The Ultimate Canadiens Team

LW - DICKIE MOORE
"Digging Dickie"
Years with Habs: 1951-1963
Stats: 654 GP, 254 G, 594 PTS
The Lowdown: Moore was among the NHL's best shooters and puckhandlers. His aggressive style of play and resilience was best exemplified in 1958, when he won the scoring title with 84 points despite playing the final three months of the season with a broken wrist.

C - JEAN BELIVEAU
"Le Gros Bill"
Years with Habs: 1951-1971
Stats: 1,125 GP, 507 G, 1,219 PTS
The Lowdown: He was as graceful on the ice as he was off it. Not only was Beliveau a strong skater and a skilled playmaker, the towering centre was also hard to knock off the puck as he was striding towards the net.

LW - JOHN FERGUSON
The Policeman
Years with Habs: 1963-1971
Stats: 500 GP, 303 PTS, 1,214 PIM
The Lowdown: He was the tough 'big brother' in the yard for Jean Beliveau and Henri Richard, but was also an underrated scorer. He scored less than 15 goals just once in his eight years with the Habs.

C - SAKU KOIVU
Heart And Soul
Years with Habs: 1995-Present
Stats: 755 GP, 182 G, 613 PTS
The Lowdown: Koivu has spent much of his career battling injuries, but the Canadiens' current captain makes the most of the playing time he's given with his two-way game and playmaking skills.

LW - BOB GAINEY
"Bo"
Years with Habs: 1973-1989
Stats: 1,160 GP, 501 PTS
The Lowdown: With a tight checking game and stellar two-way play taught by Roger Neilson, Gainey was the best defensive forward of his era - and perhaps the best ever. He was the defensive backbone to Montreal's high-flying dynasty of the seventies.

C - GUY CARBONNEAU
"Carbo"
Years with Habs: 1980-1994
Stats: 912 GP, 547 PTS
The Lowdown: A three-time Selke Trophy winner, Carbonneau was the perfect shadow against skilled centres like Gretzky, Stastny and Lemieux. He also perfected the art of shot-blocking and helped Patrick Roy see a lot less rubber.

LW - ANDRE PRONOVOST
Defence First
Years with Habs: 1956-1961
Stats: 226 GP, 88 PTS
The Lowdown: In four seasons with the Canadiens, Pronovost established himself as a superb defensive presence and a key role player of the dynasty from the 1950s.

C - BRIAN SKRUDLAND
Dependable Down The Middle
Years with Habs: 1985-1993
Stats: 475 GP, 78G, 217 PTS
The Lowdown: The Alberta native was a great character player who, along with Guy Carbonneau, developed his defensive play and checking role under captain Bob Gainey.

D - DOUG HARVEY
Simply The Best
Years with Habs: 1947-1961
Stats: 890 GP, 447 PTS
Lowdown: Harvey's fluid skating and brilliant passing abilities always set the Canadiens' offensive attack in motion, and his stellar puck control kept the other team from getting scoring chances.

D - LARRY ROBINSON
"Big Bird"
Years with Habs: 1972-1989
Stats: 1,202 GP, 883 PTS
Lowdown: Robinson was the most complete defenceman to ever suit up for the Canadiens. The 6-4, 225-pound tower could dominate you in an offensive game or crush you in a physical game.

D - TED HARRIS
Tough As They Come
Years with Habs: 1964-1970
Stats: 407 GP, 113 PTS
Lowdown: Not only was he a good defensive player, but the 6-foot-2 blueliner was tough as nails and a great hitter, teaming up with John Ferguson to protect Montreal's smaller skilled players.

G - JACQUES PLANTE
"Jake The Snake"
Years with Habs: 1953-1963
Stats: 312-134-108, 2.23 GAA, 58 SO
Lowdown: A tough choice over Dryden and Roy, but Plante was the master innovator of his day. Not only did he break in the mask, he was also the first goalie to leave the crease to play the puck and raise his arm to indicate icing.