NHL schedule released! Or how we plan to tire everyone out before the Olympics

Because as per tradition the Habs have to bust out of the gates on a FIVE GAME ROAD TRIP that includes a 3-game swing out West. Really? So soon? I haven't been paying attention to the Olympics because it angers me to no end but I'm guessing they gotta squeeze out all they can from Canucksland early to prep it for various things. (Oh I don't think I'll start ranting about how annoyed the Olympics have made me just yet...but if it had a motivational poster, the phrase DOING IT WRONG would come to mind).

Right after the early Western swing, the boys get to annoy their wives/girlfriends for 6 straight games. That averages out to about half a month of home cooking and favourite restaurant haunts. But overall NINE back-to-backers, with one being consecutive, another pair being a Florida trip, and a few home-away all nighters.

Basically because of the Olympics the teams will get to enjoy the type of schedule the AHL sends out, except with nicer transportation. And while the kids will probably be used to that, this could really test the metal of the few millionaires to show their character...

All this, and we won't even get to see Saku come home for a standing O.

Mark your calendars:
October 1, 2009 - It all starts here, on a Thursday, visiting the Maple Leafs where the newly nicknamed Doucharek will show us how blue his blue eyes can really be against the blue of the Leaf. Sorry Mike, but knowing Burke, he'll just use you as tradebait to dangle in front of the Islanders when he makes his package for Tavares. You could have been a captain! You could have stayed loved! You could have been a cont--ah whatever. HMCS Hal Gill will slowly show us how you could have played.
October 6, 7, 10, 2009 - Flames! Canucks! Oilers! And 10pm games!
October 15, 2009 - My brother's birthday and the home opener. I will have to be the good sister again and attempt to get us tickets. But wtf Avalanche?! I will have to be restrained from punching any fans who dare to show up in a Nords sweater. DIE!
October 17, 2009 - Kovy comes home. Please don't boo him because his agent is a moron...
October 24, 2009 - Please don't boo Higgins. He's a fucking Habs fan for fuck's sakes! (And he was traded).
October 31, 2009 - Halloween with the Leafs? How frightening... Only if Toskala's skull mask is FLAMING will that be awesome.

November 17, 2009 - Kostopoulos comes home!
November 24, 2009 - My mom's birthday and she gets the Blue Jackets? Meh. Last time it was the Sabres at least...

December 4, 2009 - HAPPY HABS 100th BIRTHDAY! This is the real centennial season by the way... And I'll barf if the Bruins piss on our parade. C'mon guys!
December 30, 31, 2009 - Habs Christmas swing to Florida, aka the only way the Lightning and Panthers can actually make money.

January 3, 2010 - Sabres come to town and Jesus H Christ it's 2010!
January 14, 2010 - The Stars make a rare appearances. BOOOOO MICKEY RIBS YOU TWAT BOOOOOOOOOO!
January 26, 27 - What's with the back-to-back Florida teams games? Another money maker.

February 2, 2010 - Canucks obviously ousted of their building/city spend the night in Luongo's basement.
February 13, 2010 - They go on break for 2 weeks (!) after sticking it to Pronger. Oh the ORANGENESS!

March 2, 2010 - Life starts again, on the road again, with the Bruins and then they swing West AGAIN.
March 7, 2010 - He'll always be MON CAPITAIN but fuck it if he scores a hat trick on us I'll cry.

April 10, 2010 - Oh symmetry~ End off the season with the Leafs, only at home. We have strong memories of season ending home games with the Leafs. Like when Kovy Revenge Elbowed Darcy Tucker, or when Stewart played in his first game and beat up Bryan McCabe and won the love of twenty-one thousand people... I wonder what we'll get this time?

