Tanguay will be happy camper

posted by Mike Boone at 7h44 EST on Sep 2


alex-tanguay.jpg

Newly-acquired Alex Tanguay tells Pierre Durocher of the Journal de Montréal he's delighted to be a Canadien and is looking forward to training camp.

"This is the most mythical hockey team. I feel like a baseball player that just got traded to the New York Yankees."  

Here's the original Journal story.

Durocher predicts Tanguay will burn up the links at Laval-sur-le-Lac today. The newcomer brings a four handicap to the Canadiens golf tournament. 

Dave Stubbs, tanned, rested and ready after his Beijing holiday, is at the tournament and will file an update later today.

•  •  •

It's opening day in the K.H.L. 

Who do you like in the big Vityaz Chekhov-HK MVD Balashikha showdown?

 

 




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Comments

Submitted by LatheDog on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 13:05.
Glen Sather still hasn't offered Shanahan a contract yet. Is there any possibility that Gainey is trying to persuade him to join the Habs this year instead of waiting for Sundin? I'd rather have Brendan on the Habs than Mats....wouldn't you guys???

Exit716's picture
Submitted by Exit716 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 23:26.
I thought Gainey pretty much ruled Shanahan out of the equation a few weeks back. I don't think Bob really appreciated losing out to the Rangers for less money because Mrs. Shanahan didn't want to live in Montreal. I hope she doesn't mind the $4 million she cost the family by her decision. I don't think Gainey would have dumped him to the curb like Slats has with no respect at all.

Robert L's picture
Submitted by Robert L on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 13:19.
Gainey said just last week there is no interest in Shanahan. The team needs a center. On Tanguay, everyone talks about how he will add to the PP, but I did not realize that he was so consistantly good at even strength. A reader at my site just posted this link. Alex is the sixth highest point producer at even strength since the lockout. http://battleofalberta.blogspot.com/2008/01/latest-in-series.html

Submitted by krob1000 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 15:00.
That list is interesting....I never would have figured Spezza would be the leader either. Where would Tanguay be if he didn't have such a poor season last year??

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 18:35.
Or.... where would Tanguay be (on the list) had he spended last season with us instead of CAL..... closer to the top thats for shure... but no worry he is here for the long haul and he'll be back in the race soon enouph.

Submitted by The Professor on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:57.
Read this somewhere... What do you guys think of trying Tanguay at centre? Apparently he played that in junior and was asked to try it last year in Calgary. He's already expressed a willingness to try playing on the other side, so you never know... Potentially, if it works out of course, we could be looking at A.Kost - Pleks - Kovalev Higgins - Tanguay - S. Kost Latendresse - Koivu - D'Agostini BGL - Max - Kostopoulos I kind of like the looks of that...

Submitted by Koivu12 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:18.
WTF, I love these crazy people who insert A young garbage picker in D'Agostini on our 3rd line. WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?! "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

Submitted by The Professor on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:47.
Do you actually have something to say or are you just going to leave it at that? I mean I'd love it if you had a better idea, suggested an alternative, or maybe just told me why you think it's ridiculous to put D'Agostini there... Or maybe you can just type a bunch of question marks and exclamation points after every statement you make and it'll make you seem very intelligent.

Exit716's picture
Submitted by Exit716 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 23:30.
D'Agostini didn't seem to impress Carbo or Gainey in his brief stint versus Stewart who did

Submitted by Koivu12 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 15:21.
Maybe if you made sense I would. Nothing more to say about it. D'Agostini? 'nuff said. Maybe if you explained the whereabouts of Begin and Dandy before you put Mr D'Agostini in? "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

Submitted by The Professor on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 18:14.
Maybe if I made sense? Check out today's audio buddy! Gainey specifically mentions D'Agostini when talking about young players that could challenge for a roster spot. As for Dandy and Begin... are they really pieces of the puzzle going onwards? If they're outplayed then they won't be around anymore. Now if only we could get that stick out of your ass...

B's picture
Submitted by B on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 13:58.
D'Agostini has not shown he is NHL ready yet and he still needs to develop a more complete game (he had a team worst -22 in Hamilton last season). Patience.

Submitted by The Professor on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:50.
True but the Bulldogs were pretty bad last year from what I heard (not that it excuses a -22). The reason I tentatively put Dags there was because I think that with Koivu feeding him and Guillaume's hopefully physical presence, they have a chance to form a pretty good line. If Gui can bang like he did against Boston, you've got a triggerman in D'Agostini that complements Koivu well.

