Author: Dose

Categories
Uncategorized

Golden Knights: the Canadiens face a club full of problems this afternoon

This afternoon, around 4 p.m. (Quebec time), the Canadiens will be in uniform against the Golden Knights.

For the Canadiens, this will be an important duel. We expect Alexandre Texier to play in place of Jared Davidson, we wonder if Arber Xhekaj will play and we know that Samuel Montembeault will be in uniform.

Monty is bound to be under pressure to win the game. After all, tomorrow’s game (Avalanche) won’t be easy for Jakub Dobes, we agree… so winning today becomes all the more important.

But the good news is that the Habs players have a chance of winning today’s game in Nevada.

Why should they? Because, as Renaud Lavoie mentioned this morning on BPM Sports, nothing is going right for the Vegas team these days.

In fact, as the journalist mentioned, the team lost eight of its 12 games in November. It had also lost three of its last four games in October.

Vegas has lost its last three games, including two on the road.

(Credit: NHL.com)

It’s also worth noting that the club has committed more turnovers than its opponents in its last 11 games… and that things are so bad that Mark Stone rushed, without anyone in the dressing room knowing, to return to action too quickly from his injury.

And did we mention “actions that help the opponent” on the ice?

Whatever the reasons for the malaise, the Canadiens must take advantage. Just one small point today would ensure the club plays for at least .500 on its difficult journey. That would be something.

But in reality, victory is possible if everyone does what they have to do.

extension

In reality, when you wonder why things aren’t going well in the Golden Knights dressing room, you can probably make connections with Carter Hart, who is nearing a return to the NHL.

There’s a “total malaise” in town related to the situation.

Categories
Uncategorized

Andrei Markov confirms: he had an offer to continue his career in Montreal

Andrei Markov has had quite a career with the Habs. Despite a few serious injuries, he left his mark and will be rightly honoured next week at the Bell Centre. He stopped the clock at 990 games, despite the fact that he would have liked to play many more.

Markov was the guest of La Poche Blue tonight, and he opened up with a smile about his time in Montreal, and especially the end.

Remember that he and the Canadiens didn’t come to an agreement in the summer of 2017, and the Russian defenseman opted for his native Russia to finish his career.

“I remember I had talks with the Habs that year. I wanted to play two years, I wanted to play two years and then retire. They (the Canadiens) only offered me one year” – Andrei Markov

The former No. 79 admitted that the thought of not being able to play 1,000 games with the Habs in the following years had been on his mind, but that since then, it’s all been forgotten.

He’s happy to say he’s played every game with the same organization.

Markov came back to town twice last year with his family and loves it when people still stop to talk to him or ask for a photo.

For me, he’s another player we’ve taken for granted with the Habs. I remember back in 2017 when then GM Marc Bergevin thought his defense was going to be better without Markov. It was a mistake to let him go, especially considering he still had some good hockey to give. The Habs’ defense certainly didn’t improve, and it took a long time to recover.

Then, the Habs should have allowed him to play all 1,000 games, no matter what the circumstances. That was another big mistake. I’m glad to see he’ll be honoured next week. He certainly deserves a big ovation.

Overtime

– The Oilers can’t be patient any longer.

– Another story to follow.

– Good news for the Sens.

– Dany Dubé sees Matheson long-term with the Habs.

– A facet to work on.

Categories
Uncategorized

Rumor mill: Stamkos and Marchessault ready to leave Nashville

What will the Preds do between now and the trade deadline?

Three names in particular are the talk of Nashville right now: Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos… and Jonathan Marchessault.

With the club’s current lack of success, we can really expect to see one, two (or three?) of these guys leave via trade before too long. The Preds sorely need to rebuild the team… and all three veterans have some value on the trade market.

That said, it’s now official: Stamkos and Marchessault are ready to leave Nashville, according to David Pagnotta(DFO Rundown podcast).

The two right-handers arrived there at the same time… and they’ve never been able to acclimatize well to their new team. Bringing them to town wasn’t a very successful mission for Barry Trotz…

There will certainly be clubs interested in their services.

The only deal? The Preds will probably have to withhold salary to trade Stamkos… and I expect the same with Marchessault.

Stammer earns $8 million per season until the end of the 27-28 season, while Marchessault earns an annual salary of $5.5 million. His contract expires in the summer of 2029…

Tristan Jarry, a target for the Oilers?

