Laraque's jersey number revealed...

George Laraque wore #27, with his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now a member of the Canadiens organization, Laraque needed a new number, because #27 is possesed by star player Alex Kovalev. On the day George signed, Montreal radio station, The Team 990, were doing a show hosted by former NHL goon P.J Stock. The main topic of the show was wich number Laraque should wear? The lines were open, Canadiens fans were calling and suggesting jersey numbers for him.

But George did his choice, he will now wear #17 on his bleu,blanc et rouge jersey. The last player to wear it was Jason Ward, during the 03-04 season.
Expect this jersey to be popular next season, it is now available on the Canadiens section of NHL SHOP.

Marleau, Gainey's plan B?

The Sundin saga is still undecided and only a few teams are still in the race. Detroit and the Rangers are out, due to cap space, Toronto seems to be a little bit erased, only Montreal and Vancouver seems to keep pushing very hard to land Sundin. The Canucks are rumored offering Mats a 2 years/20 millions deal, while the Canadiens offer stand to 2 years/15 to 16 millions.

But, as a Habs fan, I am not sure we will have the big Swedish center in our lineup next year. This is why, I thought to some plan B, C or even D! In my opinion, as a plan B, we could land forward Jason Williams, he can be a good offensive talent who would play on our 3rd line and more important, he can play the point on the PP! We need someone to take Streit's place on the PP since he is gone. Plan C would of been landing Pavol Demitra, but he signed with the Canucks, I am glad he signed, I am not one of Pavol's fan. Not sure he would be a good fit with the Habs though...As for the plan D, it would be to resign Patrice Brisebois to a 1 year deal, he is cheap, and can be a decent PP quarterback. Well...this is what I think could happen if Sundin signs with Vancouver or Toronto...

I was quite shocked and surprised today, when I read on HockeyBuzz, that a rumor is going on that the Montreal Canadiens plan B, would be to land center Patrick Marleau. First, let's take an overall look at him. He is 28 ,plays Center or Left Wing, he is 6'2 tall, weights 220 and shoots left. He played 78 games this season, notching 19 goals and adding 29 assists for a grand total of 48 points. Marleau had a +/- rating of -19 and he was a point per game player in the last 2 seasons.

If we look at this, there is no doubt that Marleau would be the tallest and biggest center in our lineup. It is a good thing, because Koivu,Plekanec and Lapierre are not the most imposing guys in the league. His stats are decent this year, but compaired to the past seasons, he had a bad year. His +/- is just ugly, I don't know the guy a lot, but according to this stat, he is not a two way forward. So, the big question is, does Marleau can be a good player to land? If yes, at what price?

In my opinion, no. Even if many experts say that Montreal needs a big center, I doubt Marleau is the one we need. They guy started playing bad, since last year playoffs and played under the expectations this season, way under. We cannot say he is on the decline, he is only 28. But we can say that he need a change of scenary, does Montreal can be a good place for him? Maybe, but what is Marleau's value? The Sharks won't let him go for picks, and looking at the Canadiens roster, Chris Higgins might be the most tradeable. But it just doesn't make sense! Marleau would be 3rd line material on our team, Koivu and Plekanec are our top 2 centers, Andrei Kostitsyn and Alex Tanguay are our top 2 LW!

I hope this will only stay a rumor, Marleau is not essential to our club. Other teams need it, he can still show some good offensive things, but the Montreal Canadiens don't need Patrick Marleau.