B's picture
Submitted by B on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 17:45.
Locke was deemed expendable, yet he had way more points and was a +4. Your calling him "Dags" reminded me of Dagenais who was a more proven trigger man (and with little else to offer). I still think more time and patience is required for D'Agostini to hopefully develop into an NHL player. I don't think Montreal is a team that needs to gamble on rushing a prospect. As for Latendresse, it sounds like he has dropped weight to try and get faster which could take away from what ever physical presence he may have shown so far.

Submitted by The Professor on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:59.
or you could always move Max up to the wing with Saku and put Chips in at the 4th centre... although by his own admission Lapierre would grow more than a few inches playing with BGL

Submitted by quickcritic on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:30.
In my personal opinion, I think Tanguay will have as much impact as Damphousse did when he first came onboard. Tanguay is perhaps not the same type of goal-scorer as Vinnie was but their overall game seem to be quite comparable. Either way it should be a fun year to watch the Canadiens...

mjames's picture
Submitted by mjames on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:21.
Gainey's Plan B Since it is assume that Sundin will sign elsewear a likely destination (Sundin's supposed preference) might be Philly. Since Philly has cap problems they will need to shed players. This is where Plan B comes in. Gainey trades Dandy, Fisher, the rights to Emelin for Simon Gagne. Gagne plays wing since Carbo has moved Sergei K. to center. mjames

Submitted by Koivu12 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:20.
And then Gagne promptly retires due to PCS and we just cleared up some more cap space. Brilliant. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:58.
The long week-end is over and I can feel your pain....

Robert L's picture
Submitted by Robert L on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:16.
NOT! - Trading for Gagne is a step in the direction of Leaf land. The guy is one good hit away from the end of his career. Plus, we need a center, not more wings.

Maffu's picture
Submitted by Maffu on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:42.
Oh wow that could work for us, but doesn't seem like enough for Gagne. Gainey would have to throw in a pick. - Matthew

Submitted by quickcritic on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:59.
There's only one small problem...Philly would need to shed more salary than just Gagne to make room for Sundin. Philly is already over the cap by 1,031,667 minus 5,250,000 for Gagne equals 4,218,333 under the cap. Now, add Dandy's salary of 1,725,000 to that total which equals 2,493,333 under the cap. Certainly not enough to sign Sundin to a contract! Philly will need to shed at least 8 million of salary to sign Sundin and then pay the other players coming back their way in a trade. In other words I don't see Philly being players in Sundin...It's hard enough to make one trade in the NHL, but to make trades to shed close to 8 million dollars is almost impossible...IMO

Robert L's picture
Submitted by Robert L on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:18.
Flyers have said they are not in the Sundin sweepstakes.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:04.
Poll Time : Eastern Conference's Fan Poll - What Teams will make the Playoffs (pick eight) .. by James Mirtle ..... http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/09/eastern-conference-your-early-picks.h...

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:20.
I see there are 11 toronto votes so far. Those leaf fans might not be too bright, but they are loyal, or delirious.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:10.
NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition) .. by Richard Pollock .. illegalcurve.com .....

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:12.
http://www.illegalcurve.com/2008/09/02/nhl-morning-papers-tuesday-editio...

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:16.
Thanks Stat-ic , now i'll have my coffee and wake up.

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:22.
I thought I had found the missing link. As for coffee, I see you are on the go all hours of the morning, meaning 5 am & earlier. What is your secret?

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 12:20.
Ed - Back issues that i have to live with and sometimes it means pitting 4 times a day for short intervals. There's always the medication but one gives you crapper issues and the other puts you in a daze like i am today.

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 13:41.
That is rough. A bad back is very, very painful, & for some people there is little, if any relief.

Jrod McStitsyn's picture
Submitted by Jrod McStitsyn on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:11.
Mr. Tanguay will be under heaps of pressure to produce. The media, fans and the MGMT are all expecting big things from this new addition. He can look forward to being praised as sublime for a 3 point night or harassed for a 3 game drought. I know he's quoted as saying he puts his own pressure on himself to light the fire, but Ryder spoke the same way about himself and look how he fell from grace in Habsland (Beantown being some cruel, well-paying Limbo). I hope Tanguay pots 70 points so that the haters remain silent.

Submitted by HabsProf on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:07.
Checked out the KHL article. Interesting how many of the "top players" are ex-Habs: Jan Bulis, Alex Perezhogin, Aleksandr Buturlin, Igor Ulanov, and Marcel Hossa, by my quick scan. I still regret the departure of Perezhogin: I think he could have developed into a strong player.

