2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season
NHL hockey team season
The 2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 94th season of play. Facing numerous challenges throughout the season including a coaching change, the team did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs .
Regular season
Before the start of the season, many predicted a strong showing from the Canadiens as a result of a healthy Saku Koivu and last season's Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Jose Theodore . The team was .500 for the first two months of the season and showed little improvement in December. Players such as Mariusz Czerkawski , added to the lineup during the summer, and Donald Audette were slow to produce offence for the team, and the two forwards were both sent down for brief stints in the minors. Moreover, Jose Theodore's performances were not up to par with his MVP-winning season of a year earlier. Despite strong seasons from Koivu, Richard Zednik and Yanic Perreault , the Canadiens slid to 11th place in the Eastern Conference in mid-January. This losing streak prompted General Manager Andre Savard to fire head coach Michel Therrien and replace him with Claude Julien , who filled the same role behind the bench of the Habs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs .[ 1] Despite Julien's arrival, the team was unable to improve its situation and saw their playoff hopes evaporate with a nine-game winless streak that ended in early March. Despite Saku Koivu's 71 points and Richard Zednik's 31 goals, the Canadiens missed the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons. The Canadiens ended with a record of 30–35–9–8, and former MVP Theodore had a disappointing season with a record of 20–31–6.
The Canadiens finished the regular season tying the Nashville Predators for the fewest short-handed goals scored, with just two.[ 2]
Final standings
[ 3]
Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast
P – Clinched Presidents Trophy ; Y – Clinched Division ; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
2002–03 regular season[ 5]
October: 3–3–3–0 (home: 1–2–3–0; road: 2–1–0–0)
November: 7–6–1–1 (home: 5–3–0–1; road: 2–3–1–0)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
10
T
November 1, 2002
2–2 OT
@ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
3–3–4–0
10
Recap
11
W
November 2, 2002
5–2
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
4–3–4–0
12
Recap
12
L
November 5, 2002
2–5
St. Louis Blues (2002–03 )
4–4–4–0
12
Recap
13
W
November 7, 2002
3–0
New York Islanders (2002–03 )
5–4–4–0
14
Recap
14
W
November 9, 2002
3–1
Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
6–4–4–0
16
Recap
15
L
November 12, 2002
2–4
Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
6–5–4–0
16
Recap
16
L
November 15, 2002
1–5
@ New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
6–6–4–0
16
Recap
17
W
November 16, 2002
3–1
New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
7–6–4–0
18
Recap
18
W
November 18, 2002
5–4 OT
Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
8–6–4–0
20
Recap
19
W
November 20, 2002
3–2 OT
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
9–6–4–0
22
Recap
20
L
November 21, 2002
2–3
@ Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
9–7–4–0
22
Recap
21
L
November 23, 2002
3–7
Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
9–8–4–0
22
Recap
22
W
November 26, 2002
3–2
Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
10–8–4–0
24
Recap
23
L
November 29, 2002
2–4
@ Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
10–9–4–0
24
Recap
24
OTL
November 30, 2002
1–2 OT
Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03 )
10–9–4–1
25
Recap
December: 6–5–1–2 (home: 2–2–0–0; road: 4–3–1–2)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
25
L
December 4, 2002
1–5
@ Dallas Stars (2002–03 )
10–10–4–1
25
Recap
26
OTL
December 6, 2002
6–7 OT
@ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03 )
10–10–4–2
26
Recap
27
W
December 7, 2002
4–2
@ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03 )
11–10–4–2
28
Recap
28
W
December 10, 2002
4–2
@ Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
12–10–4–2
30
Recap
29
L
December 12, 2002
2–3
Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
12–11–4–2
30
Recap
30
W
December 14, 2002
4–2
Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
13–11–4–2
32
Recap
31
W
December 16, 2002
3–2
@ Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
14–11–4–2
34
Recap
32
L
December 17, 2002
1–3
San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
14–12–4–2
34
Recap
33
W
December 19, 2002
3–1
@ New York Rangers (2002–03 )
15–12–4–2
36
Recap
34
W
December 21, 2002
6–2
Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
16–12–4–2
38
Recap
35
L
December 23, 2002
1–3
@ New York Islanders (2002–03 )
16–13–4–2
38
Recap
36
OTL
December 27, 2002
2–3 OT
@ Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
16–13–4–3
39
Recap
37
L
December 28, 2002
2–3
@ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03 )
16–14–4–3
39
Recap
38
T
December 31, 2002
1–1 OT
@ Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
16–14–5–3
40
Recap
January: 5–6–2–2 (home: 4–1–1–1; road: 1–5–1–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
39
L
January 2, 2003
2–3
@ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
16–15–5–3
40
Recap
40
OTL
January 4, 2003
4–5 OT
@ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
