Author: Dose

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STM strike: it’s going to be hell getting to the Bell Centre tonight

They say a strike has to hurt to have any effect. And if that’s the case, the STM is going to have a field day tonight.The Penguins will be in town, and the game takes place at 7 p.m.I’m not sure how full it will be in the Temple , since many people, in light of the strike, may decide to stay home. As the Canadiens said in a press release, there will be no metro or bus service between 5:45 and 11 p.m.. We’re talking 75 minutes before the game and 75 minutes after the game. #Ouch

[content-ads]Having spoken to someone in the Canadiens organization, we can confirm that internally, there is concern. Here’s what the Habs have to sayon the subject:

Alternative means of transportation include nearby parking, commuter trains, REM, cabs, carpooling services and BIXI.

The Bell Centre, which is always full when the Habs are playing, isn’t the most accessible place by car. And there, without the metro or bus, parking will be even more difficult. Getting there will be hell. Getting out too. How much is it worth for a Penguins game… without Sidney Crosby?Getting around town today is definitely a challenge. With Quebec truckers also choosing to slow down traffic in some cities, including Montreal, it’s quite a challenge in terms of getting around. Have a good Monday. [spacer title=’Overtime’]- Practice: it’s at 10:30am.

– Great message.

– Alex Newhook, a center?[TSN 690] – Renaud Lavoie said this morning that Rafaël Harvey-Picard will play tonight for the Penguins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=336Ax2WIZiU

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Arber Xhekaj on Martin St-Louis: “He treats me as if I were his own son”

The relationship between Arber Xhekaj and Martin St-Louis is puzzling many fans. One wonders if the head coach really likes Xhekaj, since the latter has visited the press gallery on a few occasions. However, Martin St-Louis recently made it clear: he loves Arber Xhekaj. There aren’t many guys like Arber. Personally, I see a few similarities between him and Sheldon Souray. Two strong left-handed defenders with a good feel for the game, a very heavy shot and who scare the hell out of opponents. Xhekaj may be more intimidating than Souray, but Souray was much better offensively. But there’s only one Arber Xhekaj: he’s a diamond in the rough who needs polishing. As for his relationship with MSL, Xhekaj also confirmed that things are going very well between the two. According to him, St-Louis treats him as if he were his own son, as reported by Eric Engels in an interview he obtained with the colossal Habs defenseman with Sportsnet.

[content-ads]Full interview to be published tomorrow morning.

“He’s certainly hard on me sometimes, because he knows what I can become and what I can do and he wants it so much for me.”

–

Arber Xhekaj

Xhekaj knows that St. Louis will be intense with him on occasion, but he knows it’s for his own good. The coach wants #72 to become a fearsome player who executes plays quickly, while being a solid physical defender overall.

“He believes I can aim for a bigger ceiling.”

–

Arber Xhekaj

After these comments from both parties, it’s clear that there really is a good relationship between the two men. A healthy relationship between a player and his coach is worth its weight in gold, because the coach will always want the best, and having the best version of Arber Xhekaj in Montreal is something every fan dreams of, because we know he has great potential, and there are no two like him. If he can protect his team-mates, strike fear into the hearts of opponents, while still being able to contribute offensively and defensively, he can become very dangerous. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – He didn’t take too long.

– Auston Matthews looks forward to no more questions about Mitch Marner.

– Read on.

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This could be Michel Bergeron’s last year in the media

Michel Bergeron has been the talk of the town for decades, both as a coach and on TV. He’s a great public figure in the Quebec sports world, and has had a great influence on many. But all that can’t go on forever.Le Tigre gave an excellent interview to Jean-Nicolas Blanchet, and since the two know each other personally, it made for a rather emotional interview.Bergy is now 79 years old, and 80 is fast approaching for the veteran of Québécois sports media. In this interview, Bergeron doesn’t rule out the idea that this could be his last year in the media.It would definitely be the end of an era.

[content-ads]The relationship between Jean-Nicolas Blanchet and Michel Bergeron goes back many years, as the latter once coached Blanchet’s father in the junior ranks.

