Gorges

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

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau has some tough decisions to make concerning his defensive corps after the oustanding training-camp performances of Josh Gorges and Ryan O'Byrne.

Carbonneau must balance their performances against veterans Francis Bouillon and Mathieu Dandenault.

"You know what the veterans can do, but some of the young guys have come to camp well prepared and they're making the decision tough," Carbonneau said.

The Gazette's Pat Hickey writes that Canadiens head coach Guy Carbonneau has some tough decisions to make concerning his defensive corps after the oustanding training-camp performances of Josh Gorges and Ryan O'Byrne.

Carbonneau must balance their performances against veterans Francis Bouillon and Mathieu Dandenault.

"You know what the veterans can do, but some of the young guys have come to camp well prepared and they're making the decision tough," Carbonneau said.

The Canadiens announced this morning the signing of a half dozen players to new contracts. They are defencemen Josh Gorges, Jean-Philippe Coté and Andrew Archer, goaltender Yann Danis, and forwards Duncan Milroy and Corey Locke.

As per club policy, terms of the deals were not made public, but the NHLPA's website list's Gorges salary at $495,000, up from the $450,000 he earned last season when he was acquired from the San Jose Sharks for Craig Rivet.

Go here to view the official news release from the Canadiens.