Saku Koivu: Montreal Canadiens Fans Will Miss You

Today is bittersweet for me.

On one hand, I am elated about the free-agent signings. Bob Gainey finally got the impact player(s) he's been looking for all these years.

But not without a loss.

Yes, I'll miss Alex Kovalev—even through all the theatrics and tantrums, disappearing for weeks at a time, he was our most talented player. There was nothing quite like watching him skate around the opposition, as if to see if they were paying attention. And his shot was, well, magnificent.

Alex Tanguay gave us flashes of brilliance last season, but his injuries hindered my feelings towards him. I knew that he was an excellent skater, playmaker, and bonafide winner—but why couldn't he stay healthy?

Despite this, I'm still a little bit confused that he hasn't been offered a contract yet.

Goodbye, Mike Komisarek, I don't even know what to say about you.

But above all else, I am truly saddened that I will not see my beloved captain in a Habs uniform to end his career.

Saku Koivu was, to me, what a Montreal Canadiens player should be. Though he was undersized and often injured, he played like he could take on the world.

My most recent fond memories of Saku are from the past postseason.

Though the Habs were being completely dominated and destroyed by the Bruins, Koivu incessantly slammed into Zdeno Chara against the boards whenever he possibly could—David versus Goliath.

David once had cancer, but he came back.

David almost lost his eye, but he came back.

He once broke his foot in the last month of the regular season, but he came back in the playoffs. It was clear that nothing would keep Saku Koivu from putting on his Habs sweater and playing to his utmost capabilities for his team.

He dealt with scrutiny from a certain unforgiving media outlet. It's not exactly easy to learn a third language in adulthood—perhaps we should have let that one slide.

Yesterday, he was asked if he was offered any contracts. He said he had been offered a couple, but was reluctant to accept any.

Koivu said he still wanted to play in Montreal and was waiting to see what happened with his team before he decided.

Unfortunately, Bob didn't see Saku in the plans.

Change had to come in the form of Scott Gomez, Mike Cammalleri, and Brian Gionta: The Montreal Canadiens' new No. 1 line.

We can only hope that these three little guys will give as much to the "bleu, blanc, rouge" as Saku did. If they do, then as they say, "Size doesn't matter."

I grew up watching Saku Koivu—he is my captain.

He will always be a Montreal Canadien in my heart.

I like to think that he'll always be one in his own heart, too.