2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season

NHL hockey team season March 2026 August 2023 Montreal Canadiens NHL 2002–03 2002 Eastern 9th Northeast 4th 30–35–8–9 16–16–5–4 14–19–3–5 206 234 Andre Savard Michel Therrien (Oct.–Jan.)Claude Julien (Jan.–Apr.) Saku Koivu Patrice BriseboisDoug Gilmour (Oct.–Mar.) Bell Centre 20,672 (97.2%) Hamilton BulldogsColumbus Cottonmouths Richard Zednik (31) Saku Koivu (50) Saku Koivu (71) Andrei Markov (+13) Richard Zednik (79) Jose Theodore (20) Mathieu Garon (1.99) 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 for the first time since the 2000–01 season. 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.Canadiens fire Therrien https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/01/17/Canadiens-fire-Thierren/56891042829145/ UPI November 30, 2022 January 17, 2003 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.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2003.html 2002-03 NHL Summary Final standings MTL MTL Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 5px solid; border-bottom:#192168 5px solid; 2002–03 regular season2002-03 Montreal Canadiens Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MTL/2003_games.html Hockey-Reference.com November 21, 2022 y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; October: 3–3–3–0 (home: 1–2–3–0; road: 2–1–0–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |1||October 11, 2002||4–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2002–03) ||1–0–0–0||2 || 2002020013 W |- |2||October 12, 2002||1–6 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||1–1–0–0||2 || 2002020019 L |- |3||October 15, 2002||2–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||1–2–0–0||2 || 2002020040 L |- |4||October 17, 2002||3–2 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03) ||2–2–0–0||4 || 2002020051 W |- |5||October 19, 2002||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||2–2–1–0||5 || 2002020063 T |- |6||October 22, 2002||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||2–2–2–0||6 || 2002020084 T |- |7||October 24, 2002||2–6 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||2–3–2–0||6 || 2002020096 L |- |8||October 26, 2002||5–3 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||3–3–2–0||8 || 2002020110 W |- |9||October 29, 2002||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) ||3–3–3–0||9 || 2002020131 T |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; November: 7–6–1–1 (home: 5–3–0–1; road: 2–3–1–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |10||November 1, 2002||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||3–3–4–0||10 || 2002020152 T |- |11||November 2, 2002||5–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||4–3–4–0||12 || 2002020157 W |- |12||November 5, 2002||2–5 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (2002–03) ||4–4–4–0||12 || 2002020179 L |- |13||November 7, 2002||3–0 || align="left"| New York Islanders (2002–03) ||5–4–4–0||14 || 2002020191 W |- |14||November 9, 2002||3–1 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) ||6–4–4–0||16 || 2002020204 W |- |15||November 12, 2002||2–4 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (2002–03) ||6–5–4–0||16 || 2002020226 L |- |16||November 15, 2002||1–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||6–6–4–0||16 || 2002020244 L |- |17||November 16, 2002||3–1 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||7–6–4–0||18 || 2002020252 W |- |18||November 18, 2002||5–4 OT|| align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||8–6–4–0||20 || 2002020267 W |- |19||November 20, 2002||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||9–6–4–0||22 || 2002020279 W |- |20||November 21, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||9–7–4–0||22 || 2002020284 L |- |21||November 23, 2002||3–7 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||9–8–4–0||22 || 2002020301 L |- |22||November 26, 2002||3–2 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||10–8–4–0||24 || 2002020320 W |- |23||November 29, 2002||2–4 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||10–9–4–0||24 || 2002020335 L |- |24||November 30, 2002||1–2 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||10–9–4–1||25 || 2002020348 OTL |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; December: 6–5–1–2 (home: 2–2–0–0; road: 4–3–1–2) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |25||December 4, 2002||1–5 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (2002–03) ||10–10–4–1||25 || 2002020377 L |- |26||December 6, 2002||6–7 OT|| align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03) ||10–10–4–2||26 || 2002020392 OTL |- |27||December 7, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (2002–03) ||11–10–4–2||28 || 2002020402 W |- |28||December 10, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||12–10–4–2||30 || 2002020412 W |- |29||December 12, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||12–11–4–2||30 || 2002020429 L |- |30||December 14, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||13–11–4–2||32 || 2002020440 W |- |31||December 16, 2002||3–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||14–11–4–2||34 || 2002020456 W |- |32||December 17, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (2002–03) ||14–12–4–2||34 || 2002020462 L |- |33||December 19, 2002||3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (2002–03) ||15–12–4–2||36 || 2002020475 W |- |34||December 21, 2002||6–2 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||16–12–4–2||38 || 2002020493 W |- |35||December 23, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2002–03) ||16–13–4–2||38 || 2002020505 L |- |36||December 27, 2002||2–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||16–13–4–3||39 || 2002020524 OTL |- |37||December 28, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2002–03) ||16–14–4–3||39 || 2002020533 L |- |38||December 31, 2002||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||16–14–5–3||40 || 2002020562 T |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; January: 5–6–2–2 (home: 4–1–1–1; road: 1–5–1–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |39||January 2, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||16–15–5–3||40 || 2002020573 L |- |40||January 4, 2003||4–5 OT|| align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||16–15–5–4||41 || 2002020592 OTL |- |41||January 7, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||16–16–5–4||41 || 2002020607 L |- |42||January 9, 2003||3–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (2002–03) ||17–16–5–4||43 || 2002020620 W |- |43||January 11, 2003||2–3 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||17–17–5–4||43 || 2002020636 L |- |44||January 13, 2003||4–2 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||18–17–5–4||45 || 2002020649 W |- |45||January 15, 2003||0–1 || align="left"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||18–18–5–4||45 || 2002020666 L |- |46||January 16, 2003||1–4 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (2002–03) ||18–19–5–4||45 || 2002020670 L |- |47||January 18, 2003||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||18–19–5–5||46 || 2002020684 OTL |- |48||January 20, 2003||3–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||19–19–5–5||48 || 2002020699 W |- |49||January 22, 2003||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||19–19–6–5||49 || 2002020712 T |- |50||January 25, 2003||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||19–19–7–5||50 || 2002020733 T |- |51||January 26, 2003||4–3 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (2002–03) ||20–19–7–5||52 || 2002020746 W |- |52||January 28, 2003||6–3 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||21–19–7–5||54 || 2002020756 W |- |53||January 30, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (2002–03) ||21–20–7–5||54 || 2002020766 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; February: 3–7–0–2 (home: 2–4–0–1; road: 1–3–0–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |54||February 4, 2003||3–4 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||21–21–7–5||54 || 2002020782 L |- |55||February 6, 2003||3–6 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||21–22–7–5||54 || 2002020796 L |- |56||February 8, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||21–23–7–5||54 || 2002020813 L |- |57||February 9, 2003||2–0 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||22–23–7–5||56 || 2002020822 W |- |58||February 11, 2003||3–1 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (2002–03) ||23–23–7–5||58 || 2002020832 W |- |59||February 13, 2003||1–2 OT|| align="left"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||23–23–7–6||59 || 2002020845 OTL |- |60||February 15, 2003||3–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||24–23–7–6||61 || 2002020858 W |- |61||February 18, 2003||0–3 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||24–24–7–6||61 || 2002020883 L |- |62||February 19, 2003||1–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||24–24–7–7||62 || 2002020887 OTL |- |63||February 22, 2003||3–5 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (2002–03) ||24–25–7–7||62 || 2002020911 L |- |64||February 24, 2003||1–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||24–26–7–7||62 || 2002020927 L |- |65||February 27, 2003||3–6 || align="left"| Minnesota Wild (2002–03) ||24–27–7–7||62 || 2002020948 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; March: 5–7–1–2 (home: 1–4–1–1; road: 4–3–0–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |66||March 