Author: Dose

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Losing Matthew Knies this summer: the Maple Leafs must be careful

Right now, the Maple Leafs are doing well in the playoffs. Wow!

For the first time since 1963, the Maple Leafs have taken a second 2-0 series lead in the same playoff run. That’s quite a feat.

Is the club overcoming its demons? We’ll see.

In eight playoff games, Matthew Knies has four goals. Aside from William Nylander, no one in Toronto has had as many or more than him since Game #1 against the Ottawa Senators.

He’s clearly part of the solution. And in Toronto, he’s loved.

Just yesterday, he saw his coach trust him by playing for 22:48. Only Auston Matthews, not exactly a celery stalk, played more for the Maple Leafs.

So yes, he’s important.

Matthew Knies, who has five playoff points at the moment, is at the end of his contract. He’ll be a restricted free agent when his entry-level contract expires on July 1.

What will the Maple Leafs do then?

As Nicolas Cloutier mentioned in a piece on players to watch out for in the event of a hostile offer sheet, the Maple Leafs could be caught flat-footed if Mitch Marner and John Tavares were to stay in town.

And from there, a club could take the opportunity to put the Maple Leafs in trouble with an offer of around $8 million a year for Knies, an American who scored 29 goals and 58 points this season in the Queen City.

Hostile offer sheets are the talk of the NHL. Jeff Gorton believes there could be several, but Julien BriseBois(who spoke to Mario Langlois on 98.5 Sports) isn’t so sure.

We’ll see… but for it to happen, it’s going to take a specific situation. And the Maple Leafs could find themselves in that situation if they’re not careful soon.

overtime

– Enjoy.

– Please note.

– One to watch.

– Panthers unfazed by unfazed.

– Things are bad in Toronto.

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Series highlights: ANOTHER hat trick for Mikko Rantanen

Last night’s two NHL games put on a wickedly good show.

It’s good to see some good playoff hockey!

Let’s see what happened:

Mikko Rantanen is unstoppable

The Stars were in Winnipeg for the first game of their series against the Jets.

And it was the Jets who struck first… courtesy of Nino Niederreiter.

He beat the Stars goalie with a perfect backhand shot:

But this…

It was nice to see Mikko Rantanen wake up.

The Stars’ star player scored three goals in the last game of the series against the Avalanche… and he repeated the feat last night.

Rantanen STILL scored three times:

The Stars had a 3-1 lead in the game late in the second period, and Mark Scheifele wanted to give Jets fans some prospects.

He thwarted Connor Hellebuyck late in the frame and the Jets went back to the locker room losing by just one goal:

In the third period, we saw the animosity rise a notch between the two clubs.

It brewed :

In the end, the Stars were able to hold out to win the first game of the series (3-2).

Mikko Rantanen now has 14 points (eight goals)… in his last four games.

He’s really on fire. And right now, the Stars must be (really) glad they made the deal to get him from Carolina…

The Leafs are surprising

The Leafs were able to win the first game of the series against the Panthers.

And Florida managed to start Game 2 with a bang.

Aleksander Barkov opened the scoring in the first period:

Two goals were scored in the first 20 minutes of play.

Barkov’s… and Max Pacioretty’s, which tied it for the Leafs:

In the second, there was plenty of action.

After 4:18 of play in the second period… it was already 2-2.

Both clubs scored quickly at the start of the second 20 :

It started to get more physical after that.

At least… Scott Laughton wanted to send a message to his teammates by hitting Evan Rodrigues solidly.

Legal or not? You be the judge…

The score was still 2-2 with a few minutes to play in the second.

But…

But Max Domi stepped up to give his club the lead. After 40 minutes of play… it was 3-2 Leafs :

As they did early in the second, the Panthers wasted no time before striking in the third period.

Anton Lundell created the tie to bring everyone back to square one :

But if the Panthers thought this goal would rattle the Leafs’ players, they were wrong.

