Habs Sign Woywitka

Habs signed D-man Jeff Woywitka to a one-year, two-way contract on Monday, adding some depth to the defence position - something they couldn't' get enough of last season.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Last season, Woywitka recorded 11 points in 63 games with the Dallas Stars. He maintained a +5 plus/minus differential, the team's fifth best and served 24 penalty minutes. Woywitka added 72 shots on goal and blocked 97 shots.

Since the 2005-06 season, the 27-year-old has played 251 career regular season games in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and the Stars. He has registered 49 points and 141 penalty minutes. He suited up for four playoff contests with the Blues in 2008-09.

What do you think - good signing? 

Josh Gorges Inked!!

The Montreal Canadiens signed defenceman Josh Gorges to a one-year, $2.5 million contract on Friday.

Gorges had a goal and six assists in 36 games last season. He had 18 penalty minutes and averaged 21:10 seconds of ice time per game.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Josh Gorges for the 2011-12 season," said Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier in a statement. "He is a very reliable defenceman for our club."

The 26-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., has played with Montreal for six seasons.

Gorges suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee on December 26 at Long Island.
"Josh is recovering extremely well from his knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for half of the regular season and the playoffs," said Gauthier. "We look forward to seeing him at training camp."

Habs Swap D-Men With the Ducks

The Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks have given a pair of young blue-liners a change of scenery.

The Habs acquired defenceman Mark Mitera from the Ducks in exchange for their own blue-liner Mathieu Carle.

Mitera scored six goals and 16 assists in 71 games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch last season. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound defender was originally drafted by Anaheim in the first round, 19th overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Carle suited up for three games with the Canadiens in 2009-10, finishing with a plus-1 and four penalty minutes. Originally selected 53rd overall by the Canadiens in 2006, he has played 222 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs, picking up 30 goals and 67 assists in that span.  

Habs sign White

Feisty centre Ryan White

The Montreal Canadiens signed centre Ryan White to a US$625,000, one-year, and more importantly for White, a one-way contract.

White finished his second season with the Habs. He had two goals and three assists in 27 games last season. He also played 33 games with their AHL affiliate in Hamilton, scoring three goals and 12 points.

The 23-year-old White was a third-round draft pick of the Canadiens in 2006.

History of the Montreal Canadiens | View timeline

But of course if you're like me and you only care about Les Canadiens, here's a timeline about their history:

History of the Montreal Canadiens | View timeline

History of Ice Hockey | View timeline

Now the Habs have been around forever, but not quite as long as the game of hockey itself. If you're curious about the history of hockey, check out this timeline:


History of Ice Hockey | View timeline

Habs add "Depth"

Brian Willsie

The Montreal Canadiens added depth to their forwards by signing veteran Brian Willsie on Thursday.

They also dealt minor-league centre Ryan Russell to Columbus for forward Michael Blunden. Russell is the twin brother of Blue Jackets defenceman Kris Russell.

Willsie, 33, has appeared in 381 career NHL games but only five over the last two seasons.

The two-way contract means Willsie can be shipped back and forth between the NHL and American Hockey League.

He finished 11th in AHL scoring a year ago with 68 points (30 goals, 38 assists) in 76 games for the Hershey Bears. He had an assist in one game for the Washington Capitals.

Willsie is a former seventh-round pick by Colorado in 1996 and has scored 52 goals and 109 points over his NHL career with Washington, Los Angeles and Colorado.

The six-foot-four Blunden played 51 NHL games over four seasons with Chicago and Columbus, recording two goals and two assists. The 24-year-old had 12 goals and nine assists in 37 games with AHL Springfield last season.

Ryan Russell played the last three seasons with AHL Hamilton and has yet to play in an NHL game. He had 10 goals and 11 assists in 65 games in 2010-11.

Gorges Disgruntled?

It appears that soon to be 27 year old, Josh Gorges is headed for salary arbitration. I am dying to know what Pierre Gauthier offered the BC native, but alas, we will have to wait for the arbitrator's ruling. Here's to hoping Hab's faithful don't have a disgruntled Gorges on their hands!