Author: Dose

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Carter Hart’s imminent return: total unease in Vegas

The Canadiens face the Golden Knights tomorrow night in Las Vegas. This is likely to be the penultimate game before goaltender Carter Hart returns to the NHL. Hart was implicated in the scandal surrounding Team Canada’s junior players, but was found not guilty and will be eligible for a return to action on Monday.

From a strictly hockey point of view, his return is certainly expected. Adin Hill is still injured, and the average performance of the goalies used so far leaves something to be desired.

However, on a human level, it’s a complete malaise. Radio-Canada’s Alexandre Gascon visited the Golden Knights dressing room, and his perspective is fascinating. He tells us that no one wants to talk about it, and that local journalists hardly make a big deal of it.

Gascon approached Brett Howden, a Vegas player who testified for the Crown in the Hart case.

Let’s just say his comments were extremely reserved.

“He’s part of the organization, he’s part of the team. When the time comes, we’ll be ready for him.” – Brett Howden

The journalist explains that immediately after the interview, a Knights employee spoke to Howden, and that the Radio-Canada Sports team was followed into the dressing room.

It’s amazing that in 2025, an organization can still be so afraid of answering legitimate questions from the media.

The Golden Knights have offered no clear justification for Hart’s return, despite the obvious sensitivity of the issue for many.

In such a context, transparency is essential, something that doesn’t seem particularly common in Vegas. On the contrary, we hide, which only adds to the general frustration of the fans.

Overtime

– Things are going well in Dallas.

– Nice move.

– It would be crazy.

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Alexander Zharovsky is back on the 1st wave of his team’s powerplay

Things are going well for Alexander Zharovsky in the KHL.

The CH prospect, in his first year in the pros, collected 17 points (seven goals) in his first 21 games of the season with his team.

He had a tougher time of it, being blanked in five straight games… but now he’s claimed three points in his last two duels. And his coach has decided to reward him.

Zharovsky, one of his club’s best offensive players, is back on the first wave of his team’s powerplay. It’s a nice vote of confidence from his coach… but above all, it’s proof of just how talented the kid is.

Not all 18-year-old players (really not) can play on the first powerplay unit of their respective clubs. Even Ivan Demidov didn’t get the same treatment last year…

That’s good, because it’ll help Zharovsky improve even more.

He needs to play in as many situations as possible to be able to improve, and obviously Ufa Salavat Yulayev wants to give him that opportunity. And I’m inclined to believe that the Montreal management is happy about that…

Zharovsky’s performance is particularly pleasing to watch, because you can see him producing in all sorts of ways. He scores goals, he serves his teammates, he uses his hands to create space on the ice…

He’s beautiful to watch:

The Canadiens may have found a real gem in Alexander Zharovsky. Especially considering he was selected in the second round (34th overall) at the last NHL draft.

He really looks like a guy with the talent of a first-round pick…

Overtime

– This is going to be good.

– Ah oui?

– Absolument.

– A real machine.

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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…

More details to come…

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Samuel Blais leaves for Laval

The Canadiens have confirmed the news.

Samuel Blais, freshly claimed by the club, is off to the AHL. 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 upstairs when they play at home… and the club is coming back to Montreal soon too.

More details to come…

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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 where Blais will continue his career: the Habs have finally claimed him 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, we’re likely to see Jared Davidson traded to Laval fairly quickly 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 game time to progress.

On the other hand, Blais’ arrival could mean that the Habs will have 13 forwards even when the club returns to Montreal. You don’t see that very often…

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 production for a fourth-line player…

But Blais will also bring experience to this group, which is also 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.

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“The Canadiens should give everything to get Sidney Crosby”

The Montreal Canadiens are in all the talk about improving at center.

The #1 option for just about everyone in town is Sidney Crosby. After all, he’d be the ideal #2 center (or even #1…) to take the club to the next level.

But the Penguins’ strong start to the season means that right now, it’s pretty impossible to think about Sidney Crosby leaving his beloved club.

(Credit: NHL.com)

And since today is American Thanksgiving, the standings become (more than ever) significant.

But does that mean the Canadiens have absolutely no right to try and lure Sidney Crosby away from Pittsburgh? Not according to Chris Johnston.

The journalist from The Athletic, who has written an article on a number of hockey-related topics, started talking about the Penguins’ captain when it came time to talk about the Habs’ targets.

He understands that it makes less noise, but…

“The Canadiens should give everything to get Sidney Crosby.” – Chris Johnston

Of course, it’s not just a question of rankings: it’s also a question of whether the principal interested party would like to leave the Penguins right now.

The answer is probably no… especially to go with a team below the Pens in the Eastern standings.

I have a feeling that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who must still be dreaming of Sid the Kid in town, are clearly on top of the matter. They know they have what it takes to pay.

It remains to be seen whether they’ll have the opportunity to do so. Even if things aren’t looking too good at the moment, that can change quickly.

overtime

– Sad news.

