Canadiens Recall Lapierre and O'Byrne; Assign Graboski to Hamilton

[jayc948]

Montreal Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced today that forward Maxim Lapierre and defenceman Ryan O'Byrne have been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The Club also assigned forward Mikhail Grabovski to Hamilton.

Lapierre, 22, is second on the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points (7-7-14), 63 penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating in 19 games so far this season. In 129-career AHL games, all with Hamilton, the native of Saint-Leonard, Quebec, has posted 31 goals, 43 assists, 64 points and 336 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-2, 197-pound forward has appeared in 47-career NHL games with the Canadiens, notching six goals, six assists, 12 points and 24 penalty minutes. Lapierre was drafted by Montreal in the 2nd round, 61st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

O'Byrne, 23, has registered eight points (2-6-8), 43 penalty minutes and a plus-4 rating in 18 games with Hamilton this season. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound blueliner has played 98-career AHL games with the Bulldogs, collecting two goals, 18 assists, 20 points and 172 penalty minutes.

The native of Victoria, British Columbia, was selected in the 3rd round, 79th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry draft. This is the first NHL recall of O'Byrne's career.

Grabovski, 23, has picked up a goal and an assist with four penalty minutes in 12 games with Montreal this season. The native of Potsdam, Germany, recorded his first-career NHL point, an assist, on October 20th against the Buffalo Sabres, and scored his first-career NHL goal on October 22nd versus the Boston Bruins.

In 66 games with the Bulldogs during the 2006-2007 AHL campaign, Grabovski tallied 54 points (17-37-54) and 34 penalty minutes as a rookie. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound forward was selected by Montreal in the 5th round, 150th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

[Podollan]

Not bad.

[nyrpack]

hopefully they can add a little muscle to one of the boringest teams for toughness !!

[nativescrapper]

is this for tomorrow nights game against the bruins?

[ProbieRules]

Originally Posted by nativescrapper

is this for tomorrow nights game against the bruins?

It appears so...should be an interesting game.

[Tucker_316]

It's mostly because they just need more size and grittiness, not about the Bruins, although it comes at a good time. I doubt very much you see any of these guys back down in Hamilton again this season.

[Hutch]

Originally Posted by Tucker_316

It's mostly because they just need more size and grittiness, not about the Bruins, although it comes at a good time. I doubt very much you see any of these guys back down in Hamilton again this season.

Right, they call up their two wannabe enforcers to make their season debut 25 games into the season against the team that in their last meeting absolutely beat down several Canadien players (and it wasn't even any of the Bruins enforcers who did the dirty work either.)

Stupid move by the Canadians, Maxim Lapierre is a horrible fighter and has never even fought a 200+ LB player in the AHL or even someone who fights regularly (unless you count Kris New(KO'd)bury as a fighter.)

The other goof is just a tall defenseman...

[Tucker_316]

Actually, I'm not sure if you are aware, but like you said, they arent enforcers, so why would they bring them up just for the Bruins, and secondly, have you seen the way we've played lately? They are energy players.

Oh yeah, and third, The Habs make the Bruins their bitches on a game by game basis, no matter what they do, or where they play, and whatever....Habs OWN the B's, always have, and always will.

[nilan30]

Originally Posted by Tucker_316

Actually, I'm not sure if you are aware, but like you said, they arent enforcers, so why would they bring them up just for the Bruins, and secondly, have you seen the way we've played lately? They are energy players.

Oh yeah, and third, The Habs make the Bruins their bitches on a game by game basis, no matter what they do, or where they play, and whatever....Habs OWN the B's, always have, and always will.

Yeah I agree. This team needed a shake up and some energy. Hopefully this will help cause this is the first time in years I haven't looked at a Bruins game as what should be an easy two points.

[mongoose]

These moves had to be made both just missed the cut and i think should get the chance ,having grabovski in the line-up served no purpose thus far , a euro that doesnt hit or score ?? lapierre will provide some size and energy for sure OByrne will give us some size on the back-end . and oh yeah! Fock the sh!t the bed bruins!

[Sugden Flu]

Originally Posted by Tucker_316

Actually, I'm not sure if you are aware, but like you said, they arent enforcers, so why would they bring them up just for the Bruins, and secondly, have you seen the way we've played lately? They are energy players.

Oh yeah, and third, The Habs make the Bruins their bitches on a game by game basis, no matter what they do, or where they play, and whatever....Habs OWN the B's, always have, and always will.

The Habs might win the game, but the Bruins will win the physical battles. Just like lasttime. These two clowns are'nt going to make a difference. Win or lose I always enjoy watching the B's beat up Guy Carboneaus band of traveling euro-fairys.

[nilan30]

Originally Posted by Sugden Flu

The Habs might win the game, but the Bruins will win the physical battles. Just like lasttime. These two clowns are'nt going to make a difference. Win or lose I always enjoy watching the B's beat up Guy Carboneaus band of traveling euro-fairys.

No matter how many physical battles you win it's never as good as winning the game. Especially win you when physical battles that leave absolutely 0 injury to the other team.

[Tucker_316]

Or when you go after tough guys like Kostistyn. And jump Latendresse.

I doubt the Habs cringe when hearing they have to play the B's. They are all probably like oh hey, alright....another easy two points.

[Sugden Flu]

Originally Posted by Tucker_316

Or when you go after tough guys like Kostistyn. And jump Latendresse.

I doubt the Habs cringe when hearing they have to play the B's. They are all probably like oh hey, alright....another easy two points.

I don't care who they go after. I actually would'nt even mind seeing that little ****head Koivu get slapped around. That would be priceless. Besides, when your team dresses nothing but wimps, other teams have no other choice but to go after wimps.

[Tucker_316]

Well then, jump Koivu...I wouldnt care either, cuz it'll spark some stuff..but I wouldnt call that being tough either.

Now as for who you could go after, if the B's feel obliged to...Kosto, Begin, Lats, Lapierre, Komi and O'Byrne..also Bouillon if he is playing.

That's not me saying all these guys are legit big time enforcers...it's just me saying those are the guys who may be able to handle themselves better than a Kostistyn or Koivu.

Too bad we didnt keep Murray, Rivet and Souray, eh? Add them into the mix. Wold have been fun.