1, 2003||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||24–27–8–7||63 || 2002020963 T |- |67||March 5, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2002–03) ||24–28–8–7||63 || 2002020994 L |- |68||March 6, 2003||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (2002–03) ||24–28–8–8||64 || 2002021003 OTL |- |69||March 8, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) ||24–29–8–8||64 || 2002021020 L |- |70||March 10, 2003||3–1 || align="left"| @ Nashville Predators (2002–03) ||25–29–8–8||66 || 2002021030 W |- |71||March 12, 2003||4–0 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||26–29–8–8||68 || 2002021043 W |- |72||March 13, 2003||4–2 || align="left"| @ Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||27–29–8–8||70 || 2002021051 W |- |73||March 15, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||27–30–8–8||70 || 2002021063 L |- |74||March 18, 2003||0–1 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||27–31–8–8||70 || 2002021087 L |- |75||March 20, 2003||3–6 || align="left"| New York Islanders (2002–03) ||27–32–8–8||70 || 2002021098 L |- |76||March 22, 2003||5–3 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||28–32–8–8||72 || 2002021113 W |- |77||March 25, 2003||3–4 OT|| align="left"| Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||28–32–8–9||73 || 2002021136 OTL |- |78||March 28, 2003||1–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||28–33–8–9||73 || 2002021156 L |- |79||March 29, 2003||1–3 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (2002–03) ||28–34–8–9||73 || 2002021167 L |- |80||March 31, 2003||4–0 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||29–34–8–9||75 || 2002021178 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#AF1E2D 2px solid; border-bottom:#192168 2px solid; April: 1–1–0–0 (home: 1–0–0–0; road: 0–1–0–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Points Recap |- |81||April 2, 2003||1–2 || align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||29–35–8–9||75 || 2002021194 L |- |82||April 5, 2003||5–4 || align="left"| New York Rangers (2002–03) ||30–35–8–9||77 || 2002021218 W |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T #fff Overtime loss (1 point) 1px solid black OTL 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. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 11 Saku Koivu C 82 21 50 71 5 72 20 Richard Zednik Richard Zedník RW 80 31 19 50 4 79 94 Yanic Perreault C 73 24 22 46 −11 30 38 Jan Bulis C 82 16 24 40 9 30 79 Andrei Markov ice hockey D 79 13 24 37 13 34 93 Doug Gilmour C 61 11 19 30 −6 36 43 Patrice Brisebois D 73 4 25 29 −14 32 24 Andreas Dackell RW 73 7 18 25 −5 24 82 Donald Audette RW 54 11 12 23 −7 19 14 Oleg Petrov RW 53 7 16 23 −2 16 52 Craig Rivet D 82 7 15 22 1 71 90 Joe Juneau Joé Juneau C 72 6 16 22 −10 20 21 Randy McKay RW 75 6 13 19 −14 72 71 Mike Ribeiro C 52 5 12 17 −3 6 25 Chad Kilger LW 60 9 7 16 −4 21 27 Mariusz Czerkawski RW 43 5 9 14 −7 16 37 Niklas Sundstrom Niklas Sundström RW 33 5 9 14 3 8 81 Marcel Hossa LW 34 6 7 13 3 14 54 Patrick Traverse D 65 0 13 13 −9 24 5 Stephane Quintal Stéphane Quintal D 67 5 5 10 −4 70 17 Jason Ward ice hockey RW 8 3 2 5 3 0 28 Karl Dykhuis D 65 1 4 5 −5 34 51 Francis Bouillon D 20 3 1 4 −1 2 22 Bill Lindsay RW 19 0 2 2 −1 23 60 Jose Theodore José Théodore G 57 0 2 2 6 8 Mike Komisarek D 21 0 1 1 −6 28 36 Francois Beauchemin François Beauchemin D 1 0 0 0 −1 0 26Blouin wore number 53 in his first two games. Sylvain Blouin LW 17 0 0 0 −3 43 32 Gordie Dwyer LW 11 0 0 0 −2 46 30 Mathieu Garon G 8 0 0 0 0 31 Jeff Hackett G 18 0 0 0 0 65 Ron Hainsey D 21 0 0 0 −1 2 Goaltending = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only. No. Jersey number Player Regular season GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 60 Jose Theodore 57 20 31 6 1797 165 2.90 .908 2 3419 31 Jeff Hackett 18 7 8 2 606 45 2.54 .926 0 1063 30 Mathieu Garon 8 3 5 0 267 16 1.99 .940 2 482 Awards and records Awards TypeAward/honourRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Saku KoivuKoivu did not play and was replaced by Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers.NHL - Belfour, Leetch, Koivu all pull out of All-Star Game https://www.espn.com/nhl/allstar2003/news/2003/0127/1499581.html ESPN.com December 22, 2022 January 27, 2003NHL - Naslund headlines All-Star additions https://www.espn.com/nhl/allstar2003/news/2003/0116/1494055.html ESPN.com December 22, 2022 January 16, 2003 NHL YoungStars Game selection Marcel HossaNHL - 2003 YoungStars Rosters https://www.espn.com/nhl/allstar2003/s/youngstars.html ESPN.com December 21, 2022 January 18, 2003 Team Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy Jan BulisMontreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.553 Molson Cup Jose