The 2002–03 Montreal Canadiens season was the club's 94th

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

of play. Facing numerous challenges throughout the season including a coaching change, the team did not qualify for the

Stanley Cup playoffs The Stanley Cup playoffs () is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular s ...

Regular season

Before the start of the season, many predicted a strong showing from the Canadiens as a result of a healthy

Saku Koivu Saku Antero Koivu (; born November 23, 1974) is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1995–96 after three seasons with TPS of the ...

and last season's

Hart Memorial Trophy The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, is an annual award for the most valuable player to his team in the National Hockey League (NHL), voted by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association. The original tr ...

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 Mariusz Krzysztof Czerkawski (pronounced ; born 13 April 1972) is a Polish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Tor ...

, added to the lineup during the summer, and

Donald Audette Donald Daniel Audette (born September 23, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Montr ...

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 Michel Therrien (born November 4, 1963) is a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey coach. (NHL). Therrien formerly coached the Montreal Canadiens, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to his coaching career, Therrie ...

and replace him with Claude Julien, who filled the same role behind the bench of the Habs'

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...

(AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. 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 The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

for the fewest short-handed goals scored, with just two.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 11, 2002, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–0–0–0, , 2 , , , - , 2, , October 12, 2002, , 1–6 , , align="left",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–1–0–0, , 2 , , , - , 3, , October 15, 2002, , 2–6 , , align="left",

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 2002–03) , , 1–2–0–0, , 2 , , , - , 4, , October 17, 2002, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 2002–03) , , 2–2–0–0, , 4 , , , - , 5, , October 19, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 2002–03) , , 2–2–1–0, , 5 , , , - , 6, , October 22, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 2002–03) , , 2–2–2–0, , 6 , , , - , 7, , October 24, 2002, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 2–3–2–0, , 6 , , , - , 8, , October 26, 2002, , 5–3 , , align="left",

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–3–2–0, , 8 , , , - , 9, , October 29, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–3–3–0, , 9 , , , - , - , 10, , November 1, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 2002–03) , , 3–3–4–0, , 10 , , , - , 11, , November 2, 2002, , 5–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 4–3–4–0, , 12 , , , - , 12, , November 5, 2002, , 2–5 , , align="left",

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2002–03) , , 4–4–4–0, , 12 , , , - , 13, , November 7, 2002, , 3–0 , , align="left",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 2002–03) , , 5–4–4–0, , 14 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 2002, , 3–1 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–4–4–0, , 16 , , , - , 15, , November 12, 2002, , 2–4 , , align="left",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–5–4–0, , 16 , , , - , 16, , November 15, 2002, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 2002–03) , , 6–6–4–0, , 16 , , , - , 17, , November 16, 2002, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 7–6–4–0, , 18 , , , - , 18, , November 18, 2002, , 5–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 8–6–4–0, , 20 , , , - , 19, , November 20, 2002, , 3–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 9–6–4–0, , 22 , , , - , 20, , November 21, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 9–7–4–0, , 22 , , , - , 21, , November 23, 2002, , 3–7 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 9–8–4–0, , 22 , , , - , 22, , November 26, 2002, , 3–2 , , align="left",

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL sea ...

( 2002–03) , , 10–8–4–0, , 24 , , , - , 23, , November 29, 2002, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 2002–03) , , 10–9–4–0, , 24 , , , - , 24, , November 30, 2002, , 1–2 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 10–9–4–1, , 25 , , , - , - , 25, , December 4, 2002, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 10–10–4–1, , 25 , , , - , 26, , December 6, 2002, , 6–7 OT, , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 2002–03) , , 10–10–4–2, , 26 , , , - , 27, , December 7, 2002, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 2002–03) , , 11–10–4–2, , 28 , , , - , 28, , December 10, 2002, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 12–10–4–2, , 30 , , , - , 29, , December 12, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left",

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 2002–03) , , 12–11–4–2, , 30 , , , - , 30, , December 14, 2002, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 13–11–4–2, , 32 , , , - , 31, , December 16, 2002, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 14–11–4–2, , 34 , , , - , 32, , December 17, 2002, , 1–3 , , align="left",

