Habs flashy first-round draft choice Nikita Scherbak is on his way back to the West Coast for another season of junior, as he was one of the many cuts announced Sunday by the Montreal Canadiens.

The Russian Scherbak, 18, will compete for the Everett Silverbacks in Washington State.

Others taking the road to the Habs AHL affiliate in Hamilton include the Swedish defenceman Magnus Nygren who returned to Sweden last year when he was assigned to the Bulldogs. He was later quoted critizing the team's lack of organization and the city for its level of crime.

Nygren later sent another sort of message by setting a record with a 104.6 MPH slapshot when he returned while playing against the AHL All Stars as part of a travelling Swedish team.

Tim Bozon, who overcame a life-threatening case of meninigitis last season, was sent down to the AHL Bulldogs of Hamilton as were Mac Bennett, Daniel Carr, Michael Condon, Morgan Ellis, Joe Finley, T.J. Hensick, Charles Hudon, Patrick Holland, David Makowski, Bobby Shea and Nick Sorkin.

Several other injured players who did not see preseason action were also demoted, namely, Connor Crisp, Stefan Fournier, Jack Nevins and Dalton Thrower.

Several players were released outright, including Montreaer Stefano Momesso, whose father Sergio played for the Habs in the 80s. Zach Yuen, who had been seen as an inspiration to many due to his Chinese origins, was also released as were Justin Baker, Riley Brace, Joël Chouinard, Tanner Eberle, Sahir Gill and Evan Wardley.

Many more cuts and demotions remain, as the team is currently carrying 20 forwards, 11 defencemen and four goaltenders.

Young defencemen Jarred Tinordi, Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn are all battling for a spot on the blueline while either Peter Budaj or Dustin Tokarski will back up Carey Price.

"It's never easy to cut players but for some it's a process of making it to the NHL," said Coach Michel Therrien Sunday evening after the Canadiens' 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Speedy forward Christian Thomas, son of NHL legend Steven Thomas, is still in Montreal as are Swiss forward Sven Andrighetto, former Carolina Hurricane forward Drayson Bowman, young Swedish forward Jacob De La Rose and defenceman Francis Bouillon, an unsigned veteran with the Canadiens now on a tryout with the team.