MONTREAL - Former Canadiens captain Saku Koivu admits he's a little nervous about playing his first game in Montreal since he signed with the Anaheim Ducks in 2009.
Koivu is expected to be in the starting lineup and will probably get a resounding ovation from the Bell Centre crowd when the Ducks take on the Canadiens at the Bell Centre on Saturday night. The Canadiens planned a pre-game scoreboard tribute to their former star centre.
It is also a big night for three other former Canadiens now with Anaheim: forwards Max Lapierre and Kyle Chipchura and defenceman Paul Mara.
"To step on the ice for the first couple of moments, for the anthems and everything, is going to be an emotional time," Koivu said. "I'm really nervous about it. Seeing the CH jersey and not being a part of it, that will bring back the memories."
The Ducks were having fun with it at their team skate Saturday morning, cheering each time Koivu touched the puck and booing when it went to Lapierre, who asked for a trade and was dealt to Anaheim in December.
That is probably the same reaction the two players will get from the crowd.
"We had some fun at practice, but we talked about this game, about how important it is to me and Max that the whole team is ready," Koivu added.
The Turku, Finland native played 13 seasons for the Canadiens, the last 10 as captain, but was not given a contract offer after the 2008-09 season and left to sign as a free agent with Anaheim.
The 36-year-old's stay in Montreal was marked by his successful battle with cancer during the 2001-02 season, when he returned at the end of the campaign and helped win a first-round playoff series against Boston.
He planned to spend some time with the medical staff who treated him after the game.
"Everything is as well as it can be," Koivu said. "We still do the annual checkups and everything has gone well.
"Coming here reminds me of that year. Being healthy and being able to play and not worry about it as much is a great feeling."
Koivu at first signed a one-year deal with Anaheim, but last summer he extended it for another two. But he is not sure how long he'll play after next season.
"It will probably be year by year," he said. "I have a good example on my right wing in Teemu Selanne, who four years ago took a half- year off because he felt it was time to move on. He came back and look at him now.
"It's about staying away from bad injuries at this age. And as long as you can maintain your health and if you're having fun and are in an environment you enjoy, who knows?"
