Author: Dose

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Mike Matheson wants a new contract in Montreal

Mike Matheson isn’t exactly unanimous in Montreal. Some want to get rid of him, while others want to keep him as a role model for youngsters. He earns a salary of $4.875 million a year, a contract which expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The problem is the overload of left-handed defenders in the organization. Kaiden Guhle, Lane Hutson, Jayden Struble can all take on a left-hand role. But at the right price, can Kent Hughes afford to keep him and offer him a contract extension?

In any case, Matheson was seen at the combine in Buffalo with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. As Radio-Canada’s Marc Antoine Godin reports, these were not official contract negotiations, but the defenseman is keen to extend his stay in Montreal.

Note that Matheson is only eligible for a contract extension on July 1.

I’ve found Matheson’s treatment far too harsh over the past year. He was often thrown under the bus, when the real culprit was Martin St-Louis. He simply played too much. He’s not a #1 defenseman, but in his role, he can be effective.

Did he have a season? No, but the responsibilities he was given were too great.

If the possible contract under discussion is reasonable, Matheson can be effective in a more self-effacing role. He still has a good skating stroke and can support the forward. He’ll need to do more of that next season.

Overtime

– Here we go for the Stanley Cup Final.

– An intriguing prospect.

– His value has been on the rise for the past few months.

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Justin Carbonneau: The first Québécois drafted by the Habs in the first round since 2009?

If there’s one player who could be drafted by the Montreal Canadiens this summer, and it’s the talk of the town, it’s Québécois Justin Carbonneau.

Earlier today, my colleague Charles-Alexis Brisebois wrote an article about the first-round prospect firing his agent… by e-mail.

Pretty ordinary, I’d say.

Still, his talent is undeniable, with 89 points, including 46 goals, in 62 games this season.

He knows how to put it in, you might say.

And according to the experts, he could very well be available when the Habs draft, if the club keeps its two first-round picks, of course.

It’s been no less than 16 years since the Habs selected a Québécois in the first round of a draft.

We go back to the summer of 2009, when Louis Leblanc was selected 18th, a similar ranking to the Habs’ picks on June 27 (16th and 17th).

Nicolas Cloutier of TVA Sports spoke with the man himself and wrote a very interesting article about it:

At the Marriott Harborcenter lobby bar, Carbonneau was very convincing in his words, which makes the prospect’s profile quite intriguing.

For him, being a Québécois makes no difference: he’s a hockey player first and foremost.

As we all know, a Québécois playing in Montreal can go either way.

Louis Leblanc comes to mind, of course, but so does Jonathan Drouin.

The latter two haven’t had much success with the Habs, and that’s to be expected, as we know that the fans are (very) intense and the pressure isn’t for everyone.

Leblanc’s case is quite different from Drouin’s, but the principle remains the same.

But in an interview with Nicolas Cloutier, Carbonneau doesn’t seem to be letting the opportunity to be the first player from La Belle Province drafted by the Habs in the first round in 16 years get to him.

“I’d be happy and proud to be the first since 2009. I didn’t really know the statistic. For me, it would be a bit of a dream to be able to say I got into the NHL with them.” – Justin Carbonneau

Of course, the dream of every young Québécois hockey player is to play for his childhood club.

But it takes a strong head to play in Montreal, especially as a Québécois.

In the interview, which I strongly suggest you read here, Carbonneau puts a lot of emphasis on his desire to win and his will to improve.

A young player who wants to win at all costs and who will do anything to become the best version of himself, that’s worth its weight in gold.

You may have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t put in the effort, your career may take a different turn.

In short, the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada product can’t wait to see which team will make “the best choice” by drafting him, as he so aptly put it.

Overtime

– Coming up.

– This better be a joke. Seriously?

– Bettman confirms that development is already underway for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

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Carter Bear expects to be healthy for NHL practice camps

The NHL draft is fast approaching.

This year, it will take place on June 27 and 28, just over three weeks from now.

As we all know, the Montreal Canadiens have the 16th and 17th picks, and many are wondering whether they will draft or trade one or both of them.