Although he has coached some 1,000 players in his career, as Blanchet reports, Bergeron will never forget his players. It has to be said that Bergeron is not a unanimous favorite among sports fans. He is aware that many fans criticize him for his “drivel” about the Quebec Nordiques and the Stastnys. He’s wondered whether he should stop talking about it, but as Bergeron said in the interview, it’s his memories and he can’t get it out of his head. Le Tigre doesn’t have social networks, but he still hears about the many criticisms he receives. And his wife and children see this criticism and ask him to stop: they really don’t like it, seeing him receive so much hate. And understandably so: it’s very difficult to see someone close to you criticized in this way by so many people. But there will always be haters on the networks, and you can’t let them dictate your career. But Bergeron also mentioned that he considers himself the luckiest man in the world. He was a truck driver and one day he was asked to coach a team. That’s where it all started. The rest is history.[spacer title=’Overtime’] – It passed close.

– When you think about it, it’s intense…

– He’s pretty funny that Matthew Schaefer.

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Alexandre Carrier thinks Kaiden Guhle is almost as good as Jaccob Slavin

The Canadiens organization focused on improving its defensive brigade over the summer, and the departure of David Savard from the team was offset by the arrival of Noah Dobson, a more talented player who should play a lot of minutes for the Habs next season.

However, in addition to improving individual talent, Dobson should stabilize the Habs’ defense as a whole, allowing all of the team’s backs to play their ideal positions in the lineup. While many fans are eager to see the Habs’ “new” defense brigade in action, Alexandre Carrier is also particularly enthusiastic about what he’s seen.

Although the Québécois may have a less important role next season, he is encouraged by the presence of several talented mobile defensemen with the team. In fact, as we learn in an article by Nicolas Cloutier published on TVA Sports, Carrier particularly praises teammate Kaiden Guhle, whom he sees as a player almost on the level of Jaccob Slavin.

[content-ads]The Hurricanes defenseman is still considered one of the NHL’s best defensive players.

Carrier had a front-row seat to observe Guhle as the two played several games together on the Habs blue line last season. According to the Québécois defenseman, speaking of his former defensive partner: “He plays like he’s been in the League for 10 years. He’s really mature and confident. He makes solid plays and is good defensively. It’s true that even though he’s less in the spotlight than Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, Guhle is doing a great job as a stay-at-home defenseman and has become an important part of the Habs’ success.

I expect to see his playing time increase next season (he played an average of 21:10 minutes per game in the regular season last year) and if he can continue his progression (he’s only 23), he could indeed be one of the League’s good defensive defensemen possibly as early as next season.Let’s just say that an “almost” Jaccob Slavin, I’ll take one or even two on my team any day.

[spacer title=’En rafale’] – A lot of talent in front of the net.

– Can he make it?

– Any changes to the current format?

– His first preseason game.

– The 49ers win a close game.

– Ouch!

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Beck/Kapanen or Veleno/Blais: two big, distinct battles

The most important part of the Montreal Canadiens’ training camp kicks off tomorrow night, when the Habs host the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first pre-season game. That’s when the real action begins, and therefore, the real battles for positions with the Habs. And, in my opinion, the only real battle for positions is at forward, on the “bottom-6”.

As much as I like Adam Engstrom and would like to see him win a position in Montreal, I don’t think the Habs’ current defense will be shaken or altered as a result of practice camp.

Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier, Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble will be the Habs’ seven defensemen on October 8 in Toronto. On offense, however, that’s where there’s a position available, when there would be no one to pack in as would be the case on defense.

That 12ᵉ forward spot, well, it will have to be filled by Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Joe Veleno or Samuel Blais. And unlike others, I don’t think Veleno and Blais will necessarily be prioritized.

[content-ads] I really believe that it’s the practice camp that will dictate Martin St-Louis’ final decisions for his October 8 line-up, regardless of who’s eligible for the waivers. It’s the preparatory games that will influence St-Louis, whether he opts for youth or experience.

Personally, the way I see it, there are two distinct battles, and both will result in a position with the Habs to fill the 12th forward position, and the 13th forward position. Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen will fight to stay in Montreal, and the same goes for Joe Veleno and Samuel Blais.

I sincerely believe that the Habs will decide to keep one youngster and one “veteran” in Montreal, in order to balance things out and also to give Beck or Kapanen a chance to really establish themselves in the NHL.

Obviously, things could really change, but that’s really the impression I get, especially after seeing Beck play alongside Alex Newhook and Zachary Bolduc in the last few days. For me, the winner of the fight between Beck and Kapanen will be prioritized, but he won’t have that much rope before being replaced by the winner of the fight between Veleno and Blais.

In short, we can’t be sure of such an outcome, because if the two veterans perform better than the two prospects, they’ll be prioritized, but well, that remains to be seen. What’s clear is that I can’t see the Habs keeping Beck AND Kapanen in Montreal, because having a youngster in the stands wouldn’t be ideal.