TheodoreMontreal Canadiens 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.552 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Ron Hainsey October 11, 20022002-03 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2003_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 13, 2024 Mike Komisarek February 19, 2003 Francois Beauchemin February 27, 2003 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.Hockey Transactions Search Results https://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Canadiens&BeginDate=2002-06-14&EndDate=2003-06-09&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 www.prosportstransactions.com November 25, 2022 Trades Date Details Ref 2002 06 22 To Montreal Canadiens 1st-round pick in 2002 To Edmonton Oilers 1st-round pick in 2002 8th-round pick in 2002NHL - Isles trade Czerkawski to Canadiens for muscle http://a.espncdn.com/nhl/news/2002/0622/1397930.html ESPN.com November 30, 2022 June 22, 2002 To Montreal Canadiens Mariusz Czerkawski To New York Islanders Arron Asham 5th-round pick in 2002 2002 06 23 To Montreal Canadiens Florida’s 4th-round pick in 2002 To Calgary Flames 4th-round pick in 2002 Minnesota’s 5th-round pick in 2002Draft Day Transactions http://tsn.ca/nhl/2002draft/draft_trades.asp TSN.ca November 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020808073541/http://tsn.ca/nhl/2002draft/draft_trades.asp August 8, 2002 2002 06 30 To Montreal Canadiens 4th-round pick in 2004 To Chicago Blackhawks Sergei BerezinMOVES https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/07/01/movesbaseballastros-optioned-p-kirk-saarloos-to-triple-a/ Baltimore Sun November 30, 2022 July 1, 2002 CANADIENS: Traded F Sergei Berezin to Blackhawks for 2004 fourth-round draft pick. 2002 10 31 To Montreal Canadiens Sylvain Blouin To Minnesota Wild 7th-round pick in 2003Wild deal Blouin to Habs http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=10686&hubName=nhl-wild TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20021121105752/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=10686&hubName=nhl-wild November 21, 2002 October 31, 2002 2003 01 17Compensation due to Montreal hiring Julien as their head coach. To Montreal Canadiens Claude Julien To Edmonton Oilers 5th-round pick in 2003 2003 01 23 To Montreal Canadiens Niklas Sundstrom 3rd-round pick in 2004 To San Jose Sharks Jeff HackettMcLaren goes to Sharks in three-team deal https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/01/23/McLaren-goes-to-Sharks-in-three-team-deal/33581043373843/ UPI November 30, 2022 January 23, 2003 2003 01 29 To Montreal Canadiens 2nd-round pick in 2003 To Philadelphia Flyers Eric ChouinardHabs send Chouinard to Flyers http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=25575&hubName=nhl-flyers TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030305204953/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=25575&hubName=nhl-flyers March 5, 2003 January 29, 2003 2003 03 03 To Montreal Canadiens 4th-round pick in 2003 To Nashville Predators Oleg PetrovHabs ship Petrov to Predators http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=31483&hubName=nhl-predators TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030511115620/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=31483&hubName=nhl-predators May 11, 2003 March 3, 2003 2003 03 11 To Montreal Canadiens 6th-round pick in 2003 To Toronto Maple Leafs Doug GilmourLeafs re-acquire Gilmour from Canadiens https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/03/11/Leafs-re-acquire-Gilmour-from-Canadiens/88041047418867/ UPI November 30, 2022 March 11, 2003 Players acquired Date Player Former team Term Via Ref 2002 07 04 Randy McKay Dallas Stars 2-year Free agencyCanadiens ink Randy McKay https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canadiens-ink-randy-mckay-1.322965 CBC.ca November 30, 2022 July 5, 2002 Matt O'Dette Quebec Citadelles (AHL) 1-yearfn1 Club option for a second year. Free agencySPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 04+ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/04/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-THURSDAY-JULY-04/8401025755200/ UPI November 30, 2022 July 4, 2002 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. 