16–15–5–4
41
Recap
41
L
January 7, 2003
2–3
@ New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
16–16–5–4
41
Recap
42
W
January 9, 2003
3–2
New York Rangers (2002–03 )
17–16–5–4
43
Recap
43
L
January 11, 2003
2–3
Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
17–17–5–4
43
Recap
44
W
January 13, 2003
4–2
Calgary Flames (2002–03 )
18–17–5–4
45
Recap
45
L
January 15, 2003
0–1
@ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
18–18–5–4
45
Recap
46
L
January 16, 2003
1–4
@ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03 )
18–19–5–4
45
Recap
47
OTL
January 18, 2003
2–3 OT
Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
18–19–5–5
46
Recap
48
W
January 20, 2003
3–2
@ Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
19–19–5–5
48
Recap
49
T
January 22, 2003
2–2 OT
@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
19–19–6–5
49
Recap
50
T
January 25, 2003
1–1 OT
Washington Capitals (2002–03 )
19–19–7–5
50
Recap
51
W
January 26, 2003
4–3
Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03 )
20–19–7–5
52
Recap
52
W
January 28, 2003
6–3
Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
21–19–7–5
54
Recap
53
L
January 30, 2003
1–3
@ New York Islanders (2002–03 )
21–20–7–5
54
Recap
February: 3–7–0–2 (home: 2–4–0–1; road: 1–3–0–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
54
L
February 4, 2003
3–4
Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
21–21–7–5
54
Recap
55
L
February 6, 2003
3–6
@ Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
21–22–7–5
54
Recap
56
L
February 8, 2003
1–3
@ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
21–23–7–5
54
Recap
57
W
February 9, 2003
2–0
@ Washington Capitals (2002–03 )
22–23–7–5
56
Recap
58
W
February 11, 2003
3–1
Boston Bruins (2002–03 )
23–23–7–5
58
Recap
59
OTL
February 13, 2003
1–2 OT
Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03 )
23–23–7–6
59
Recap
60
W
February 15, 2003
3–2
Edmonton Oilers (2002–03 )
24–23–7–6
61
Recap
61
L
February 18, 2003
0–3
Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
24–24–7–6
61
Recap
62
OTL
February 19, 2003
1–2 OT
@ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
24–24–7–7
62
Recap
63
L
February 22, 2003
3–5
Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03 )
24–25–7–7
62
Recap
64
L
February 24, 2003
1–4
@ Washington Capitals (2002–03 )
24–26–7–7
62
Recap
65
L
February 27, 2003
3–6
Minnesota Wild (2002–03 )
24–27–7–7
62
Recap
March: 5–7–1–2 (home: 1–4–1–1; road: 4–3–0–1)
Game
Result
Date
Score
Opponent
Record
Points
Recap
66
T
March 1, 2003
1–1 OT
Vancouver Canucks (2002–03 )
24–27–8–7
63
Recap
67
L
March 5, 2003
1–3
@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03 )
24–28–8–7
63
Recap
68
OTL
March 6, 2003
3–4 OT
@ San Jose Sharks (2002–03 )
24–28–8–8
64
Recap
69
L
March 8, 2003
1–2
@ Los Angeles Kings (2002–03 )
24–29–8–8
64
Recap
70
W
March 10, 2003
3–1
@ Nashville Predators (2002–03 )
25–29–8–8
66
Recap
71
W
March 12, 2003
4–0
@ Florida Panthers (2002–03 )
26–29–8–8
68
Recap
72
W
March 13, 2003
4–2
@ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03 )
27–29–8–8
70
Recap
73
L
March 15, 2003
1–2
Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03 )
27–30–8–8
70
Recap
74
L
March 18, 2003
0–1
New Jersey Devils (2002–03 )
27–31–8–8
70
Recap
75
L
March 20, 2003
3–6
New York Islanders (2002–03 )
27–32–8–8
70
Recap
76
W
March 22, 2003
5–3
Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
28–32–8–8
72
Recap
77
OTL
March 25, 2003
3–4 OT
Washington Capitals (2002–03 )
28–32–8–9
73
Recap
78
L
March 28, 2003
1–4
@ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03 )
28–33–8–9
73
Recap
79
L
March 29, 2003
1–3
Ottawa Senators (2002–03 )
28–34–8–9
73
Recap
80
W
March 31, 2003
4–0
@ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03 )
29–34–8–9
75
Recap
April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 1–0–0–0; road: 0–1–0–0)
Legend :
Win (2 points)
Loss (0 points)
Tie (1 point)
Overtime loss (1 point)
Player statistics
Scoring
Position abbreviations: C = Centre ; D = Defence ; G = Goaltender ; LW = Left wing ; RW = Right wing
† = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Goaltending
‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.
Awards and records
Awards
Milestones
Transactions
The Canadiens were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals , through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals .[ 12]
Trades
Players acquired
Players lost
Signings
Draft picks
Montreal's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto , Ontario .[ 51]
See also
Notes
^ Blouin wore number 53 in his first two games.
^ Koivu did not play and was replaced by Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers .[ 6]
^ Compensation due to Montreal hiring Julien as their head coach.
^ a b Club option for a second year.
^ In parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.[ 26]
^ Montreal retained Tarasov’s NHL rights through the 2005–06 season.[ 31]
^ Option for a second year.
^ Club option for a third year.
References
^ "Canadiens fire Therrien" . UPI . January 17, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "2002-03 NHL Summary" .
^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2009). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2010 . Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 163.
^ "2002–2003 Standings by Conference" . National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012 .
