Latendresse

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.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey reports that Guillaume Latendresse appears to be in coach Guy Carbonneau's doghouse after some inconsistent outings this season. Latendresse will be a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game against the Florida Panthers, something that should serve as a wakeup call.

"I'm not happy about it, but I'm still a young player. This is my second season, I'm still learning," Latendresse said. "We try to talk every day about where my game is. I'm searching for my game and when you search too much, you get behind the play. You're not in the right place."

Read Hickey's full article here.

Rewind to Maxim Lapierre, being used liberally by the Canadiens as their francophone marketing face leading into this season. Lapierre was sent to Hamilton, where's he tearing up the AHL and daring the Habs to keep him on the farm. Now we've got Guillaume Latendresse, with Tomas Plekanec the co-captain of the Canadiens Fan Club for kids, and he's on thin ice...

Guillaume Latendresse wasn't happy with the way he started his preseason, but he made up for it in a big way on Friday night at the Bell Centre, The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes. Latendresse scored a goal and an assist, but he also helped set up the winning goal by Matt D'Agostini in overtime as the Habs downed the Islanders 3-2.

"I played that game (against Pittsburgh) in my head before it happened," Latendresse said. "I was very nervous. Tonight, I was relaxed and I played my game."

D'Agostini, who scored a pair on the night, was quick to share the credit for his success, saying he was just "in the right place at the right time."

Guillaume Latendresse wasn't happy with the way he started his preseason, but he made up for it in a big way on Friday night at the Bell Centre, The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes. Latendresse scored a goal and an assist, but he also helped set up the winning goal by Matt D'Agostini in overtime as the Habs downed the Islanders 3-2.

"I played that game (against Pittsburgh) in my head before it happened," Latendresse said. "I was very nervous. Tonight, I was relaxed and I played my game."

D'Agostini, who scored a pair on the night, was quick to share the credit for his success, saying he was just "in the right place at the right time."

Guillaume Latendresse says he will miss Sheldon Souray now that the defenceman has signed with the Edmonton Oilers, but said his role in the locker room can be filled.

"On the ice or off the ice, a leader can be replaced," Latendresse told RDS. "I think Roman Hamrlik and Bryan Smolinksi are players that will bring a lot to the team."

While watching many players change places this summer, Latendresse says properly developing young players will help them stay loyal to their organizations.

"I am from Montreal and I am treated well by the organization, so when it comes time for my free agency, I don't see why I would go anywhere else. It's a question of loyalty," Latendresse said.

Canadiens' Guillaume Latendresse, Steve Bégin and likely Maxim Lapierre will join a host of other NHL players this Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplexe 4 Glaces in Montreal-suburban Pierrefonds for a fund-raising all-star game to benefit Make-A-Wish Canada.