[spacer title=’En Rafale’] – Good news from the Leafs:

– Of note from the Ducks.

– To read.

– Question mark for the Wild.

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“If David Reinbacher is on the market, the other 31 teams are going to call Kent Hughes.”

David Reinbacher is having a rather ordinary camp so far, as the defenseman didn’t break anything during the Prospects Face-Off. As my colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois says, he’s still far from having earned his place with the club. For the time being, it’s prospect Adam Engström who’s standing out on the blue line. Should we be worried about Reinbacher’s poor camp so far? Absolutely not. Reinbacher only played 23 games last year, including the playoffs, due to a knee injury sustained during last year’s practice camp, and has yet to fully regain his cruising speed. That’s one of the reasons why, in his case, it’s ideal to play a lot of minutes in Laval to regain his rhythm and continue his development.

Nicolas Cloutier discussed the 20-year-old defenseman’s situation on The Sick Podcast.

[content-ads] According to him, in addition to his imposing physique, the right-handed defenseman has everything you could want in an NHL defenseman and should become an important part of the Habs defense within five years.

Cloutier, who would still take Reinbacher ahead of Matvei Michkov, also believes that the prospect could be very valuable, and that if he were on the trade market, quite a few NHL general managers would be interested in acquiring him.Indeed, right-handed backs with this kind of potential are pretty rare and very much in demand across the League.

Could Reinbacher become the centerpiece of a deal for the Canadiens to acquire a second center? It’s a very remote possibility, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the defenseman’s name came up frequently in the requests of other GMs in discussions with Kent Hughes.

However, if the Canadiens decide to trade the Swiss player, they’d better make sure they get an excellent return on the trade, because the last thing the organization and the fans want to see is a Ryan McDonagh scenario.Let’s just say it would take a lot more than a Scott Gomez to let Reinbacher go.

And personally, I’d like to see the young defenseman stay with the Habs. spacer title=’Overtime’] – (Another) night to forget.

– Indeed.

– Justin Carbonneau scores on an assist from Logan Mailloux

– Fourth straight loss for the Jays.

– Ouch!

– Yankees closing in.

– He beats Ken Griffey Jr.’s mark

– Darnell Nurse is made captain?!?

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Adam Engström: if he knows a big camp, he could force Kent Hughes to move

While many were looking forward to watching David Reinbacher at the rookie and practice camps, the Swede showed great promise in the prospect face-off games. Engström has progressed very well since being selected in the third round, 92nd overall, in the 2022 draft. In his first season in North America, the defenseman scored 27 points, including five goals, in 66 games with a plus-14 rating with the Laval Rocket, and added five assists in 13 games during the AHL playoffs. He also added five assists in 13 games during the AHL playoffs. Engström has good skating and vision, which enable him to stand out both in support of the attack and in his own zone. He’s calm in his play and always well-positioned, which enables him to make the right decisions on the ice.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the 21-year-old defenseman fares in the Canadiens’ warm-up games. If Engström keeps up his momentum and performs well in these games, he could well come in and force the Habs’ hand, as Nicolas Cloutier discussed with Matt Ohayon on The Sick Podcast.

[content-ads] There isn’t really room right now with the team, but current management has shown us in the past that they’re willing to make room for a young player if he proves he’s ready to play in the NHL.

However, if the Canadiens decide to start the season with him in Montreal, the team has little choice but to make a trade, and I have a feeling that the player sacrificed could well be Mike Matheson.

Engström is a left-handed defenseman capable of being good in both zones and that’s kind of Matheson’s role with the Habs, so if the club can replace him with a younger, cheaper player on the third pair of defensemen, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kent Hughes make a trade to get rid of the veteran.

But it all depends on Engström’s performance over the next two weeks. spacer title=’Overtime’] – The starting eleven.

– Still, two Habs prospects in the Atlantic.

– Artemi Panarin on the market?

– Bad news

– Michael Hage’s little brother

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Mason McTavish ready to sign for less money than Nick Suzuki

Mason McTavish is at theheart of a complex situation with the Ducks. The center, who is out of contract for next season, is currently inOttawa to stay in shape as the Ducks’ camp gets underway in Anaheim. Clearly, negotiations aren’t going anywhere.What we understand is that the Ducks don’t seem to want to offer him a long contract. The club wants a transition pact… but even so, they don’t want anything to do with trading him.

We still didn’t know what the numbers were on this one… but now David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period) has written about it on his website.