Because just 17 seconds after Lundell’s goal, Mitch Marner struck back.

Sergei Bobrovsky never saw the Leafs’ shot:

The Leafs were able to hold the lead until the end of the game to take the win (4-3).

It’s now 2-0 in the series for Toronto.

The next two games will be played at the Panthers’ home in Florida… and it will be interesting to see if the Panthers are able to come from behind in the series.

Right now, it’s looking good for the Leafs. But we know their tendency to escape the playoffs too…

Prolongation

– I love it.

– Classic.

–

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Two games tonight :

(Credit: NHL.com)
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First choice: Matthew Schaefer would be the best defender since Cale Makar

While we’re in the midst of the playoffs, many teams are already thinking ahead to the next draft.

This is particularly true of the New York Islanders, who, to everyone’s surprise, were awarded the first overall pick in Monday’s NHL lottery.

The team, currently without a general manager, had only a 3.5% chance of winning.

Since then, speculation has been rife as to who will be the first pick in the upcoming draft.

The top-ranked prospect for the upcoming amateur auction is defenseman Matthew Schaefer, currently playing with the OHL’s Erie Otters.

According to Simon “Snake” Boisvert, Schaefer is the best defenseman since Cale Makar.

We’re still talking about one of the best backs in the NHL, if not the best. But not the worst!

Will the Islanders want to go with the best player available, or could they be trying to fill a specific need?

Even so, the team finished 28th in the National League in goals scored, and might be tempted to seek immediate reinforcement up front.

A player like Michael Misa, coming off a 134-point, 65-goal season in just 65 OHL games with the Saginaw Spirit, could be an interesting option for a team looking for a little more offensive punch.

Another question is whether Schaefer’s collarbone injury sustained at the World Junior Championship will have an impact on his selection.

The defenseman played just 17 games in the regular season, but still scored 22 points, including seven goals.

It has to be said, too, that defensemen hearing their name called in the first place is not a common occurrence in the NHL recently, with only four defensemen to achieve such an honor since 1997.

However, several experts continue to rank Schaefer first in their predictions for the upcoming draft, including TSN’s Craig Button.

In short, we’ll have the answer on June 27.

Overtime

– Leafs in control.

– Big reinforcements for the Jets!

– Tune in!

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Sam Bennett is definitely an interesting option for the Canadiens

It’s no secret that the Canadiens need a second center if they are to take the next step.

Even if the team’s management won’t say so openly.

An interesting option for the Habs will be the free agent market, with several quality center players potentially available this summer.

Among them is current Florida Panthers second center Sam Bennett.

Questioned on the subject on 98.5’s Les Amateurs De Sports, José Théodore believes the center would be a great addition to the Canadiens.

More than just his offensive production, the former goaltender argues that Bennett’s experience and leadership would bring a lot to a team as young as the Habs.

Indeed, Bennett’s forward production is nothing to write home about: he’s a 50-point-a-year center.

However, he’s also a guy who just won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers (as well as going to the finals the year before) and plays big hockey in the playoffs.

He knows what it takes to win when it counts, and that’s experience he could share with the Canadiens’ less experienced players.

Bennett also plays heavyweight hockey, he’s a hard-to-pack guy who could bring an extra element of toughness to the Habs, something they sorely lacked in their series against the Capitals.

What’s more, at 28, Bennett is a more attractive option than many of the other center players who will be available this summer and who are likely to slow down in the years to come, and whose contracts could quickly age badly.

Players like Claude Giroux at 37, Brock Nelson at 33 and even John Tavares at 34 are at an age when their potential production becomes difficult to evaluate.

Let’s just say I’d be less worried about the Canadiens signing a player like Bennett to a multi-year contract.

Of course, there’s always the risk of overbidding on the free agent market, and you have to wonder how much the center will want if he’s in the last year of a four-year, $17.7 million contract, averaging $4.425 million a year.

