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Samsonov is drawing the line in Montreal – The Boston Globe
Sergei Samsonov is not out of Montreal. At least not yet. But last night, with his Canadiens on Causeway to face his former Bruins, the Magical Muscovite was a fourth-liner in the bleu-blanc-rouge scheme of things.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
The veteran winger, who was the Montreal Canadiens’ big off-season signing, arrived at practice Wednesday to find he was demoted to the fourth line in favour of rookie Guillaume Latendresse.

Yes Montreals’ 2nd line wasn’t producing, but is this the solution? It’s troubling to see Samsonov speaking this publically, this early in the season. Not a good sign.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
Head coach Guy Carbonneau will put rookie Guillame Latendresse on the second line with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Kovalev on Thursday, while Sergei Samsonov is on the fourth line with Steve Begin and Garth Murray. Centre Radek Bonk skipped practice Tuesday because of back spasms, but the Habs are confident he will be ready to play Thursday night against the Boston Bruins. He suffered the same difficulties on his back over the weekend, but was still able to play on Monday against Buffalo. Cristobal Huet will get the start in goal in Boston. – RDS/Montreal Gazette

He may have lost in a shoot out tonight, but it’s good to see the Habs former backup playing great this year in LA.  I always liked the guy.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
Montreal Canadiens: Centre Radek Bonk left practice on Sunday with back spasms and is questionable for Monday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. – RDS

A year ago the prospect of a game without Bonk wouldn’t have been a big deal. But now, against Buffalo this would be a disaster. Bonk has been on fire: a big part of the penalty kill. Montreal has no depth at centre, so if bonkers really is iffy, expect a call up from Hamilton — probably Kyle Chipchura. Chipchura has been touted as the future captain if the Canadiens, but he looked out of his league during the preseason before being sent down to the Bull Dogs. If Bonk can’t play, ending Buffalo’s winning streak just became a lot harder.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
The news on Aaron Downy’s condition is good.

The Montreal Canadiens forward is feeling much better and is not experiencing any after-effects of a severe concussion suffered earlier this week.

A few days ago the talk was that Downey’s career might be over. Let’s hope the doctors are conservative on green lighting him — there’s nothing worse than coming back too early from a concussion. Sounds like he’s pretty pissed though.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
A day after getting humbled 9-1 by the Buffalo Sabres, the Philadelphia Flyers have placed three players on waivers.

TSN : NHL – Canada’s Sports Leader
Montreal Canadiens winger Aaron Downey was in hospital Tuesday night with a severe concussion after taking an open ice hit from Calgary Flames defenceman Robyn Regehr.

A marginal but legal hit sends Downey to hospital. Downey is a very tough guy, but it did not look pretty. It took him over a minute and he had to be helped off the ice. The vacant look on his face was chilling.  It’s got me wondering if the time has come for some kind of absolutist ban on hits to the head:  you hit someone in the head and it doesn’t matter what your intent was, or whether the check was ‘clean,’ you’re gone from the game. Hockey should be tough and physical, but I fail to see how head trauma improves the sport.

The hit inspired the Canadiens to beat the struggling Calgary Flames 5 – 4 in regulation. Both Bonk and Souray had great games scoring 2 goals a piece. Alex Kovalev’s game winning slap shot late in the second was a beauty. Mark Streit looked more than ready stepping in for injured defenseman Mathieu Dandenault.  And while the loss of Downey is unfortunate, it won’t impact the Canadiens game much as Garth Murray will return to the lineup bringing the same heart and determination and probably more raw talent to the 4th line grinder role.