Author: Dose

Categories
Uncategorized

Chris Kreider has agreed to a deal with the Ducks

It’s done.

According to Larry Brooks, who is well connected in New York, Chris Kreider has accepted the deal that will send him to Anaheim. He could say no on the heels of his partial no-trade clause.

Carey Terrance is expected to go the other way, and a number of picks should be involved.

The bulk of the deal had been in place for a few days. But since Kreider has the final say, he wanted to make sure he made the right decision for the next two years of his career.

So he talked to the Ducks (and I’m sure a lot of other people) about making the best decision for the future.

We agreed that it was time for Kreider to get out of New York. The relationship with Chris Drury and his players, including Kreider, wasn’t exactly rosy, and the club needed a change.

Good for Kreider if he can get out of there.

He must really believe in the Ducks (or not be in demand enough to go elsewhere without risking getting stuck in New York?) to go there. After all, two years from now (the end of his contract), the Ducks won’t be winning the Stanley Cup.

We’ll see what effect he has there.

Details to follow…

Categories
Uncategorized

Ivan Demidov would not be top of the class if drafted in 2025

Let’s imagine, just for fun, that Ivan Demidov was eligible for the 2025 draft instead of the 2024 draft. In that scenario, he would have been a KHL rookie in 2024-2025… but not a Canadiens prospect.

The question: where would he have been drafted?

Corey Pronman has taken a stab at answering the question by ranking the top-10 prospects in the 2024 draft and the top-10 prospects in the 2025 draft. You can read his top-20 (The Athletic) on the subject.

In fact, when you look at the rankings, there’s only one player above Demidov among the youngsters of the 2025 draft. Unsurprisingly, it’s Matthew Schaefer.

Pronman believes that Demidov is poised to be a star winger and that the two players are comparable, but he still puts the defenseman (with #1 potential) ahead of the Russian.

Defenseman VS winger… that counts for something.

It says a lot about the left-handed defender’s talent. Mathieu Darche would really have to be over the moon to trade his pick… and that’s not going to happen, between you and me.

In actual fact, Demidov is ranked #3, with Macklin Celebrini at the very top. That’s no surprise and well-deserved for the Sharks’ player.

The San Jose center will be good for a long time. And the pairing he’ll form with Will Smith is sure to be iconic.

Note that Caleb Desnoyers ranks seventh in the standings and fourth among prospects eligible for the 2025 draft. Michael Misa, Porter Martone and Berkly Catton (2024 draft) are also ahead of Desnoyers.

Cayden Lindstrom, selected ahead of Demidov last year, is 19th out of 20, just ahead of Jackson Smith, a 2025 prospect.

overtime

– Coming up.

– A name not to be underestimated.

– Hum…

– Of note.

Categories
Uncategorized

Stuart Skinner: his family receives death threats

Stuart Skinner isn’t exactly the most reliable goaltender in history. Sometimes he can be excellent… but sometimes he can also collapse in front of his net at the worst possible time for the Oilers.

But that doesn’t mean his wife and children deserve to die.

Chloe Skinner, the Oilers’ goalie’s wife, recently told the Break the Ice podcast that she receives death threats to herself and her children when her husband plays poorly.

Inevitably, it got people talking.

We suspect that players’ wives sometimes receive derogatory messages, but to have to deal with death threats, everyone agrees it doesn’t make sense.

Everyone agrees… except those who make them, unfortunately.

Even if the guard isn’t the most active on social networks, he’s still aware of the situation. It must drive him crazy to know that his performances are having this effect on his family.

As Renaud Lavoie, who spoke on BPM Sports this morning, said, there’s a fine line between being taunted on the ice by an opponent and his wife’s situation.

And as Skinner is an emotional man, it can’t be easy to deal with in the middle of a final.

Let’s not forget that in his last game, Skinner let his team down. But even so, the TVA Sports reporter said this morning on the radio that he expected Skinner, who is normally good in games 4 to 7 of a series, to be in front of the net – barring injury.

Will the Oilers win tonight? Stay tuned.

overtime

– He’s on fire.

– What do you think?

– Jeff Boudreault and Jean-Charles Lajoie open a restaurant in Granby. [LVDLE]

– Nice.

Lane Hutson at Bauer Hockey camp alongside Patrick Kane
byu/Go_Habs_Go31 inHabs

Categories
Uncategorized

Over $32 million for Brad Marchand as a free agent at age 37: possible

Clearly, Brad Marchand has found the Fountain of Youth. Hint: it’s somewhere in Sunrise.

