2005 Montreal Canadiens Preview
Welcome to the 2005 Montreal Canadiens Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.
2005 Montreal Canadiens Hockey Season Preview
It was a last minute signing and it was only for a year, but the Canadiens managed to sign winger Michael Ryder to a deal, insuring that the 2003-04 rookie would call the Bell Centre home again. Ryder lead all first-time players with 63 points in 81 games and was the team's second leading scorer, only topped by second-year center Mike Ribeiro's 65 points.
Ryder and Ribeiro have the potential to give opposing goaltenders net-minding nightmares while Montreal goalie Jose Theodore, who appears to have ice water in his veins, may do the same for opposing offensive lines. Theodore's last season was his best ever with a .919 save percentage and a bravado performance in the playoffs where he led his team to a seven game series victory against Boston after being down 3 to 1.
Along with these three talented youngsters the Canadiens have
added two stellar veteran free agents--Alex Kovalev and Mathieu
Dandenault. Both Kovalev and Dandenault signed four-year deals.
During his 12-year NHL career Kovalev, a dependable right winger
from Russia, has been a three-time All Star. His NHL stats include
680 points-- 292 goals and 388 assists-- in 849 regular season
games. Over 94 playoff games he's had 33 goals and 44 assists,
totaling to 77 points.
Defenseman/right winger Dandenault spent a decade as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, where he played on three Stanley Cup Championship teams. He's a solid, veteran player with a winning attitude.
Mixed together all of these elements may help to re-establish the Canadien's as a hockey powerhouse.