Should they choose to draft at these ranks, a few names have already been linked to the Habs.

Québécois Justin Carbonneau is one of them, but some experts believe that Carter Bear could fall to the Habs, as he injured his Achilles tendon in March.

Regarding his injury, Bear added some information that could, however, move him up a few spots.

The Everett Silvertips player just mentioned that he expects to receive the green light from the doctors before the start of NHL practice camps.

Adam Kimelman reports:

“It’s going really well so far. My physio tells me I’m a month ahead of schedule.” – Carter Bear

Not only could he make it back in time for practice camps, but the fact that he’s as far ahead as expected gives him a good case for being drafted sooner.

Teams like to see a player who recovers quickly from an injury, especially to his Achilles tendon, even if it’s only a partial tear. That’s what supports your body, after all.

So it’s safe to say that the chances of him being available at #16 are now a little slimmer with this new information.

Bear could definitely be an interesting prospect for the Habs, having racked up no less than 82 points, including 40 goals, in 56 games.

But what’s interesting in his case is that he’s a left winger, but can just as easily be used at center.

What’s more, even if he’s not the most massive at 6 feet and 179 pounds, he loves to rush the net and deflect pucks. His shot is formidable and he can score in all sorts of ways.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Habs to move up a few spots to draft him, as he’s certainly got a lot of talent and an interesting profile.

Overtime

– Discussions on the next collective agreement are going quite well, according to Gary Bettman. Discussions are constructive and cordial, which is good news.

– Quite interesting.

– The 2025 NHL Series is sure to be special.

– A big addition for the Trois-Rivières Lions, who will be able to count on Vincent Sévigny for tonight’s game. He managed to arrive in time for Game 3 of tonight’s ECHL final.

– The young Québécois wants to prove who’s the best Québécois in the NBA Finals.

– Read more.

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Players leaving for the NCAA: Starting to become a problem for the CHL

Right now, it’s not the best-kept secret in the world.

Seeing CHL players leave for the NCAA is no easy feat for junior hockey in Canada.

And the problem? It’s likely to get worse over time…

The thing is, the NCAA has some things the QMJHL, OHL and WHL don’t: they offer players a salary… and the guys get to live on the big university campuses.

It’s just not the same.

Especially since the big schools have really impressive facilities too. The idea of leaving the CHL to join the university ranks is popular right now with Canada’s top prospects, and it’s starting to become a problem for the CHL.

And as Martin Leclerc(Tellement Hockey) said, it’s hard for the CHL to find solutions to this problem…

What is happening and what will happen is that the CHL will reduce the quality of its product.

If the best prospects leave junior hockey in Canada and move to the United States, as we’re seeing right now, it has an impact on the talent in the OHL, the QMJHL and the WHL… and that’s too bad, because even then, the CHL can’t do much to stop them.

Initially, we thought it would be a good idea because it would allow the guys to go and play in a better caliber to pursue their respective development.

But with all the names that have left and will be leaving, others will say that it’s less attractive to play in Canada… and this will encourage even more players to leave for American universities.

All of which is to say that the situation is rapidly becoming difficult for the CHL and its management.

And unless some kind of solution is found… the problem is going to get even bigger before long.

Overtime

– I can’t wait to see McDavid’s performance in the final.

– Really?

– I’m getting chills.

– News in MLB:

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Rumor mill: Martin Necas unhappy with Colorado situation

The Avalanche and Hurricanes caught everyone’s attention in January.

After all, let’s not forget that the deal involving Martin Necas and Mikko Rantanen was a bombshell in the NHL because it wasn’t necessarily seen coming.

Rantanen ended up being traded to Dallas because he didn’t want to play in Carolina… and now, maybe the Avalanche won’t have the choice of doing the same with Necas.

Because, according to Nick Kypreos, there’s a feeling right now that Necas isn’t necessarily happy in Colorado.

The tipster maintains that the forward may be looking to explore his options to leave… and if that happens, the Avalanche organization is going to look a little crazy.

I say this because before trading Mikko Rantanen for a player, the Avalanche had to make sure the player in question wanted to play in Colorado long-term.

