Further to the story brewing today about moneybags Jim Balsillie being interested in buying the Canadiens, this email was received this afternoon from Balsillie's lawyer in his hockey

George Gillett denies Jim Balsillie's suggestion, published in today's La Presse, that the Canadiens are for sale.

But as François Gagnon points out, everything is for sale

• Front-page news in La Presse: Jim Balsillie says the Canadiens are for sale. Story vehemently denied by George Gillett, Gary Bettman. Fearless prediction: by noon at

From the Canadiens dressing room this afternoon after a spirited midday practice, the final practice (thankfully) before the team gets down to business Friday in Columbus and Saturday

Nothing wild and crazy out of this morning's practice at the Bell Centre, with coach Guy Carbonneau announcing that Jaroslav Halak will get the start in goal tomorrow

Pierre Durocher of the Journal de Montréal is doing stories on the Bulldogs this week:

• Marc Denis 

• Max Pacioretty

• David Desharnais (whom the Canadiens signed

Christopher Higgins was at left wing on the line with Saku Koivu and Alex Tanguay when the Canadiens practiced in Verdun this morning. Higgins and Koivu were reunited

Writing in La Presse, Mathias Brunet reports Ryan McDonagh is having a rough sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin.

Mark Osiecki, who coaches Badger defencemen, told Brunet

On Scott Cullen's TSN blog:

Before the Devils know they're dead

They are so screwed without Martin Brodeur ... 

Ring ... ring ... ring: "Hello, Lou! We've got this