NHL 02-03 Season

Matt - Newz

NHL 02-03 Season

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Hockey Newz (NHL)

Team Canada Wins Gold!!!

New Contract

Jason Ward of the Montreal Canadians has recently inked a new deal for a 2-year one way contract, which means that he will recieve his NHL pay weather or not he is playing in the NHL. I think this is great, as he has a ton of potential, Good luck to him:D.

Habs Progress

Well, the Montreal Canadians have been officially eliminated from the NHL playoffs when they were beat by Ottawa. The habs will now be playing most of their younger players who are looking to win a spot on the team for next season. The final playoff spot is now being faught over by the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders. After last nights game, when the NY-I and the NY-R tied, it looks that the New York Islanders will take the 8th and final spot, and face off agaist Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs. The Rangers only have 2 games left, and need to win both, while the Islanders have 3 games left, and only have to win one more to clinch a spot.

Doug Gilmour

Doug will now be a significant peice of the Leafs in their run for the cup!

GILMOUR TRADED

Doug Gilmour has been delt to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 6th round draft pic, this happening on March 11, 2003, the NHL trade deadline. Doug Gimour, nicknamed "Killer" will rejoin the team he was captain of during the 1992-97 seasons. He wanted to go to a team that had a good shot at the Stanley Cup, and Toronto fit the description best. I wish him the best of luck there!!!

PETROV TRADED

Petrov was traded to the Nashville Preditors for a 4th round pick in 2003 NHL Entry Draft. I will miss the lil guy... lol

RESIGNED

Matthew Garon has resigned with the Montreal Canadians, for 1.3 million a year for the next 2 years with an option for a third year.

HACKETT TRADED

The Habs have finally traded Hackett, only it didnt go as planed. First, Montreal traded him to San Jose for RW Niklas Sundstrom and a third round draft pick. I thought that was a fair trade considering that it was pretty much a salery dump. But while watching TSN, 30 min after San Jose got him, i learned that they had next sent him to Boston for defenceman Kyle McLearin. This was terrible. Boston now has a great goaltender with Hackett, and we are fighting them for a playoff spot. I am happy however for Hackett, because he will now get a chance to play as a number one goaltender instead of 1A behind Theodore. I wish him the best of luck!

Coaching Change

Recently Montreal Canadians coach Micheal Therien was fired after almost 3 years as the habs coach. Claude Julien took over his possition. Julien was promoted from his job as the coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Since taking over after 6 games as the Habs coach, the team has picked up a point in every game, goin 3-0-2-1. Im very happy with the change, and his decision to mix up the linez so that he can play all 4 during the game.

New Jersey (Not the City)

It has been reported that the Montreal Canadians will be sporting a 3rd jersey next year. It is said that it will not stray from the original form, but it will be in use do to a new agreement reached with a certain company. Once I find a picture of it, I will be sure to put the pic up on here.

New Jersey Wins CUP!!

The new Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup of the 2002-2003 season by defeating the Anahiem Mighty Ducks in 7 games, where, home ice advantage was huge. Both teams won all their games at home, and with game 7 being in New Jersey, they took it in a very close series.

My Playoff Predictions

There are many good teams going to the playoffs this year. My prediction is that there may be many teams causing upsets for the favorites to win. Although, I have faith that Philly, and Dallas are going to really give it their all at going all the way this year. The Leafs also have a great team, but injuries will be a factor that may work against them in the playoffs, it is the same situation for the Red Wings. Vancouver has most likely the most potent offence, but, goaltending is going to be the difference for them. I believe the Mighty Ducks have a good chance this year; they have definitely made some great acquisitions in the past couple of years. Minnesota is the team to watch, they are going to surprise a few people. Ottawa has a good team, but the power houses such as the Boston, the New York Islanders (if they make it), Philly, Toronto, and New Jersey will definitely cause some wear and tear on this fast flying team. Washington and Tampa don't stand a chance. St. Louis has a tough team, and could go farther than expected. Colorado will have to get through them and Dallas if they will have any chance at getting to the Stanly Cup Final. What it all comes down to is, the Cup will most likely stay in the west, unless Philly or Toronto has something to say about that.

Saku Koivu

Koivu has shown that he is a true worrior. After battling cancer, and winning, he has returned to hockey as the Montreal Canadians caption, and is having a fantastic season. He has played in every game so far this season, and has the most points on the team, and most assists. Good luck Saku!

Richard Zednik

"Zed"

Richard Zednik

Zed currently has the most goals for the Montreal Canadians. He is my favorite player on the Habs. He has improved his game greatly even after that horific injury he faced after getting hit in a playoff game against the Boston Bruins. He has definatly rebounded, and is playing great, and he is improving, look for great things from Richard in the future!

Jose Theodore

Jose Theodore, the Habs goaltender, has not been performing as well as expected, there are a few nights where he seams like the old him, but there are many more where he plays more like he is concentrating more on making pizza and pastry comercials... I really hope he gets his game back on track, for the sake of the Habs, because a lot is riding on him right now.

Chad Kilger

Chad Kilger

Chad Kilger is also one of my favorite players on the Montreal Canadians. I love his work ethic. He is ready for every game, and alwayz works hard. Even if he does not play, he is alwayz right there at practice, working his hardest. He is developing into a great power forward, and I believe that he has a lot of potential if given the opportunity.