Losing a Rantanen hurts any club… And if the Avalanche have to trade Necas, it’s going to be hard to move things forward.

In all this, it should be noted that Necas is entering the final year of his two-year contract and is eligible for full autonomy in the summer of 2026.

I also wonder if Nathan MacKinnon has a role to play in Necas’ discomfort, because we know he’s really intense with his teammates off the ice…

Time is running out for the Avalanche.

And at this point, it’s time to start making a decision about the man they brought in for Mikko Rantanen.

Mitch Marner would not stay in Toronto

There seemed to be a chance that Mitch Marner would stay in Toronto.

Elliotte Friedman raised the possibility in recent weeks… but we agree that it would be surprising.

And the latest news is that Marner is on his way out because he didn’t like the way he was treated in Toronto this year.

Remember that the Leafs asked him to waive his no-trade clause, precisely in order to acquire Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline…

Word on the street is that Marner didn’t want to be traded at the time because he’d just witnessed the birth of his child.

And it’s true that moving the whole family in the middle of the season with a newborn baby isn’t ideal.

The player’s goal, then, would be to test the free agent market on July 1… which seems to make more sense than staying in Toronto.

And let’s not forget that there’s going to be a lot of interest in his services.

The Kings, the Hawks, the Hurricanes, the Golden Knights… all of these clubs have been linked to the principal interested party of late.

The Hurricanes will be aggressive this summer

In Carolina, they’re aiming for the ultimate goal.

Winning the third round to reach (and win) the Stanley Cup Final.

But clearly, it’s not working with the current group, because the results are the same, year after year. And with over $30 million to spend this summer, Eric Tulsky (GM) will have plenty of room to play, and his plan is pretty simple.

The Hurricanes GM wants to be aggressive in his approach, as reported by David Pagnotta.

Eric Robinson, Brent Burns, Dmitri Orlov, Jack Roslovic and Tyson Jost will be as free as a bird as of July 1, and the Hurricanes will have some decisions to make regarding these five players.

But still: if the majority of these guys stay in Carolina, the Hurricanes will have plenty of room to make a big splash – whether on the trade market or the free agent market.

And we know they’re not afraid to move either.

They acquired Rantanen before sending him back to Dallas in the 24-25 season, and it proves one thing: Eric Tulsky is doing what it takes to improve his team.

On the free agent market, I have a feeling that guys like Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, Sam Bennett, Jamie Benn and Claude Giroux are going to get a lot of attention in Carolina…

In Overtime

– Sergei Kostitsyn announces his retirement.

– To be continued…

– I’m going with… Corey Perry!

– Too bad.

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Sylvain Favreau: His name would be popular in Milwaukee in the American League

Who will be the Rocket’s next head coach if Pascal Vincent leaves the Canadiens?

This question has been popular since yesterday.

According to Marco Normandin, Vincent is on the verge of leaving his position in Laval to join a team in the National Hockey League.

In a text yesterday, I mentioned the possibility of Sylvain Favreau replacing Pascal Vincent.

And in my mind, it’s quite logical, because in 2024, Favreau’s name was popular when people talked about the next coach in Laval.

That said, again according to Marco Normandin, we could well expect to see Favreau make the jump to the AHL… but not in Laval: in Milwaukee.

Karl Taylor is currently head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals and is the winningest coach in the organization’s history.

And he’s not going anywhere, by the way… unless an NHL team calls upon his services before the start of next season.

He signed a contract extension with the club just last week:

If Favreau is hired in Milwaukee, it would probably be as an assistant.

And that’s okay too.

He has head coaching experience in the QMJHL, but sometimes coaches have to move up to the next level by accepting a “lesser” role in order to advance in their careers.

By starting out as an assistant in the AHL, he’d still have the opportunity to prove himself… and if his work is recognized in the right way, there’s nothing to stop him finding a job as a head coach in the AHL – or even as an assistant in the NHL – at some point.

That’s interesting, at least. And if he’s hired by the Admirals, that would be one less candidate in the race for the head coach position in Laval that would be vacant if Pascal Vincent does indeed decide to leave.

Overtime

– Well-deserved!