According to Pagnotta, the Ducks won’t offer him more than $5.5 million a year over five years… while McTavish would like to sign a seven- or eight-year deal for between $7 million and $8 million a year.He’s obviously willing to sign for less money than Nick Suzuki ($7.875 million a year).

When you consider that McTavish is a big guy who plays center and found his way to the offensive end last year, it’s surprising that the Ducks wouldn’t jump at such an offer.

You almost have to wonder why… because at that amount in a salary cap that’s only going to skyrocket, it seems like a very, very good deal for a top-6 center.And obviously, from the perspective that the Habs have been linked to McTavish, it’s interesting to see that he wouldn’t be a problem for the salary structure in town (assuming he’d be willing to sign for the same amount in Montreal). It’s logical to think that it would cost the club a lot of money in a trade, but not necessarily in terms of salary.In fact, at the moment, the club doesn’t want anything to do with trading him. But as Pierre LeBrun noted, who knows if all that will change if the matter isn’t settled in October… and October is only 10 days away.[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Indeed.

🏒

– Of note:

– The race to the playoffs is crazy in MLB.

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Juraj Slafkovský: his attitude and involvement in the camp are criticized

Juraj Slafkovský is off to a flying start with the Canadiens this year. The Slovak, who is entering the first year of his eight-year contract, needs to prove that he can start his season from day one (and not just after Christmas).His bosses confronted him about this at the end of last season, and Martin St-Louis reminded us yesterday: Slaf isn’t 18 anymore, and he needs to act accordingly.

Clearly, then, we would have expected to see him attack training camp with the knife between his teeth… but according to Anthony Martineau(TVA Sports), that’s far from the case. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Martineau explained how much he didn’t like Slaf ‘s attitude and effort in practice this morning.

He looked bad against an ECHL player (Darick Louis-Jean), and instead of being whipped in his pride, he just smiled.[content-ads]And that, in effect, is what club officials are blaming Slafkovský for: the forward needs to show discipline and effort, which we don’t seem to be seeing at the moment.

It’s still early days and there’s still time for things to change… but therein lies the problem: after everything we’ve heard about Slaf from his bosses, it’s worrying to see that the message hasn’t got through at the start of camp.It’s possible that the Slovakian is simply having a bad day. But for a guy who’s starting a new contract and says he’s motivated to have a big start to the season, that’s not the kind of attitude you want to see.You play the way you practice, after all.Let’s see if Slaf can adjust over the next few days, but this is definitely a story to keep an eye on. Spacer title=’Overtime’]- I like it. How about you?

– Jake Evans sees him being good in that role too. Could the two be a pair?

– That’s a fight to watch.

– Interesting.

– He doesn’t want to leave the Bronx.

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Kirby Dach: Martin Lemay sees him scoring “at least” 65 points this season

What can we expect from Kirby Dach in 2025-26? That’s THE big question surrounding the Canadiens at the moment. The center, who is coming back from a second major knee injury, is expected to start the year at the center of the second line. It’s a position the Habs have been trying to fill all summer, without success, and since they haven’t been able to, Dach finds himself there by default. The club must therefore be hoping that #77 will return to the form of his early days in Montreal… and Martin Lemay seems to believe it. On his show Le Retour avec Martin Lemay, the host discussed Dach’s case… and what he mentioned was that he has high expectations for Dach this season.In fact, he sees him scoring “at least” 65 points this season.

[content-ads]In 117 games with the Canadiens, Dach scored just 62 points. We’ve seen him have his moments (especially on the wing of the first line), but we’re talking about a guy who has never collected more than 38 points in a season in the Bettman circuit.Even 65 points in a season, he only did that once in junior, having collected 73 points in 62 games in his final year in the WHL.

That said, it’s true that Dach has rarely played with such talented wingers as Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov, who should start the year on the second line with him. In fact, the only other time he’s been so well surrounded was when he played with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield… and by then, he was racking up points at a pretty impressive rate.But then again, the sample size was small… and Dach was hampered by injuries. If he scores 65 points in a season, it’s hard to imagine a world in which he’d have to miss much of it.If all that happens, though, Lemay is right that it would solve (not nearly) the club’s second-center problem. And if Dach is finally able to turn the corner this year, it’s true that it would be easier for Kent Hughes to sign him on the cheap and have a good player signed on the cheap for a few years.But then again, we’re a long way from that scenario. Let’s start by wishing Dach to play 65 games (which he’s only done once since the start of his NHL career), and then we’ll see about the points, shall we?[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Great news for Bryce Pickford.

– I like it.

– Not wrong, hehe.

– Interesting.