2007-2008 NHL Season Preview - Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
Notable moves and changes:Traded F Sergei Samsonov to the Chicago Blackhawks for D Jassen Cullimore and F Tony Salmelainen. Signed C Bryan Smolinksi (had been with Vancouver and Chicago), signed D Roman Hamrlik (had been with Calgary). Signed D Patrice Brisebois (had been with Colorado).
Starting goalie: Cristobal Huet
Summary of last year: Not much you can say when a team’s season comes down to the final game of the year against a divisional rival (Toronto). The Habs regular season points haven’t varied much over the past five years, from a high of 93 to a low of 77 — just enough to keep fans hoping and the playoff race interesting.
Prediction for this year: With the disappointing Samsonov out the door and Hamrlik installed on the blue line, the Habs haven’t made any jarring moves, but nicely got one of one problem and solved another. If Huet stays healthy and Saku Koivu continues to play like he did last season (sometimes it seems the Habs almost take Koivu for granted), the Habs stand a decent chance of actually not needing to beat the Leafs the final game of the regular season just to make the post-season.
Montreal Canadiens, Sergei Samsonov, Jassen Cullimore, Tony Salmelainen, Bryan Smolinksi, Roman Hamrlik, Patrice Brisebois, Cristobal Huet, Saku Koivu
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