Author: Dose

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Jackson LaCombe’s new contract: the market takes shape (again) for Lane Hutson

Lane Hutson’s contract situation has been the talk of the town this summer. The Habs defenseman has been eligible to sign a new contract since July 1, but as of today, nothing is settled. And in fact, it makes sense, given that both sides had an interest in waiting to see the conclusion of the Luke Hughes file. The Devils’ defenseman, who needed a contract for this year, finally signed yesterday: he got $9 million a year for seven years,so the market has been reset… and set for Hutson. But this afternoon, the picture got even clearer, as the Anaheim Ducks also paid for a top young left-handed defenseman: Jackson LaCombe.The Ducks’ defenseman signed an eight-year pact… for $9 million a year.

[content-ads]We can therefore assume that in Anaheim, the case of Hughes was also closely watched. Seeing LaCombe sign for the same annual salary less than 24 hours later gives us some good clues, let’s say.Especially as the two guys are in very similar situations: they’ve just racked up some 40 points and have been invited to the U.S. orientation camp for the upcoming Olympics.That said, all this suggests that the Hutson clan is starting to have some serious negotiating chips up their sleeve. Hutson is younger than either of these guys, and even though he wasn’t invited by the U.S., he just collected 66 points and won the Calder in his rookie year,so it’s logical to think he’ll want more money… even if, in reality, his situation is a little different from LaCombe’s: his next contract will buy far fewer years of complete autonomy, even if he signs for eight years.

So we’ll have to see how it all pans out, but the market for young, top-notch left-handed defensemen is starting to take shape.

And that shouldn’t make the Hutson clan too unhappy.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- The Lightning claim Pheonix Copley in the waivers. Is this a bad sign for Andrei Vasilevskiy

– Interesting.

– News from Alex Ovechkin.

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Fighting: Renaud Lavoie takes aim at the Legault government

Last night, Quebec’s Minister of Sports, Isabelle Charest, was in the news. In fact, following Tuesday’s match between the Senators and the Habs in Quebec City, she invited people to show their displeasure with fights in the NHL.So, for example, booing Arber Xhekaj after he threw down the gloves at the Bell Centre.And that, of course, didn’t exactly go down too well with everyone. We know that fights in hockey are something that many people hold dear… and above all, something that’s here to stay. And this morning, Renaud Lavoie took advantage of his appearance on BPM Sports to take a swipe at the Legault government and its stance on hockey.The entire segment is below, for those who want to listen. https://www.youtube.com/live/uqyC2lClZjI?si=t_kZxxLP73WGMMR1&t=4165 [content-ads]Basically, the informant explains that he finds the Minister’s comments completely absurd. He notes that fighting is an integral part of sport… and that booing players who throw down the gloves is something that will never happen.He even goes so far as to say that to think that, shows that this government knows nothing about hockey.

But he also mentions the QMJHL in this whole story, expressing indignation at the fact that the government has “politicized” the role of QMJHL commissioner by wanting to emphasize the abolition of fights, which resulted in Gilles Courteau leaving his post in somewhat ordinary fashion.Fights in the QMJHL, in the informant’s eyes, weren’t a problem. And yet, they were tackled anyway… so much so that today, the prejudice that the guys in the QMJHL are “soft” is even more amplified. What’s clear is that this issue continues to be the talk of the town. We know that fighting is a sensitive subject for many people… and what’s happened since Tuesday night has rekindled the debate throughout society.This debate, in my eyes, is rather futile in view of the fact that fighting is here to stay in the NHL.Spacer title=’Overtime’]– Wow.

– To watch.

– Who do you think will win?

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The Canadiens are no longer a small team, and the proof is in the pudding

It’s October 2. The CH’s regular season opens in six days’ time, and we’re waiting for the final cuts, hoping that everyone will be healthy enough to start the regular season on the right foot from Day 1. For many years, the Habs have had the cursed flaw of being a small team, of having too many small players in their line-up… Except that, looking at what the Habs line-up is likely to look like on October 8 in Toronto, we have to admit that no, the Canadiens are no longer a small team. Anyone who watched the Capitals vs. Canadiens series last spring knows how important it is in the playoffs not to be too small. On the blue line, the picture is clear. If everyone is healthy, we already know the identity of the seven defensemen who will start the season with the big club: Noah Dobson, Lane Hutson, Mike Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Alexandre Carrier, Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble.

