Author: Dose

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The Sharks would be more open to trading their first-round pick this summer

When a team finishes at the bottom of the overall standings, it’s generally expected that they will use their high draft pick to improve the team’s future core.

On very rare occasions, a top-3 pick, especially the first overall pick, is traded before the pick is made.

According to Mike Grier, the San Jose Sharks’ general manager, he would be willing to part with the possible first overall pick in the 2025 draft.

The San Jose Sharks finished their 2024-25 season with 52 poor points in the overall standings, placing the California team last.

Ryan Warsofsky’s team therefore has the best chance of getting the first overall pick, but if they win the lottery, Grier would be more open to parting with it.

I like the idea, as the Sharks need everything and they would have the chance to get some prospects/young established players/picks in return.

They already have three excellent young forwards in Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund. Let’s not forget Quentin Musty, who had another excellent season in the OHL.

On defense, that’s where it gets a little weaker.

Sam Dickinson will likely be the Sharks’ defensive pillar, but after that, apart from the small defenseman (5 feet, 9 inches) Luca Cagnoni who is very offensive, it’s a bit weak.

With Matthew Schafer available in the next draft, he should be Grier’s number one target.

Unfortunately for Grier, Schafer has only played 17 games, which will certainly affect his ranking.

Some people saw him finishing first in the draft at the start of the season, he was that good.

With the exceptional season of Michael Misa and James Hagens who dominated his rookie season in the NCAA, Schaefer could possibly drop to third, or even further.

If the Sharks win the lottery, Grier could take the risk of dropping a rank or two to try to get a prospect or an extra pick to fill the prospect pool.

Or, a first overall pick could very well bring in some good assets, such as young players near the NHL level and/or two first-round picks further down the line.

Grier has many options and will have several calls to make in this case.

Overtime

– It would make sense.

– Alex Ovechkin is really in a class of his own.

– Worth reading.

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The habs are going to participate in the playoffs and it’s also because the team stayed healthy

There is a reason why the Canadiens will participate in the playoffs this year.

And it’s not magic.

In the regular season, the team was healthy, unlike in recent years. Kirby Dach missed a few games – like Patrik Laine, but overall, the players were able to avoid the infirmary.

This season, no fewer than 10 players on the team played 80 games or more.

This is no small feat.

Also, note that Alexandre Carrier has not missed a single game since the Canadiens acquired him in December:

(Credit: HockeyDB)

Anderson missed one game, but it was because of the birth of his child.

Slaf missed three games only, Heineman was absent for a while since he was hit by a car… but still: when a team is not often injured, it is much easier to get results.

At this level, let’s recall that the Canadiens changed their medical team in September 2023.

Several players had to miss games in 23-24 (Slaf, Dach, Newhook, Dvorak)… but now, it seems that the injury curse is (finally) gone.

This is good news, of course.

It’s hard to win games when half the team can’t play. We’ve seen this phenomenon in recent years in Montreal, and it’s maybe also why the Habs had a tough time – with a lack of talent.

You know, when your lineup looks like this on February 27… it’s not normal:

Credit should be given to the medical staff. The team’s employees have well-prepared the players this season, and it shows when looking at the number of games played by each guy in 24-25.

So much the better. And again: without the staff’s work, maybe the Habs wouldn’t be in the playoffs at the time of writing these lines.

Overtime

– Wow.

– Uh…

– Cole Hutson will not make the jump to the pros this year.

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1 in 20 on the powerplay in the last 9 games: Demidov deserves a chance to prove himself on the first wave

The Canadiens’ powerplay is a problem right now.

The two waves don’t seem to be able to find a way to score and it’s starting to become worrying.

Over the last nine games, the Canadiens have a 1 for 20 record on the powerplay. That’s a 5% success rate, which…

comes at a bad time since the Habs will need to be efficient with the man advantage to beat the Washington Capitals.

But Martin St-Louis has a new card to play: Ivan Demidov.

