Habs: ready for the season.

Yesterday, the Montreal Canadiens thru their head coach Guy Carbonneau announced the last cuts performed by the team to respect the NHL rules and constitute the 23 players that will form the starting roster for this 2007-2008 season.

A few cuts in there have caught the fans by surprize. For one, Maxim Lapierre, who was featured in many promotional messages this summer has been cut and sent back to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Along with Lapierre, defensemen Ryan O'Byrne was sent to the AHL mainly because of the congestion at the defensemen position with Montreal. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak has also been sent back in the AHL.

As for goaltender Carey Price, he has been selected to start the season with the team as the No2 goaltender behind Christobal Huet. Let's see if Price performances can steal the No1 job from Huet before the end of the season. One thing is sure: Christobal Huet will have to perform on a constant basis because his No1 spot could be in jeopardy in january or february especially if the team is out of the playoff picture.

Tomorrow evening is the season opener for the Habs as they will face the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. The first three games of the season for Montreal will be played away from the Bell centre, in Raleigh, Toronto and Pittsburgh.

(Picture: Carey Price, Canadian Press)