Up front, we’re likely to count on these 14 forwards: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Zachary Bolduc, Alex Newhook, Patrik Laine, Kirby Dach, Oliver Kapanen, Josh Anderson, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Samuel Blais and Joe Veleno. Unless Blais, Kapanen or Veleno are sent to Laval before the first game of the season…In net, it’ll be Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes. Based on the heights and weights provided by the Canadiens after their medical examinations in September 2025, we’ve got this picture..Defensive
6’4 / 200 lbs 5’9 / 162 lbs 6’2 / 194 lbs 6’3 / 202 lbs 5’11 / 183 lbs 6’4 / 240 lbs 6’0 / 207 lbs
[content-ads]Forward
5’11 / 207 pounds 5’8 / 175 pounds 6’3 / 225 pounds 6’1 / 188 pounds 6’0 / 187 pounds 5’10 / 200 pounds 6’4 / 208 pounds 6’4 / 221 pounds 6’2 / 192 pounds 6’3 / 226 pounds 6’0 / 190 pounds 5’9 / 185 pounds 6’2 / 206 pounds 6’1 / 201 poundsGoaltenders6’3 / 218 pounds 6’4 / 215 poundsOf course, not everything is perfect. The Panthers won the Stanley Cup without any defensemen under six feet tall, and no defenseman that tall was drafted last June. Except that the Canadiens have Lane Hutson – no longer listed at 5’10, but rather at 5’9, by the way – and Alexandre Carrier… Offensively, yes, Cole Caufield and Brendan Gallagher are small, but one scores goals by the ton and the other sets an example by working like a dog night after night.

Except that, in general, it’s clear that the Canadiens are no longer one of the NHL’s smallest teams, and [content-ads]Do they have enough grit and toughness to go a long way this spring? Maybe not yet, but it’s coming. The recent game against the Senators shows that the group has learned since the Kassian / Montembeault / Petry episode. Jeff Gorton failed to win a Stanley Cup in New York because he underestimated the toughness aspect of the game… But he and Kent Hughes seem to be more aware of it now that they’re in Montreal. No fewer than 12 guys 6’2 or taller are likely to start the season with the big club this year.As I said last week: the Canadiens are now better equipped than the Panthers to win Stanley Cups in the medium/long term because of the age of their best players (and their bank of prospects). In short, the future is bright in Montreal. Let’s hope some gray clouds don’t cast a shadow over all this optimism that’s gripped the fans.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Attention all interested parties,

– Indeed.

– A new contributor to Tony Marinaro’s French-language show.

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Josh Anderson and Jake Evans practice in blue

This morning at the Canadiens’ practice session, there were five trios – or rather, four trios and a foursome. The forwards,including Ivan Demidov, practiced in front of many fans in Quebec City. Here’s what it looked like.

Of course, there are several things to note in all this. Starting with the fact that Brendan Gallagher is still with Zachary Bolduc and Kirby Dach, will that change? I don’t know. You’d think so, since the line Gally formed with Josh Anderson and Jake Evans has a good chance, according to logic, of reforming at some point. That’s why, even though it’s notable, I don’t make a big deal of Evans and Anderson (as well as Samuel Blais and Florian Xhekaj) wearing blue in practice.[For

Maybe that means something for Saturday… but for the season? I don’t see Anderson and Evans starting the regular season in the stands.Joe Veleno is practicing with Owen Beck and Patrik Laine. As for Oliver Kapanen, he seems to be on a regular line with, once again, Alex Newhook and Ivan Demidov. What are we clearing out of all this? To me, it’s the fact that Kapanen, more than ever, seems destined to start the season alongside Ivan Demidov. He seems to understand what the Russian wants to do on the ice. Spacer title=’Overtime’]- Contract extension in Calgary.

– One to watch tonight.

– His future lies elsewhere.

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Ivan Demidov at today’s practice session

The Canadiens are practicing at the Centre Vidéotron this morning, and of course, with so many banged-up players in town, we’re keeping an eye on a few cases. Among them? Ivan Demidov, who was unable to finish Tuesday’s game. All indications were that he was fine, but it’s still nice to see him skating this morning.

