Alex Kovalev

• Dave Stubbs on the humanitarian work of Alex Kovalev, who says he wants to stay in Montreal and play until he's 50.

• Stubbs on Max Pacioretty's big night. 

• François Gagnon was impressed by Max-Pac and Carey Price, less so by Ryan O'Byrne. 

• Pierre Durocher talks to Canadiens president Pierre Boivin about the impact of the financial crisis. 

• Stephen Brunt in the Globe and Mail on how the meltdown enhances Hamilton's chances of getting an NHL franchise.

• Jim Balsillie back in the picture in Nashville.

• Vancouver GM Mike Gillis talks about leadership and why the team made Roberto Luongo their captain. 

• Crucial year for NHLPA. 

• The Leafs made a run at Mathieu Schneider and Bobby Ryan.

• Senators not interested in Khabibulin. 

• Ducks trade Sean O'Donnell to Kings. 

RDS is reporting Alex Kovalev  tweaked his groin and is doubtful for the game in Detroit tonight.

If you're keeping score, that's four: Kovy, Georges Laraque, Roman Hamrlik and Patrice Brisebois.

Best groin-pull joke in the Comments section wins a game-worn jock.

•  •  •

OK, we have a 35-way tie for first prize.

There were that many variations of "I pull mine every day and don't miss a shift."

Alex Kovalev at practice Saturday in Pierrefonds on the first on-ice day of Canadiens training camp.
Peter McCabe, Gazette

DAVE STUBBS
The Gazette

Alex Kovalev has never compared himself to any other player in the National Hockey League. Now, heading into his 16th season, he's not about to start.

The talk in every corner about the 2008-09 Canadiens is of the possibilities. Of the encore, at the very least, that's expected of last season's Eastern Conference champion that skated two rounds deep into the playoffs – a postseason both satisfying and unfulfilling.

Kovalev has won a Stanley Cup in New York. He's played on some thoroughbred clubs and some nags, and been magnificent and median through three seasons in Montreal.

His leadership last season was recognized by head coach Guy Carbonneau, who put the captain's C on his No. 27 jersey when Saku Koivu missed one game with the flu and nine more with a broken foot.

The Canadiens most potent line has been broken up – at least to start the exhibition season.

When the Canadiens take on the Boston Bruins Monday night in Halifax, Tomas Plekanec will still have Andrei Kostitsyn on his left wing. But coach Guy Carbonneau says Sergei Kostitsyn will play RW on the line.

Has Alex Kovalev been placed on waivers?

Of course not. Kovy will make his exhibition season debut Wednesday night in Detroit, Carbo  said, with the linemates who joined him at this morning's practice: Robert Lang and Guillaume Latendresse.

Another new line that Carbonneau will try Monday: Prized acquisition Alex Tanguay with two rookies: Ben Maxwell and Max Pacioretty.

This is what training camp is for. Carbonneau, an inveterate line-tinkerer, can really go to town.

It's no secret that Alex Kovalev has some of the best stickhandling moves in the league and one of the most accurate shots around. Canadiens fans have often marvelled at what he can do with the puck.

In a video found on Youtube, Kovalev shows his best moves in a promotional piece for Warrior, the brand of sticks he uses.

It's an impressive 95 seconds that includes a demonstration of his stickhandling abilities and shooting accuracy - from the other end of the ice.

Canadiens right-winger Alex Kovalev has been awarded the December portion of the Molson Cup. It's the second straight month he has won the award.

Kovalev scored four goals and added 10 assists in 14 games during the month and a plus-7 rating.

For the month, he recorded 13 Molson Cup points, edging Christopher Higgins, who had 11. Kovalev leads the overall standings with 31 points, four ahead of Cristobal Huet and Higgins.

 The Russian forward will be honoured before Thursday night's game.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that Alex Kovalev is on pace for a 30-goal season, something he has not done since the 2002-03 season, but the talented Russian isn't happy with the way he is scoring.

Of his 12 goals, eight have come on the power play and that worries Kovalev.

"You always think that way every year, (that you can) get over 30 goals, but it's difficult these days when you're not producing much 5-on-5," said Kovalev. "That's one reason why I'm not happy. I mean, I'm happy I've scored 12 goals, but I'm not happy because most of them came on the power play."

"I'd be more happy if we produced more 5-on-5 and played a more complete game," Kovalev said.

Read Hickey's complete article here.