Alex Galchenyuk's first look at the Bell Centre was 18 years in the making.   His 2nd look for game action will only be another 24 hours wait or so.

The Habs' top draft pick in 2012 is staying with the club to start the regular season against the Leafs Saturday night.  Fellow rookie forward Brendan Gallagher has also survived the cut.   So to has Montreal West home-grown talent Michael Blunden.

The Canadiens have sent 7 players packing back to Hamilton: Jared Tinordi and Mike Commodore, as well as Louis Leblanc, Michael Bournival, St. Denis, Dumont and Holland.

The Canadiens hold their final practise session of training camp at the Bell Centre Friday morning then throw open the doors to the public again for the Game Day Skate Saturday (doors open at 9:00AM----but warning...the Leafs are on the ice first, lol)

Galchenyuk scored a beautiful goal in the shootout during the Habs' only intra-squad scrimmage and also showed hustle fetching the puck resulting in a powerplay goal for Tomas Kaberle (though he did not draw an assist).

Gallagher also showed hustle and was stopped by Carey Price early in the scrimmage that drew an estimated 17,000 fans Thursday.