Author: Dose

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Zachary Bolduc doesn’t have Martin St-Louis’ confidence (and the trip proves it)

Zachary Bolduc broke all records in his first few games in Montreal. One of the summer’s big acquisitions, the Québécois scored three goals and four points in his first three games… and he stood out on the ice.

For all the right reasons, of course.

That said, since then, it’s been a little less obvious for Bolduc. He’s registered just one goal and one assist in his last eight games… and for a while now, he’s been playing less and less.

In fact, if you look at the four games played during the trip out West, you’ll notice that Bolduc is the regular forward who has averaged the least playing time per game.

Only Arber Xhekaj, a defenseman whose playing time is also the subject of debate, spent less time on the ice on average per game than Bolduc among the club’s regulars.

(Credit: Screenshot/StatMuse)

All this is rather peculiar in that, during this sequence, Joe Veleno (who started the year in the press gallery) played more than Bolduc. And this despite the fact that Bolduc gets ice time on the powerplay (even though he lost his spot on the first wave).

It’s debatable whether Bolduc is more bothered by his groin injury than we think… but what’s clear right now is that Bolduc doesn’t have the confidence of his coach, who challenged him in front of the media ten days ago. And we can logically assume that all this is linked.

Yesterday, Bolduc’s playing time increased slightly, as he spent 13:28 on the ice. That’s quite an improvement considering he played 10:45, 10:11 and 11:57 in the first three games of the trip.

But for a guy who spent 15 minutes or so on the ice per game at the start of the season, that’s still very little. And you have to wonder what’s going on at this level, especially since Bolduc doesn’t play particularly badly when he’s on the ice.

Overtime

– Well done.

– Logical.

– That’s right.

– Fair enough.

– He’ll be back on Saturday.

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Juraj Slafkovsky on track for 37-goal season

Are we witnessing the blossoming of Juraj Slafkovsky?

The big Slovak has been one of the team’s best forwards of late. He’s fulfilling his role to perfection, giving the Canadiens one of the best first trios in the National League.

You can see why, at least, he was selected with the very first pick of the 2022 auction.

What I like right now is Slaf’s ability to find the back of the net. He’s involved on the ice and that’s helping him succeed offensively. He’s already got five goals, after all.

And over a full 82-game season… that gives him a 37-goal pace. Which is pretty good, thank you very much.

We were all difficult at one point with Slaf. It took a long time to see him become the player he is today – but the wait was worth it… because today, he’s indispensable in Martin St-Louis’ line-up.

He hasn’t always lived up to expectations, and there’s been plenty of criticism of him in recent years. But now… he deserves to be given a pat on the back.

He deserves credit for his performances on the ice. And if he can keep up this pace, he’ll not only become even more important to the Canadiens: he’ll also establish himself as one of the best players in the National League.

That’s what you want from a first overall pick, after all. And so much the better, if he can find his rhythm and continue to help the club as he has done so well in recent games.

He’s starting to make his mark in Montreal, anyway…

Overtime

– Put some on.

– He was good yesterday.

– Zach Hyman will return to action soon.

– The Jays need him.

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Logan Cooley at $10M or Juraj Slafkovsky at $7.6M?

The Utah Mammoth have announced that they have reached an agreement with Logan Cooley.

The forward has signed an eight-year contract (2026 to 2034) worth $80 million. He will earn $10 million per season under the terms of a contract that includes no signing bonus.

It’s the third-biggest contract in history for a player coming off his entry-level contract.

The question is whether we’d rather have Logan Cooley at $10 million or Juraj Slafkovsky at $7.6 million. These are two players the Canadiens could have drafted first overall in June 2022.

Cooley was selected third overall by the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes… moments before the Canadiens announced the Kirby Dach trade. #Center

It’s agreed that when it comes to the actual player right now, the answer is Logan Cooley ahead of Slaf. The Mammoth player is, in October 2025, the better player of the two. He plays center, he scores more, he collects more points, and so on.

Cooley, in Montreal, would form an incredible one-two punch at center with Nick Suzuki.