In other news...
- Gui!Gui!Gui! signed his qualifying offer but it's only a 1-year deal at 800k, which frankly is a steal. Which was what he wanted since they offered him a 2-year deal at a million, but he'll stay RFA and get arbitration next time. Nice move Gui! But considering it's a 1-year deal, he'll need to really bust his ass to prove himself for that longer one. I think he'll be able to prove something. Gotta have faith in the kid!
- Shawn Belle, also signed his qualifying offer. The guy really bloomed in our system, and after being lost for so long with the Blues this makes me happy. He's also a former first-rounder, and man is he fast!
- Other tidbits from the Bulldogs we didn't hear much about but I found in the Hamilton Spectator, Chad Anderson got an AHL contract to stay a Bulldog, the Habs somehow acquired Eric Neilson from Peoria (who sounds like Flinn's replacement), and has let it kown that the following won't be back: Yanick Lehoux (our AHL Gretzky), Marc Denis (not an NHL goalie anymore), Steve Gainey, TJ Kemp (too bad, he was good for the powerplay), Mathieu Aubin, Doug Janik's gone to Detroit, Flinn, Olivier Latendresse (I think his injury might be a factor), Thomas Beauregard (same as Olivier), and of course the Stars reclaimed their properties like Dan Jancevski and Tyler Shelast since their AHL team will be set up this year.
- Oh hey the Iowa Chops got CHOPPED. Something about violating the Leagues' Consitution and By-Laws. Crazy!
- Hey, Stewart, sign yer damn contract already, you're freaking me out.

Habs 3, BJs 4 (SO)

Yea, I only watched the 2nd period while eating smoked meat at Abbie's and I can say it was the same boring Hitchcock Trap as usual even though the Habs shot 35 times at the net (or should I say, directly at the netminder) and the refs decided breathing was a penalty. Halak let off bad giant rebounds and wasn't too sharp tonight. Also needs work on lateral movements, awareness, and his angles were slightly off. Came up strong in overtime though, but was completely hung out to dry during the shootout. Mike Commodore is a douchebag and should get a little suspension for his elbowing headshot to AK46. Of course the league doesn't care yet, so he won't get anything. Highlight of the night: Halak pulled for the extra man, that extra man was Sergei Kostitsyn, and he scores with like 45 seconds left in the game. And Price cheering behind the bench.

That's it.

Rick Nash was pretty quiet. Umberger wasn't.

I can't believe this was only our 11th game...

Because the BJs bore me more than the Wild, I spent my evening listening to the Bulldogs lose instead. The game ended with an empty netter by the Houston Aeros, 3-1. Apparently the ice deteriorated so badly in the 3rd that it was coming off in chunks. And c'est le but, Yanick Lehoux! If Weber keeps working though, his shot will kill goalies. Almost took the Aeros netminders arm off with that booming slapshot.

Chips is their new captain! Congratulations Chipper!

Next: The Leafs for the Hockey Hall of Fame Game.

Habs call out for your support!

The Canadiens have 6 very deserving players on the All-Star ballots this year: Carey Price showing his determination to be the best, Mike Komisarek ready to be the only one who will probably actually PLAY defense at the game, Andrei Markov aiming to make it a 2nd time, Saku Koivu wanting to show off why we love him, Alex Kovalev ready to dazzle with his magic, and Alex "my career is back on track" Tanguay who just got himself the October Molson Cup. Habs fans everywhere, myself included, will be stuffing those ballots to ensure they all get in! I know, I know, the All-Star Game is dull and cheap, where no one hits and no one defends and the score makes Bettyman wishing it were like that all the time. But hey, at least if you get Komisaurus in, there's a guarantee someone's going down! Maybe an All-Star Brawl? God bless him.

But there's also a write-in option, and I'm vying to send in Tom Kostopoulos! Players like TK are important, and are generally overlooked. But TK has been making waves. There hasn't been a night on RDS where Demers and Co haven't raved about his wonderful work ethic, even when he had an off night. An All-Star Game full of Crosbys is BORING. Throw in a guy like TK, and you'll be in for a whole new exhibition.

Besides, if Mickey Ribs could make it.... *shudders*

--------

Coach Hitchcock presents new ideas to his team...

Finally, this long-ass week is coming to an end and FINALLY this whacked out schedule is bringing us some Habs games! Two, actually. First up, Les Boys wander into Columbus where Rick Nash, woah, and his company are awaiting to fire 3 rounds rapid. Halak will take this one. Been a while since we've seen him other than skating around with a big smile on his face and joining in on the victory pileups. We just hope the team doesn't come out dead like the last time they had a week off... which was two weeks ago. Seriously? Who made this schedule?!

Saturday night! Habs vs Leafs! Hockey Hall of Fame Wonder Weekend game! Price takes this one, seeing as the "comeback kids" will be hosting the "comeback men", and I'm sure he's expecting his usual 40 shots on goal as per quota with Habs/Leafs games. Keeps him sharp. Thanks, Toronto!

Extra bit o' news: Glad they saw what I saw. The Canadiens signed my favourite little centerman, David Desharnais, to a two-year two way contract. Never judge the undrafted little guy who tore through every league he's been in.