Author: Dans les Coulisses

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Juraj Slafkovsky confirms he will advertise in French

As we were informed by the RDS team, Juraj Slafkovsky was present on the Antichambre set this Friday evening for a very interesting interview.

Obviously, a number of subjects were discussed, but if there was one announcement that stood out, it was Slafkovsky’s announcement of an upcoming French-language commercial.

The initial question was who he, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki spoke best in French.

The Slovak replied Suzuki, and the panelists recalled that the Habs captain has done ads in French with Chantal Machabée.

That’s when Slaf announced that he, too, will have his own French-language ad, a project that’s just around the corner.

You can hear this moment at the 19ᵉ minute mark of the interview.

I really like the idea of including players who don’t speak French in projects like this.

It shows that the players are happy to be in Montreal.

I wonder if this will be an advert for Tim Hortons like the captain, or if he’ll be announcing a brand new burger at McDonald’s, or something completely different.

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Also in this interview, P.J. Stock asked the following question: Last year, there was a lot of talk about sending you to Laval. How did you feel about that?

The Slovak offered the perfect answer:

“I laughed about it, because I knew I’d never go to Laval. I was going to do everything I could not to play in the AHL. I knew how to play hockey and I knew how to play in the NHL, so I did.” – Juraj Slafkovsky.

Throughout the interview, we saw just how overflowing with confidence he is, and that’s just fine.

It’s exactly what he lacked at the start of the season.

Slaf also mentioned that we can expect another player, much better in all aspects of the game.

He had already said that his last year in Finland and his first two years in Montreal, we saw three different players, and he confirmed that he feels more ready than ever.

How many points can we expect from the young Slovak in 2024-25?

Personally, I think he’ll score 65 points. How about you?

Overtime

– He’ll have to prove he deserves a big contract.

– Interesting stuff.

– Read more.

– What a stop.

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Renaud Lavoie doubts Tim Stutzle will have another 90-point season

Many wonder whether Nick Suzuki is really a true #1 center or just a very good 2nd line center.

As for me, there’s no doubt that he’s a true #1.

He can do it all, and it’s hard to find fault with him.

He’ll never be a 50-goal or 100-point scorer, but he’s worth his weight in gold.

Today on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie brought up a very interesting subject during his daily column in Le Club Du Matin.

According to the renowned journalist, NHL Network ranked the 50 best players in the NHL today, and Nick Suzuki didn’t make the top-50.

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Lavoie didn’t quite understand this, especially when he saw that 22-year-old German and Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle was ahead of the Habs captain.

According to Lavoie, Stutzle is ranked 39th by NHL Network.

And a debate has begun as to whether Stutzle is actually better than Suzuki.

Personally, there’s no doubt that Suzuki’s versatility and consistency make him a better player (currently) than Tim Stutzle.

By the way, Renaud Lavoie also doubts that Stutzle will reach the 90-point plateau again, having done so in 2022-23.

That’s a bit far-fetched for my taste, but I can see Lavoie’s point.

He doesn’t believe that Stutzle will become a much better player than he already is.

The German has simply had a much faster progression curve than most young prospects. Just because he scored 90 points at the age of 20-21 doesn’t mean he’ll have 100-point seasons for sure.

As for Suzuki, Lavoie sees a very steady and longer progression curve.

Stutzle has plenty of talent, but to win, Suzuki is the better choice between the two.

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Later in the day, on the Retour des Sportifs program, Martin Lemay asked Martin Biron and Steve Bégin a very interesting question.

What would they choose as a duo between Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky, or Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk to start a team?

The two NHL veterans chose the Ottawa Senators duo.

In fact, it’s hardly surprising, especially if we’re talking right now.

Every team needs a player like Brady Tkachuk: a guy who can score 40 goals, who brings a very interesting physical aspect to the game and who constantly disturbs opponents.

On the other hand, if we look into the near future, I think Slaf could become a similar type of player, but with a tick more than the American.

As for the centers, my choice is already made: Suzuki.

The question was very pertinent, but Suzuki is the one who tips the balance towards his duo.

Overtime

– I like the idea.

– Will he find a buyer?

– A quick message from Jordan Harris.

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Calder Trophy: Lane Hutson is Grant McCagg’s #1 candidate

Most Montreal Canadiens fans can’t wait to see Lane Hutson in a Habs uniform this season.

And with good reason: he’s so electrifying.