Yesterday, I published a text in which I wondered: what if Jordan Binnington was a logical target for the Oilers?

We really need to fix Edmonton’s goaltending problem, after all. But maybe a guy like Tristan Jarry-who’s as experienced as Binnington-could also be of interest to the Oilers…

At least, that’s what Chris Johnston seemed to be saying in the recent segment on Early Trading (TSN):

On paper, it does make sense.

Tristan Jarry has played 301 games in the NHL and has proven himself. We’re not talking about one of the best goalies on the Bettman circuit… but we are talking about a guy who has proven he can make the big saves.

His .910 save percentage and 2.74 goals-against average since the start of his career are two fine examples…

Several guys available in Toronto

Things haven’t gone according to plan in Toronto since the start of the season.

Really not.

And that’s why there seem to be a number of players available in the Queen City. Of the lot? David Pagnotta(Morning Cuppa Hockey) talked about Max Domi and Brandon Carlo, two guys who could help any NHL club.

Ultimately, these two targets could prove intriguing for the Habs.

Both guys can play a physical game, they’ve got a dog in them, they’re capable of being aggressive and they can be tough when needed too. The Canadiens need guys like that in the lineup right now… and I wonder, at some point, if a deal between the Leafs and the Habs might be possible.

Even if we know that both clubs play in the same division…

Overtime

– Speaking of the Leafs.

– Logical.

– Big game.

– MLB news.

Categories
Uncategorized

Arber Xhekaj could finish the season as the Canadiens’ ninth defenseman, according to Tony Marinaro

Arber Xhekaj is not having the best season of his career. He has just one point in 20 games and a minus-4 rating.

He seems to fit less and less into the team’s plans, and even with Kaiden Guhle’s injury, he has to give up his place in the line-up.

On Wednesday night’s Sick Podcast, Tony Marinaro analyzed the situation and believes that, with a healthy line-up, Xhekaj could finish the season as the Canadiens’ ninth-best defenseman.

It’s intense put that way, but it’s not crazy.

As Pierre McGuire explained, Jayden Struble has overtaken Xhekaj in the team’s defensive hierarchy. With a healthy Guhle, that would make Xhekaj the Canadiens’ seventh defenseman for the time being.

Already, that makes him a backup.

But with the recall of Adam Engstrom, who took his place in the lineup last game, that would drop him to eighth among Habs defensemen.

And as Marinaro also explains, if David Reinbacher continues to play well with Laval, he could overtake Xhekaj in the Habs hierarchy by season’s end.

As the ninth defenseman, Xhekaj should probably go to Laval. Martin St-Louis wouldn’t keep a third backup with the big club. He would have to go through the waivers, however, and we could expect a team to take a chance on him.

Xhekaj’s future in Montreal may well depend on how the youngsters perform this season.

And let’s not forget that other Canadiens prospects on the blue line aren’t yet with the organization, and could come in and cause even more traffic.

We’re talking about guys like Owen Protz, Bogdan Konyushkov and Bryce Pickford.

Arber Xhekaj will have to get his game back on track by the end of the season if he wants to stay in the Canadiens organization, otherwise he may no longer be a regular with the team.

Overtime

– The Flames will have no choice but to trade Nazem Kadri.

– Jean-Charles Lajoie expects a deal between the Canadiens and Predators.

– A name to watch for New York.

Categories
Uncategorized

“Everything points to Alexandre Texier making his debut tomorrow”

Alexandre Texier is set to play his first game in a Canadiens uniform on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Frenchman reached an agreement with the Canadiens on Sunday, and watched Wednesday’s game from the bridge.

Texier should have a chance to impress Habs management on Friday, according to Renaud Lavoie on TVA Sports’ JiC .

If Texier plays a first game, a Habs forward will have to step up. So we’re keeping an eye on the two players recalled from the Laval Rocket, Jared Davidson and Florian Xhekaj.

For Renaud Lavoie, the decision would be to remove Jared Davidson from the lineup.

Davidson hasn’t done badly, but he still has no points in five games and a minus-2 rating. A game in the stands wouldn’t do him any harm.

Texier isn’t the only veteran who could come in and stir things up for the Canadiens.

Expect Samuel Blais to be recalled as soon as the Canadiens return from their trip. He was claimed by the Habs in the waivers and sent to the Rocket in the meantime.

