/feature/habs-gearing-up-for-july-1st-flurry/

Also, be sure to check out this great piece by advanced stats whiz Rob Vollman on using other metrics to identify top free agents:

http://www.allhabs.net/guest-article/evaluating-free-agents-using-advanced-stats-to-find-moneypuck-players/

Moen, Daigneault, and Development Camp

The Canadiens announced today the re-signing of winger Travis Moen to a 4-year deal, paying him $1.85M per season.  He has a No Movement Clause for the deal's first two years.  The contract is a little long, but he'll still only be 34 when it's up, so it's not problematically long, and it is a great cap hit for a third/fourth line tough, defensive forward who is great in the locker room.

More: http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-press-release/official-release-canadiens-sign-travis-moen-to-a-four-year-contract/

The Habs also today announced the hiring of J.J. Daigneault as an Assistant Coach in Montreal to manage the team's defensemen, thus rounding out the coaching staff of four.

More: http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-press-release/official-release-canadiens-sign-travis-moen-to-a-four-year-contract/

Finally, the second portion of the Canadiens' Development Camp - predominantly featuring the 2012 draftees - is presently going on in Brossard.

Day 1 report (from my colleague Rick): http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/day-1-report-from-2012-habs-development-camp-part-2/

Day 2 report (from yours truly): http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/day-2-report-from-2012-habs-development-camp-part-2/

Habs sign Nokelainen & Nash

Strange announcements yesterday with free agency just a few short days away.  The Canadiens opted to retain Petteri Nokelainen after not issuing him a qualifying offer, signing him for $30,000 less.  The team also re-signed prospect defenseman Brendon Nash, who missed all of last season due to injury, to a one-year two-way contract.

http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-press-release/official-release-canadiens-sign-petteri-nokelainen-and-brendon-nash-to-one-year-contracts/

Habs' Top 20 Prospects - June 2012

My updated take on the Montreal Canadiens' top 20 prospects, including the new draft class:
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-prospects/all-habs-top-20-best-canadiens-prospects-june-2012-edition/

If you missed it yesterday, the Canadiens re-signed Ryan White, who essentially accepted his qualifying offer at roughly $687,500 (one-way) for 1 year:
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-press-release/official-release-ryan-white-signs-one-year-deal-with-habs/

The Habs also announced the 14-man roster for the second part of their Development Camp, which runs Thursday through Saturday in Brossard.  I will be bringing you live coverage of some portions of the Camp on Twitter (@DailyCanadiens) and on AllHabs:
http://www.allhabs.net/canadiens-press-release/14-players-invited-to-habs-development-camp-part-2/

Your Canadiens Headlines for June 25, 2012

Some headlines from yesterday, including Habs' picks Collberg, Nystrom, Hudon, and Galchenyuk all on early WJC lists, and a list of players who the Habs qualified as RFAs and who they didn't:

http://www.allhabs.net/all-habs-news/headlines-collberg-nystrom-draft-qualifying-offers-development-camp/