Because yes, Marchand is on the right team for him. The Panthers play an intense style of hockey, and let’s just say that having the Chief Rat to help play a style of hockey like the Florida club’s helps.

Plus, he likes to score in Stanley Cup finals. What more could you ask for?

Normally, when a player at the end of his career like this (I say this with all due respect, but the guy’s still 37) finds a niche, you’d expect him to try to stay.

But that may not be the case for the Maritime native.

In a piece on current rumours, Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic) mentioned that the door wasn’t closed with the Panthers on July 1, but that with Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad in town, Marchand isn’t necessarily the priority.

This could force him to go elsewhere.

What we need to understand is that Marchand could simply sign a small contract and stay in Florida. But clearly, the man the Bruins traded at the deadline is thinking big on the heels of a great playoff run and an increased cap hit.

How big?

It’s likely that Marchand will reach the free-agent market, where the total value of the deal will be a higher priority than the annual value of the contract.

I think he’ll get three or four years and easily more than $8 million a year. – Pierre LeBrun on Brad Marchand

In my book, four years at over eight million dollars a year for a guy who will be 41 in four years is a lot of money. That’s over $32 million…

The Panthers can’t afford that.

LeBrun mentioned that yes, Marchand is likely to consider the Maple Leafs. He could help change the dynamic there and I don’t know if I see another playoff club giving him that kind of money. At his age and with his style of play, it’s too much.

I’m not doubting the clubs’ interest… but $32 million is a hell of a lot of stock.

The Maple Leafs, desperate for a change, are crazy enough to give him that kind of money. And with Mitch Marner clearly on his way out, it could fit under the payroll.

Note that since 2017, Marchand has earned $6.125M per year.

overtime

– Of note.

– Good listening.

– Louis-Jean in the NAHL.

– Wow.

Categories
Uncategorized

A $100M contract for Lane Hutson?

You read the headline correctly. 100 million is an idea broached by Jean-Nicolas Blanchet of the Journal de Québec.

In a text published on the TVA Sports website on Wednesday, Blanchet attempted to calculate the kind of contract Lane Hutson could earn, based on a hypothesis of $100 million over eight seasons.

Doing some quick math, that falls to $12.5 million per season. The salary cap is rising fast in the NHL, but a contract like that is simply too big.

We’re talking about a player with only one full season under his belt. Hutson has what it takes to become one of the NHL’s top defensemen one day, but he needs to be patient.

Such a contract would be the second-largest in NHL history for a defenseman, just behind Shea Weber with his $110 million contract over 14 seasons. In fact, $12.5 million would be the highest annual average for a defenseman in NHL history.

We like Hutson a lot, but isn’t that a little too fast?

Blanchet drew a comparison with Quinn Hughes and his first NHL contract by calculating inflation over the past few years. He came up with a contract averaging $10.5 million per season, for a total of $84 million.

That’s a little more realistic, but would still match Carey Price’s record contract with the Canadiens.

Not everyone at TVA Sports agrees. Renaud Lavoie put forward the idea of a transitional contract during his appearance on the JiC show, explaining that $100 million was too much money at the moment.

Lavoie’s idea would greatly benefit Lane Hutson, as the salary cap is set to rise very quickly. He’d cash in a little less during the two or three years of a transition contract, but he’d hit the jackpot when it comes time to sign a real big contract.

All this, of course, if his performance continues to improve.

For his part, Jean-Charles Lajoie is convinced that Lane Hutson will become one of the best defensemen in the Canadiens’ history.

With a title like this, the money will have to follow, that’s for sure.

Overtime

– Good listening.

– He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

– Just like the NFL draft.

– The Golden Knights would like to keep Karlsson.

– We’ll have to wait a little longer.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Canadiens are looking to add forwards, according to Elliotte Friedman

After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, the Canadiens will try to do better next season. But to do so, the team will need the help of Kent Hughes.

There are some serious holes in the Canadiens’ line-up, and they can’t really go any further without addressing these problems. There’s been a lot of talk about a new defenseman to take David Savard’s place, but there’s also a need to improve the offense.

According to tipster Elliotte Friedman’s latest edition of his 32 Thoughts podcast, it would appear that the Canadiens are actively looking for forwards.

From Friedman’s comments, we understand that the Canadiens are looking for forwards (with an “s”). However, he didn’t name any players the Canadiens might be interested in.