^ "2002-03 Montreal Canadiens Schedule" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "NHL - Belfour, Leetch, Koivu all pull out of All-Star Game" . ESPN.com . January 27, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "NHL - Naslund headlines All-Star additions" . ESPN.com . January 16, 2003. Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "NHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters" . ESPN.com . January 18, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .
^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.553
^ Montreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.552
^ "2002-03 NHL Debuts" . Hockey-Reference.com . Retrieved October 13, 2024 .
^ a b "Hockey Transactions Search Results" . www.prosportstransactions.com . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ a b "NHL - Isles trade Czerkawski to Canadiens for muscle" . ESPN.com . June 22, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Draft Day Transactions" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on August 8, 2002. Retrieved November 28, 2022 .
^ "MOVES" . Baltimore Sun . July 1, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . CANADIENS: Traded F Sergei Berezin to Blackhawks for 2004 fourth-round draft pick.
^ "Wild deal Blouin to Habs" . TSN.ca . October 31, 2002. Archived from the original on November 21, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "McLaren goes to Sharks in three-team deal" . UPI . January 23, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Habs send Chouinard to Flyers" . TSN.ca . January 29, 2003. Archived from the original on March 5, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Habs ship Petrov to Predators" . TSN.ca . March 3, 2003. Archived from the original on May 11, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Leafs re-acquire Gilmour from Canadiens" . UPI . March 11, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Canadiens ink Randy McKay" . CBC.ca . July 5, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ a b "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 04+" . UPI . July 4, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . Montreal Canadiens -- Signed free agent right wing Randy McKay, who had been with the Dallas Stars, to a two-year contract; agreed to terms with center Benoit Gratton on a two-year contract; agreed to terms with defenseman Matt O'dette on a one-year contract with an option for 2003-04.
^ "Canadiens sign Eric Fichaud" . TSN.ca . September 10, 2002. Archived from the original on September 20, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Habs claim Bouillon off waivers" . TSN.ca . October 25, 2002. Archived from the original on November 26, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Dwyer Claimed Off Waivers by Canadiens" . New York Rangers . February 21, 2003. Archived from the original on August 15, 2004. Retrieved November 6, 2023 .
^ "NHL FREE-AGENT LIST" . Daily Herald . July 2, 2002. Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ Gennady Razin career statistics at EliteProspects.com , retrieved November 30, 2022
^ "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 12+" . UPI . July 12, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . New Jersey Devils -- Signed… free agent center Craig Darby, who had been with the Montreal Canadiens
^ "TRANSACTIONS" . The New York Times . July 25, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . OTTAWA SENATORS--Signed C Shaun Van Allen to a multiyear contract.
^ "Mighty Ducks Agree to Terms with Five Players" . OurSports Central . August 22, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "List of Available Free Agents" . NHL.com . July 1, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "VADIM TARASOV" . TSN.ca . Archived from the original on January 10, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . 23-Aug-02: Returned to Russia.
^ "Stéphane Fiset prend sa retraite" . RDS.ca (in French). September 9, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ a b "NO ACTIVITY WHATSOEVER FOR SABRES ON DRAFT DAY" . Buffalo News . October 5, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ Eric Landry at Hockey-Reference.com , retrieved November 30, 2022
^ "Canadians sign their captain" . UPI . June 21, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Canadiens re-sign Dackell" . TSN.ca . July 15, 2002. Archived from the original on August 15, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ a b "SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 19+" . UPI . July 19, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . Montreal Canadiens -- Re-signed right wings Andreas Dackell and Jason Ward and center Mike Ribeiro.
^ "Canadiens sign Komisarek to 3-year pact" . UPI . July 24, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "+SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 26+" . UPI . July 26, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 . Montreal Canadiens -- Re-signed center Chad Kilger to a one-year contract.
^ a b c "Canadiens sign Sheldon Souray, Mathieu Garon and Francis Bouillon" . Montreal Canadiens . August 2, 2002. Archived from the original on August 9, 2002. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ "PLUS: HOCKEY; Gilmour Re-Signs With the Canadiens" . The New York Times . August 10, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Theodore re-signs with Canadiens" . TSN.ca . September 5, 2002. Archived from the original on September 24, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Canadiens re-sign Zednik" . TSN.ca . September 18, 2002. Archived from the original on September 20, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "CANADIENS" . Tampa Bay Times . September 27, 2002. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Habs ink back-up Garon to new deal" . CBC.ca . February 28, 2003. Retrieved November 30, 2022 .
^ "Canadiens sign Ward for two seasons" . Montreal Canadiens . April 11, 2003. Archived from the original on April 22, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ "Canadiens ink Bulis to two-year deal" . Montreal Canadiens . May 5, 2003. Archived from the original on May 8, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ "Habs sign Higgins to three-year deal" . Montreal Canadiens . May 22, 2003. Archived from the original on May 25, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ a b c "Canadiens announce trio of signings" . Montreal Canadiens . May 29, 2003. Archived from the original on August 23, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2022 .
^ "2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com" . hockeyDB.com . Retrieved December 23, 2022 .
1900s
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