With the home opener only one day away, the Canadiens had to make some roster decisions. The cuts came down Friday morning with the Habs sending Gabriel Dumont, Jarred Tinordi, Patrick Holland, Michael Bournival, Louis Leblanc, Fred St-Denis and Mike Commodore down to Hamilton, keeping Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Michael Blunden.
Galchenyuk will be in the line up Saturday night. His parents, sister and two dogs will be driving to Montreal from Sarnia to witness his NHL debut. The Canadiens have a window of five games before they have to decide if they'll be keeping the 18-year-old forward for the entire season or if he'll be sent back to junior.
Head coach Michel Therrien wants Galchenyuk to be well surrounded on and off the ice. He is starting to contemplate the idea of having him live with a veteran player if he does stick around all season. No player has been announced as the front runner just yet.
In the meantime, he has been living in a hotel with the other "Gally", Brendan Gallagher, who told the media today that he has claimed the nickname "Gally" and Galchenyuk will go by "Chuckie." There were rumors that Galchenyuk was planning on changing his number from 27 to 94 but that's untrue. He'll be staying with number 27.
Goaltender Carey Price took a therapy day but he told Therrien he'll be ready to go for Saturday. Tomas Plekanec missed Thursday's intra-squad game at the Bell Centre but was back at practice on Friday and is likely to play in the home opener.
Brian Gionta turns 34. He'll be celebrating his birthday by watching his son's hockey game tonight!
Lines:
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Galchenyuk - Plekanec - Gionta
Bourque - Eller - Moen
Prust - White - Armstrong
Blunden - White - Gallgher
Kaberle - Gorges
Markov - Emelin
Bouillon - Diaz/ Weber
