The Montreal Canadiens could be for sale as part of a plan by owner George Gillett to sort out his varied holdings.
“The Gillett family has retained the services of financial advisers to assess various strategic alternatives to optimize the value of its corporate assets,” team president Pierre Boivin said in a statement on Monday. “In Canada, the family has retained the services of BMO Capital Markets and the process is under way.”
Montreal La Presse reported that BMO will study all financial avenues, including selling the club, financial restructuring or bringing in new investors.
Gillett owns 80.1 percent of the team and the Bell Centre.
He also owns 50 percent of English soccer giant Liverpool, and owns the Gillett Evernham NASCAR team, event promoter Gillett Entertainment Group, ski resorts, car dealerships and agricultural companies.
Boivin told the newspaper that the recession spurred Gillett to hire financial companies in Canada, the United States and Europe to review his holdings.
Last November, BlackBerry maker Jim Balsillie said the Canadiens were for sale, a report vehemently denied by Gillett at the time.
In December, Sports Business Journal reported that Gillett was looking to refinance a $75 million loan he took out to guarantee his involvement in the purchase of Liverpool FC, which he co-owns with Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks.
Gillett bought the Canadiens and their arena, then called the Molson Centre, in 2001, for $275 million with the help of $140 million in loans from two banks and the Quebec pension fund.
Boivin said the league’s oldest franchise is no danger of going out of business.
Transactions:
Calgary Flames – David Van der Gulik (LW) – Called up from minors (from Quad City-AHL)
Edmonton Oilers – Jordan Eberle (RW) – Signed (Three-year contract)
Los Angeles Kings – Kevin Westgarth (RW) – Sent to minors (Manchester-AHL)
Montreal Canadiens – Max Pacioretty (LW) – Sent to minors (Hamilton-AHL)
New York Rangers – Mike Sauer (D) – Called up from minors (from Hartford-AHL)
Phoenix Coyotes – Al Montoya (G) – Called up from minors (from San Antonio-AHL)
Injury Updates:
Patrick Elias (LW – Devils) Sits out against Flyers.
Michal Rozsival (D – NY Rangers) Out 7-10 days with lower body injury.
Mikko Koivu (C – Wild) Could miss the rest of the season with knee injury.
Rob Blake (D – Sharks) Out with lower body injury.
Brad Richards (C – Stars) To miss 4 – 6 weeks after hand injury.
Mike Green of the Washington Capitals says no to the NHL Hall of Fame, who asked for his record setting stick. Green scored goals in 8 consecutive games, an NHL record.
Tampa Bay rookie Steven Stamkos scored his first NHL career hat trick today, but it wasn’t enough as the Lightning went down to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Peter Forsberg scored a goal in his first game back in Pro Hockey today and helped MODO win 4-1 over Skelleftia in the Swedish Elite Legue.
Grebeshkov (Edmonton) will be out at least a week with a high ankle sprain after being tripped by Toronto’s Plekanak.
Tomas Plekanak (Toronto - C) has been suspended for 2 games following a dangerous play against the Oilers. Plekanak tripped Grebeshkov from behind, sending him into the boards.
Phoenix Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky argues with the officials as his team gets called for a penalty during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Canucks defeated the Coyotes 4-3.
1 year on from the accident that almost ended his NHL career, Richard Zednik put up 2 goals in the Panthers 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As predicted, the Dallas Stars waived Sean Avery to the AHL yesterday. The New York Rangers have agreed to take him on in their farm team, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Many believe the Rangers may agree to take Avery off re-entry waivers if he performs well in Hartford.
Andy McDonald returned to the Ice today after a 36 game break due to a fractured leg, and did so with a 2 point outing, putting up a goal and an assist in the Blues 6-4 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Boston Bruins lose Petteri Nokelainen and Chuck Kobawew to injuries after todays 5-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Nokelainen was high-sticked by Shark’s Dan Boyle and immediate left the ice. Boyle did not receive a penalty on the play. Kobasew left he ice early with an apparent leg injury.
St Louis Blues LW Paul Kariya underwent a second surgery on his hip today. It is unsure if he will return this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs put Mike Van Ryn on IR today. Van Ryn had an MRI Monday, but no major damage was found. The team is purported to be playing it safe.
Video of the day:
Photo of the day: St. Louis Blues‘ Chris Mason, right, shoves Vancouver
Canucks‘ Steve Bernier away from the crease in the
third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 10,
2009, in St. Louis. The Canucks beat the Blues 6-4.
My apologies for the delay in updates guys, have been hectic lately with work.
News:
NHL / NHLPA Reach Agreement on Intl Events (report)
According to TSN, the NHL and NHLPA have come to terms on future international events that could see 6 teams start next season in Europe, as well as the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2010/11.
Maple Leafs Fire Al Coates from Front Office
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly fired the Director of Player Personnel, Al Coates today. The report comes from the Toronto Star.
Oilers Retire Glenn Anderson’s #9
The Edmonton Oilers have honored Hall of Famer Glenn Anderson today by raising his jersey to the rafters of Rexall Place, Edmonton.
Injuries:
Teppo Numminen (D – Buffalo) Out indefinitely after face surgery.