But I’d be curious to ask Kent Hughes. After all, he’s looking for a center… but he’s also the one who drafted Slaf over center players like Shane Wright and Logan Cooley.

Without wishing to impugn his intentions, I’m sure the Habs GM would raise two points.

  • Salary scale
  • Slaf’s progress on the first line

Cooley, who plays mostly center, may one day be better than Nick Suzuki. It’s hard to say, because both continue to progress.

But at $10 million, Cooley would be paid more than anyone else in Montreal. Clearly, the Mammoth player didn’t take a discount like we often see here. Or at least, he didn’t take the same discount we see in Montreal.

More importantly, if Slaf wasn’t in town, who would be playing with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield?

I agree that it’s harder to develop a top-notch center than a winger. But the chemistry the guys on the first line have been developing together for years is paying off in Montreal right now.

I imagine Kent Hughes, if asked about it, would say that it takes specific ingredients to build a hockey club that aspires to the Stanley Cup.

And that’s not wrong: if Slaf has an important role to play in a possible Stanley Cup conquest, Cooley will be the least of Habs fans’ worries.

But on the other hand, in terms of talent, it’s true that the Canadiens could have drafted Logan Cooley, Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov from 2022 to 2024.

I find the debate interesting. But since Slaf hasn’t finished developing either, and seems keen to move on to the next level, we’ll give him time to see what he can become before judging the 2022 draft.

overtime

– That helps the Blue Jays.

– Read more.

– Also seen.

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Olympic Games: Oliver Kapanen projected in Finland’s line-up (but not Patrik Laine)

Oliver Kapanen is making a name for himself.

He’s tied for first in the NHL in rookie goals scored and has seven points in just 11 games so far this season.

There’s a world in which he doesn’t finish the season in Montreal… but still: he’s making a good impression, right now.

The centerfielder is performing so well that he’s being projected as a guy who’ll take part in the Olympic Games with Finland in 2026. He’s on the list of 14 NHL forwards with a chance of making the club (like Joel Armia, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen, who also played for the Canadiens).

And for those wondering… No, Patrik Laine is not on the list. He’s injured at the moment and may miss the tournament:

Looking at the list above, it’s clear that the Finns don’t have much forward depth.

And if Kapanen makes the club, I have a feeling he’ll have a reserve role… because there are at least 12 guys who are better than him in my eyes. Unless we decide to use him on a fourth line to bring some energy and stability to the defensive zone?

All in all, it will also depend on Kapanen’s performance between now and the start of the Olympic tournament. If he continues to improve and can become an important player for Finland because of his 200-foot game, that’ll be great news for him.

And it could also be an important step in his development… because it could help him gain confidence too.

It would be nice to see him represent the Canadiens at the Olympics. Especially if Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield are ignored by the American team…

Overtime

– That’s right.

– What a story!

– Sick.

– Still.

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Jakub Dobes… and the power of his mattress

Three months ago, Jakub Dobes posted a photo on his Instagram showing him lying on a new mattress. He was promoting Jump mattresses for the JumpBed company, and it got people talking because his teammates denied him in the comments.

But…

But since Dobes posted said photo, he hasn’t lost to the NHL yet. Is the power of the mattress real… or just a meaningless coincidence?

Dobes has not lost in his last eight games (including the preparatory schedule) and is literally dominant in front of the net.

Stéphane Gonzalez and Georges Laraque took the opportunity to talk about this on their show today. And the result was quite comical… because Georges was seen recreating the goalie’s pose on his bed:

Jakub Dobes is clearly sleeping soundly at the moment. He’s playing big, quality hockey, and it coincides nicely with the post of the popular photo of him on his new mattress.

But this makes it hard to know what to think about Samuel Montembeault at the moment. Does he deserve a chance to shine on Saturday, when the Senators visit the Bell Centre for the first time this season?

Or will Martin St-Louis want to go with his big goalie, who seems to be invincible at the moment? After all, it’s hard to fault Dobes at the moment…

He’s one of the best goalies in the league in terms of advanced stats, and he’s simply unbeatable.

Jakub Dobes seems to have blossomed since the start of the season, and that makes things a little more difficult for Martin St-Louis in terms of his decisions in front of the net.