– Reinforcement in Trois-Rivières.

– Well done.

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Darren Dreger on Jason Robertson: the Habs have the pieces to dance with the Stars

Clearly,at the right price, the Stars are willing to let Jason Robertson go this summer.

Beware: the Dallas club doesn’t want to give him away. After all, he’s still a player capable of scoring 100 points in a season, and he’s still young. He’s only 25.

But at the right price, he could leave.

This morning, on TSN 690, Darren Dreger was asked whether the Canadiens, a club looking for a forward (wing or center, according to Jeff Gorton), has what it takes to dance with the Stars in the case of the 6’3 player.

Dreger’s answer? Yes.

Logan Mailloux, whose name is circulating a lot these days in the rumor mill, could be involved. The same goes for a mid-first-round pick in 2025.

But it would take more, of course.

How expensive would it be? I guess it would also depend on how much trouble the Stars are in. While Robertson’s health was a concern during the playoffs, it’s his contract that’s the problem.

Robertson is two years away from full autonomy, and in a year’s time, he’ll have to renew his contract. He currently earns $7.75 million a year, and whoever is eligible for arbitration in a year’s time should break the bank.

If Brock Nelson is worth $7.5 million a year… how much is Robertson worth?

Obviously, if Robertson doesn’t want to sign long-term with a club that would go after him, he can still control his destiny by sitting on his hands and waiting for his autonomy in 2027. That’s something to keep in mind.

The arrival of Mikko Rantanen means that the Texas club no longer has any financial clout. Is the Stars GM afraid that Robertson will have another 109-point season and that he won’t be able to pay him? It’s possible.

A club that wanted him would have to be able to pay the Stars in assets, but also the player in cash. The Habs, if they want Robertson, can join the derby because they have the means on both fronts… as do several other teams, obviously.

It’s also worth noting that teams who want Robertson should ask themselves why the Stars want to sacrifice HIM after the playoffs

He had six points (four goals) in 11 games, for those wondering.

Because right now, it’s safe to assume that the Stars, who haven’t been able to get past the third round for three seasons already, might do what the Maple Leafs have never done: touch the core.

Yes, the coach could jump, but it could go further than that. Maybe the club wants to make room to bring in another big player to change the club’s dynamic and get back to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Canadiens want to build a team to dominate in the playoffs. If Robertson isn’t deemed capable of taking his club to the next level when it matters most… that could be a hindrance.

It all depends on how the Habs look at it.

Overtime

– Still…

– It’s now official.

– Tit-Cole!

– Sick.

– Well…

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Dan Muse hired as Penguins head coach

If I tell you about Dan Muse, you’ll all look at me and say the same thing.

Who’s Dan Muse?

Dan Muse spent five seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach. Three in Nashville, two in New York (Rangers)… and he always worked alongside Peter Laviolette. Oh, and he’s also been a head coach in the USHL and with the U.S. development program (U17 and U18) in recent years.

But if we’re talking about Dan Muse today, it’s not because he’s handsome or nice.

Rather, it’s because he’s been hired as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins are in a bit of an odd situation: the organization has no depth, it can’t count on several quality prospects… and with Crosby, Letang, Malkin and Karlsson in place, that complicates things a bit.

And I find it hard to believe that hiring a guy with no NHL head coaching experience is really going to help get things back on track.

All in all, Muse was named head coach of the Penguins because Sidney Crosby agreed to it.

Kyle Dubas has to do everything in his power to keep #87 happy, and Crosby certainly had his say in the search for the new coach over there.

It should also be remembered that in Pittsburgh, the names of Mitch Love, DJ Smith and Jay Woodcroft had been mooted for the vacant head-coaching position.

And if Muse beat out these guys for the job, it’s surely because the Penguins see something interesting in him.

But then again, the fact that he has no head coaching experience mixed with the fact that it’s do or die for the Penguins… it does seem a little odd.

Can’t wait to see what happens!

Overtime

– I feel sad for him.

– Of note:

– It’s normal!

– Devin Shore is heading to Europe.