While Bennett can expect a substantial salary increase, I don’t think Habs management will want to offer him more than Nick Suzuki, who earns $7.875 million a year. How much could Kent Hughes offer him?

However, I have every confidence that management won’t overpay if they decide to make an offer to Sam Bennett.

Overtime

– Really?

– The goalies take care of the show.

– Already!

– Big basketball!

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Kent Hughes may be aggressive in trading Carey Price

That title would have given us all a heart attack 5 years ago. Today, it’s all about numbers, dollars and flexibility.

Less scary, less exciting, but just as important for building the Canadiens’ payroll.

An (unofficially) retired player like Carey Price is more valuable to a rebuilding club than a club willing to spend. This isn’t a surprise, nor is it news, and of course you’ll remember the contracts of Shea Weber and Pavel Datsyuk, who became Arizona Coyotes legends in their final years.

Price’s contract didn’t really bother the Canadiens when they were after the first overall pick. Now that the organization is transitioning to short-, medium- and long-term competitive objectives, it’s time to think about moving him. It’s become a rock in Kent Hughes’ shoe.

According to Marco D’Amico, several executives across the NHL feel that the Montreal staff could be aggressive in this matter.

Let’s put it as simply as possible.

  • The Canadiens will have to plan for $1.75 million on their payroll in 2025-2026, as they have exceeded the cap due to performance bonuses for their young players
  • Considering that Emil Heineman and Jayden Struble will have to be offered new deals, Kent Hughes will have about $8.7 million to work with
  • It’s precisely because of the LTIR that the Canadiens are penalized in 2025-2026, and the scenario could repeat itself in 2026-2027, with a potential total of $4M in bonuses to Demidov, Hutson and co

The Canadiens owe Price $5.5 million on July 1. Then, there’s just one year left on his contract, which could be useful for teams looking to reach a significantly rising cap.

By trading #31, the Habs would have close to $20 million in salary cap space. Game changer… But the truth is that the opposite would limit the possible moves of a GM who wants to improve considerably.

I invite you to read Marco D’Amico’s article, which is extremely well plugged and very clever at popularizing the situation.

Overtime

– Great news: the Recrutes draft guide is now available in French.

– The culture is different in Toronto this year.

– Officially official.

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Claude Giroux would like to play in Montreal

Does Claude Giroux still have gas in the tank to play a season as the Canadiens’ second center?

For a second consecutive season in Ottawa, Giroux saw his production drop considerably in 2024-2025. From 79 points in 82 games in his first season with the Sens, he scored 64 in his second and just 50 this season.

Nevertheless, the Franco-Ontarian was the club’s fourth most-used forward, being the most-used center in the face-off circle, and winning 61.5% of his duels.

If the ideal 24- to 29-year-old center isn’t available on the trade market – or simply too expensive – it would be interesting to see what the 35-year-old veteran could accomplish alongside Ivan Demidov.

And according to André Roy, Claude Giroux would love it. This is what a childhood friend of the former Flyers confided to him, he mentioned during his column on BPM Sports.

“I don’t think he’d say no. I did an event not long ago and I rubbed shoulders with one of his buddies from youth and he told me he’d like to play in Montreal.”

– André Roy

Is this a classic “well, he’d like that” with no ulterior motive or real information? Is it really a “childhood friend” versus a guy he played baseball with one summer in high school?

Either way, it gives us a reason to talk about his candidacy. Giroux will be a free agent, but will he really want to leave Ottawa? After all, he’s a local guy, even if he grew up a Canadiens fan and has already admitted that he secretly wanted to be drafted by Montreal in 2006. He’s been part of the Sens project for the past three years, acting as a positive leader with the club’s youngsters. At the same time, the clock is ticking on whether he wants to don the blue-white-and-red jersey one day. Will the lure of Ivan Demidov work?

Here’s what he had to say after his club’s elimination. An important summer for a guy who still feels he can make an impact.

Many questions, few answers. Would you consider it?

Overtime

– Marcotte thinks it will be Primeau in front of the Rocket net.