2002 09 10 Eric Fichaud Krefeld Pinguine (DEL) 1-yearfn1 Free agencyCanadiens sign Eric Fichaud http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=3780&hubName=nhl-canadiens TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020920230051/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=3780&hubName=nhl-canadiens September 20, 2002 September 10, 2002 2002 10 25 Francis Bouillon Nashville Predators Waivers Habs claim Bouillon off waivers http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=9866&hubName=nhl-canadiens TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20021126192006/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=9866&hubName=nhl-canadiens November 26, 2002 October 25, 2002 2003 02 21 Gordie Dwyer New York Rangers Waivers Dwyer Claimed Off Waivers by Canadiens http://newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=830 New York Rangers November 6, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20040815060037/http://newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=830 August 15, 2004 February 21, 2003 Players lost Date Player New team ViaIn parentheses is the player's free agency group on July 1 if applicable.NHL FREE-AGENT LIST https://www.heraldextra.com/sports/2002/jul/02/nhl/ Daily Herald November 25, 2022 July 2, 2002 Ref N/A Gennady Razin Amur Khabarovsk (RSL) Free agency (UFA) 18545 Gennady Razin, retrieved November 30, 2022 2002 07 04 Craig Darby New Jersey DevilsDarby signed with New Jersey on July 12.SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 12+ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/13/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-FRIDAY-JULY-12/2751026532800/ UPI November 30, 2022 July 12, 2002 New Jersey Devils -- Signed… free agent center Craig Darby, who had been with the Montreal Canadiens Buyout Myles Stephanie McKay returning home https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/425928718/ May 30, 2025 Newspapers.com The Gazette July 5, 2002 11 Patrick PoulinPoulin announced his retirement on November 20.Patrick Poulin http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=601&hubName= TSN.ca May 31, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20030105124235/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=601&hubName= January 5, 2003 20-Nov-02: Announced his retirement. Buyout 2002 07 24 Shaun Van Allen Ottawa Senators Free agency (III) TRANSACTIONS https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/25/sports/transactions-167703.html The New York Times November 30, 2022 July 25, 2002 OTTAWA SENATORS--Signed C Shaun Van Allen to a multiyear contract. 2002 08 22 Francis Belanger Anaheim Mighty Ducks Free agency (UFA) Mighty Ducks Agree to Terms with Five Players https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mighty-ducks-agree-to-terms-with-five-players/n-1973941 OurSports Central November 30, 2022 August 22, 2002 2002 08 23 Vadim Tarasov Metallurg Novokuznetsk (RSL) Free agency (II)Montreal retained Tarasov’s NHL rights through the 2005–06 season.List of Available Free Agents https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25623 https://web.archive.org/web/20220307005727/http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=25623 dead March 7, 2022 NHL.com November 30, 2022 July 1, 2006 VADIM TARASOV http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=2301&hubName=MTL TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030110132820/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=2301&hubName=MTL January 10, 2003 23-Aug-02: Returned to Russia. 2002 09 09 Stephane Fiset Retirement (III) Stéphane Fiset prend sa retraite https://www.rds.ca/hockey/stephane-fiset-prend-sa-retraite-1.164772 RDS.ca November 30, 2022 fr September 9, 2002 2002 10 04 Francis Bouillon Nashville Predators Waiver draft NO ACTIVITY WHATSOEVER FOR SABRES ON DRAFT DAY https://buffalonews.com/news/no-activity-whatsoever-for-sabres-on-draft-day/article_b8b7956b-b1b7-5e3c-af96-c81f336507e4.html Buffalo News November 30, 2022 October 5, 2002 Stephane Robidas Atlanta Thrashers Waiver draft 2003 04 09 Eric Landry Lausanne HC (NLA) Free agencyl/landrer01.html Eric Landry, retrieved November 30, 2022 Signings Date Player Term Contract type Ref 2002 06 21 Saku Koivu 1-year Re-signing Canadians sign their captain https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2002/06/21/Canadians-sign-their-captain/87631024682421/ UPI November 30, 2022 June 21, 2002 2002 07 04 Benoit Gratton 2-year Re-signing 2002 07 15 Andreas Dackell 2-year Re-signing Canadiens re-sign Dackell http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/mon/readstory.asp?story_id=2424515 TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020815113053/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/mon/readstory.asp?story_id=2424515 August 15, 2002 July 15, 2002 2002 07 19 Mike Ribeiro 1-year Re-signing SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 19+ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/19/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-FRIDAY-JULY-19/7471027051200/ UPI November 30, 2022 July 19, 2002 Montreal Canadiens -- Re-signed right wings Andreas Dackell and Jason Ward and center Mike Ribeiro. Jason Ward 1-year Re-signing 2002 07 24 Mike Komisarek 3-year Entry-level Canadiens sign Komisarek to 3-year pact https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/24/Canadiens-sign-Komisarek-to-3-year-pact/3511027483200/ UPI November 30, 2022 July 24, 2002 2002 07 26 Chad Kilger 1-year Re-signing +SPORTS TRANSACTIONS FOR FRIDAY, JULY 26+ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/26/SPORTS-TRANSACTIONS-FOR-FRIDAY-JULY-26/7331027656000/ UPI November 30, 2022 July 26, 2002 Montreal Canadiens -- Re-signed center Chad Kilger to a one-year contract. 