Does this mean he’ll play on Saturday? Not necessarily. After all, the Canadiens may decide to rest him to avoid a catastrophe. But if he’s healthy for the start of the season, the rest is secondary. As you can see in Renaud Lavoie’s video, many fans came out to see the Senators practice , the favorite team of Quebec Canadiens fans.

The people of Quebec City love their hockey too, of course [content-ads]

Details to come…

[spacer title=’en rafale’]- Official.

– Bringing back the Nordiques: too expensive.[BPM Sports] – Oui.

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Arber Xhekaj, assistant to the captain: push, but push evenly

There’s an ongoing debate as to whether Arber Xhekaj should have an “A” on his jersey for the next few years. Recently, he was seen sporting the title of assistant captain during camp. This morning, on BPM Sports, Anthony Marcotte and Gilbert Delorme were obstinate on the subject:

According to Gilbert Delorme, it wouldn’t be naughty to name him since the way his teammates react around him says a lot about what he exudes. And according to Anthony Marcotte, the answer is no since he’s a support player. It’s true, as Gilbert says, that it’s not just the stars who get a letter. But does that make Xhekaj an assistant? Not in my eyes. And not in Montreal[content-ads]I don’t see the current management giving Xhekaj a letter. The relationship obviously hasn’t always been easy, and while I know things can change, I have a feeling it would take a big change for that to happen. How can a player who didn’t play every game in the playoff race and was left out for two games in Washington get a letter later? I don’t see it. When Brendan Gallagher and Mike Matheson have to be replaced, I see candidates before the Sheriff. For example? Jake Evans and Alexandre Carrier, keeping with the theme of depth players, would be ahead of Xhekaj in my eyes. And in a few years’ time, the Habs will also see which stars can earn a letter, but that doesn’t mean the player isn’t important. And as we said this week, he and his brother are getting more and more recognition in the NHL – especially after Tuesday’s game. But Arber with an “A” on his jersey? Pushes, but pushes even, in my opinion.[spacer title=’en rafale’]- To watch.

– Of note.

– Beautiful photo.

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ÉCJ: fan discontent could prevent Michael McLeod from signing for Carolina

As of yesterday, the five players on Team Canada Junior can sign with an NHL team. The contract can’t be official until October 15, though. And the guys won’t be able to play until December 1, regardless. #SuspensionIt’s October 2 and nothing has been announced by a whistleblower. And on that subject, Chris Johnston has gone into detail on the matter for The Athletic.

Basically, Carter Hart is fully expected to sign in Vegas at this point. And Johnston raises the possibility that nothing was done yesterday since October 1 is a dark day in Vegas. In 2017, 58 people lost their lives in a mass killing.But it should happen soon.[content-ads]It’s unclear whether the others will sign. After all, are Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube or Cal Foote good enough to make the signing worthwhile? Each team has its own answer to that question, but Michael McLeod is lining up to sign. Recently, there have been numerous rumours linking Hart and McLeod tothe Hurricanes. Chris Johnston, again in his Five Guys piece, reports that the Hurricanes have received so much negative feedback in connection with the rumour that the club is considering dropping the project altogether.

Let’s remember that there was notably a movement to have season tickets cancelled in the event of one of the players signing. There ‘s talk of a petition (with nearly 1,700 signatures) being set up to prevent these guys from signing in Carolina.The people there have decided to assert their right to speak out.Even if the players in the locker room don’t mind (publicly, at least) with a potential McLeod signing, the project might just fall through.Let’s see how this turns out.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- New York vibrates to the rhythm of the Yankees.

– Indeed.

– Oh yeah?

–

– It’s going to be quite a series.

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Lane Hutson contract: no more than $9 million, believes Renaud Lavoie

Lane Hutson’s contract continues to be a polarizing issue: right now, the Canadiens clearly have the upper hand in negotiations, and they clearly don’t want to give in. They want to make sure that Lane Hutson is not in a strong negotiating position, but the more time passes, the more it will go in the player’s favor. The proof? Luke Hughes’

There’s a world in which Hutson will be looking for a few million dollars more per season compared to what he would have signed in recent months.