– Canadiens hockey heads in demand.

– Cutting the Mammoth.

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The New York Rangers wouldn’t trade Alexis Lafrenière

In 2023-2024, Alexis Lafrenière enjoyed the best offensive season of his career.

He scored 28 times and added 29 assists (57 points), and also enjoyed playoff success (eight goals and 14 points in 16 games).

But… the Québécois was unable to repeat the feat in 24-25. He didn’t have as good a season (17 goals and 45 points in 82 games) and, naturally, his name came up in the trade rumours.

It’s not the first time this has happened, and we know it.

Yesterday, journalist Mollie Walker wrote a piece (New York Post) advising the Rangers to trade Lafrenière this summer before it’s too late.

But Marc De Foy was keen to set the record straight.

In an article in the Journal de Montréal (which was also published on the TVA Sports website), the journalist denies that the Rangers currently want to trade him.

According to the information I’ve gathered from the team’s entourage, the trade rumours concerning Lafrenière in no way reflect reality. – Marc De Foy

According to Marc De Foy, the Rangers would like to build their club around the Québécois.

Let’s remember one thing: Alexis Lafrenière has signed a big contract with the Rangers that will come into effect this summer.

Starting with the 25-26 season, he’ll earn an annual salary of $7.45 million… until the end of the 31-32 season.

Oh, and there’s also a no-trade clause (list of eight teams) that kicks in the third year of his deal (season 26-27).

The point I’m trying to make here is that now might be a good time to trade him – if that’s what the Rangers really want to do.

The organization can’t afford to be “stuck” with a negative contract on its books, and $7.45M per season for a player who’s surpassed the 50-point plateau once in his career is a lot of money.

But on the other hand, we’ve seen that Lafrenière has what it takes to help this club. He hasn’t always been used in the right way since arriving in New York, and with Mile Sullivan coming in, a coach who is able to work with the younger players, it could help him (finally) break through.

He’s only 23, after all. He’s had some good flashes in the past, and he still has time to become the player we thought he was going to be with the Rangers when they selected him 1st overall in the 2020 draft.

Overtime

– Still.

– He’s on fire.

– Mark Scheifele looked comfortable in practice today.

– All bets are off.

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Seeing Mailloux perform like this in the playoffs is really good news for the Habs

Last night, the DLC team was on hand at Place Bell to attend the Laval Rocket game.

And there’s one thing I noticed in particular during the game: Logan Mailloux was very solid on the ice. He played the right way, scored a big goal in the first period and helped his team beat the Cleveland Monsters to advance to the next round.

The Rocket general played well yesterday.

But that’s nothing new in Mailloux’s case.

Because since the start of the playoffs… he’s been excellent. And it’s not for nothing that Pascal Vincent threw him some flowers after the game, saying that Mailloux may be playing the best hockey of his career right now.

It’s a nice comment for someone who’s had a rather inconsistent season.

Anthony Marcotte agrees.

The Rocket’s (home) game describer on BPM Sports said it openly this morning: if the Rocket beat the Monsters so easily, it’s because Logan Mailloux was one of his club’s best players.

Here again, positive comments about Mailloux are flying everywhere at the moment.

But seeing Mailloux perform like that in the playoffs is really good news for the Habs.

And I say that because…

1. Mailloux has had a lesser season than his first in the pros.

There have been some concerns about his defensive game in recent months, and that’s why the Canadiens didn’t call him up for the regular season.

2. The Canadiens could use him in a trade for a quality forward. If Mailloux can boost his value, it’s sure to help…

3. Playing like this at an important time of the season can really help a young player progress.

The Canadiens could decide to include him in a transaction, but they could also decide to trust him by giving him a place in Martin St-Louis’ line-up for next season.

But regardless of whether there’s a deal or not: it’s encouraging to know that things are looking up for Logan Mailloux.

