2011-12 Montreal Canadiens season

The 2011–12 Montreal Canadiens season was the team's 103rd season in franchise history and their 95th season in the National Hockey League since the league was established on November 22, 1917.
==Off-season==
Heading into the off-season, Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier had certain issues to address. There were several unrestriced free agents on the team that included, most notably Jeff Halpern, Roman Hamrlik, Alex Auld, Brent Sopel, Hal Gill, James Wisniewski, Mathieu Darche and Andrei Markov.
The team managed to re-sign Gill, Darche and Markov. On the other hand, no contracts were offered to Halpern, Auld and Sopel, thus allowing them to leave the team. Roman Hamrlik rejected the Canadiens's one-year offer and instead accepted a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals. James Wisniewski let it be known that he would be testing the free agent market (where a bidding war for his services would ensue). On June 29, his negotiating rights were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. 
On the restricted free agent side, qualifying offers were made to Andrei Kostitsyn, Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais, Yannick Weber, Ryan White and Josh Gorges, all were eventually re-signed. No qualifying offers were made to forwards Dustin Boyd, Tom Pyatt, Benoit Pouliot and defenseman Alexandre Picard, thus allowing them to become unrestricted free agents.
On the first day of free agency on July 1, Pierre Gauthier addressed two needs, a big body forward and a reliable back-up goaltender. They were successful in signing forward Erik Cole from the Carolina Hurricanes to a four-year contract worth $18 million. The need for a capable back-up goaltender to help out Carey Price was also fulfilled when they signed free agent Peter Budaj from the Colorado Avalanche to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million.
Another notable transaction during the off-season is the signing of rugged Russian defenceman Alexei Yemelin to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2011–12 season. Yemelin, drafted by the team in the third round with the 84th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, was under the Canadiens radar for quite some time. He finally agreed to make the jump to North America when a clause was inserted in his contract, stating that he would be able to return to the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia should he be unable to crack the Canadiens roster. Yemelin is often compared to fellow Russian and former NHL defenceman Darius Kasparaitis, who was known for his aggressive physical playing style.
Assistant coach Kirk Muller, who was part of the Canadiens coaching staff since 2006, confirmed rumours that he was actively seeking a head coaching position in the NHL and would be leaving the team. On June 27, 2011, following his inability to find a head coaching position in the NHL, the Nashville Predators announced that Muller had been hired as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He would later fulfill his dream when on November 28, 2011, Muller became coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, taking over for Paul Maurice.
Following Muller's departure, general manager Pierre Gauthier announced the appointment of Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur as assistant coaches. Cunneyworth and Ladouceur were coach and assistant coach respectfully for the Canadiens's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs during the previous season. The addition of Ladouceur also provides the team the first former defenseman as an assistant coach since the 2005-06 NHL season.
==Season Timeline==
October
The Canadiens started with the team's worst start since 1941. Prior to their first game of the season, defenceman Andrei Markov was placed on the injured reserved list. The Canadiens started the season with a 2–0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. During the game, newly acquired defenceman Chris Campoli suffered a hamstring injury and was sidelined indefinitely. 
The team's first win of the season was a 5–1 decision against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre, which was the Jets' first game in the newly relocated franchise's history. 
The Canadiens played their home opener on October 13 in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames. This coincided with Lars Eller's first game of the season following off-season shoulder surgery. That same day, the team announced that forward Ryan White had surgery for a sports hernia and would be sidelined indefinitely. 
On October 23, the team traded longtime prospect Brock Trotter and their 7th round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft to the Phoenix Coyotes for forward Petteri Nokelainen and defenseman Garrett Stafford.
The team would go on to a six-game losing streak and five-game losing streak at home until defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 5 – 1 on October 26, 2011 at the Bell Centre. Prior to the game, the Canadiens relieved assistant coach Perry Pearn of his duties, offering him (but he declined) another position in the organization. Pearn was replaced behind the bench by Randy Ladouceur, who until then was situated in the press box during game time.
Molson Cup player of the month: Carey Price.
November
On November 10 the Canadiens beat the Phoenix Coyotes 3–2 in overtime to continue their winning streak in Phoenix. The Coyotes have not beaten the Canadiens at home ice since December 9, 1998, when they won 4–2. 
Carey Price recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time of his career in duplicate 4–0 wins against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 16 and the New York Rangers on November 19.