Pierre LeBrun, on TSN 690, said the Habs would have liked to have settled Hutson’s contract beforehand. That’s clearly the most logical explanation.

[content-ads]And on that subject, this morning Renaud Lavoie was asked by the morning guys at BPM Sports. How much money does he think Hutson will fetch on his next contract? In his eyes, it won’t exceed the $9 million mark. Between 8.5 and 9, according to the informer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqyC2lClZjI Is Renaud Lavoie saying this because Lane Hutson isn’t better than Luke Hughes? That’s not why he’s saying it.Everyone knows that #48 of the Habs has talent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GberU395w84 But you have to keep in mind that Hughes (the player, not the GM) had an advantage: time was running out and the Devils didn’t want to start the season without him. He also has more NHL experience. If Hutson finishes in the top-5 for the Norris and isn’t signed next year following a 79-point season, for example, we’ll see. But right now, Renaud Lavoie seems confident that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will hold their own. That’s how HuGo has operated since the change in management… and that’s probably why nothing seems imminent. It remains to be seen whether it will work.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- He’ll be back in the Golden Knights environment.

– End of bullying in town?

– Ouch.

– À lire.

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“Lane Hutson will cost the Habs $20 million more next year”

Luke Hughes’ new 7-year, $9 million per season contract with the New Jersey Devils has been the talk of the town since this morning. First, it establishes a new metric for defensemen in the NHL and, second, the comparison with Lane Hutson’s new contract is very easily made. The $1 million question (or rather, 9 and up): how much is Lane Hutson worth tonight? Given the

Let’s say Hutson signs a 7-year contract, that’s almost $3M per season the Habs could have saved themselves, according to McCagg, whereas if he signs for 8 years, it’s $2.5M per year.

His analysis is interesting insofar as it includes the other contracts that have been signed in the last few years, including of course Kirill Kaprizov’s. [content-ads]As Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston write, Kaprizov’s contract will lead to a huge movement towards more outrageous contracts. He’ll be worth 17.8% of payroll, which is no mean feat. Many agents have confirmed to them that this contract is like an earthquake throughout the NHL.

So McCagg is right that the Habs will lose out by not giving him a contract this summer. I’m of the same opinion, but be warned: I don’t think it’ll be that much. Why not? Because Kent Hughes isn’t the type to give in to NHL trends, and Hutson sees himself in Montreal for the long term. Will Hutson accept a discounted contract? Not immensely, but I think the demands will be reasonable. Hutson sees the team culture with the Caufields, Suzukis and Slafkovskys, and seems to embrace it. It remains to be seen whether this will translate into his contract. spacer title=’Overtime’] – Nice show of character yesterday.

– That would be a logical number if he continues to perform.

– Let’s just say he really hasn’t made any friends.

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NHL opening game: ESPN analyst misses it

The NHL season kicks off in just one week! After a long summer of waiting, it’s impossible not to be excited, isn’t it? Especially if you’re an employee of the firm that will be broadcasting a lot of games as well as the Stanley Cup, right? That’s the message ESPN analyst Ben McDonald probably didn’t get. The MLB analyst who was working on the Cubs playoff game earlier today was called out by the host on the Chicago Blackhawks opening game. ESPN will be showing that game next Tuesday, and let’s just say the analyst dropped it.

–

“There’s zero chance I’ll be watching this, I’m just gonna be honest with you. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but there’s no way I’m listening.”

–

Ben McDonald

This isn’t the first time ESPN has dropped it. The channel, which recently signed a deal to broadcast the WWE, seems more interested in other sports than NHL hockey.

That’s the conclusion of Full Press Media reporter Jim Biringer. He cites the 2025 series, where we had to wait until the final game to hear about Connor McDavid and his possible Conn Symthe [content-ads] He’s not wrong. ESPN is really more focused on the NBA and NFL, and McDonald’s situation is hard to understand. He could simply have kept his mouth shut or given a positive message about the game. We often see this on RDS or TVA Sports when the hosts announce the presentation of another sporting event unrelated to the one being broadcast at the time. Both the commentator and the analysis don’t comment, unless it serves to promote the event in question. We’ll see if there are consequences, but let’s just say it wasn’t the best of ideas. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – New York fights back.

– Pretty interesting.

– Another case to follow.