The Habs’ new forward has the skills and talent to help the team on the first powerplay wave. And I agree with Tony Marinaro, who talked about it on La Poche Bleue: it’s maybe time to see Martin St-Louis give him a chance at that level by putting him on the first unit.

The Canadiens’ coach also knows that Demidov can have an impact in those situations.

And that’s why after today’s practice, St-Louis didn’t seem to rule out making changes to his powerplay formation.

Ivan Demidov has only played two games in the NHL, but we can already see why he is seen as an extremely talented player.

He is capable of creating plays with his hands and vision: right now, the Habs need a player like him on the powerplay.

The Russian is already building a connection with Lane Hutson, the team’s quarterback on the powerplay… why not give him a chance to prove himself?

All this to say that the Canadiens need to find a way to correct their powerplay shortcomings.

And… that the solution might just be Ivan Demidov.

Since they have him and aren’t playing him much at even strength, they might as well give him the opportunity to help the team on the powerplay.

In Overtime

– Which team will win the lottery?

– Sick.

– That would be something.

– Beautiful story.

– Some news from the MLB.

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It’s been a while since the players and the Habs organization knew that Savard would be retiring

David Savard confirmed it earlier this morning.

The defenseman will retire at the end of the season.

Clearly, we know he does a lot for the organization on the ice and in the locker room. He is a role model and does not hesitate to help the younger players arriving in the NHL. Kaiden Guhle wanted to give him some love:

The Quebecer said his body was no longer following and that it was (partly) for this reason that he would hang up his skates.

At 34, Savard is injured because he has always played the same way: a physical game like his, it leaves marks. And with all the shots he blocks… it’s normal too that he no longer feels as young as before.

But Savard’s decision was not made yesterday either. The organization had known his plan for some time and some players were also aware of it:

Is this one of the reasons that explains the Canadiens’ successes in recent weeks?

I really have the impression that yes, I do.

The guys will want to play for him in the series and apparently, the guys also played so that he could participate in the series for one last time.

At this level, Savard’s leadership is never silent and Martin St-Louis also spoke about it this morning.

The Canadiens’ head coach had only good words for his defenseman:

At the trade deadline, we were talking about the possibility of seeing Savard being traded.

But the player himself wished for one thing: to finish his career in Montreal.

Kent Hughes listened to him and Savard got what he wanted. So, it’s a beautiful way for him to live his last moments in the NHL… and what’s better than participating in the playoffs with the habs for that to happen?

He will enjoy it, that’s for sure.

Overtime

– Brad Treliving throws flowers at Mitch Marner.

– Alexander Nikishin arrived in Carolina.

– Fair enough.

– Good choices.

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“He must practice better” : Rick Tocchet sends a huge message to Elias Pettersson

The Canucks have really had a disappointing season.

And without saying it’s entirely his fault, Elias Pettersson must look in the mirror to understand that he must give more.

Because a player who earns $11.6 million per season cannot afford to have a 45-point season in 64 games. It’s simply not enough.

Rick Tocchet, the team’s head coach, put his finger on the problem during his end-of-season review today.

In the eyes of the Canucks’ pilot, Pettersson must learn to have a better routine.

He must be better prepared for games… and that starts with individual practice during the summer and collective practice during the season.

He must practice better. – Rick Tocchet

We don’t often see that from a coach, but Tocchet was really transparent in his comments.

He doesn’t necessarily want to fall on the head of his star player… but let’s say he sent him a pretty important message today.

Pettersson must find a way to arrive at the team’s next camp in top form.

But it’s not just Pettersson’s performance that caught attention this season in Vancouver.

The conflict between the Swede and J.T. Miller also made a lot of noise… and again, Rick Tocchet didn’t hide his game when talking about this problem.

He said out loud that at one point, the situation became really uncomfortable in the locker room. It

is logical: when two of your best players no longer want to play together… the rest of the group no longer follows.