But I’m sure the Canadiens’ pilot finds it a “beautiful” problem. His team is winning and at the top of the NHL standings, after all…

Overtime

– Yes, Joe.

– He’s getting more complete.

– Nice.

– The end of the series will be exciting.

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One goal, three points: another big game from Alexander Zharovsky

Will Alexander Zharovsky one day play with Ivan Demidov in Montreal? It’s possible.

In any case, the Canadiens’ prospect, who is playing in Russia this season, is doing everything in his power to excite fans and stay on the radar of Canadiens management.

Again today, he collected three points in his KHL game. Among other things, he found the back of the net.

In a 6-1 win for his club today, he scored and dished out two assists in 16 minutes of playing time. He also spent nearly three minutes on the ice on the powerplay.

In short, he has his coach’s confidence.

Zharovsky, who has won four of his nine face-offs, now has 12 points in as many games since the start of his regular season, since his return from injury.

He has five goals and seven assists, and is rolling along at a rate of one point per game. Remember: he’s playing in the KHL at the age of 18.

Obviously, that means he’s working the right way. Otherwise, you’d think he wouldn’t necessarily be getting that kind of playing time at his age.

The fact that he’s under contract in Russia until the summer of 2027 should help, as should the fact that the Habs aren’t necessarily trying everything they can to bring him to Montreal as quickly as possible.

We’ll see if he can keep up his good work over the coming months. Because that’s the challenge facing young players: to achieve maximum consistency.

So, for the time being, we can only say that things are going well for Zharovsky, who is brimming with talent.

overtime

– Wow.

– Why wasn’t it awarded in 2025?

– Of note.

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Montréal Gold, Kirby Dach’s (lucky) three-pointer and talent speaks for itself

8-3.

No, I’m not talking about Sir Pathétik, the Quebec City urban scene (T-Mo, B.I.C., 2 Faces le Gémeaux, Onze and Canox). #NotQuebecGold #MontrealGold

I’m talking about the Canadiens’ record after 11 games this season.

The Montreal players will return to Montreal late this afternoon and then prepare to face the Senators, Flyers, Devils and Mammoth over the next ten days. The challenge will be no small one.

Let’s have a little fun with the numbers and images on this day off for the Canadiens.

1. Nick Suzuki (2 goals, 14 assists) is currently the NHL’s fourth-highest scorer. He’s currently the best passer and the second-best player in terms of differential(plus-9). Not so long ago, the Habs captain had the ninth-worst contract in the league, according to Dom Lusczyszyn’s statistical models (The Athletic).

Advanced statistics are always a bit of a mixed bag. They are a complement to what our eyes see, not a replacement.

2. Cole Caufield has nine goals so far this season, the highest total in the Bettman circuit.

What’s even more impressive is that Caufield is also the player with the most even-strength goals in 2025-26; he has just one power-play goal.

Some will argue that he scored three goals on three-on-three, not five-on-five… but I’ll tell them this: we’re talking about three game-winning goals. #Clutch

When Cole Caufield goes, everything goes for the Canadiens.
(Credit: Getty Images)

3. While we’re on the subject of Cole Caufield, I think it’s worth noting that since he changed his number – from 22 to 13 following the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau 14 months ago today – Caufield has scored 46 goals in 93 regular games, then three in five playoff games.

Caufield with #22: 0.38 goals per game.

Caufield with #13: 0.5 goals per game.

4. Habs players scored no less than 40 goals per season, or nearly four per game. The Avalanche and Senators are the only teams to have scored more, at 41.

No, the Habs are no longer just a small team that must rely on outstanding defensive play to have any hope of success.

5. Three games ago, Martin St-Louis decided to replace Zack Bolduc with Ivan Demidov on the first powerplay. To be more precise, Demidov replaces Juraj Slafkovsky on the right side and Slaf has taken Bolduc’s place in front of the opposing net, but..

In these three games, the Montreal power play was 4 in 6 (66.67%), which is exceptional. Demidov picked up two points with the man advantage on Saturday, and even when he doesn’t have a point, he makes the power play work by drawing one or two players to him, leaving space for the other talented players on the unit (like last night).

It’s a bummer for Bolduc, but he doesn’t have to be part of the first unit anymore; Ivan Demidov is in his place now. And Slafkovsky also belongs in front of the net, rather than on the right, along the ramp..

6. Despite allowing three third-period goals, Jakub Dobes still found a way to win last night. He has a 6-0 record so far this campaign.

Can Martin St-Louis and Éric Raymond really decide to send Samuel Montembeault in front of the net on Saturday night, in front of an overexcited crowd that could become heavy and in the middle of Hockey Night In Canada?

My call: Dobes must play on Saturday.

7. Kirby Dach picked up an assist yesterday on Alex Newhook’s power-play goal. Dach, returning from injury, was lucky: the puck deflected off a Kraken player and onto Bolduc’s pad.

Two weeks ago – again against the Kraken – Dach scored his only goal of the year when Noah Dobson shot at his skate while positioned in front of the opposing goalie.

And in the season opener against the Maple Leafs, Dach was fortunate to be credited with a secondary assist because, in effect, the Maple Leafs defenseman had touched – and cleared – the puck after Dach.

In short, Kirby Dach’s performance is still not reassuring. That’s it.

Will Kirby Dach ever be good enough again to make us wonder if he has the potential to be a number-one center?
(Credit: Getty Images)

Overtime

– Nick Razzaghi, Ramtin Maherpour and Mateo Cabanette named tomorrow for FC Supra du Québec?

– Did Nick De Santis send an arrow to CF Montreal yesterday?

– No, FC Supra’s main strategy will not be to sell players.

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The Canadiens have the best powerplay in the NHL

The Canadiens have the best powerplay in the NHL. It’s clear when you watch the games.

Statistically speaking, it’s been true since October 15. Martin St-Louis’ men have a 40% success rate, which is better than any other team.

That’s no mean feat.

(Credit: NHL.com)

So far this season, the Canadiens are in seventh place at 28.1%. But those who watch the games can see that the cake is rising. That’s why it needs to be said: the best powerplay is in Montreal.

Remember: the Habs are the youngest club in the NHL… and their first powerplay is particularly young.

In fact, it’s easy to see that the arrival of Ivan Demidov, a magician with the puck, has changed everything. The Habs are more dangerous than ever on the powerplay.

And it’s helping the Habs win games more often than not.

Juraj Slafkovsky creates space, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson make crazy passes, Cole Caufield scores… and Nick Suzuki does it all: it works.

In the West, the club did well.

  • In Seattle: 2 in 2
  • Vancouver: 2 in 3
  • Edmonton: 0 in 1
  • Calgary: 1 in 3

Not only can both waves produce, they keep other teams on their toes: don’t give the Habs’ youngsters a chance to show their stuff.

And not using Mike Matheson means having him elsewhere more often, which helps the club as a whole.

Seeing the Canadiens be fast and talented (which is what Kent Hughes wanted in 2022, when he took over as GM) allows for success in overtime and on the powerplay, which is when the guys can be creative.

And this is just the beginning, as the core of the club isn’t going anywhere.

in Overtime

– 80 M for Logan Cooley in Salt Lake City.

– What do you think?

– Still.

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16 points: the Canadiens top the Eastern standings

Things are going pretty well for the Canadiens de Montréal at the start of the season. In 11 games, Martin St-Louis’ men have 16 points, which is really excellent.

And looking at the standings (I know, it’s only October… but still), it’s clear that nobody in the East has more than the Canadiens’ 16 points at the moment.

Especially not in the Atlantic Division.

(Credit: NHL.com)

The Devils and Penguins have 16 points. However, both Metropolitan teams have more regular wins (and the Devils have played one fewer game) than the Canadiens.

In the tie-breaker, that makes a difference. The Habs don’t actually win enough on a regular basis… but it’s better to win in overtime (with Cole Caufield) than to lose games.

Still, it’s interesting to see that a certain changing of the guard is taking place in the NHL. After all, the good clubs of recent years aren’t necessarily the good clubs at the start of the season.

There’s time for that to change, of course… but it’s an interesting observation.

The question now is whether the Habs can keep up the pace for several months, when “normalcy” will set in along the way.

Martin St-Louis often repeats that it’s one thing to perform in October, but once the early-season excitement wears off, we see which players continue to perform.

Without Kaiden Guhle for a while, and without a clear-cut second center, will the Habs be able to stay at the top of the Eastern standings?

We’ll find out in the coming months.

overtime

– Interesting.

– In the category: the Habs are good in 2025-2026.

– The season will end at the Rogers Centre.

– Read more.

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Top-5: JT Miller booed on his return to Vancouver

For the first time this season, all 32 teams were in action at the same time.

So that’s a very long summary of the evening, but here are the results and highlights:

109 goals were scored on the night, the third-highest total in NHL history.

1. JT Miller booed on his return to Vancouver

Last night, the Canucks hosted the New York Rangers.

It was JT Miller’s return to Vancouver, and he received a standing ovation.

But shortly before the ovation, when he touched the puck, booing could be heard.

We know it didn’t end well with Elias Pettersson.

Speaking of Pettersson, he stood out physically.

Right from the start of the match, you could feel his intensity.

Jonathan Quick didn’t like it.

In fact, in a 2-0 win, Quick made 23 saves.

At the end of the game, he wanted to be part of the skirmish.

Vancouver has now lost four of its last five games.

2. A crazy finish in Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, the Penguins and Flyers faced off.

This was Trevor Zegras’ first battle of Pennsylvania, and he had a ball.

This battle did not disappoint, as the end of the match was spectacular.

In short: two goals disallowed in overtime, Zegras and Sidney Crosby thrown out of the game and a shootout victory for the Flyers.

Bobby Brink sealed the match.

Crosby also stood out despite the defeat and expulsion.

The captain continued his excellent start to the season and is so good he can score from anywhere.

3. Jacob Markstrom doesn’t have the return to action he was hoping for

The Devils are one of the NHL’s hottest teams, and they’re doing it all without their number-one goaltender, Jacob Markstrom.

The Swede was back last night, however, but he didn’t help his team. New Jersey lost 8-4.

Zakhar Bardakov was the second Avalanche player to beat Markstrom. It was his first career NHL goal.

At 5-0, we thought it was over for the Devils…

New Jersey never gave up, however, and thanks to Jack Hughes’ goal, they were just one goal behind the hosts.

What a game!

It was too little too late, though.

In the win, Brent Burns joined Bobby Orr as the 11th all-time leading scorer among defensemen.

Victor Olofsson scored a hat trick. And Nathan MacKinnon moved into fourth place in Nordiques/Avalanche history for number of goals (376).

4. First career hat trick for Connor Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a great start this season, and part of the reason is the brilliance of their youngsters.

Yesterday, Connor Bedard put on a show. He scored a hat trick, his first career hat trick, and all three goals were really beautiful.

Bedard and Chicago scored seven goals against the Senators, who scored seven goals themselves the day before.

It helps to score seven goals when the team pulls its goalie with seven minutes left in the game…

The two teams may not play each other often, but they don’t like each other.

5. A first defeat for the Mammoth in the Tusky era

As I mentioned in a recent text, the Mammoth has been unbeatable lately.

Yesterday, André Tourigny’s club finally lost (6-3 to the Oilers). It was the first defeat in the Tusky era, his new mascot.

With the score tied at two, however, Stuart Skinner gave the home side a gift.

A poor exit gave Barret Hayton an easy goal.

Edmonton then scored four unanswered goals en route to their fifth win of the season.

In the win, Evan Bouchard picked up three assists.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Matthias Ekholm, Adam Henrique and Jake Walman added two points each.

Extension

– A 200th goal for Travis Konecny.

– The extension didn’t last long.

– Stuart Skinner classic.

– The American scored a winning goal at his party.

– Boston scored five unanswered goals en route to a win over the Islanders.

– The Blue Jackets have won four of their last five games.

– He’ll never change, that Tom.

– Ouch… Calgary lost 4-3 in Toronto.

– What a game from Olofsson!

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Only two teams in action tonight.

(Credit: Google)