Bouillon

With fellow defenceman Francis Bouillon nursing a shoulder injury, Josh Gorges is getting the chance to show the Canadiens what he can do.

A quiet day at the Bell Centre, with players reporting for off-ice conditioning work on a rare Sunday workday, with the Buffalo Sabres in town for a Monday night, homestand finale. Here's a little audio
gathered from:

Head coach Guy Carbonneau on Francis Bouillon's expected return to action, Michael Ryder's recent performance and more. In French, clip runs 5:45. In English, clip runs 6:00.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon on his recovery from a shoulder injury. In French, clip runs 1:25. In English, clip runs 4:13.

Forward Michael Ryder on keeping a stiff upper lip, on working hard, and hoping the puck bounces his way. Clip runs 4:46.

A quiet day at the Bell Centre, with players reporting for off-ice conditioning work on a rare Sunday workday, with the Buffalo Sabres in town for a Monday night, homestand finale. Here's a little audio gathered from:

Head coach Guy Carbonneau on Francis Bouillon's expected return to action, Michael Ryder's recent performance and more. In French, clip runs 5:45. In English, clip runs 6:00.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon on his recovery from a shoulder injury. In French, clip runs 1:25. In English, clip runs 4:13.

Forward Michael Ryder on keeping a stiff upper lip, on working hard, and hoping the puck bounces his way. Clip runs 4:46.

Forwards Mathieu Dandenault and Guillaume Latendresse were not at practice this morning for what the team is calling a "therapy day." There was no indication either had suffered an injury or whether they would face the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon also did not practice as he continue to be bothered by a shoulder injury.

Pittsburgh Penguin Sergei Gonchar's late overtime boarding of defenceman Francis Bouillon on Saturday, sending Gonchar to the penalty box and knocking the Canadien out of tonight's game against Atlanta, has the Habs asking the NHL to have a look at shootout eligibility.

Defenceman Francis Bouillon takes a seat tonight, listed as day to day with a left shoulder injury suffered Saturday in Pittsburgh upon being hit by the Penguins' Sergei Gonchar. Josh Gorges takes his place on the blue line against the Atlanta Thrashers. Look for Mikhail Grabovski to replace Andrei Kostitsyn on the Habs' third line.

Here's head coach Guy Carbonneau after this morning's skate. Clip runs 4:50.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that Canadiens defenceman Francis Bouillon appreas to be back to playing the way he did in 2005-06 when he recorded a career-high 22 points in 67 games and was a team leader in hits and blocked shots. But knee surgery during that offseason caused him to miss the start of the 2006-07 campaign and when he returned, Bouillon struggled.

"It was tough last season," Bouillon admitted. "I missed training camp and the first month of the season and I wasn't in game shape. When I did start playing, the knee was okay but my head wasn't there. I had no confidence."

Jean Béliveau presents Francis Bouillon with his trophy.
Courtesy Bob Fisher, Montreal Canadiens

Defenceman Francis Bouillon was honoured tonight before the Canadiens-Pittsburgh Penguins game with the Jean Béliveau Trophy, an award recognizing his community involvement.

The trophy's Hall of Fame, legendary namesake made the presentation.

From the team's news release:

The selection committee consisting of members of the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation board of directors evaluated the candidates according to the effort, enthusiasm, implication and time invested in both collective and personal initiatives.

They were also evaluated on their commitment, leadership and financial assistance to the causes close to their heart.

La Presse is reporting that Daniel Brière snubbed the Canadiens this offseason because Bob Gainey would not guarantee him a spot on the team's No. 1 line.

According to the report, Gainey asked Brière's agent who he wanted to play with. The response was Michael Ryder and Christopher Higgins. Gainey replied that he was not willing to break up the team's No. 1 line completed by Saku Koivu and that was all it took to send Brière to the Philadelphia Flyers despite the fact he had wanted badly to play for the Canadiens.