And that’s what happened this season with the Canucks.

Rick Tocchet did well to be honest like that.

Because he knows the Canucks had the talent to be one of the good teams in the NHL this season.

But there were so many distractions during the campaign that they were never able to reach their potential.

A big offseason is ahead for the management… because they must take advantage of the best years of Pettersson’s and Quinn Hughes’ careers to win.

On the heels

– « I think about him every day », says Sean Monahan about his friend Johnny Gaudreau. It’s touching.

– Reminder: Ivan Demidov is a good hockey player. And he has hands:

– Hello, Nick!

– We see the pride in Martin St-Louis’ face when he talks about his mother.

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We need to see Juraj “Tkachuk” Slafkovsky in playoffs

Has Juraj Slafkovsky had a perfect season? I’ll let you answer that question for yourself.

But despite everything, Slaf has (once again) found a way to finish his campaign on a high note.

He recorded 21 points (10 goals) in his last 26 games of the season and the timing is interesting with the playoffs starting next Monday.

In fact, Slafkovsky – at 6’3″ – has the size to be an important player for the habs in the playoffs.

At 225 pounds, he has the frame to be a disruptive player on the ice. He has the skills and tools to be a dominant player, even… but there’s only one problem with Slaf and we all know it.

In the playoffs, we need to see the Juraj Slafkovsky from the last game of the season. The same Juraj Slafkovsky who finished the game with an assist, hits, two shots on goal, a +3 rating… and several scoring chances created for his teammates.

When Slaf has the mindset to play like Brady Tkachuk (like on Wednesday), he’s really useful in the habs’ lineup.

But we don’t see that Slaf every night and that’s the problem in the eyes of many.

Juraj Slafkovsky has just turned 21 (on March 30th).

He will learn with time that he needs to play the right way and have the right level of energy every night… or else, he’s not as important for his team.

But with the playoffs starting, it’s the perfect time for him to learn that lesson.

Because we know: in the playoffs, it’s a whole different level.

And Slaf will have to use his body to disrupt the big players of the Capitals because he’s one of the few habs forwards who has the size to do so.

He did it against the Hurricanes and it gave good results.

Slaf was intense in his battles along the boards and that’s exactly how he needs to play in the playoffs:

I’m really looking forward to seeing which Juraj Slafkovsky we’ll see in the playoffs.

The Capitals players will want to physically challenge him and I’m especially looking forward to seeing how he’ll respond to adversity.

Because we must not forget one thing: Slaf has never participated in the NHL playoffs. And maybe the intensity of the games will help him understand certain things…

In Overtime

– Wow.

– It’s pretty clear.

– Ouch.

– Note:

– Oh! Landeskog back in the NHL? 🔄

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Team B of the Hurricanes in Montreal: the Blue Jackets are upset

The Columbus Blue Jackets did everything they could to make the playoffs, but it didn’t work out. It would have been a nice story if Johnny Gaudreau’s team had managed to make the playoffs…

Yesterday, the Blue Jackets won against the Islanders in 60 minutes. That means that if the habs had lost – in regulation – to the Hurricanes of Carolina on Wednesday, the Blue Jackets would have surpassed the habs.

So it’s relatively close, let’s say.

Seeing the Hurricanes send their B team against the habs two days ago clearly put a wrench in the Blue Jackets’ plans to make the playoffs.

And as Réjean Tremblay said in his column today, it upset people in Ohio.

But you should have read the Columbus newspapers yesterday morning. The columnists were furious. Like the management of the Blue Jackets. – Réjean Tremblay

Okay. We have to acknowledge that I don’t intend to throw the first stone at the Hurricanes for thinking of themselves. They deserved the right to rest their players through their good performances in the first 81 games of the season.

It was up to the Blue Jackets to take the driver’s seat – like the habs – and control their destiny.