These forwards would be of particular help to Ivan Demidov, who will begin his NHL rookie season this fall. Understandably, Kent Hughes has no desire to line up his young prodigy with the likes of Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook.

The experience with Newhook was incredible in Demidov’s first game, but the craziness faded a little after that. Not to mention that, the way things are going, Laine isn’t likely to stay in Montreal much longer.

Friedman also believes that these new players should be players who could grow up with Demidov. This idea is a little vague, but we can deduce that it would be a young player or a veteran who still has a few years ahead of him to guide the Habs’ young prospects.

Now, how would Kent Hughes go about getting his hands on such a player?

The idea of trading the Canadiens’ first two picks to move up in the draft isn’t a bad one, but if Hughes wants to go after second-line forwards, expect him to abandon the idea of advancing at auction in order to use them to improve the team now.

That’s if Hughes decides to pick up these players in a trade. Several players will be available “for free” on the free agent market. However, the Canadiens’ GM must be wary of overbidding to avoid ending up with another bad contract.

Kent Hughes, however, is a big fan of transactions at the draft. A transaction could therefore take place at the next NHL auction, hopefully more successful than that of a certain Kirby Dach.

Overtime

– Wow!

– Alex Newhook’s sister could become a star in the LPHF.

– A second home run in his last four games.

– Good news.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Canadiens don’t want Marco Rossi

It’s no secret that the Habs need a second center and are very active in the market to acquire one.

The question is no longer “Will a forward come to Montreal?” but “Who will come to Montreal?

In any case, it won’t be Marco Rossi. Pierre LeBrun confirmed in his article (The Athletic) that Montreal isn’t too interested in the Wild forward. In any case, he’s not the ideal player for the club.

According to LeBrun, the Canucks and Flames are interested in the forward. Vancouver is a little more interested.

For the Habs, if the chances of acquiring the Austrian are slim, they would have been a little less so if Mathew Barzal and/or Bo Horvat had been available in New York.

Why would that be? Because, according to the informant, Montreal would have been in the running. The problem is that Matthieu Darche has no interest in letting them go, let alone trading them to the Habs…

A guy like Barzal would really have been ideal to play with Ivan Demidov. He’s dynamic, he’s relatively young, he’s intelligent… In short, he has several qualities that make him one of the NHL’s best centers (when healthy).

Last year, he only played 30 games.

As for Horvat, he’s an undisputed leader. He wasn’t named captain of the Canucks for nothing… He doesn’t have the same style of play as Barzal, but he’s still a top-6 asset who would have made Montreal an offensive powerhouse.

Obviously, acquiring a guy like Barzal or Horvat comes at a price. But Montreal has the picks/prospects to pay for it. If they’re not available at the right price, that’s okay; Jason Robertson and Sidney Crosby could be.

Overtime

– Wow.

– Really?

– I see.

– He’s all set.

– Clearly.

Categories
Uncategorized

Statue to honor Patrick Roy to be erected in Quebec City

Patrick Roy was an important part of hockey in Quebec City

Not at the NHL level, but at the junior level.

If anyone deserves a statue next to the Centre Vidéotron, it’s him. Well, now it’s been confirmed by TVA Québec journalist Stéphane Turcot. He announced this wonderful news on the JiC show .

When I say Roy has been an important part of junior hockey in Quebec, I’m not lying. He became owner of the Remparts in 1997 along with Jacques Tanguay and Marcel Cadrin.

Tanguay said nearly two years ago that he hoped Quebec City would build a statue in tribute to the former Canadiens goaltender.

The Québécois, a native of Quebec City, coached the team from 2005-2013 and from 2018-2023. In the meantime, he was the pilot of the Colorado Avalanche, where he won a Jack-Adams Trophy.

In the provincial capital, he won two Memorial Cups (2006 and 2023).

It is this pose, with the trophy at arm’s length, that will be used for the statue.

As for the project, the bronze statue will be built on Place Jean-Béliveau over the next two years. According to Turcot’s interview, the budget is $400,000, with funding coming directly from the city and private-sector business people.

Let’s hope the statue will be more beautiful than that of Christiano Ronaldo.

(Credit: Getty Images)

Overtime

– I can imagine.

– To be continued.

– The end.

– Really?

– Yes.

Categories
Uncategorized

Rumor mill: Necas name linked to Flyers name

Martin Necas played 30 games with the Avalanche.

And… it looks like he might already be on his way out to Colorado.