With the preseason fast approaching, the vast majority see him starting the season in Montreal.

Honestly, I don’t see how he could start in Laval with what he’s shown us so far.

His ease on skates and his talent with the puck show that he has what it takes to be a regular right from the start, but also to be a candidate for the Calder Trophy (best rookie of the year).

With the addition of Patrik Laine, the return of Kirby Dach to the line-up and a first line that continues to improve, he should have an easy time collecting assists.

If he can also get a chance on the first wave of the power play, he automatically becomes a serious contender for the Calder.

In fact, Grant McCagg believes the young American defenseman will be the best rookie of the season.

On the most recent episode of The Sick Podcast – Recrutes Draftcast, McCagg gave his top-7 candidates, and to everyone’s surprise, Hutson is number one.

.

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Here are his top-7 picks:

  1. Lane Hutson
  2. Macklin Celebrini
  3. Cutter Gauthier
  4. Logan Stankoven
  5. Brandt Clarke
  6. Matvei Michkov
  7. Easton Cowan

With the additions of Laine and Dach to the line-up and the current young players who will only get better as the season progresses, he sees the American reaching 60 points.

The last time a rookie defenseman reached the 60-point plateau was in 1991-92, when Nicklas Lidstrom began his NHL career.

And I’m not talking about the future Nicklas Lidstrom in Mattias Norlinder, but about the Detroit Red Wings legend.

Cale Makar could have reached this plateau in 2019-20 had it not been for COVID, who scored 50 points in 57 games.

For McCagg, seeing Hutson reach 60 points is not at all a far-fetched idea in his opinion.

If the American doesn’t reach the 50-point plateau, he’d be extremely surprised.

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Another argument McCagg brings to the table is that he doubts any of the talented forwards on his list will reach 70 points.

If Hutson scores 50-60 points and no rookie forwards score over 70 points, Hutson’s chances would be very good.

On the other hand, I’d be very surprised if Celebrini or Michkov don’t reach that plateau this season.

In my opinion, there’s one major absentee from McCagg’s list, and that’s Will Smith.

We all know that Celebrini will be a better player overall, but Smith’s offensive touch is definitely not to be overlooked.

If you want a hot take on the Calder, I’ll give you one: Will Smith will beat teammate Celebrini to the Rookie of the Year ballot and win the trophy.

While I’d be very happy to see Hutson win this honor, I’m really partial to Smith and wouldn’t be surprised if he kept up a point-per-game pace.

Overtime

– Don’t miss tonight at 10:00 p.m.

– The logo on the floor was way too big.

– What would be your choice of captain for these three teams?

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“No dickheads: Devils GM’s summer strategy

The New Jersey Devils have what it takes to have a great season.

On both forward and defense, the team is built for success.

And that’s without mentioning the Jacob Markström / Jake Allen duo in net!

Tom Fitzgerald talked about his plan for this summer (the GM made some nice additions on the open market) and his comments are getting a reaction, because let’s just say he didn’t beat around the bush to explain his strategy.

The GM’s goal? Not to add any “dickheads” to his line-up, referring to players who don’t have the right attitude and don’t want to win.

He was quite direct in his press conference:

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Tom Fitzgerald obviously did his job well, because on paper, the Devils’ line-up is (more than) dangerous.

The center line is impressive and so is the depth, especially on defense :

(Credit: Daily Faceoff)
(Credit: Daily Faceoff)

The New Jersey Devils have what it takes to go all the way.

The question now is whether the new additions will make a difference… And that’s assuming Fitzgerald hasn’t added a dickhead to his roster, hehe.

That said, it’s good to see that NHL GMs are so open-minded. It adds spice, hehe.

Overtime

– This could be a long one.

– This is normal.

– Good.

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Bruno Gervais: Let’s give Dach time (until January) to get back into the game

Kirby Dach’s last NHL game was almost a year ago.

He was injured in the second game of the 23-24 season, and we all thought it was a shame, because Dach really looked like a guy who was ready to explode.

Now he’s back at 100%… but we’ll have to give him time to get back to his game.

Dach played on a line with Alex Newhook and Patrik Laine yesterday and today in intra-squad games, and the popular observation is that, while Dach is physically fit, he’s clearly missing a step in his execution and decision-making.

That said, one wonders when Dach will be ready to play like the Dach we saw during the 22-23 season, and at this level, Bruno Gervais believes we’ll have to wait until January.

It takes time.