– Indeed.

– Read on.

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Brett Hull had decided to sign for Montreal, but Chris Chelios changed his mind

Do you want a good one?

Brett Hull, on his podcast, recounted an old anecdote from the past that shows how things can sometimes change very quickly, in the hockey world.

Which story?

The former glory mentioned that in 2001, while his free agent process was in full swing, the free agent had pretty much decided that Montreal was where he was going to pursue his career.

Nothing less.

In fact, he had dinner with the Habs and even had a long phone call with none other than Jean Béliveau to convince him to sign.

But all that changed with a call from Chris Chelios, then wearing the colors of the Red Wings.

He said, ‘Do you want to come to Detroit? And I said yes.

I’m not a fool: they were so good. – Brett Hull

2001-2002 was his first season with the Wings. And that year, for the second and last time in his playing career, Hull won the Stanley Cup.

He also won in Dallas in 1999.

(Credit: Hockey DB)

Of course, it would have been interesting to see what the legendary player, who was nearing the end of his career, would have been able to do with a lesser team in Montreal.

It would have been fun for the fans, at least.

But in any case, it’s easy to see why he chose to go to Detroit, to play in a city that had a top hockey club.

The Wings were a big deal in those years, as everyone knows.

overtime

– Interesting.

– Nick Suzuki: quite a captain. [BPM Sports]

– Eh boy.

– Indeed.

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Alexandre Carrier worries me

The Canadiens managed to pick up two points yesterday in Utah. Good thieves that they were last night, the boys quickly took off for Vegas after the game. They arrived in Nevada early tonight, Western Time.

Why am I talking about stealing? Because the Habs got 17 shots and the Mammoth got 34.

And because the Habs had just three scoring chances in a dangerous zone, while André Tourigny’s men had 12.

If you get stats like that over 82 games, you won’t make the playoffs. Especially not with two goalies who are averageat best..

But hey, the Habs still found a way to win a second straight game, Zachary Bolduc got three points for the first time in his NHL career, and Nick Suzuki played BY FAR his best game since getting a shot on the foot against the Flyers.

But there’s one player on the Canadiens who worries me right now: Alexandre Carrier. And I’m not the only one.

Yesterday, the Québécois defenseman finished the game at minus-2. He took the penalty that led to the Mammoth’s first goal and was directly responsible for another Mammoth goal on its comeback in the second.

Except that he still played 20:01, the third-highest total of any defenseman on the team.

We only have one other right-winger on the blue line: Noah Dobson.

Alexandre Carrier’s difficulties have been present since the start of the season. Carrier is the Montreal defenseman with the worst differential(minus-9). Quite a contrast with the defenseman who came to stabilize Montreal’s defensive brigade almost a year ago to the day..

Why is Carrier having such a different season than last year?

Did Tom Wilson’s check in Game #4 against the Capitals in April leave its mark? That’s one hypothesis. Carrier is the habs player who gets hit the most. He also ranks sixth in the entire NHL in terms of body checks received. In the long run, that can take its toll..

Did he simply play over his head during his first few months in Montreal? You know, one GM agreed to trade him for Justin Barron! Seeing him play like he did last year was a bit surreal, wasn’t it?

Go figure..

The fact remains that if the Canadiens want to get back on track for good – and not just for a night or two, relying on the luck and opportunism of their best players – they’ll need to be able to count on a second, more effective right-handed defenseman than Alexandre Carrier is right now.

If Carrier were left-handed, he’d already be in the stands, in place of Arber Xhekaj. But playing with five left-handed defensemen is risky in today’s NHL

Carrier’s contract expires next season. He’ll earn $2.8 million, but will account for $3.75 million of the Habs‘ payroll. He’ll also have to get back to playing top-level hockey if he hopes to sign an attractive new deal after this one.

He holds all the cards; it’s up to him to play them well.

Note that last year, when everything was going well, Carrier followed everything that was said or written about him and his new team. This year, he does so much less. And that’s a good thing, because as much as people have the right to criticize his game, he has the right not to let those criticisms get to him.

Extension

I look at this this morning and in the (eternal?) absence of Kaiden Guhle, we’re missing a defender on the top four. Struble, Carrier, Engstrom, Xhekaj or even Reinbacher aren’t currently defensemen capable of donning such skates in the NHL.

(Credit: DailyFaceoff.com)

Kent Hughes will have to 1. hope that Kaiden Guhle can stay healthy; 2. make sure that David Reinbacher develops (healthy) at top speed this season in Laval and 3. Find a way to retain the services of Mike Matheson.

Many fans had already seen him on the move before the start of the season, but a game like last night’s should be enough to convince just about everyone: Mike Matheson is extremely important on the blue line. He’s perhaps the best all-around defenseman on the team. He can do it all.

But how much is he worth? Are negotiations going well? Will he be back in Montreal next year?

