Pierre-Luc Dubois was spotted out in Montreal with a Habs player, again. Sean Monahan is excited to be back and is mostly healthy. Reportedly, Marc-Andre Bergeron has left the Trois-Rivieres Lions.
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Dubois in the Montreal Spotlight
The Pierre-Luc Dubois charm offensive is in high gear as the Winnipeg Jets forward has been attending the Montreal events that are sure to give him maximum public exposure in Montreal. On the weekend Dubois was photographed at the Canadian Grand Prix in the company of Canadiens forward Cole Caufield.
On Wednesday night, Dubois was at Saputo Stadium with Habs defenseman David Savard. The pair witnessed CF Montreal blanking SC Nashville 1-0.
Montreal Canadiens' fans have interpreted the photos to mean that the power forward is socializing with his future teammates. It wouldn't be surprising to learn that Dubois' agent Pat Brisson, is orchestrating the appearances to use fan pressure to fuel a bidding war for his client.
Reports swirl that the Canadiens have been joined by the Los Angeles Kings as frontrunners for the services of Dubois. The pending restricted free agent told that Jets in June that he would not sign a contract extension with them.
Monahan Excited to be a Hab
Sean Monahan has a debt to pay. "I really enjoyed my time in Montreal last year. It was obviously cut short due to being injured," said Monahan. "I felt like I owe it to myself to give it another shot in Montreal. I owe it to the fans and I owe it to the organization."
The 28-year-old forward met with the media on Wednesday after signing a one-year contract extension the day prior. Monahan will help provide the leadership necessary to mentor the young core of budding stars, especially Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
"Coming in and having the young guys and that energy, and guys trying to get better everyday and pushing each other, it was real fun to be a part of," said Monahan. "I really think that I can help the team get better everyday. So it's an exciting time to be a Montreal Canadien."
Last season, Monahan scored six goals and added 11 assists for 17 points in 25 games. His season was cut short by a broken foot and a groin injury.
Currently, the Brampton, ON. native is feeling in much better health and ready to show that he can contribute to the team.
"I would say I'm as close to 100 percent as I have been in four or five years. So, it's exciting, obviously, for me as a player and getting the opportunity to come back is a big one for me. I'm ready to prove to myself that I'm still a really good player in this League and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to show that to everybody."
And yes, Monahan remains Kirby Dach's favorite player.
Turgeon Elected to Hall of Fame
Pierre Turgeon received the call from the Hockey Hall of Fame on Wednesday. The former Montreal captain, played just 104 games with the Canadiens over parts of three seasons. The native of Rouyn-Noranda, QC, scored 38 goals and added 58 assists for 96 points in 1995-96, his only full season with the Habs.
Over his 19-year career with six teams, Turgeon totaled 1327 points in 1294 NHL games. He did not win a Stanley Cup but was named Lady Byng Trophy winner in 1992-93.
Turgeon is perhaps best remembered for being the Canadiens captain during the 1996 closing of the Montreal Forum and opening of the Molson Centre. He participated in the emotional torch passing ceremony with all the previous captains.
Price House Shopping in Montreal?
Carey Price and his family have left Montreal and returned home to Kelowna, BC. Carey and his wife Angela listed their home in Candiac for sale last month.
In an Instagram post, Angela Price left a heartfelt message to her followers on a photo of the Price family in front of their South Shore home.
"I don’t feel like it’s a goodbye to Montreal because we will be back so often but I do feel like it’s a goodbye to our home and our neighborhood," wrote Angela. "There’s a lot of feelings and emotions which I will go into later, already cried on the plane and we haven’t even taken off yet so I need to keep it pulled together for now."
She concluded her post with "But our hearts will always be in Montreal."
However, the Canadiens goaltender and his wife may be in the market for property in Montreal. During an interview on 'The Drive By podcast' last week, Angela mentioned the possibility of her family purchasing a secondary home in downtown Montreal to make it easier for Carey during the upcoming Canadiens season.
Bergeron Departs
On Thursday, Matthew Vachon from 106.9 FM reported that Marc-Andre Bergeron has left his position of vice-president of hockey operations and general manager of the Trois-Rivieres Lions. The Lions are the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
In addition to his front office duties, Bergeron had taken over bench the Lions bench in November when head coach Eric Belanger left the team to take over the helm with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL.
At present the Lions are without a president, general manager and head coach. Former President Mark Weightman left the club in March to become the President of Montreal Alouettes in the CFL.
It is being speculated that assistant coach Pascal Rheaume will be promoted to head coach of the Lions.
UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon, the Trois-Rivieres Lions announced that Pascal Rheaume has been appointed their new head coach and general manager, effective today.
Calder Cup Champs
Congratulations to the Hershey Bears who won their 12th Calder Cup on Wednesday night. The Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Thunderbirds) 3-2 in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals. The game-winner was scored in dramatic fashion by Bears forward Mike Vecchione at the 16:19 of the first overtime period.