– Wow…

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7.5 M per season for Nelson: The Habs will have to avoid the free agent market

Last March, one day before the NHL trade deadline, the Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson.

The veteran, who had spent every year of his career with the Islanders, had arrived in Colorado with the goal of helping the team win in the playoffs.

But the plan didn’t work.

Nelson was even disappointing in the playoffs: he didn’t score a single goal in seven games, he collected just four assists… and it’s not as if he was super smokin’ in the regular season either with the Avalanche (13 points, including six goals, in 19 games).

On the other hand, the player did enough to sign a three-year contract extension valued at… $7.5M per season.

That’s a lot of cash for a player who has surpassed the 60-point plateau only twice in his career – and who will turn 34 in October.

Ultimately, Jonathan Drouin can’t be too happy about this news.

The Avalanche won’t have enough money to offer him a new deal… and all indications are that the Québécois is now on his way out.

But the Canadiens can’t be happy about this news either.

Kent Hughes would like to make a big splash this summer, and obviously, if he wants to do it on the free agent market, it’s going to be expensive. Very expensive.

The ceiling is going to go up and we know it. But if Brock Nelson has signed for $7.5 million… the other players are going to see this contract to give themselves a base.

And we all agree that the contracts awarded during the summer on the free agent market are often dangerous because clubs aren’t afraid to spend…

Looking at all this, maybe Kent Hughes will say to himself that it would be better for him to improve his club via the transaction market if he wants to get his hands on a top-quality player.

I’m not saying that the Habs GM should absolutely avoid the free agent market, because there are depth players who will be available this summer too.

That said, Nelson’s contract shows that the price will be high to sign a guy with talent.

And in that context…

Overtime

– News from CF Montreal.

– Fair enough.

– I like this.

– It starts tonight!

– Still.

(Credit: Screenshot)
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Logan Mailloux, ahead of David Reinbacher to win a place at camp?

The Laval Rocket’s season is over.

Among the popular themes surrounding the Canadiens’ training club is the case of Pascal Vincent, who could be on his way to the NHL in the next few days.

There’s alsothe case of the goalies. It’s been THE topic of the playoffs, to be honest.

But there were other youngsters who needed watching. David Reinbacher, when you see him play in person, is the player who impressed me the most, bearing in mind the circumstances (injury, experience, etc.) surrounding his candidacy.

Making the wrong decision? It doesn’t seem to exist for him on the ice.

But on this subject, Grant McCagg, a former Canadiens scout with a keen eye for judging young talent, doesn’t think Reinbacher was the most impressive among defensemen.

Mind you, he didn’t hate what he saw. In fact, he was exactly what McCagg expected.

We often talk about Reinbacher, and to me, it’s obvious. He didn’t do anything unexpected. – Grant McCagg, on the Rocket’s positives

In fact, in his eyes, it was Logan Mailloux who was the most impressive. He found his game solid in general defensively speaking (I might add that it was in the particular that it was more complex) during the playoffs.

And McCagg added this:

Judging by his playoff usage, he may well be the most likely defenseman to land a spot in practice camp.

We’ll have to wait and see. – Grant McCagg on Logan Mailloux

I found Reinbacher to be more dominant in his zone, and with the Canadiens looking to bring Reinbacher to the NHL sooner rather than later, I don’t know if Mailloux is really ahead of him in the pecking order.

But if he is, I understand where that’s coming from. The Ontarian has more mileage in the last two years, he’s older, he’s more offensive, etc.

Obviously, the camp will determine everything. That said, I wonder where Mailloux would sit in the NHL, given that his defensive game isn’t up to Reinbacher’s level and that the club isn’t exactly looking for a powerplay quarterback.

The more time goes by, the more I think that yes, it’s possible to think that Mailloux could indeed be traded. After all, right now, his name is circulating a lot.

But hey. We know the Canadiens won’t give him away for the sake of giving him away. If he is traded, it will really be because the offer in question would suit the Canadiens.

It’s therefore possible that he’ll be present at the club’s next camp.

overtime

– The answer can’t be yes.

– News from CF Montreal.

– Interesting.

– Finally.

– Will there be any trophies left to present next week?