Max Pacioretty was suspended by NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan for three games following a questionable hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defencemen Kristopher Letang on November 26 at the Bell Centre. Letang suffered a broken nose but still managed to finish the game. No penalty had been called on the hit.
The month also saw the NHL debuts of defenceman Frédéric Saint-Denis on November 16 in a 4–0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes and Louis Leblanc on November 30 in a 4–1 loss to the Ahaheim Ducks. 
Molson Cup player of the month: Carey Price.
December
In an effort to bolster their power play, which was ranked 29th out of 30 teams in the league, Pierre Gauthier acquired defenseman Tomas Kaberle from the Carolina Hurricanes on December 9 in exchange for defenseman Jaroslav Spacek. In his first game with the Canadiens, Kaberle registered two assists, including one on the power play, in a 2–1 road win against the New Jersey Devils.
Chris Campoli returned to action on December 13 against the New York Islanders. He was sidelined with a lower body injury suffered during the team's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs back on October 6.
Feeling that the team was under performing despite a 13–12–7 record, Pierre Gauthier fires head coach Jacques Martin on December 17. Assistant Coach Randy Cunneyworth was named interim head coach.Randy Cunneyworth named interim head coach of the Montreal Canadiens Cunneyworth became the first unilingual English speaking active head coach of the Canadiens since Bob Berry, who was head coach from 1981–84. Assistant General Manager Larry Carriere was named assistant coach in a questionable move, as Carriere has never coached hockey in any level whatsoever. Cunneyworth's first game as the interim head coach resulted in a 5–3 lost against the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre on December 17. 
Under interim coach Cunneyworth, the team embarked on a five game losing skid until finally winning their first game under their new coach in a convincing 6–2 win against the Senators in Ottawa on December 27. Despite this win, the team dropped their next two games and closed off the month losing 7 of their last 8 games.
Molson Cup player of the month: Carey Price.
January
Lars Eller started off the new year in style on January 4 by scoring four goals (three in the 3rd period alone) to help his team pounce the Winnipeg Jets 7–3 at the Bell Centre. Eller becomes the first Canadiens player to score 4 goals in one game since Jan Bulis did so against the Philadelphia Flyers back on January 26, 2006.
On January 12 goaltender Carey Price was invited to the 2012 NHL All Star game which was played on January 29 in Ottawa. He was accompagnied by teammate Raphael Diaz, who participated in the rookie skills competition held on January 28.
One day after Michael Cammalleri made disparaging remarks about the current status of the Montreal Canadiens, the Habs decided to part ways with the veteran forward. On Thursday January 12, Cammalleri was pulled out of a game against the Boston Bruins to find out that he'd been traded to the Calgary Flames along with goaltender Karri Ramo and a fifth round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. Montreal received forwards Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland, and a second round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Bourque is a salary cap hit of $3.3 million until the 2015–16 season. This is Cammalleri's second tenure with the Flames, where he scored 39 goals during the 2008–09 season.
Molson Cup player of the month: Max Pacioretty.
February
Max Pacioretty scored the first hat trick of his career in a 4–2 win against the New York Islanders on February 9.
After being sidelined since the beginning of the season with a sports hernia, Ryan White finally made his season debut on February 15 against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre.
With their playoff hopes dying with each passing day, Pierre Gauthier became a seller. On February 17, Montreal sent defenseman Hal Gill and a conditional 2013 fifth-round draft pick to the Nashville Predators for a 2012 second-round pick, prospect Robert Slaney as well as Blake Geoffrion, who is the grandson of former Habs great Bernard Geoffrion and great-grandson of Canadiens legend Howie Morenz.
During the trade deadline on February 27, the Canadiens reacquired their 5th round conditional pick in the Hall Gill trade, as well as the Predators's 2nd round pick in 2013 for forward Andrei Kostitsyn. They also claimed via re-entry waivers enforcer Brad Staubitz from the Minnesota Wild. Despite rumors to the contrary, Travis Moen and Chris Campoli, who will both become unresticted free agents at the end of season, were not moved.
The Canadiens finished the month losing 7 of their last 8 including, including a 5 game losing streak.
Molson Cup player of the month: Carey Price.
March and April
Max Pacioretty became the first American born player in Canadiens history to reach the 30 goal mark during a 5–4 victory on March 8 against the Edmonton Oilers. 
March 10 saw the return of defenceman Andrei Markov in the line up. He registered an assist in the Canadiens 4–1 win against the Vancouver Canucks. Markov, who had been sidelined with a torn ACL, played his first game since November 13, 2010, missing almost 16 months of action.
