Note from Brossard: RDS is reporting that Alex Kovalev was not at practise.
Update: Bob Gainey met with Kovalev this afternoon. Kovalev will remain in Montreal and will not accompany the team on its road trip for games in Washington and Pittsburgh.
This could be a disciplinary measure or, combined with the other actions, could be setting in place the pieces for a major trade.
The move to send Sergei Kostitsyn to Hamilton is either to clear cap space or simply another move designed to deflect attention away from Guy Carbonneau.
Sergei played very well when used in a way to maximize his skills. Lang with the Kostitsyns was the Canadiens best line for weeks. Sergei should not have to pay for the ineptness of the coach who stuck him on a line with Begin and Laraque.
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL – The Canadiens announced Tuesday that forward Gregory Stewart has been recalled from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The team also announced that forward Sergei Kostitsyn has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs. Stewart will join the club in Washington.
Stewart, 22, registered one point (one assist), posted a plus-1 rating and averaged 9:38 of ice time in three games this season with the Canadiens. The left-winger, who started the season in Hamilton, is sixth in the AHL this season with 170 penalty minutes. The Kitchener, Ontario native amassed 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) with a plus-8 rating in 51 games with the Bulldogs in 2008-09.
This season with the Canadiens, Sergei Kostitsyn, 21, scored 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) and served 64 penalty minutes in 52 contests.