In Mike Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens Have First True Goal Scorer in Years

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When I think of Mike Cammalleri, a few words come to mind: determination, speed, courage, power, and most of all, goals.

Cammalleri is the first natural goal-scorer the Canadiens have had in over a decade.

There simply hasn't been any one else with the goal-scoring prowess that the new member of the Habs possesses. 

He has formed a dynamite first line with Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez, a line that is unfortunately falling apart due to injuries.

However, Cammalleri showed in yesterday's game against the Detroit Red Wings that he doesn't need his American linemates to score, as he potted both of his goals in Saturday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings on a line with Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Plekanec.

With a personal record of 39 goals last year, and with 11 goals so far this year, it's certainly within the realm of possibility that Cammalleri will surpass that record. 

How long has it been that Habs fans have been able to talk about a player on their team with those kind of numbers?

Too long, way too long.

Alex Kovalev scored 35 in the magical year that was 2007-08, but that was an anomaly in the grander scheme of things.

Besides Kovalev, the last member of the "Tricolore" to score more than 35 goals was former captain Pierre Turgeon, who netted 38 in 1995-96.

And the last Hab to net 40 or more was Vincent Damphousse in 1993-94, the year after the Habs last conquest of the Stanley Cup, and perhaps the last year before everything started to go downhill for the mighty franchise.

Now, Cammalleri brings back the "scorer" dimension, the dimension that draws fans out of their seats, the dimension that sells thousands of jerseys, back from the grave.

While he shouldn't be confused for a 50-goal scorer, Cammalleri has the opportunity to establish himself with a franchise, something that he has been unable to do so far in his career.

Armed with a five-year deal, the budding 40-goal scorer also has the opportunity to carve himself a niche in Montreal Canadiens lore.

If he can score 35 plus goals for the majority of the five years of his contract, it wouldn't be shocking to one day read about Cammalleri receiving a contract that will make him a wearer of "La Sainte Flanelle" for the rest of his career.

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