Erik Cole scored a natural hat trick just 5:41 after the opening faceoff on March 24 when the Habs defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1. Cole in turn becomes the second American born player in Canadiens history to reach the 30 goal plateau. This is also a team record for the fastest natural hat trick to start a game by any Canadiens player. Cole finished the season with a record high 35 goals for an American born player.
The Canadiens were officially eliminated from playoff contention, on their 76th game of the season, following a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on March 24. 
On March 29, team owner Geoff Molson officially relieved GM Pierre Gauthier of his duties as general manager .Pierre Gauthier relieved from his duties Bob Gainey was also let go of his duties as special advisor to the GM. Mr. Molson further announced that former Habs GM Serge Savard would be acting as special advisor to find the next general manager.
April 1 saw the NHL debut of Gabriel Dumont in a winning cause against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Molson Cup player of the month: Carey Price.
==Playoffs==
The Canadiens missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007.
==Standings==
==Schedule and results==
=== Pre-season ===
2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log	2011 Pre-season game log
# 	Date 	Opponent 	Score 	Decision 	Location 	Attendance 	Record 	Recap 	 	
1 	September 20 	Dallas Stars 	3–6 	Price 	Montreal, PQ 	21,273 	0–1–0 	 	 	
2 	September 21 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–3 	Mayer 	Montreal, PQ 	21,273 	0–2–0 	 	 	
3 	September 23 	Ottawa Senators 	4–3 SO 	Lawson 	Ottawa, ON 	17,853 	1–2–0 	 	 	
4 	September 24 	Ottawa Senators 	2–3 	Price 	Montreal, PQ 	21,273 	1–3–0 	 	 	
5 	September 25 	Boston Bruins 	3–7 	Budaj 	Halifax, NS 	10,595 	1–4–0 	 	 	
6 	September 26 	Boston Bruins 	1–2 	Price 	Montreal, PQ 	21,273 	1–5–0 	 	 	
7 	September 29 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	0–4 	Budaj 	Montreal, PQ 	21,273 	1–6–0 	 	 	
8 	October 1 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	5–1 	Price 	Quebec City, PQ 	15,176 	2–6–0 	 	 	
=== Regular season ===
2011–12 Game Log	2011–12 Game Log	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
October: 4–5–2, 10 Points (Home: 2–3–2; Road: 2–2–0)
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
# 	Date 	Opponent 	Score 	Decision	Location 	Attendance	Record	Points	Recap
1 	October 6 	@ Toronto Maple Leafs	0–2 	Price 	Air Canada Centre 	19,606 	0–1–0 	0 	
2 	October 9 	@ Winnipeg Jets 	5–1 	Price 	MTS Centre 	15,004 	1–1–0 	2 	
3 	October 13 	Calgary Flames 	1–4 	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	1–2–0 	2 	
4 	October 15 	Colorado Avalanche 	5–6 SO	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	1–2–1 	3 	
5 	October 18 	Buffalo Sabres 	1–3 	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	1–3–1 	3 	
6 	October 20 	@ Pittsburgh Penguins	1–3 	Price 	Consol Energy Center	18,403 	1–4–1 	3 	
7 	October 22 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	4–5 OT	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	1–4–2 	4 	
8 	October 24 	Florida Panthers 	1–2 	Budaj 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	1–5–2 	4 	
9 	October 26 	Philadelphia Flyers 	5–1 	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	2–5–2 	6 	
10 	October 27 	@ Boston Bruins 	2–1 	Price 	TD Garden 	17,565 	3–5–2 	8 	
11 	October 29 	Boston Bruins 	4–2 	Price 	Bell Centre 	21,273 	4–5–2 	10 	
==Player stats==
===Skaters===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	+/−	PIM
 	79	33	32	65 	2 	56
 	82	35	26	61 	11 	48
 	81	16	44	60 	10 	24
 	81	17	35	52 	−15	56
 	81	7 	29	36 	9 	119
 	79	16	12	28 	−5 	66
‡ 	53	12	12	24 	−8 	16
† 	43	3 	19	22 	−6 	10
‡ 	38	9 	13	22 	−6 	10
 	60	4 	14	18 	−7 	30
 	48	9 	7 	16 	−3 	41
 	82	2 	14	16 	14 	39
 	59	3 	13	16 	−7 	30
 	31	8 	7 	15 	−7 	16
 	61	5 	7 	12 	−4 	18
 	38	2 	9 	11 	−9 	14
 	43	2 	9 	11 	−3 	8
 	42	5 	5 	10 	3 	28
† 	38	5 	3 	8 	−16	27
‡ 	53	1 	7 	8 	−7 	29
 	67	3 	4 	7 	−18	30
 	51	3 	3 	6 	−5 	37
 	38	1 	4 	5 	1 	8
 	39	2 	2 	4 	−1 	27
 	13	0 	3 	3 	−4 	4
 	20	0 	3 	3 	−7 	61
 	17	1 	2 	3 	3 	10
‡ 	12	0 	3 	3 	2 	2
† 	13	2 	0 	2 	2 	10
† 	19	1 	0 	1 	2 	48
 	3 	0 	0 	0 	−1 	0
 	12	0 	0 	0 	−1 	4
===Goaltenders===
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	OT	GA 	GAA 	SA 	Sv% 	SO	G	A	PIM
 	65	3944	26	28	11	160	2.43	1914	.916	4 	0	2	6
 	17	1037	5 	7 	5 	44 	2.55	508 	.913	0 	0	3	2
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Canadiens. Stats reflect time with Canadiens only.
‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canadiens only.
== Awards and records ==
===Awards===
Regular season 	Regular season 	Regular season 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season
Player 	Award 	Date 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Carey PricePrice, Khabibulin, Jagr are NHL's Three Stars 	NHL First Star of the Week	October 31, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Carey PriceHabs' Price's two shutouts earn First Star honors	NHL First Star of the Week	November 21, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
=== Records ===
=== Milestones ===
Regular season 	Regular season 	Regular season 	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season	Regular season
Player 	Milestone 	Reached 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Raphael Diaz 	1st Career NHL Game 	October 6, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexei Emelin 	1st Career NHL Game 	October 9, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Raphael Diaz 	1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	October 15, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Andrei Kostitsyn 	100th Career NHL Assist 	October 15, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Raphael Diaz 	1st Career NHL Goal 	October 18, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Hal Gill 	1,000th Career NHL Game 	October 20, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Michael Cammalleri 	500th Career NHL Game 	October 22, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Carey Price 	100th Career NHL Win 	October 26, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mathieu Darche 	200th Career NHL Game 	October 30, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brian Gionta 	200th Career NHL Assist 	November 5, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Petteri Nokelainen 	200th Career NHL Game 	November 5, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Lars Eller 	100th Career NHL Game 	November 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Travis Moen 	100th Career NHL Point 	November 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Frederic Saint-Denis	1st Career NHL Game 	November 16, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Erik Cole 	400th Career NHL Point 	November 17, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Tomas Plekanec 	200th Career NHL Assist 	November 17, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
P.K. Subban 	100th Career NHL Game 	November 21, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Louis Leblanc 	1st Career NHL Game 	November 30, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Louis Leblanc 	1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	December 3, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexei Emelin 	1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	December 6, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Frederic Saint-Denis	1st Career NHL Goal1st Career NHL Point 	December 8, 2011 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Tomas Plekanec 	500th Career NHL Game 	December 10, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Michael Cammalleri 	400th Career NHL Point 	December 13, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Andrei Kostitsyn 	200th Career NHL Point 	December 13, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Chris Campoli 	400th Career NHL Game 	December 15, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Louis Leblanc 	1st Career NHL Goal 	December 15, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Josh Gorges 	400th Career NHL Game 	December 22, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Erik Cole 	200th Career NHL Goal 	December 31, 2011	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexei Emelin 	1st Career NHL Goal 	January 25, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
David Desharnais 	100th Career NHL Game 	February 2, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Max Pacioretty 	1st Career NHL Hat-trick 	February 9, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aaron Palushaj 	1st Career NHL Assist1st Career NHL Point	February 5, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Yannick Weber 	100th Career NHL Game 	March 3, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Max Pacioretty 	100th Career NHL Point 	March 6, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Brad Staubitz 	200th Career NHL Game 	March 6, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Scott Gomez 	900th Career NHL Game 	March 8, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aaron Palushaj 	1st Career NHL Goal 	March 17, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Frederic Saint-Denis	1st Career NHL Assist 	March 27, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Erik Cole 	700th Career NHL Game 	April 4, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gabriel Dumont 	1st Career NHL Game 	April 4, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Max Pacioretty 	200th Career NHL Game 	April 4, 2012 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Final roster==
 
Updated April 7, 2012.