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 2002–03) , , 14–12–4–2, , 34 , , , - , 33, , December 19, 2002, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 15–12–4–2, , 36 , , , - , 34, , December 21, 2002, , 6–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 16–12–4–2, , 38 , , , - , 35, , December 23, 2002, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–13–4–2, , 38 , , , - , 36, , December 27, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–13–4–3, , 39 , , , - , 37, , December 28, 2002, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–14–4–3, , 39 , , , - , 38, , December 31, 2002, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 2002–03) , , 16–14–5–3, , 40 , , , - , - , 39, , January 2, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 2002–03) , , 16–15–5–3, , 40 , , , - , 40, , January 4, 2003, , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2002–03) , , 16–15–5–4, , 41 , , , - , 41, , January 7, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 16–16–5–4, , 41 , , , - , 42, , January 9, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 17–16–5–4, , 43 , , , - , 43, , January 11, 2003, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 17–17–5–4, , 43 , , , - , 44, , January 13, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 18–17–5–4, , 45 , , , - , 45, , January 15, 2003, , 0–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–18–5–4, , 45 , , , - , 46, , January 16, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 18–19–5–4, , 45 , , , - , 47, , January 18, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 18–19–5–5, , 46 , , , - , 48, , January 20, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 2002–03) , , 19–19–5–5, , 48 , , , - , 49, , January 22, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 19–19–6–5, , 49 , , , - , 50, , January 25, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

( 2002–03) , , 19–19–7–5, , 50 , , , - , 51, , January 26, 2003, , 4–3 , , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 2002–03) , , 20–19–7–5, , 52 , , , - , 52, , January 28, 2003, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 21–19–7–5, , 54 , , , - , 53, , January 30, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 21–20–7–5, , 54 , , , - , - , 54, , February 4, 2003, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 21–21–7–5, , 54 , , , - , 55, , February 6, 2003, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 21–22–7–5, , 54 , , , - , 56, , February 8, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 21–23–7–5, , 54 , , , - , 57, , February 9, 2003, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 22–23–7–5, , 56 , , , - , 58, , February 11, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 23–23–7–5, , 58 , , , - , 59, , February 13, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left",

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

( 2002–03) , , 23–23–7–6, , 59 , , , - , 60, , February 15, 2003, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–23–7–6, , 61 , , , - , 61, , February 18, 2003, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–24–7–6, , 61 , , , - , 62, , February 19, 2003, , 1–2 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 24–24–7–7, , 62 , , , - , 63, , February 22, 2003, , 3–5 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–25–7–7, , 62 , , , - , 64, , February 24, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 24–26–7–7, , 62 , , , - , 65, , February 27, 2003, , 3–6 , , align="left",

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

( 2002–03) , , 24–27–7–7, , 62 , , , - , - , 66, , March 1, 2003, , 1–1 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 24–27–8–7, , 63 , , , - , 67, , March 5, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 24–28–8–7, , 63 , , , - , 68, , March 6, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 24–28–8–8, , 64 , , , - , 69, , March 8, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 24–29–8–8, , 64 , , , - , 70, , March 10, 2003, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 25–29–8–8, , 66 , , , - , 71, , March 12, 2003, , 4–0 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 26–29–8–8, , 68 , , , - , 72, , March 13, 2003, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 27–29–8–8, , 70 , , , - , 73, , March 15, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–30–8–8, , 70 , , , - , 74, , March 18, 2003, , 0–1 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–31–8–8, , 70 , , , - , 75, , March 20, 2003, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 27–32–8–8, , 70 , , , - , 76, , March 22, 2003, , 5–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 28–32–8–8, , 72 , , , - , 77, , March 25, 2003, , 3–4 OT, , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 28–32–8–9, , 73 , , , - , 78, , March 28, 2003, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 28–33–8–9, , 73 , , , - , 79, , March 29, 2003, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 28–34–8–9, , 73 , , , - , 80, , March 31, 2003, , 4–0 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 29–34–8–9, , 75 , , , - , - , 81, , April 2, 2003, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 2002–03) , , 29–35–8–9, , 75 , , , - , 82, , April 5, 2003, , 5–4 , , align="left",

( 2002–03) , , 30–35–8–9, , 77 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Centre Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defence Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense indust ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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.''

Goaltending

* '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Canadiens only.''

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

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 The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2001–02 season, and the culmination of the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and t ...

, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated th ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

Montreal's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft held at the

Air Canada Centre Scotiabank Arena (SBA), formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and t ...

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2002-03 Montreal Canadiens Season Montreal Canadiens seasons Montreal Canadiens season, 2002-03

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

2002 in Montreal 2003 in Montreal 2002 in sports in Quebec 2003 in sports in Quebec