Kersus's blog

Exhibition 6 Blackhawks @ Canadiens

There has been a lot of discussion about the next few games. There are players that will need to be traded or let go or possibly put through waivers.

Unfortunately, despite Michael McCarron and Zach Hyman playing very well, it's likely they'll be sent to the farm. It's either that or get rid of Reaves and Drouin, neither of whom are likely to have any benefit on the farm.

King David's Pride & Repentance as shown in 2 Samuel 6 and how it may apply to us....

Shipachyov-Lehkonen-Drouin
Hischier-Deslauriers-Hyman
Thornton-Jokinen-McCarron
Koivu-Tatar-Dawes
Alzner-Valiev
Sergechev-Muller
Hicketts-Honka
Price-Lindgren

As usual, the opposing team scored first. We must work on it however this tight game went to a shootout that we lost. Price, Jokinen, Lehkonen and Drouin all failed us.

Winger Jussi Jokinen accepted a try-out offer with the Habs and has started practice but is not slated for this game. While time may not allow, there is some expectation the team will try him with fellow Fin Mikko Koivu.

Ship-Goulet-Baun
Hisch-Domi-Gall
Thorn-Lehk-McCarron
Koivu-Tatar-Dawes
Muller-Weber
DeSimone-Green
Hickets-Honka
Lindgren
Price

Lindgren played a perfect game in nets with 24 saves. The Habs outshot the Sharks 35-24.

McNiven was pulled after twelve minutes (3 goals in 5 shots) and Ryan Ruck finished the game making 15/15 saves.

Valiev and Honka continue to gel. Domi had a stellar game with 2 goals and 2 assists; Gallagher just behind him acquiring 3 points himself. Koivu seems to be having trouble finding linemates that compliment him.

The battle for the remaining spots goes on as Tatar, Lehkonen, Byron and Hyman all had a solid outing.

Habs won 6-3.

Sixty-six players. Whew! That's a lot.

Andrew Shaw and Shea Weber were out with injury and Paul Byron missed some. I believe Byron will be back in top form (with a nice shiny new contract) whereas I doubt Weber will feel 100% until next season or possibly by the post-season if the Habs make it. He's projected to play by December however after injuries and surgery, even though a player gets ice-time, it doesn't mean we can expect his star quality play. Patience is needed to heal so he'll be the superstar again next season.

Shipachyov-Deslauriers-Drouin
Hischier-Byron-Gallagher
Thornton-Dawes-Reaves
Koivu-Lehkonen-McCarron
DeSimone-Muller
Sergechev-Hicketts
Honka-Valiev
Price
McNiven

Things look a little different now.

Shipachyov-Rychel-Dadanov
Hischier-Domi-Gallagher
Thornton-???????-Hyman
Koivu-???????-???????
Lehkonen, Dawes, Byron, Goulet, Reaves, Deslauriers, Baun, Drouin

Sergechev-Weber
Alzner-Green
Honka-Valiev
Ouellet, Hickets

Price
Lindgren/McNiven/Zenko

Other than prospect Rene Wolf not playing particularly well and Martin Reway getting injured, the final scrimmages of camp were muted. Certainly Zenko was still being praised by the coaching staff but no one really stepped up. Conversely it might have been that everyone played so tightly they didn't let anyone else break out. Each game was either a tie or 1-0.

Head coach Bob Hartley listed Steve Aeschlimann, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Sergei Matveyev and Rene Wolf as his favourite prospects.

Nothing super eventful despite a scrimmage and a few exhibition games. Zenko and Georgiyev have showed up to vie for a positions in nets. Three of the six defense positions are now up for grabs with Weber, Alzner and Green holding theirs but Juulsen and Mete being completely outplayed by other postential candidates leaving Sergechev in the middle.