 
 
|}
== Transactions ==
The Canadiens have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:
===Trades===
Date 	Details 	Details
June 25, 2011Day 2 Recap 	To Winnipeg Jets 3rd-round pick (#78 overall) in 2011 	To Montreal Canadiens 4th-round pick (#97 overall) in 20114th-round pick (#108 overall) in 2011
June 29, 2011James Wisniewski traded to Columbus 	To Columbus Blue Jackets James Wisniewski (negotiating rights) 	To Montreal Canadiens Conditional 5th-round pick in 2012
July 7, 2011Habs acquire Michael Blunden from Columbus in return for Ryan Russell 	To Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Russell 	To Montreal Canadiens Michael Blunden
July 15, 2011The Canadiens acquire Mark Mitera from the Ducks in exchange for Mathieu Carle 	To Anaheim Ducks Mathieu Carle 	To Montreal Canadiens Mark Mitera
October 23, 2011Canadiens acquire Petteri Nokelainen and Garrett Stafford from the Phoenix Coyotes, in return for Brock Trotter and a 7th-round draft pick in 2012	To Phoenix Coyotes Brock Trotter7th-round pick in 2012 	To Montreal Canadiens Petteri NokelainenGarrett Stafford
December 9, 2011Canadiens acquire Tomas Kaberle from Carolina in return for Jaroslav Spacek 	To Carolina Hurricanes Jaroslav Spacek 	To Montreal Canadiens Tomas Kaberle
January 12, 2012Michael Cammalleri traded to Calgary 	To Calgary Flames Michael CammalleriKarri Ramo5th-round pick in 2012	To Montreal Canadiens Rene BourquePatrick Holland2nd-round pick in 2013
February 17, 2012 	To Nashville Predators Hal GillConditional 5th-round pick in 2013 	To Montreal Canadiens Blake GeoffrionRobert Slaney2nd-round pick in 2012
February 27, 2012Canadiens trade forward Andrei Kostitsyn to the Nashville Predators 	To Nashville Predators Andrei Kostitsyn 	To Montreal Canadiens 2nd-round pick in 2013Cancellation of Conditional 5th-round pick in 2013
=== Free agents acquired ===
Player 	Former team 	Contract terms
Raphael DiazRaphael Diaz signed by the Canadiens 	EV Zug 	1 year, $900,000
Peter BudajTwo-year contract for goalie Peter Budaj 	Colorado Avalanche 	2 years, $2.3 million
Erik ColeErik Cole signs 4 years with Montreal 	Carolina Hurricanes	4 years, $18 million
Brock TrotterCanadiens sign Brock Trotter to a one-year contract 	Dinamo Riga 	1 year, $550,000
Peter DelmasCanadiens sign Peter Delmas to a 3-year contract 	Wheeling Nailers 	3 years, $1.825 million entry-level contract
Nathan LawsonHabs sign goalie Nathan Lawson to a one-year contract 	New York Islanders 	1 year, $525,000
Brian WillsieHabs sign forward Brian Willsie to a one-year contract 	Washington Capitals	1 year, $600,000
Jeff WoywitkaCanadiens sign defenseman Jeff Woywitka to a one-year contract	Dallas Stars 	1 year, $650,000
Chris CampoliHabs sign Chris Campoli 	Chicago Blackhawks 	1 year, $1.75 million
Joe CallahanCanadiens sign Joe Callahan 	Florida Panthers 	1 year, $550,000
=== Free agents lost ===
Player 	New team 	Contract terms
Dustin Boyd 	Barys Astana 	undisclosed
Nigel Dawes 	Barys Astana 	undisclosed
Kyle Klubertanz 	Djurgardens IF 	2 years
Jeff HalpernCapitals Sign Center Jeff Halpern to One-Year Contract 	Washington Capitals 	1 year, $875,000
J.T. WymanLightning Ink Free Agent Forward J.T. Wyman 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	1 year, $525,000
Roman HamrlikCapitals Sign Defenseman Roman Hamrlik 	Washington Capitals 	2 years, $7 million
Benoit PouliotB's Sign Pouliot, Khudobin, Whitfield 	Boston Bruins 	1 year, $1.1 million
Alex AuldBulletin: Senators sign goaltender Alex Auld to a one-year contract	Ottawa Senators 	1 year, $1 million
Alexandre PicardPenguins Sign Defenseman Alexandre Picard 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	1 year, $600,000
Tom PyattLightning Sign Center Tom Pyatt 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	1 year, $525,000
Drew MacIntyreSABRES SIGN MacINTYRE, WHITMORE AND STUART 	Buffalo Sabres 	1 year, $525,000