2002 08 02 Francis Bouillon 1-year Re-signing Canadiens sign Sheldon Souray, Mathieu Garon and Francis Bouillon http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1061 Montreal Canadiens November 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020809022057/http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1061 August 9, 2002 August 2, 2002 Mathieu Garon 1-year Re-signing Sheldon Souray 2-year Re-signing 2002 08 09 Doug Gilmour 1-yearOption for a second year. Re-signing PLUS: HOCKEY; Gilmour Re-Signs With the Canadiens https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/10/sports/plus-hockey-gilmour-re-signs-with-the-canadiens.html The New York Times November 30, 2022 August 10, 2002 2002 09 05 Jose Theodore 3-year Re-signing Theodore re-signs with Canadiens http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=3138&hubName=nhl-canadiens TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020924043452/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=3138&hubName=nhl-canadiens September 24, 2002 September 5, 2002 2002 09 18 Richard Zednik 2-year Re-signing Canadiens re-sign Zednik http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=4820&hubName=nhl-canadiens TSN.ca November 30, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20020920231322/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/news_story.asp?ID=4820&hubName=nhl-canadiens September 20, 2002 September 18, 2002 2002 09 26 Craig Rivet 4-year Extension CANADIENS https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/09/27/canadiens/ Tampa Bay Times November 30, 2022 September 27, 2002 2003 02 28 Mathieu Garon 2-yearClub option for a third year. Extension Habs ink back-up Garon to new deal https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/habs-ink-back-up-garon-to-new-deal-1.382931 CBC.ca November 30, 2022 February 28, 2003 2003 04 11 Jason Ward 2-year Extension Canadiens sign Ward for two seasons http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1657 Montreal Canadiens November 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030422235054/http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1657 April 22, 2003 April 11, 2003 2003 05 05 Jan Bulis 2-year Extension Canadiens ink Bulis to two-year deal http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1688 Montreal Canadiens November 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030508020710/http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1688 May 8, 2003 May 5, 2003 2003 05 22 Chris Higgins 3-year Entry-level Habs sign Higgins to three-year deal http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1711 Montreal Canadiens November 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030525164810/http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1711 May 25, 2003 May 22, 2003 2003 05 29 Andrew Archer 3-year Entry-level Canadiens announce trio of signings http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1722 Montreal Canadiens November 29, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20030823163607/http://www.canadiens.com/english/presse/communique/index.cfm?id=1722 August 23, 2003 May 29, 2003 Francis Bouillon 2-year Extension Duncan Milroy 3-year Entry-level Draft picks Montreal's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario.2002 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2002e.html hockeyDB.com December 23, 2022 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)114Chris HigginsYale University (ECAC)245Tomas LinhartHC Pardubice Jr. (Czech Republic)499Michael LambertMontreal Rocket (QMJHL)6182Andre DeveauxBelleville Bulls (OHL)7212Jonathan FerlandAcadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL)9275Konstantin KorneyevKrylya Sovetov (Russia) See also 2002–03 NHL season Notes References Montreal Canadiens 2002-03 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000452003.html www.hockeydb.com December 12, 2022 2002-03 Montreal Canadiens Roster and Statistics https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MTL/2003.html Hockey-Reference.com December 12, 2022 Category:Montreal Canadiens seasons Montreal Canadiens season, 2002-03 Montreal Category:2002 in Montreal Category:2003 in Montreal Category:2002 in sports in Quebec Category:2003 in sports in Quebec