The Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens have always had a strong connection.
Bob Gainey, the Stars first general manager and coach in Dallas, was a legendary player for Montreal and through both attitude and transactions, he made the early Dallas Stars feel like a southern Habs outpost.
We’ve gotten a nice reminder of those organization ties in the past 12 months.
There was the trade of Greg Pateryn for Jordie Benn (and a fourth-round pick) last season, while through free agency Alexander Radulov left Montreal for Dallas. Ales Hemsky, who is injured still, went the other way in free agency and joined Montreal.
“It was a bigger deal for me the first time I played them (in Montreal last season),” Pateryn said. “But it’s still neat to play against your old team, especially one that you were involved in a trade with.”
Montreal reporters met with Pateryn for about five minutes on Monday after practice, while they spent nearly 20 minutes talking with Radulov, most of the questions about why he left Montreal for Dallas.
The Canadiens also have former Stars on their roster in Antti Niemi (who is still be paid by Dallas this season on a buyout), David Schlemko (who is also injured right now), and one-time Stars prospect Joe Morrow.
Housekeeping Notes
— After a one-game hiatus, the carcast returns tonight with Owen Newkirk.
Catch-up links
Marc Methot is going to miss four to six weeks with a knee injury.
Today’s Schedule
The Stars have a morning skate at 10:30 and play the Montreal Canadiens this evening.
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