Brent SopelBLUELINER SOPEL SIGNS WITH NOVOKUZNETSK OF KHL 	Metallurg Novokuznetsk	2 years
=== Claimed via waivers ===
Player 	Former team 	Date claimed off waivers
+Blair BettsHabs claim Blair Betts off waivers	Philadelphia Flyers	October 5, 2011
Brad StaubitzBrad Staubitz claimed off waivers	Minnesota Wild 	February 27, 2012
+On October 9, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman allowed the Montreal Canadiens to cancel the waiver claim on Betts and return him to the Philadelphia Flyers, as he had failed a physical due to an undisclosed injury which he had prior to being claimed.Injured Betts returned to Flyers Accessed December 30, 2011
=== Lost via waivers ===
Player 	New team 	Date claimed off waivers
Jeff WoywitkaRangers claim Woywitka from Habs	New York Rangers	October 6, 2011
=== Player signings ===
Player 	Date 	Contract terms
Alexsey EmelinCanadiens sign Emelin to a one-year contract 	May 17, 2011 	1 year, $984,200 entry-level contract
Joonas NattinenCanadiens sign centreman Joonas Nattinen to a three-year contract 	May 26, 2011 	3 years, $1.895 million, entry-level contract
Hal GillCanadiens sign defenseman Hal Gill to a one-year contract 	May 31, 2011 	1 year, $2.25 million
Andrei KostitsynAndrei Kostitsyn inks one-year deal 	June 9, 2011 	1 year, $3.25 million
Mathieu DarcheCanadiens sign Mathieu Darche to a one-year contract 	June 10, 2011 	1 year, $700,000
Max PaciorettyMax Pacioretty inks two-year deal 	June 20, 2011 	2 years, $3.25 million
David DesharnaisCanadiens sign David Desharnais to a two year deal 	June 20, 2011 	2 years, $1.7 million
Andrei MarkovHabs sign Andrei Markov to a three-year contract 	June 23, 2011 	3 years, $17.25 million
Yannick WeberHabs ink Yannick Weber to a 2-year deal 	June 29, 2011 	2 years, $1.7 million
Ryan WhiteRyan White inks one-year deal 	July 13, 2011 	1 year, $625,000
Frederic St-DenisSt-Denis signed to a one-year deal 	July 15, 2011 	1 year, $605,000
Josh GorgesJosh Gorges inks one-year deal 	July 22, 2011 	1 year, $2.5 million
Jarred TinordiHabs sign Jarred Tinordi to a 3-year contract 	November 2, 2011 	3 years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Brendan GallagherHabs ink Brendan Gallagher to a 3-year deal 	November 16, 2011	3 years, $2.145 million entry-level contract
Michael BournivalThe Canadiens sign Michaël Bournival to a three-year contract 	December 21, 2011	3 years, $2.07 million entry-level contract
Josh GorgesHabs sign Josh Gorges to a 6-year extension 	January 1, 2012 	6 years, $23.4 million contract extension
Morgan EllisThree-year contract for Morgan Ellis 	March 1, 2012 	3 years, $1.92 million entry-level contract
Patrick HollandThree-year contract for Patrick Holland 	March 7, 2012 	3 years, $1.92 million entry-level contract
Greg PaterynCanadiens sign Greg Pateryn 	March 28, 2012 	2 years, $1.325 million entry-level contract
Nathan BeaulieuCanadiens sign defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a three-year contract	March 30, 2012 	3 years, $2.775 million entry-level contract
== Draft picks ==
Montreal's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Round	# 	Player 	Position 	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
1 	17 	Nathan Beaulieu 	Defence 	 	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
4 	97 (from Winnipeg) 	Josiah Didier 	Defence 	 	Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
4 	108 (from Winnipeg)	Oliver Archambault	Left Wing	 	Val-d'Or Foreurs (QMJHL)
4 	113 (from Anaheim) 	Magnus Nygren 	Defence 	 	Farjestads BK (SEL)
5 	138 	Darren Dietz 	Defence 	 	Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
6 	168 	Daniel Pribyl 	Center 	 	Sparta Jr. (CZREP-JR.)
7 	198 	Colin Sullivan 	Defence 	 	Avon Old Farms (USHS-MA)
== See also ==
* 2011–12 NHL season
==References==
Category:Montreal Canadiens seasons
Montreal Canadiens season, 2011–12