This will be Texier’s fourth career game against the Golden Knights. He has collected three points in as many games against the Vegas troupe over the course of his career.

Texier has played eight games this season with the Blues. He collected just one assist during that stretch.

Overtime

– The Canadiens are not a team that gives up easily.

– A beautiful addition to the family.

– He played very well.

Categories
Uncategorized

Samuel Blais could be recalled on return from Western trip

The Canadiens claimed Samuel Blais in the waivers on Thursday, before sending him to the Laval Rocket a few moments later.

However, Blais’ stay in Laval may be shorter than expected.

During Renaud Lavoie’s appearance on Jean-Charles Lajoie’s JiC show on TVA Sports on Thursday, the two men discussed Blais’ return to the Habs organization. He could be recalled by the Canadiens at the end of their Western trip.

Nothing is confirmed in this case, but it’s an avenue that seems logical.

Two young players recalled from the Laval Rocket are currently playing with the Canadiens: Jared Davidson and Florian Xhekaj. They’re not doing a bad job, but just like at the end of the game against the Mammoth, Martin St-Louis wants to rely on veterans.

Inserting Samuel Blais and Alexandre Texier into the line-up would add a little experience to the Habs’ brigade.

Jean-Charles Lajoie wants to see Samuel Blais with the Canadiens, but he’d also like to keep Davidson and Xhekaj in the lineup. He’d love to see the Habs try to form a fourth line with these three players.

We’ll have to wait and see how things play out over the next two games before we have a clear answer, but the idea is far from bad.

Samuel Blais is the kind of player who could bring some toughness and energy to the Canadiens on a fourth line.

He’s also capable of collecting points. He collected three in eight games with the Maple Leafs.

Canadiens fans would also be happy to see a Québécois in action in Montreal. A lot of people liked him during the Habs practice camp.

Overtime

– It would be surprising.

– Florian Xhekaj is doing a great job.

– The Canadiens didn’t panic despite the Mammoth’s three quick goals.

Categories
Uncategorized

Team Canada goalkeeping combination: Samuel Montembeault not mentioned

The Canadiens will be counting on a few players at the Olympic Games.

For Slovakia, Juraj Slafkovsky will be there.

For the Czech Republic, Jakub Dobes is likely to be there.

Lane Hutson and Cole Caufield have a chance of making the US squad (even if they don’t hit) and will definitely be among the finalists.

And for Canada, Nick Suzuki has a good chance of representing the club. I haven’t even mentioned Samuel Montembeault, who, at the start of the season, had a good chance of being in Milan.

In his 32 thoughts editorial, Elliotte Friedman didn’t mention the Québécois goalie when he was talking about Canadiens goalies.

Friedman mentioned Scott Wedgewood, who came out of nowhere this morning, Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson.

In addition to Montembeault, the names of Adin Hill, who was there at the Four Nations Tournament, and Stuart Skinner were also not mentioned. Obviously, the identity of the goalkeepers has not been confirmed, but it’s rare that Friedman writes to say nothing.

And the fact that the name of the Habs’ protégé wasn’t mentioned says a lot. And honestly, I’m not surprised… This season, Monty has an efficiency average of .852 and a goals-against average of 3.71.

I’m a Habs fan, but I’m also a Canadian fan. And if I had to choose between Monty or the Avalanche goalie, who has a 2.09 goals-against average and a 91.8% save percentage, I’d go with the latter.

Overtime

– Coming up.

– Joel Quenneville impresses. [JdM]

– It’s worrying, yes.

– Lions win.

– Listen now.

Categories
Uncategorized

Samuel Montembeault against the Knights | Jakub Dobes against the Avalanche

Well, we’ve got more details on goaltending for the Canadiens’ two games against the Golden Knights and the Avalanche.

Tomorrow, Samuel Montembeault will play in Vegas. He’ll be trying to put an end to his bad streak… he hasn’t won since November 8.

And you guessed it: on Saturday, against Colorado, Jakub Dobes will be tasked with leading his team to victory. It’ll be a big test for him…

In fact, Monty will have a big test of his own tomorrow. The Golden Knights have one of the (very) good clubs in the National League, and Montembeault needs a big one to get his confidence back.

A big performance against a team like Vegas would do him a world of good. It would be REALLY good for him, even…

I’m especially looking forward to seeing Dobes against the Avalanche (who have given up a grand total of zero goals in their last three games) on Saturday.