Necas isn’t necessarily happy at the moment and may be looking to leave. He has one year left on his contract and is eligible to test the free agent market in 2026.

If the Avalanche officially tells other teams that Necas is available, there will be interest in the forward’s services.

Without a doubt, in fact.

And among the clubs potentially interested, there could be the Flyers. Necas’ name has been linked to the Philly organization, while William James (Philly Hockey Now) wonders why the Flyers wouldn’t take him out of Colorado.

Martin Necas in Philadelphia, on the same line as Matvei Michkov… that would be really dangerous.

The Czech player has a style of play that would mix well with Michkov’s: Necas is fast, he likes to find his teammates on the ice, he’s excellent at getting into territory… and Michkov, on the other hand, loves to score goals.

Sounds like an interesting fit.

Let’s keep an eye on Vladimir Tarasenko

Let’s start by agreeing that Vladimir Tarasenko is no longer the dominant player he once was.

His offensive output has been in free-fall since last season: in 24-25, as part of a talented group in Detroit, the Russian amassed a total of… 33 points (11 goals) in 80 games.

We’re not talking about the Vladimir Tarasenko we saw in St. Louis, let’s put it that way.

But, at 33, he still has plenty to give to a National League club. And according to David Pagnotta, you’ll want to keep an eye on his name right now… as the Red Wings are exploring the market for the services of the offensively gifted forward.

I wonder if Tarasenko could be an interesting idea for the Canadiens.

He could come in and surround Ivan Demidov, and let’s not forget that Tarasenko has the experience to do it, having won the Stanley Cup twice.

Once with the Blues (2019)… and once with the Panthers (2024).

I really get the impression that the price to pick him up in Detroit wouldn’t be huge, and it’s not as if he’s on a huge salary either at $4.75M per season. Especially since his contract expires in the summer of 2026, one year from now…

To improve the top-6 or add natural talent on the third line, perhaps he could be a solution for Kent Hughes.

In Dallas, there’s Robertson… but also Marchment

It’s no secret that Dallas is looking to save money on the payroll.

That’s why we’ve been hearing rumours about Jason Robertson lately.

But Robo isn’t the only Stars player available to other National League teams.

There’s also Mason Marchment, who’s about to enter the final year of his $4.5 M per season contract:

At 29, Marchment has established himself as one of the NHL’s good two-way players.

He’s big, he’s 6’5… and he can score goals too.

The forward has scored 22 goals in each of his last two seasons in Dallas, and expect to see teams interested in him in the coming weeks. He doesn’t earn a huge salary, he’s efficient because he can be used in all sorts of ways, and he’s having the time of his life right now.

His name is likely to be circulating a lot, at least.

Overtime

– Good deal.

– News in the MLB.

– So much the better if it works.

Categories
Uncategorized

Mailloux named to AHL Top Prospects Team despite decent season

In his first season in the AHL, Logan Mailloux collected 47 points in 72 games.

That’s quite a haul for a defenseman making his professional debut.

Offensively, however, it was more difficult for him in 24-25. His production (33 points in 63 games) dropped, but that doesn’t mean he had a bad season.

At least, Mailloux did enough to earn a spot on the AHL’s Top Prospects team.

He is one of five players nominated along with Jet Greaves (Cleveland Monsters goaltender), Dalibor Dvorský (Springfield Thunderbirds forward), Konsta Helenius (Rochester Americans forward), Bradly Nadeau (Chicago Wolves forward) and Scott Morrow (Chicago Wolves defenseman):

All in all, it’s a nice token of appreciation for Mailloux… even if he didn’t have as big an offensive season as we would have liked in Montreal.

After all, when you look at a youngster’s progress, the goal is to see him improve from year to year.

But, in reality, we know that Mailloux also focused on other aspects of his game in 24-25.

Pascal Vincent wanted to see him become more responsible in his zone, because defensively, it wasn’t glorious for Mailloux last year.

He even struggled defensively during his brief stay with the Canadiens at the start of the 24-25 season…

But hey. If Mailloux can correct this aspect of his game, he’ll be in a position to enjoy a fine, long career in the National League. The development of a defenseman can take longer, and you have to take the time necessary to allow the youngsters to progress as they should, and next year we need to see him be better in all three zones of the rink.

At least, that’s if he’s still part of the Montreal organization next fall…

Overtime

– It’s true.

– Can’t wait to see what the Canadiens do.

– Interesting!

– Good news for the Celtics and the club’s fans.