Friday, September 12, 2008

Canadiens Re-Sign Brisebois

The Montreal Canadiens were not done on Friday after their trade with Chicago, they managed to re-sign veteran defenseman Patrice Brisebois to a 1-year deal. Brisebois will likely be signed for the $1 million mark or a little bit less, but that's just speculation, as financial terms were not disclosed.

Last season with the Habs, Brisebois played in 43 games and scored 3 goals and added 8 assists.  Brisebois missed 11 games with a shoulder injury, but did spend quite a few games in the press box as a healthy scratch.  With the re-addition of Brisebois to the blueline, you get some experience back in the line-up, which should help after the loss of Mark Streit to free agency this summer.

ForwardsDefenseGoaltenders
Alexei KovalevAndrei MarkovCarey Price
Tomas PlekanecRoman HamrlikJaroslav Halak
Alex TanguayMike Komisarek
Saku KoivuMathieu Dandenault
Robert LangPatrice Brisebois
Andrei KostitsynJosh Gorges
Christopher HigginsFrancis Bouillon
Guilliaume Latendresse
Sergei Kostitsyn
Maxim Lapierre
Tom Kostopoulos
Georges Laraque
Steve Begin

Today's addition of Lang and Brisebois to the line-up gives the Habs a little more certainty this season that experience will be a factor in the year.  Lang will be able to bring a good second line centre to the mix or even a second line winger, if need be.  Brisebois will be a good figure on the blueline and will likely see a few more games than last season, which could make him a little more attractive to poolies everywhere.  Brisebois could get upwards of 15 points this season, but his consistency and his ability to stay in the line-up will be a big question.

The line-up above, including Brisebois' speculated salary for the year ($1 million), brings the Habs figures up to $52.5 million for 22 players.  The final spot will likely be taken by a young player like Kyle Chipchura or Ryan O'Byrne.  This should give the team plenty of room to wiggle when it comes to trade deadline day in February, which only increases their chances for a good year and a good playoff run.

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