He’s a big part of the Laval Rocket’s success right now, and the management in Montreal is certainly pleased to see him playing like this. Now we have to ask ourselves what all this means for the future…

Overtime

– Wow.

– Oops.

– When Nylander is in form, he’s one of the NHL’s elite.

– News from the MLB.

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Marc Bergevin as GM with the Kings: Elliotte Friedman no longer convinced

Yesterday, Luc Robitaille spoke to the media about the GM vacancy in Los Angeles.

The Kings president didn’t go into too much detail about the search for a new GM, but he did say that the organization wants to find “the best person”.

Which makes sense, we agree.

Marc Bergevin’s name is popular when talking about the next potential GM at the Kings, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen either.

In fact, Elliotte Friedman thought there was a good chance of it happening… but he’s not too convinced after hearing Luc Robitaille’s comments yesterday.

The tipster had this to say on the recent episode of his 32 Thoughts Podcast:

I no longer get the impression that the Kings want to find someone 100% in-house. – Elliotte Friedman

Remember that Bergevin seems to be in the running for the GM position in LA, but that his name is also circulating a lot within the New York Islanders organization.

Will he (finally) have the opportunity to return to a general manager role for next season? That’s the million-dollar question right now…

While we’re on the subject of the Kings… let’s note that, according to Elliotte Friedman, the Kings really tried to get Brad Marchand this season before seeing him traded to the Panthers.

The problem?

Marchand wanted to go to Florida. Probably because he wanted to give himself the best chance of winning another Stanley Cup, and in the veteran’s eyes, the Panthers were closer to that goal than the Kings.

With good reason, we agree.

The Kings haven’t had much playoff success in a while, and on the other hand, the Panthers are the most recent Stanley Cup champions.

That said, perhaps it would have also helped the Kings to finally defeat the Oilers in the first round, something they’ve been unable to do for the fourth year in a row.

Brad Marchand may not be the player he once was, but he still has six points in as many playoff games so far with the Panthers.

And adding a pest like him to the lineup in LA might have helped.

Meanwhile, the veteran is having the time of his life with the Panthers…

Overtime

– Hey boy.

– Coming up.

– I hope so!

– Reminder: two games tonight in the NHL.

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Originally, Samuel Montembeault was not expected to stay long with the Habs

When Samuel Montembeault was called up to the Canadiens’ 2021 waivers in October, there weren’t many expectations for him.

We didn’t necessarily see him as the future starter in Montreal, but he’s proven himself to be where he is right now.

Today, when we talk about him, we’re talking about the Habs’ #1 goaltender.

But all that might never have happened either.

And why is that?

Because Samuel Montembeault wasn’t originally slated to stay with the Habs for long.

Marc Bergevin put him up for waivers in 2021, thinking he was a temporary solution. The plan was for Carey Price to have time to heal the swelling in his knee, and then it would be over for Montembeault in Montreal.

And in an article from The Athletic, we also discover that the Coyotes were really interested in the Québécois’ services.

But that was before Carey Price went to therapy for his alcohol problems, and before Price realized that his knee injury would probably prevent him from playing hockey again.

In the end, Monty took advantage of several bizarre circumstances to settle in Montreal.

He played 38 games in his first season with the Canadiens because he also saw Jake Allen forced to miss games during the campaign due to injury.

It’s crazy, too, because it allowed him to prove to the Canadiens that he has what it takes to be a National League goaltender, which wasn’t the case when he was with the Panthers.

After all, the Québécois spent most of his time in the AHL before being drafted by the Habs in the waivers… and he never went back down afterwards :

(Credit: HockeyDB)

Sometimes in life, things happen by chance.

And this is proof: today, the Canadiens can count on a reliable #1 goaltender who played 62 games this season and helped his team make the playoffs.

That’s no mean feat. It remains to be seen, however, whether Jakub Dobes will challenge him for the #1 spot next season.

Because in reality, that’s the Habs’ plan.

Overtime

– Interesting.

– Sick!

– The Nordiques are gone, but…

– With good reason.