He performed really, really well in Colorado last season, and right now he’s the hottest goalie in Montreal. Martin St-Louis will trust his best goalie against the best team in the National League, and that makes sense when you think about it.

All in all, both goalies will have to find a way to have a big outing to help the Canadiens’ chances of winning.

More than ever, the Habs will need their two goaltenders to step up… and it will be particularly interesting to see how they respond to this adversity.

It promises to be. And I wonder which goalie between Monty and Doby will be able to come out strong (if ever)…

Extension

The use of goalies has been the talk of Montreal for some time now. And it won’t abate if both have a bad game in the next few days.

They know what they have to do. And even then, they’ll have to be excellent if the Habs want to come away from Vegas and Colorado with (at least) two points…

Categories
Uncategorized

Samuel Blais leaves for Laval

The Canadiens have confirmed the news.

Samuel Blais, freshly claimed by the club, is off to the AHL. He will join the Rocket in Lehigh Valley and practice with the team tomorrow. The Habs had the right to send him down immediately because they were the only club to have tried to claim him at the waivers.

But that doesn’t mean he’s in Laval to stay all season, either.

Interesting stuff. And there are questions to be asked right now.

Did the Habs – who are on the road right now – find it easier to send him down to avoid doing the same thing with Jared Davidson, who is with the team right now?

I have a feeling that Davidson will be sent down when the Canadiens return home, and that Blais will be recalled when the club hits the road again. The Habs like that, having only 12 forwards up top when they play at home… and the club is coming back to Montreal soon too.

Perhaps the Habs prefer to place Blais in Laval on a temporary basis before he returns to town… And you have to wonder what that will mean for Florian Xhekaj, with the arrival of Alexandre Texier.

Texier and Blais are two recent additions who cost nothing… but they won’t change everything for the Canadiens. And neither of them plays center…

In any case, if Blais plays games in Laval… it’s certainly not Pascal Vincent who’s going to complain.

Blais will bring leadership to the Rocket room and he’s a good role model for the younger players too. We’re talking about a guy who had his fair share of success in the AHL last season, and it’s certain that he’ll get an important role in Laval if he plays some games down there.

He’d be a great addition to the Laval line-up, after all. Remember that he won the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks last season and really, really knows the AHL style of play.

So I’ll be curious to see what the Canadiens want to do with him.

The Habs may need him upstairs, but Blais could really help the youngsters downstairs too…

Extension

There are starting to be a lot of depth players in the Canadiens organization right now, and that’s not a bad thing.

There will be an internal battle for the players who want to play… and that can only be a good thing.

Categories
Uncategorized

Waivers: The Habs have asked for Samuel Blais

Samuel Blais was placed in the waivers by the Leafs yesterday.

And… ultimately, we wondered if the Canadiens would decide to claim him and bring him back to Montreal.

The Québécois signed a contract with the Habs this summer… but was put on waivers at the end of practice camp because he didn’t make the roster. He played eight games for the Leafs this season.

Now we know in which organization Blais will continue his career: the Habs have finally claimed the principal interested party in the waivers.

This means a return to the organization that gave him a chance in recent months. And it’s interesting… because the Canadiens could use a player like him right now.

Logically, Jared Davidson could be traded to Laval in the next few days so that he can continue his development in the right way. He didn’t play in the third period last night against the Mammoth – Martin St-Louis decided to trust his veterans – and he needs to get some playing time to progress.

Florian Xhekaj must also be considered… And we mustn’t forget Alexandre Texier in the equation too.

It’s also worth noting that Blais can be sent back to Laval immediately… since the Canadiens are the only club to have claimed him in the waivers.

In all this, I’m happy for Samuel Blais.

He proved that he can still play in the NHL because he was good during the Montreal practice camp and because he performed well with the Leafs. He still collected three points in eight games, a truly respectable output for a fourth-line player…

But Blais can also bring experience to this group, which is quite young. The Canadiens don’t have a ton of guys who can rely on their experience to calm the group down when things aren’t going so well, and Blais, as a Stanley Cup winner, has that quality in his toolbox.

It remains to be seen what his impact on the team will be… and how he will be used.

Overtime

– He wasn’t happy.

– Seen similarly.

– He’s good. Really good.