Obviously, there would have been the same outrage in Montreal if the situation had been reversed. But the Hurricanes have the right to rest their veterans without being questioned about the “integrity of the game” in the process.

If the Blue Jackets had wanted to make the playoffs, they just had to prevent Ivan Demidov from being available to the habs, hehe.

 

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overtime

So that’s to say that it’s the habs who took the 16th and last place that gives access to the playoffs. It’s going to start tomorrow in the West – for two series, at least.

Here are my predictions.

  • Blues against Jets: Jets in 7
  • Avalanche against Stars: Stars in 6
  • Wild against Golden Knights: Golden Knights in 4
  • Oilers against Kings: Oilers in 7
  • Senators against Maple Leafs: Senators in 7
  • Panthers against Lightning: Panthers in 6
  • Devils against Hurricanes: Devils in 7

As for the habs, I’m going to… take a little more time to decide. But I’m going to predict that Lane Hutson will manage to get his hands on the Calder Trophy.

Oh yes, I’m bold on this Friday.

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Martin St-Louis : “I feel that the Caps are the best team in the league”

In a series, there’s a rule to follow: give your opponent no reason to get angry at you.

A member of your organization shouldn’t say something that will end up on your opponent’s bulletin board and serve as motivation for them to win games.

You shouldn’t shoot yourself in the foot, then.

Martin St-Louis may be in his first series in Montreal, but it’s not his first barbecue in the National League playoffs. He knows how to act at this level.

And this afternoon, he proved it.

In a press conference with reporters on the team beat, St-Louis was asked what the odds were of the Habs winning their first-round series.

And he said this:

I feel that the Capitals are the best team in the league, so you do the math. — Martin St-Louis

This shows that he respects his opponent and knows where his team stands. But it shouldn’t be seen as if St-Louis is giving up before it even starts.

In my eyes, it’s just respect. But deep down, even if he knows the challenge is big, he must still believe in it.

He has a few days to come up with a strategy and explain it to the players to give them the best chance of beating Washington. He’ll surely work very hard.

The result starting Monday.

Overtime

– Excellent point.

– Excellent flash.

– What will he do this summer?

– Oh yeah?

– To be continued.

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David Savard confirms it: he will retire after the playoffs

And that’s it.

We were increasingly suspecting it (especially after the hat trick he had his wife do and the family photo on the bench of the habs, Wednesday), but David Savard has just confirmed that he will take his retirement once the season is over.

This was expected, as an announcement.

More details to come…

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Ivan Demidov showed up to the Canadiens’ optional practice

Initially, the Canadiens were supposed to practice at 10:30. And according to colleague Marc-Olivier Cook, who is on site in Brossard, there are a lot of fans at the practice.

But finally, the habs changed their mind – and it was announced at the last minute.

Instead, the club decided that the practice would be at 11am and that it would be optional. Apparently, rest was considered the best option on April 18, three days before the playoffs and 48 hours before departing for Washington.

We were wondering who would show up.

Lane Hutson, who arrived before the others, and Kaiden Guhle are two regulars who attended. Emil Heineman, who was recently injured but has returned to play, was present.

Arber Xhekaj, Oliver Kapanen, and Michael Pezzetta, who did not play on Wednesday, also took to the ice.

And a little after the others, we saw Ivan Demidov take to the ice. It’s not bad that this guy, who people who showed up were waiting for in the stands, is practicing.

The seven players were shooting on a goalie who was not Samuel Montembeault or Jakub Dobes. The latter arrived later.

It would have been surprising to see Demidov not skating. He has just arrived in North America and was the forward least used by Martin St-Louis in game #82.

And if he follows Hutson step by step, he will show up.

Demidov left the locker room for a few minutes (a broken equipment, maybe?), but he didn’t take too long to come back and loosen up his legs with his teammates. That’s what we want to see from a guy like him.

in Overtime

– It will start soon.

– What do you think?

– Interesting.

– The rumor is spreading more and more.

– Oh yeah?