B's picture
Submitted by B on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:05.
Don't forget Tarasov in nets and Emelin in the penalty box.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:03.
Dreger Will Host The laffs Lunch - Daeeen The Undertaker Dreger and the laffs deserve each other .. AM640 GTA .. TSN.ca ..... http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/dreger_will_host_l...

cautiousoptimist's picture
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:28.
Tanguay's a definite upgrade over Ryder, and Laracque is a definite upgrade over that tough guy we didn't have last year. And I'll take a happy above-average player over a star who doesn't want to be here, any day of the week. 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:45.
There is no doubt about Tanguay's hockey ability but it remains to be scene if the upgrade would be worth the extra 2.8 million hit to the salary cap which was double Ryder's salary plus the loss of a 1st round draft pick and a 2nd and remember we got sweet f**k all for Ryder. Expensive upgrade.

cautiousoptimist's picture
Submitted by cautiousoptimist on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 11:04.
We take a bit of a cap hit, but we've got nothing else to spend it on right now, and he's only got one more year on his contract which means his salary will be off the books when we need to re-sign Komi, Pleks and Higgins. 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

Submitted by Mike on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:51.
Getting Tanguay was definitely worth the risk, and I am very happy that we got him. However, I feel that we did not accomplish our task of getting a right-handed shot. Out of all the right wingers on our team, I believe hat only 1 of them are actually right handed. And that is Laraque. I believe that this is a big concern.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:34.
Mike - I'm trying to point out that many posters have the impression it was a steal cuz of draft choices but in reality it wasn't and Tanguay doesn't answer the question of grit for our perimeter boys up front on our top 2 lines.

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:02.
If you are right about the lack of right handed shots, & the Habs do not resign Smolinski, then who will they use on the left side in the 5 on 3's?

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:27.
Ed - Maybe Robert Lang ?

Submitted by Koivu12 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 14:24.
Will Robert Lang do this? --- answer the question of grit for our perimeter boys up front on our top 2 lines. Yikes, don't think Mr. Lang can do that. "Give Koivu a Lifetime Contract"

Submitted by Mike on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 10:23.
Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev Markov-Sergei

Robert L's picture
Submitted by Robert L on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:20.
Tanguay says a whole bunch more interesting things in the actual Le Journal link, than he does in the Sun Media blip. Here's the translated piece: Tanguay Ready To Take On Montreal http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2008/09/tanguay-ready-...

Shawn S's picture
Submitted by Shawn S on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:39.
Thanks for the translation! Good piece. Its funny how much this whole Sundin thing has overshadowed the Tanguay signing. If Sundin was never in play, we'd be jumping for joy to land Tanguay and not to lose a contributing roster piece to get him. Can't wait for Oct!

bigjames's picture
Submitted by bigjames on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:45.
you know what? that's a great point. in fact, living so far away from montreal, i had forgotten that tanguay has a ring. he is talented,has winning experience, and clearly wants badly to do well in mtl. i like that over the accidental tourist any day of the week...

Connecticut Man1's picture
Submitted by Connecticut Man1 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 08:57.
Just for $#its and giggles: Mats Sundin Sings About His Favorite Team's Uniform

Ed's picture
Submitted by Ed on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 08:17.
Tanguay will indeed be a great addition to the Canadiens' offense if he bounces back to the point production that he is capable of. It's also encouraging to see that he twice requested a trade last season, & Montreal was on his wish list each time. The read on the KHL is interesting just to see some of the familiar names that are there. Radulov is on the same team as Perezhogin, & Jan Bulis is on the team with Ray Emery. __________________________________________________________________________________ Bobrov Division Salavat Yulaev Ufa 180.6 Last season’s runaway first-place team and narrow winner of playoff final, from Ufa, pop. one million, capital of Bashkortostan. Rich Bashneft-backed club is named for Bashkir poet and leader of 1770s peasant rebellion. Top players: F Alexander Radulov, D Oleg Tverdovsky, F Alexander Perezhogin Atlant Mytishchi 158.1 Formerly Khimik Moscow Oblast and before that Khimik Voskresensk, in Russia’s Hockeytown. Russia is now like North America, with clubs moving around to wherever best arena deals are, in this case the Moscow suburbs. Top players: G Ray Emery, D Magnus Johansson, F Jan Bulis

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 09:33.
Stat-ic - So that's where Magnus Johansson ended up , from Miami to Moscow in a wink of an eye for the PP spacialist. Welcome aboard and i will be looking forward to your KHL coverage of the coming season. One question though , the figures after the team's name (180.6) is that for their latitude north of the equator. Ed's bio : His real name is Demitra who finished a distinguish career with the Kremlin Krunch to become a veteran reporter and goes by the alias of Ed short for extended duty , lol.