Carbonneau

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.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports that there were plenty of questions being asked in the locker room last night about Michael Ryder's struggles this season, but Canadiens captain Saku Koivu was quick to defend his winger.

"Everybody has slumps and you notice them more when they come at the beginning of the season," Koivu said. "He's in the same spots he's always been and he's getting his chances, but he's having shots blocked or he's missing the net."

The Gazette's Red Fisher writes that there is no secret behind why the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to leave Montreal with a 3-2 win on Saturday night, they simply wanted it more. And the Leafs' stars, Jason Blake and Mats Sundin, came out with big games, while Matt Stajan scored the big goal with about 90 seconds left to play.

But for the Canadiens, it was also a case of the bounces not going their way.

"You work first. You skate first and things happen," head coach Guy Carbonneau said. "They got a lucky bounce on the second goal and the other two, I'm sure Cristobal would like to have 'em back."

Audio from the Canadiens gathered after today's morning skate at the Bell Centre, a few hours before the Habs take on the Philadelphia Flyers:

Michael Ryder on his need to shoot more, and how the Canadiens' speed could neutralize the Flyers' physical game. Clip runs 2:00.
Christopher Higgins on the rude welcome awaiting Flyers' Daniel Brière, and how the Canadiens should do some banging of their own. Clip runs 3:44.
Bryan Smolinski on the Canadiens' long-established rivalry with the Flyers, of which he's about to get his first taste. Clip runs 2:38.
Head coach Guy Carbonneau talks about the game ahead. Clip runs 2:26.
And Philadelphia goalie Martin Biron on the 48th anniversary of Jacques Plante introducing the mask to the NHL, on playing with Daniel Brière and the big, bad Flyers, and being his team's No. 1 goalie. Clip runs 6:47.

Meanwhile, RDS's Luc Gélinas is reporting that the Canadiens have told Kyle Chipchura, Mikhail Grabovski and Carey Price that they can go apartment-hunting in Montreal, the time-honoured sign that they are staying with the Habs this season.

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.

It's the media's fault, Alex Kovalev says, for the latest controversy in which the Russian is embroiled. By reporting his time-out comments Tuesday night, Kovalev said today, journalists were trying to "twist" his words and stir up trouble between himself and head coach Guy Carbonneau. From now on, he says, he's going to be less forthcoming with his comments to reporters.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports that Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau has cleared the air with veterans Alex Kovalev and Steve Bégin after a few controversies on Tuesday.

Carbonneau had a one-on-one with Bégin Tuesday afternoon and spoke with Kovalev before practice on Wednesday. "Alex is entitled to his opinion, but I wish he had kept it in the room," Carbonneau said. "If he had something to say, he should have come to me."

Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau's press conference in French and English following tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Runs 6:28.

Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau's press conference in French and English following tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators at the Bell Centre. Runs 6:28.

RDS is reporting that Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau is in favour of seeing Patrice Brisebois return to the organization. The coach believes his experience will help the team after the loss of Sheldon Souray.

"I think that if Patrice wants to return to Montreal, it's because he has his head in the right place. We know he was pushed out of Montreal. Just to want to come back, that shows a lot of character," Carbonneau said.

"He's a good hockey player and he can help the Canadiens," said defenceman Mathieu Dandenault. "We lost leadership and experience when we lost Sheldon, but at the same time, (Roman) Hamrlik is a complete player too. You can never have too many players that have won the Stanley Cup."