Even if a player trains hard, it can take a few months before he’s back in top form on the ice. – Bruno Gervais

Bruno Gervais, speaking on TSN 690, wants to see Dach hit the ground running, so that he gains confidence and doesn’t have to worry about injuries when he returns:

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Canadiens officials are excited to see Kirby Dach make his comeback.

Jeff Gorton spoke about Dach, saying that his addition to the lineup should help the Habs move forward, because before his injury, Dach was seen as a key player in the Montreal lineup.

I can’t wait to see if he can have the same impact when he’s comfortable on the ice.

Because let’s not forget one thing: before the start of last season, it was said that Dach had the potential to steal Nick Suzuki’s chair on the center of the first line.

Kirby has the skills to make it happen, but he’s been slowed down by injuries since his arrival in the National League.

He’s not lucky, and we’re seeing it again during training camp:

Hopefully Dach can stay healthy in the upcoming season.

That’s the most important thing, honestly. Because if he’s fit and gets his game back, he’ll be able to help the Habs on a regular basis.

Maybe that’s what the Habs lacked last season…

Overtime

– Interested parties:

– Done deal.

– Hmm…

– Whew. Go for it!

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Four points in one game at his age: Demidov breaks an SKA record

Yesterday, Ivan Demidov showed why the Habs selected him 5th overall in the draft.

The Habs prospect stood out in the KHL, finishing the game with a fine four points.

He scored two goals, and for the sake of the cause, I’d like to show you his first one again, because it was simply sublime:

Demidov’s performance earned him points with the coaching staff, but it also set a team record with SKA.

He became the youngest player in the organization to collect (at least) four points in a single game.

Matvei Michkov still holds the record for the youngest player to score two goals in the same game, having achieved this feat at the age of 16 (!!!) :

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Demidov is beginning to earn the trust of SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg.

For example, the Canadiens’ prospect spent a total of 16:26 on the ice yesterday in the game against Sochi, which equals his best playing time since the start of the season.

There was cause for concern about his playing time in recent weeks, but things seem to have settled down since then.

Demidov is playing better, gaining in confidence and it’s showing in his results on the ice.

After all, he’s now his club’s leading scorer… while being (by far) the youngest SKA player in St. Petersburg.

Seeing him perform like this is quite encouraging for what’s to come.

Overtime

– Dylan Guenther gets a big contract (deservedly so).

– Uh-oh.

– He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

– I love the Hurricanes’ team spirit.

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10 things that have caught my attention since the start of the camp

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Canadiens training camp got underway earlier this week, which means hockey is officially back.

And there are a few things to remember since the start of on-ice activities!

Firstly, I had the opportunity to be in Brossard yesterday and today to see the players train, and there’s one thing in particular that caught my eye: the fans are there.

The stands were packed again this morning for the intrasquad game.

The fans must have been bored:

We know how much sport brings people together in the city, especially when it comes to the Canadiens.

Fans are passionate, and it shows when you watch the CN Complex fill up during a simple training camp.

It’s a sight to behold.

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But of course… I didn’t just go to Brossard to count the number of fans at the training center.

What caught my eye on the ice?

1. The Habs’ first line won’t be dismantled for a bit if Suzuki, Slafkovsky and Caufield perform as they have since the start of camp.

Not only do they look good, but the chemistry between the three young forwards seems to be at its best. They were definitely the best players on the ice during yesterday’s intra-squad game, and again this morning in training, it looked easy.

2. There’s no way Lane Hutson won’t make the team in my eyes.

The defenseman does more than fine against NHL players and he plays like the Lane Hutson we know. He’s not afraid to get involved in battles on the ice, even though he’s smaller, and that’s relevant because many people are worried about his size.

It’s hard not to be impressed by his performance so far.

3. Let’s talk about David Reinbacher.

The Canadiens prospect, selected 5th overall in the 2023 draft, isn’t the most impressive player on the ice.

That’s not his style.

He seems to get a little stressed when he has the puck in his territory at times, and that affects his decision-making.

That said, it’s normal because he’s still adjusting to the size of North American rinks.

We have to give him time to get used to it, after all. For example, he kept the puck in his zone too long on one sequence this morning when he should have found an option to keep out of trouble. In the end, he created a turnover by giving the puck directly to the other team:

Optimism, patience, worry…

These are the words that come to mind when talking about David Reinbacher.

But we also thought of these words a year ago when we talked about Juraj Slafkovsky!