Julien / McLellan to coach All-Star Game The Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks are leading the chase for the Presidents’ Trophy at the halfway mark of the season. As a result, their coaches will square off at the NHL’s midseason gala. Claude Julien of the East-leading Bruins and Todd McLellan of the Sharks, who are atop the West, on Saturday were named as coaches for their respective conferences in the 57th All-Star Game at the Bell Centre in Montreal on January 25. (The Full Story on Yahoo)
Shanahan Returns to Devils
Just two weeks shy of his 40th birthday, Brendan Shanahan is headed back to where it all started. The all-but-certain Hall of Fame forward agreed in principle to a deal with the Devils on Saturday that will return him to New Jersey—the team that chose him with the No. 2 pick in the 1987 NHL draft. (Read The Full Story on Yahoo)
Sunday’s 3 Stars
The NHL has announced it’s 3 Stars for Sunday. They were…
#1. Henrik Lundqvist (G – NY Rangers)
#2. Nikita Filatov (LW – Blue Jackers)
#3. Jeff Carter (C – Flyers)
KHL holds outdoor game in Red Square
MOSCOW – Marcel Hossa scored three times as a foreign squad led by former NHL MVP Jaromir Jagr edged an all-Russian team 7-6 in the Continental Hockey League’s all-star game in Red Square on Saturday. (Read The Full Story on TSN)
Transactions & Moves:
Corey Perry (RW – Anaheim) Suspension over.
Jarkko Ruutu (LW – Ottawa) Suspension over.
Rich Peverley (C – Atlanta) Claimed of waivers from Nashville.
Brendan Shanahan (LW – New Jersey) Signed.
Injuries:
Niklas Kronwall (D – Detroit) Flu. Day-to-day.
Marco Sturm (LW – Boston). Set for knee surgery, possibly out for the season.
Is this it for Joe Sakic?
Joe Sakic underwent successful surgery on a herniated disc recently and is expected to be out for at least 10 weeks. The question many people have is; is this the end for Joe Sakic? Sean Leahy of the Puck Daddy Blog discusses this today.
Caps coach speaks out on All-Star game representation
Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau doesn’t like the way the All-Star game is run. Greg Wyshynski of the Puck Daddy Blog covers the story on Boudreau and his comments.
Saving the NHL All-Star Game
Apparently the NHL All Stars game is in trouble. It seems every year somebody, somewhere comes up with a number of reasons the ASG is a waste of time. This year it’s been the voting ballot system, and the obvious misrepresentation of “Stars” from the Montreal Canadiens. Craig Custance talks about the ASG and offers a number of ways to help “Save” the game.
Transactions:
Alexander Sulzer (D) Signed 2-year contract with the Nashville Predators
Jordan Staal (C – Pittsburgh) Signed 4-year extension worth $16 million.
Brad May (LW) Traded to Toronto Maple Leafs from Anaheim Ducks for a 2010 conditional 6th round draft pick.
Injuries:
Pascal Leclaire (G – Columbus) IR, out at least a week.
Predators announce game time change to avoid clash with Titans
The Nashville Predators have changed the time of their game Saturday so it doesn’t conflict with the Tennessee Titans’ playoff game. (The Full Story on TSN)
Sundin to make NHL debut
According to TSN, Mats Sundin may make his NHL debut for this season tomorrow, Vs the Edmonton Oilers.
Jarkko Ruutu bites Andrew Peters
Jarkko Ruutu added another chapter to the bitter rivalry between the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres. He bit the gloved thumb of Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters during a first-period altercation Tuesday night, overshadowing Buffalo’s 4-2 win. (The Full Story on Yahoo)
The NHL is coming to a Cellphone near you
The NHL is coming to a cellphone near you. Bell Mobility has reached an agreement with the league and the NHL Players’ Association to be the exclusive carrier of NHL content. As of Tuesday, customers will be able to sign up for a service that allows them to access video highlights, up-to-date scores and summaries and other unique features on their phones. (The Full Story on Yahoo)
Transactions:
None.
Injuries:
Rick Nash (LW – Columbus) Left game against the Red Wings early with apparent ankle injury.
Paul Kariya (LW – St. Louis) Underwent successful surgery.
Marian Gaborik (RW – Minnesota) Underwent successful surgery on left hip. Expected to miss 10 weeks.
Adam Foote (D – Colorado) Placed on IR with tricept injury.
CHICAGO – If you closed your eyes and put your ear to the ground of the Frozen Confines on Thursday, you could almost hear Ernie Banks saying, “Let’s skate two.” The NHL’s New Year’s Day spectacle at Wrigley Field was just that good. (The Full Story on Yahoo)
Transactions:
None.
Injuries:
Jamie Heward (D – Tampa Bay) Carried off ice after Ovechkin check.
Kent Huskkins (D – Anaheim) Will miss 2 – 3 weeks with broken bone in foot.
Alex Tanguay (LW – Montreal) Will miss min. 6 weeks with shoulder injury.
Marian Gaborik (RW – Minnesota) May opt for season ending surgery.
Marc-Andre Bergeron (D – minnesota) Has missed 5 consecutive games, now placed on IR.
Craig Rivet (D – Buffalo) Shoulder injury, no date set for return.
News:
