Author: Dose

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“If Juraj Slafkovsky focuses on his defensive game, he could produce more.”

Many are eagerly awaiting Juraj Slafkovsky’s emergence as the long-awaited first-rate power forward. Last year, his game greatly evolved, even if his production didn’t really increase as much as in his second season. He was seen with his head held higher, he used his size more and more to impose himself, and he was often in the pay zone.Interestingly, Slafkovsky was the Montreal Canadiens’ player with the most body checks last season, and if we combine the playoffs, he’s still ahead of Josh Anderson. But what does he need to do to produce even more offensively? Obviously, being consistent throughout the season is the most important aspect of his game. Marco D’Amico mentioned this point in a recent thread on Twitter/X, but he also added another suggestion. According to him, he needs to improve defensively to be able to generate more offense:

[content-ads]When you think about it, it makes sense. Getting out of your zone faster and spending less time in the defensive zone gives you a much better chance to produce. Brian Wilde believes that this will be Slafkovsky’s breakout year, as players who enter the league at 18 generally experience their breakout season in their fourth year.

If Slafkovsky can reach his personal goal of 65-70 points, while maintaining a physically important role alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the Habs are in the driver’s seat. And if Ivan Demidov can live up to expectations and Zachary Bolduc continues to improve, the Habs attack will be very dangerous.

Slafkovsky will be an important part of the Habs’ success, but like last season, many players will have a role to play in helping them reach the playoffs and possibly the second round. Montreal can take heart from the fact that the young Slovak has clearly improved his shooting this summer. spacer title=’Overtime’] – Who do you think will win the Art-Ross Trophy?

– Good news for the Stars.

– Interesting.

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Lane Hutson not at summer camp because he didn’t go to the World Championships

One of the biggest stories in recent days in the hockey world, and especially for Canadiens fans, is the fact that Lane Hutson has not been invited to the U.S. team’s summer camp. Indeed, it was a big surprise not to see the name of the most recent Calder Trophy winner on the U.S. camp roster for the Olympics, especially considering that 16 defensemen will be there, but not Hutson.

Of course, we know that the U.S. is loaded with defensive talent, but the fact remains that the Habs’ defenseman clearly deserved his place, at least at camp ahead of the likes of Alex Vlasic and Brady Skjei, for example. This lack of understanding makes a little more sense, however, with Marco D’Amico’s recent article on RG Media, in which D’Amico explains that one of his sources told him that Hutson wasn’t invited in large part because he refused to represent the U.S. at the last World Championship.

[content-ads] So once again we understand the importance of going to represent your country whenever an opportunity arises.

Hutson had been invited, but refused to join the U.S. team after the playoffs with the Habs. What Marco D’Amico’s source explains is that Hutson’s refusal is the first part of the reason why the Habs defenseman wasn’t invited to the U.S. summer camp.

“I know that for both Canada and the U.S., this weighs very heavily in decision-making given that both countries have very deep pools filled with talented players.”

–

RG Media’s source

This situation is obviously reminiscent of Habs captain Nick Suzuki’s refusal to join Team Canada for the 2024 World Championship, which had a lot to do with the fact that he wasn’t selected for the Four Nations Confrontation.

[content-ads] This same source explained that if Hutson really wanted to be invited to this camp, he should have joined the U.S. team at the World Championship. There is a growing understanding that this is a primary criterion in the decision-making process, as evidenced by the presence at the camp of Alex Vlasic, Brady Skjei and Jackson Lacombe, three defensemen who won gold at the 2025 World Championship with the USA.

It’s also worth noting that the second reason Hutson wasn’t invited is his profile as a small, attacking defenseman, a profile already found on the U.S. side with Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox.

In short, this camp is not a training camp for the U.S. team, and there will be no cuts at this camp, so between now and the Olympics, if Hutson performs as well as he’s capable of, he may very well be selected if some key defensemen get injured. Let’s just say that Hutson will have plenty of motivation to perform. #LastYearOfContract #OlympicGames [spacer title=’En Rafale’] – The youngster is confident:

– Read on.

– Phew.

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NHL Network’s Top-25 players born in the 21st century: no Habs player in the top-10

The Montreal Canadiens boast one of the best groups of young players in the National Hockey League. There’s no doubt that the Habs have some excellent young talent who will carry the team for years to come. In short, the Canadiens have a very bright future ahead of them.

So it’s only natural that when the NHL’s official website, NHL Network, compiles a ranking of the best players born in the 21st century, it includes Canadiens players. In fact, in the top-25, there are three representatives of the Habs, except that none of them feature in the top-10.

[content-ads] By players born in the 21st century, we’re obviously referring to players born since 2000, which therefore directly excludes the Habs’ best player, captain Nick Suzuki, who was born on August 10, 1999.

Despite this, the Habs still have several good options for inclusion in the top-25, and here are the three selected by NHL Network

  • Noah Dobson – 22nd
  • Lane Hutson – 14th
  • Cole Caufield – 12th

These are three fairly logical choices, considering that NHL Network selected players who have already proven themselves in the NHL, and who are established there, which explains why we don’t find Ivan Demidov.Don’t be alarmed, however, as the latter will find his way into this ranking very soon.

The only surprise is the absence of Juraj Slafkovsky, who has done quite well since joining the NHL, but when you consider all the names on this list, including Matthew Knies at number 25, it’s easy to see why Slaf was overlooked.

What hurts, however, is seeing the name of Logan Cooley, drafted 3rd, two spots after Slafkovsky in 2022, at 14th on this top-25 list.

[content-ads] Anyway, now back to the Habs players in this ranking, I think they were the logical choices, except that I’m surprised that none of them cracked the top-10. In the case of Dobson, it makes sense, but in the case of Caufield and especially Hutson, I find it hard to understand.

The Habs forward would clearly have a case for himself to be ahead of Matt Boldy (10th) and Adam Fantilli (9th), in my opinion, and as for Hutson, after a perfect rookie season that earned him the Calder Trophy for best rookie of the season, I’m very surprised not to see him in the top-10, especially considering that Macklin Celebrini, who finished behind Hutson in the Calder balloting, is 5th in this ranking.

Of course, I’m not taking anything away from Celebrini, who is an outstanding player and clearly a franchise center, but then again, I think Hutson would have deserved to be closer to the latter than 14th place. What’s perhaps even harder to swallow about this list is that the Ottawa Senators have two players in the top-5 of this ranking, with Jake Sanderson (4th) and Tim Stützle (3rd). These are excellent players, but are they that much better than Hutson and Caufield? I doubt it. Anyway, I’m relaying the link to this complete list topped by Jack Hughes (2nd) and Rasmus Dahlin (1st) right here[spacer title=’En Rafale’] – What do you think?

– Please note that the new designated player, Ivan Jaime, should be introduced to the crowd tonight.

– Of note.

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Numerical disadvantage: Alex Newhook could have a new role with the Habs

The Canadiens’ penalty kill should be quite different this season. The Habs have lost two penalty-killing specialists with the departure of forwards Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia, not to mention the retirement of defenseman David Savard, who spent a lot of time on the ice short-handed. The team’s penalty kill did well last season with an 80.9% efficiency rating, good for ninth in the NHL.

In an article published on The Sick Podcast, Nick Lariviere believes that the Habs should give Alex Newhook the opportunity to play on the short-handed and make him a specialist, much like Josh Anderson.

[content-ads] In particular, Newhook could use his speed as well as his good reading of the game on defense to become an effective four-on-five player. Assuming the forward doesn’t become a top-six forward in the long term (personally, I don’t think he’s the solution for second center), this could be a logical development for him.

Newhook has a good chance of starting the season at center or wing on the third line and may have to take on more defensive assignments overall, and playing at a disadvantage could help him become a better player in his zone.

The biggest downside to Newhook as a penalty-clearing center is his performance in the face-off circle. For his career, the forward has a 41.8% face-off efficiency, which isn’t ideal at the disadvantage when puck possession becomes particularly important.

However, Newhook is also one of the Canadiens’ few regular left-handed center-forwards (along with Joe Veleno), and since Martin St-Louis likes to choose his center’s laterality depending on the side of the face-off, this could give the forward an advantage in certain situations. In short, I really wouldn’t be surprised to see Newhook in a new role next season. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – We’d like that too!

– Les Jays renouent avec la victoire

– Solid first outing from Shane Bieber

– Niagara returns to final.

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“Martin St-Louis really has the impression that Ivan Demidov is a star in the making”

With Ivan Demidov about to play his first full NHL season, it’s hard to predict the production of the man who is currently the betting sites’ favorite to win the next Calder Trophy. Personally, if Demidov can score 60 points in his rookie season, I’ll be satisfied. However, beyond his individual production, it’s the Russian player’s impact on the team as a whole that we’ll have to watch.

This is what Marco D’Amico discusses on The Shaun Starr Show podcast.According to D’Amico, Demidov’s presence on the second line will lighten the load on the first line. Last year, the Canadiens’ opponents had to neutralize the first line and Laine Hutson to stifle much of the attack.

However, with a talented player like Demidov on the team’s second line, opposing teams will also have to keep an eye on the Habs’ second unit [content-ads] Especially if Patrik Laine can also have a good season, which could provide two productive wingers on the second line. Imagine if, on top of that, the Habs can finally find their second center to round them out.

In short, if Demidov can quickly establish himself as a five-on-five offensive threat, it will have the double benefit of taking pressure off the first line to produce, as well as giving them more space, since opponents will have to devote some of their defensive elements to guarding the Russian.

In other words, the more Demidov becomes part of the Habs’ defensive strategy, the more the first line will benefit. Does this mean that the forward will never play on the team’s first line? Absolutely not, but the Canadiens are under no obligation to put all their eggs in one basket, and having a first-line forward on the second line can only benefit the entire attack.

What is clear is that Martin St-Louis will have a lot more ammunition up front this season (not to mention the arrival of Zachary Bolduc and Noah Dobson), and D’Amico tells us that the coach is really looking forward to getting back to practicing with the young Russian.

The coach also seems to see a lot of potential in Demidov, and I believe St-Louis will give him every chance to become an NHL star [spacer title=’Overtime’] – Mount Habsmore.

– Two more points for Daulton Varsho.

– A surprise visitor!

🤔

– Canada well represented.

– That’s a lot of money!

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Michael Hage as 2nd center: “It will take time,” says Scott Wheeler

It’s hard not to be optimistic about Michael Hage. The CH prospect, who was drafted in the first round in 2024, had a big first year in the NCAA… and more importantly, he did it playing center.Need I remind you that the Canadiens are looking for a second center?In the eyes of many, then, Hage is likely to check that box sooner or later. But no, it won’t happen soon. This afternoon, Scott Wheeler (a prospects expert for The Athletic) took questions from Habs fans on Reddit… and here’s what he had to say when a fan asked him when Hage could be established as a #2 center:

He could be playing NHL games in the spring of 2026 or 2027. But established as a #2 center? That will take some time.

–

Scott Wheeler

[content-ads]Because, yes, it’s worth remembering: development takes time. Hage may be extremely promising, but he still has a long way to go before (possibly) becoming a #2 center in the NHL.Assuming he’ll be Ivan Demidov’s center in 2026-27, for example, is a bit audacious. After all, maybe he won’t even be in the NHL by then if he goes back to play another year in the NCAA.Speaking of the Habs’ promising prospects, Wheeler was also asked about the ceiling he sees for Alexander Zharovsky. The young Russian, in his eyes, has the potential to become a talented guy on a second line and powerplay, but will still have some shortcomings.Then, he also mentions that he expects to see Florian Xhekaj play some NHL games this season… and he expects the same for Jacob Fowler. That’s interesting, considering that Samuel Montembeault is the established #1 and that Jakub Dobes and Kaapo Kahkonen are already battling it out for the #2 spot.Interesting answers, then, which you can read here. Let’s see if the Habs’ prospects prove him right now[spacer title=’Overtime’]- Colleague Marc-Olivier Cook was just talking about this this morning.

– Worth noting.

– A name to watch.

– Nothing less.

👀🎾

– Oh yeah?

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Matthew Tkachuk has (finally) undergone surgery: he will miss several months of action

Last season, Matthew Tkachuk was injured during the 4 Nations Confrontation. At the time, there was talk of a serious injury that cost him the rest of the regular season… before he found a way to come back in the playoffs.And in the playoffs, he was excellent, leading his club to a second consecutive Stanley Cup conquest.That said, we knew he was still injured. The forward might have had to go under the knife, but he waited to see if he could heal with rehabilitation… But in the end, it didn’t work: Tkachuk underwent surgery and will miss several months of action, as David Pagnotta has just confirmed.He may not return to action until January.

[content-ads]Obviously, this is a major blow for the Panthers, who will be without one of their best players for several months. Tkachuk is a big part of Sunrise’s success… but in reality, if there’s one club that can afford it, it’s the Panthers.The real season in Florida starts in April. The club has enough talent to make the playoffs even without Tkachuk for several months, and the important thing for the club is to have its power forward ready for the playoffs.But a return in January would also allow Tkachuk to get back into the swing of things in preparation for the Olympic Games, which take place in February. Remember, he was one of the first six players selected by Team USA, and Tkachuk’s goal is to be ready for that competition.And barring a huge surprise, he will be.For fans, it’s a shame to see Tkachuk forced to miss so much time. But for both the player and his team, it’s far from the end of the world,which probably explains the timing of this operation.spacer title=’Overtime’]- Cool!

– Great news,

– The Yankees need their ace pitcher tonight.

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“For Arber Xhekaj, a first-round pick is the only thing the Habs would accept.”

Arber Xhekaj is a popular guy in Montreal. The defenseman, who is also one of the NHL’s most fearsome tough guys, is a crowd favorite because of his style of play, but also because of his history.He came out of nowhere, after all, and we know he was a Habs fan as a little guy.But even so, the idea of trading him is one that just won’t die. We know there’s a surplus of young left-handed defensemen in the organization, and Xhekaj doesn’t always seem to be in Martin St-Louis’ good graces. The question, though, is what is Arber Xhekaj worth? And according to Brian Wilde, who talked about it on Tony Marinaro’s Sick Podcast, he’s worth a second-round pick…But at that price. the Habs won’t be willing to trade him: to get him out of Montreal, they’ll need a first-round pick.

[content-ads]Basically, what Wilde is explaining is that the Habs are well aware that they have a special player on their hands. And in reality, going after yet another second-round pick (especially with a maturing core) doesn’t really interest the Canadiens,because after all, a second-round pick rarely becomes a player like Xhekaj. AndWilde makes another good point: Xhekaj’s case in Montreal goes beyond the hockey plan. We’re talking about a guy who’s extremely popular in town, and trading him for a pittance risks frustrating the fans more than anything else.And yes, that’s a factor we have to consider.It’s not impossible that Xhekaj could be traded, of course. If he has a good season and shows more consistency, maybe a team will suddenly want to take a chance and make an offer Kent Hughes can’t refuse.But no, I don’t expect to see him leave any time soon.Overtime]- One wonders if this opens the door to Russian participation.

– Luke Kunin in Florida.

📝

– That’s a good one.

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3 years at $5M for Marco Rossi: The Wild (really) play their cards right

Marco Rossi has signed a three-year contract with the Wild. The deal will pay him $5 million a season… and Rossi will still be a restricted free agent at the end of his contract. In Minnesota, we must be pretty happy with this turn of events. Because, in the end, the Wild really played their cards right… even if they did try to trade Rossi this summer. $5 million for the next three years for a 23-year-old (24 in September) who scored 60 points in his third full NHL season is good management.

When you consider that the salary cap will rise and that Rossi will be well surrounded in Minnesota with Kaprizov, Boldy and company…

[content-ads] If this is what it takes to get the market moving, so be it.

Right now, there’s still the Mason McTavish and Luke Hughes files that need to be settled, but it looks like NHL teams were just waiting for this: to see another club move before doing the same thing.I wonder if the Ducks will rely on Rossi’s contract in their discussions with McTavish…. But in the end, it’s the Wild who come out the winner: they’ve anchored one of the organization’s fine young players to the club for three more years at a more than respectable salary, and it’ll also give Bill Guerin (GM) the leeway to make a monstrous offer to Kirill Kaprizov when the time comes. Reminder: there’s only one season left on the Russian’s contract ($9 million a year)… and he risks breaking the bank by commanding an astronomical salary. He has every right to do so, at least, because we’re talking about one of the National League’s very good players. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – I love how the Lions do things.

– … Ouain.

– Big cash.

– Ça a brassé.

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Predictions : Daily Faceoff sees the Habs winning the Stanley Cup… in 2030

The Canadiens are building something interesting. There are already some good young players in place, the team is counting on some good prospects, and it’s looking promising for what’s to come. When’s the next Stanley Cup in Montreal?What if I told you it could be in 2030.. . That’s the prediction of the DailyFaceoff website, which had some fun projecting the 29-30 season.

Eight teams are among the “aspiring” clubs in the text: the Sens (#8), the Ducks (#7), the Hurricanes (#6), the Sharks (#5), the Blackhawks (#4), the Wild (#3), the Stars (#2) and, of course, the Canadiens (#1).“Congratulations to the Montreal Canadiens, Stanley Cup Champions 2030”, as the article reads:

[content-ads] In 2030, the Habs will have several assets on hand.

Noah Dobson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Zachary Bolduc, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler… The oldest of this group in 2030 will be Nick Suzuki.And he’ll only be 30. Ultimately, there are several factors that will play a role in the team’s progression. If the stars align, the Canadiens will be dangerous. We saw the potential of this club last year when it made the playoffs… and when nobody expected the team to be so successful so soon. What’s next is exciting, at least. Because right now, the Habs are already well equipped… and when all the players have come of age, it’s going to be even more special on the ice. [spacer title=’Overtime’] – Jaime I like it.

– It’s coming!

– Indeed.