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Players (and owners) are stupid

On November 4, Nick Suzuki blocked a Flyers shot in overtime, helping his team force a shootout. Suzuki was able to try his luck in the shootout, but missed (as has happened all too often over the past two years).

Since then, Suzuki has missed a few practices, but has been able to play all of his team’s games.

Except he’s not the same, and it shows. He has just four points in eight games since that blocked shot, whereas he had 19 in 13 games before that.

You’ve got to applaud a guy like Nick Suzuki who, despite injuries, insists on playing every game for his team. He hasn’t missed a game since turning pro (476 in the regular season and 37 in the playoffs).

But we also have to ask: why don’t players, who are increasingly called upon to block shots in today’s NHL, wear extra protection on their skates(skate fenders)? Kirby Dach wouldn’t be on the injured list right now, if he were..

It’s not just athletes’ feet that could do with more protection; Charlie McAvoy suffered a badly broken jaw when he took a deflected shot to the face. A full grille, full visor or visor stocking would have prevented him from going under the knife and possibly missing the Olympics. McAvoy will have to eat soft food for two to three months..

And I haven’t even mentioned the names of Saku Koivu or David-Alexandre Beauregard..

Add kevlar socks, which are too little used. Kaiden Guhle, Erik Karlsson… many of them have suffered severe cuts to their legs during a match.

Why do so few players wear neck protectors? Didn’t Adam Johnson’s death two years ago in Europe awaken some guys’ zest for life?

And what about players who wear gloves with as little protection as possible, in order to be more comfortable with their stick and the puck? It seems to me that Brendan Gallagher’s fingers should be enough to convince anyone of the merits of wearing the right gloves…

All about looks, efficiency and acceptance
I asked a former player why the guys weren’t protecting themselves more yesterday. His answer?

“Guys think it’s a small risk. There aren’t that many injured on the sequences you’re talking about. They also want to be like everyone else, and not be called names on the ice because they’re scared. That’s just hockey culture. They also claim – rightly or wrongly – that these pieces of equipment make them less good. And less beautiful! Because yes, it can make them lose sponsorship revenue, the grilles and visors.”

That conversation confirmed one thing for me: it’s not the players who are going to turn on the lights themselves. And no, the Players’ Association isn’t going to step in and force its members to do something they don’t want to do.

The solution will have to come from the owners, who one day will be fed up with losing money on investments that don’t pay off. It’s up to them to say, “Okay, I’m going to do everything I can to protect my investment.”

Don’t you think Geoff Molson is happy to see Kirby Dach miss a month and a half when a piece of equipment would have kept him healthy?

Or Kaiden Guhle missing several months (last year) when a Kevlar stocking could have kept him out?

Or the Bruins owner watching Charlie McAvoy keep his jaw wired shut on the TD Garden catwalk?

We’re going through exactly what the field hockey players of the ’80s went through with helmets, and yet, today, no one will tell you that helmets aren’t useful and necessary.

The NHL is going to have to put its pants on and force players to protect themselves, because history has taught us that no, you can’t count on players to protect themselves.

After that, we read tweets from agents repeating ad nauseam that the NHL is putting their players’ safety at risk… when it would be so easy to have players protect themselves in the first place.

overtime

– Here are the American hockey jerseys for the upcoming Olympics.

– Logical.

– His return to the NHL is approaching.

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Canadiens: five things to watch out for before the next game

Last night, on the heels of their first game of three straight on the road, the Canadiens won in Utah.

What’s next won’t be easy, as the Canadiens take on the Golden Knights and the Avalanche on Friday and Saturday afternoon. These are two good clubs.

But what should we be on the lookout for before tomorrow’s game? In the end, there are several things.

1. Adam Engstrom played just over 10 minutes yesterday. Will Martin St-Louis be tempted to take him off in favor of Arber Xhekaj for the Vegas game?

We’ll probably find out tomorrow.

2. Will Samuel Montembeault (expected to play one of the two games) play against Vegas, leaving the mighty Colorado club to Dobes? Or will Martin St-Louis try to secure the win against Vegas by going with Dobes?

With the standings so tight in the East, the question arises…

(Credit: NHL.com)

3. Will Jared Davidson be sidelined by his coach in order to play Alexandre Texier against Vegas? Clearly, we understood the importance of experience last night.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened.

4. Will Samuel Blais be called up for the waivers? The Canadiens could well get their hands on the man who was supposed to provide depth for this club.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Canadiens go after him. But I don’t think the Habs will be the only ones to have that idea.

5. If Blais is ever in demand, will the club choose to send a guy (Davidson, possibly) to Laval right away? Or will they wait until after the trip out West?

These are the questions that arise.

overtime

– Good listening.

– The more I watch footage like this (where guys try to reinvent hockey one useless pass at a time), the more I think the phrase of the year belongs to Jon Cooper. Be selfish and shoot the puck,” he said in the final at the Four Nations.

– Read on.

– Indeed.

– Interesting.