At the last training camp, 50% of people wanted to send Slaf to the AHL. Today, people are saying that Kent Hughes has made a bargain by signing him for eight years at a salary of less than $8 million…

What I mean is, don’t panic about David Reinbacher.

He’s young and will learn over time. There’s nothing wrong with that!

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4. Patrik Laine, Alex Newhook and Kirby Dach have been forming a line since yesterday, and it’s going well.

You can really feel that Laine and Dach are rusty, and that’s normal too, because they missed a lot of time before they could put on their skates again.

As for Newhook, he still has the same speed we saw last year. Chemistry is slow to develop between the three guys, though…

5. Justin Barron is one of the players who impress me most.

I get the impression that he understands that this may be his last chance to make his mark (in Montreal, at least) and it shows on the ice in his intensity.

He’ll have to fight for a spot, but he’ll give himself chances if he keeps it up.

6. Oliver Kapanen is quite a hockey player.

The forward is smart on the ice and that helps him create scoring chances. He scored two goals in yesterday’s intra-squad game and did some great things in training this morning.

I can see him perhaps forcing management’s hand if he dominates in preseason games.

7. Mike Matheson probably had a good summer in training because he’s been fast as a goat on the ice since the start of camp.

He looks like the defenseman who finished last season with 62 points.

8. Florian Xhekaj isn’t the most exciting guy to see on the rink, but he’s effective.

He hits the opposition, he’s capable of disrupting and he even brought some offensive flair to his game at camp.

He scored a beautiful goal yesterday, with a precise shot into the bottom of the net.

Watching him go, I’m thinking it might be more favorable to play him in a professional environment (and not junior) because he looks like a man on the ice.

9. Owen Beck needs to find a way to be more visible on the ice. He’s known as a more defensive player, but I still find him discreet on the ice.

But he hasn’t lost his talent in the face-off circle. That’s where he’s most effective.

10. In closing…

Joshua Roy doesn’t look like a tourist, but he also doesn’t look like a guy who wants to fight like hell for a job.

He did get on the ice in the intra-squad game today, but not enough for my taste.

Overtime

– Oh.

– Hello, Cole.

– Classic.

– Really?

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Canadiens: three players to watch on the market

As you know, NHL executives are always looking for ways to improve their clubs. And so is Kent Hughes, who just happens to be on the phone right now.

Does making a deal to move the club forward also mean that current players could go the other way in a trade? That’s a possibility on the table, I’m sure.

And on this subject, the website The Fourth Period has just published a text featuring three Habs players who could be at risk of changing address in the future.

In David Calabretta’s text, the names Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak and Josh Anderson came up in the discussion. These are names that come up a lot.

Obviously, Josh Anderson will be hard to get out because of his contract. Especially since the club most in need of a forward in the league is undoubtedly his former club, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

And since his value is low, I don’t really believe it.

Armia and Dvorak will be interesting cases. They’re at the end of their contracts, and in a third-line role, they can help a good club.

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However, the question is this: will Kent Hughes, who wants to add to his team, not subtract from it, manage to find a club that wants one of the guys AND is willing to give a piece that will suit Habs management?

Right now, I don’t see the fit, no.

I have a feeling that if the guys are leaving, it’s because the club’s season is drifting and the young guys are ready to take more. Otherwise, I don’t really see the Habs trading them at this point.

I also get the feeling that right now, Kent Hughes likes D-Vo’s value in Montreal as a left-handed center.

Overtime

– He can believe it, but…

– Too bad.

– Of note.

– Really?

– Big game tomorrow at Stade Saputo.

– I can imagine.

– Like it.

– Kirby, don’t get hurt.

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Kirby Dach sang Patrik Laine’s praises on John Scott’s podcast

Ever since he arrived in Montreal, everyone has been talking highly of Patrik Laine. His talent means that his new team-mates will do everything to make him feel at home.

But if there’s anyone it would be interesting to have chemistry with, it’s Kirby Dach. After all, both men are expected to play together this season – and they started camp on a line with Alex Newhook.

Appearing on John Scott’s podcast, Kirby Dach touched on a number of topics, including Patrik Laine. And while he clearly couldn’t publicly speak ill of his teammate, you can tell he was eager to sing his praises.

Dach, who says he’s healthy, says Laine is very talented and fun to work with. He loves his shot and the way the puck leaves his stick when he shoots.

