Lapierre

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...

Maxim Lapierre had two goals and an assist last night to lift the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 3-2 season-opening, overtime win over the Rochester Americans. You'll read so many names you heard during training camp, you'll almost swear you're reading a Canadiens game story...

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.