In what appears to be a prophetic sign of the coming NHL season, two Canadiens defenceman already have sore knees. As TSN is reporting, Francis Boullion had pain in his knee when he started skating last week, and Mark Streit is suffering from tendonitis in his knee. This is a disturbing trend for the Habs. I can count almost 10 Hab players who missed considerable amounts of time last season, and that isn't even counting the departed Zednik.As Hodge had mentioned in an earlier post, the Habs added Mike Johnson and Sergei Samsonov to their roster as well. Mike Johnson had played up to 79 games in a season only 40% of his career.
Sergei Samsonov has done so 50% of the time and is in rapid decline.
This is unfortunate, but hopefully will not be an issue come playoff time. I just wonder if GM Bob Gainey wonders this in the back of his mind. Why the hell would he add a concussion victim and an artificial knee to his already injury - prone roster? To make history??
**Newly acquired Avalanche defenceman Jordan Leopold will need 3 months to recover after having hernia surgery today. He could miss the opening night of the season at least.**
**The Sabres have signed Maxim Afinogenov to a multiyear deal today. Let's hope the Bure Clone can score on a more regular basis! Terms not disclosed, of course.**
** The Predators have avoided arbitration and signed F Scott Hartnell to a 1-year, $1.75 million deal. Hartnell is good for about 40-50 points. Now I wonder what Smithers' own- Dan Hamhuis will get?
Either way you slice it, the Preds are going up the standings this year! Heads up!**
**The Hawks have signed Jim Vandermeer, Brandon Bochenski, Matt Keith, and Craig MacDonald to contracts as well. Truth is, who gives a crap about the Hawks? They're heading to the bottom of the standings. Hopefully they draft right over the next few years.**