And he adds:

He’ll be a lot of fun to play with this year. – Kirby Dach on Patrik Laine

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I’m repeating myself, but I really feel that pairing the two is a good idea because of their compatibility on the ice, but also because both will start the season slower.

Both haven’t played in many months due to the circumstances we know about, and they’ll need time to find their feet. In today’s intra-squad game in Brossard, Laine didn’t look 100% comfortable yet – and that’s normal.

If the two continue to work together, they can push each other to become better and get back into the rhythm of an NHL season. All the better if some chemistry develops between the two in the process.

To be continued this season.

Overtime

– Kirby Dach feels the support of the fans.

– Is this a test? Or is he just keeping Kaiden Guhle’s place?

– Lane Hutson learns.

– I love seeing that.

– Excellent.

– Promotion for Rick Nash.

– He risks tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars if he gets hurt.

– When the big bad social networks give us clues.

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Patrik Laine: a guy who’s used to giving $1,000 a point to support the community

It’s been one month to the day since Patrik Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

Laine has spoken to the media on more than one occasion, confessed he’s aiming for not 30 or 40 goals, but rather 50, put on his vest for the first time in the team dressing room (while dressed very casually), skated for the first time at the training complex, and taken part in the opening of training camp. Is Laine’s honeymoon in Montreal over?

Not at all! Even if he was rather effete in yesterday morning’s first intrasquad game, Laine remains very popular and quite a few people believe in him in Montreal: fans, players, coaches, management…

Laine seems to be in resplendent form, both physically and mentally.

But to hear Patrik Laine admit that he’s been through some tough times in recent years – comments echoed by a few members of the organization afterwards – reminds us that Laine has come a long way. Spending not 30 days, but several months in the NHL’s assistance program is no mean feat.

The important thing after this kind of ordeal (bereavement for his father, addiction, etc.) is to be well supported. And Laine is.

Why am I telling you all this? Because I was curious this morning last night, when I had insomnia, and I spent several minutes looking into the foundation set up by Patrik Laine and his wife.

(Credit: Instagram)

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First, you have to understand that Laine had pledged last October to donate $1,000 per point raised to the OhioHealth Foundation (mental health). Unfortunately, he only scored 9 small points in 2023-24, when he had to undergo surgery and joined the NHL’s assistance program. Johnny Gaudreau had agreed to emulate Laine’s initiative, whose life was sadly taken just a few weeks ago.

The previous season, he had done the same thing and handed over a cheque, but to support homelessness in Ohio. He had donated $52,000 to the Community Shelter Board. The Finn hasn’t been involved for a long time.

Second, Laine and his fiancée, Jordan Leigh, recently launched the From Us To You Foundation. There’s very little information on this new (and recent) foundation, but basically it’s asafe space to share, inspire, support and grow together on the official link.

Because when you’re dealing with mental health issues, feeling listened to, respected and supported is a must.

In fact, there are many inspiring thoughts on the foundation’s Instagram page.

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Does this mean that Laine is cured and all will be well for him this season in Montreal? Not necessarily. You’re never totally cured of this kind of illness; you’re in recovery. And a year ago, Laine seemed fine. A few months later, he had to seek help for a long time.

Still, I’m confident that Laine will have fought off many of his demons by 2024.

It will be interesting to see whether Laine will once again donate $1,000 per point raised (this time to his own foundation?), or whether he will participate in activities linked to the Canadiens Children’s Foundation. I’m pretty sure Laine will be heavily involved in 2024-25. Last week, he and his girlfriend attended a foundation event at the Douglas Hospital, an institute specializing in mental health care.

Extension

While digging into Patrik Laine and his foundation last night, I remembered that back in February, a few days after he joined the NHL Assistance Program, an Ohio-based podcaster referred to Laine as someone who was contemplating the idea of doing a Remmington Reirement.

A Remmington Retirement is an expression synonymous with suicide.

Let’s see taba*nak!

Laine, then in the help program, replied on X that it wasn’t right. Her post had been viewed nearly 4 million times and liked by 16,000 people.

You can criticize a player’s game, his attitude with the media or fans, some of his choices on weekend nights… but you can’t allude to the fact that he would, should or would want to commit suicide. Come on !!!!!!

Laine deserves our support, both hockey-wise and mentally. And if his on-ice game doesn’t hold up, we can criticize him like any other player. But let’s not speak ill of his mental health. OK? #Let’sBeBetter