Hit The Post with The Voice of the Als & Canadiens on CJAD

Guy Carbonneau tells me the Canadiens could be opening next season in Europe, so is any other than the Kostitsyn's up for Minsk? The Brother Act sure lobbied for the Belarusian capital and let their sticks do the talking in the Canadiens' Bell Centre debut to the 100th season, combining for 2 goals and 5 points.

Saku Koivu deserves to bring his teammates to Finland though, don't you think?

The NHL's ongoing Hockey Cold War with the Russian Hockey politburo prevents anyone from thinking Moscow would be an option in October 2009.

Gregory Stewart says he cut out "a month of boozing" from his summer ritual to get ready for Habs camp. Sober reality is despite performances that have caught my eye, the Canadiens may still be wise to start him in Hamilton again this season. Same for Max Pacioretty. Or is it just me thinking one of them could outshine and win a job?

Jamel Richardson says he's still got lots of friends on the Roughriders but don't expect that to stop him from talking plenty of "smack" Sunday. The cut of the Dallas Cowboys in 2007 admits to me he's a compulsive trash-talker on the field and loves to tease DB's even on plays when the ball's thrown to someone else. "I'll tell them to get a look at my number when I go by," says the effervescent receiver. Seven TD passes already this season tell me Richardson will let his hands do the talking between now and the Eastern Final.

I'm glad the Als have to wait another week to mathematically clinch the Eastern Crown. Don't want them peaking too early.

MEMO TO COACH TRESTMAN: let Brady and McPherson throw some passes between now and November 16th. We don't need any repeats of the 2004 Ted White Eastern Final fiasco.

Can't wait to hear Alexia and Anthony Calvillo Monday morning with CJAD's Andrew Carter between 8-9AM. I'm sure they'll be inspiring. Anthony and Alexia will also have easy ways for you to team up with them in support of the CJAD Touchdown Club and the Calvillo Family Room through the Cedars Cancer Institute. Be prepared to be moved, and to listen with your hearts.

You've got to pick up D'Arcy Jenish's great new book on the Canadiens. It will inspire you to foreclose on your mortgage and cash in your RSP's just so you can buy the complete set of throwback jerseys (lol).

Truth is I'm thrilled Canadiens Marketing VP Ray Lalonde has included the uniforms that break away from the bleu, blanc, rouge scheme. And wait until you see Carey Price's throwback pads...I think I still have a pair of hush-puppy shoes that would go with his brown crushed-velvet trapper, blocker and leg-pads.

That new scoreboard at the Bell Centre? You really never have to look at the ice if you don't want to. The players actually look bigger on the screeen than on the ice unlesss you're sitting in the first 5 rows. Congrats to Paul Gallant and his sound and light wizards for lighting it up in the first home game of pre-season.