Author: Dose

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Emil Heineman was seen with a cast on his right wrist.

Emil Heineman injured himself after being hit by a car in Salt Lake City on Monday.

The forward was unable to play in yesterday’s game, and the Canadian team announced a recovery period of 3 to 4 weeks in his case.

However, he was seen in Brossard today with a cast on his right wrist.

The information was reported by Renaud Lavoie on the JiC show airing on TVA Sports.

Heineman is back in Montreal and he was in Brossard today to attend David Reinbacher’s (solo) training session.

More details to come…

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Riley Kidney: In Laval, they are considering the idea of sending him to Trois-Rivières.

If we haven’t been talking much about Riley Kidney lately, it’s for a reason.

The forward has been sidelined for the last six games of the Laval Rocket because his coach doesn’t trust him.

The last game the forward played was over three weeks ago (December 22), leading to the belief that he is no longer part of Pascal Vincent’s short-term plans.

Vincent Demuy (BPM Sports) chatted with the Rocket’s coach about Riley Kidney and it becomes clear that the options concerning the center player are not unlimited.

His season is going so poorly that the management in Laval discussed the idea of sending him to Trois-Rivières… And Vincent added that the possibility is on the table.

This says a lot:

Kidney, standing at 5 feet 11 inches (190 pounds), is recognized as a reliable forward in all three zones of the rink.

He also recorded 100 points or more in his last two seasons in the QMJHL and it’s no coincidence that the Canadiens chose to select him in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft.

However, as is often seen, young productive players in junior do not always find immediate success when transitioning to the pros.

Riley Kidney had a respectable first year in Laval (20 points, including seven goals in 65 games)… But it has been more than difficult since the start of the 24-25 campaign.

He has only gathered seven points (one goal) in 24 games…

In Trois-Rivières, the forward might have what he lacks in Laval: quality playing time.

It’s by playing regularly and being placed in a quality role that he will be able to regain his confidence. He can’t showcase himself with the Rocket… Because he simply isn’t playing.

But would a stint in Trois-Rivières mean that Kidney will never have the chance to play in the NHL one day? Not necessarily.

We’ve seen players who played in the ECHL and made a return to the top like Mason Marchment, Michael Bunting, Ben Chiarot, Brett Kulak, Vincent Desharnais… You get the idea.

That said, Kidney better get back on track… Otherwise, he will never play a single game in the NHL.

Quick hits

– When Tage Thompson is healthy, we’re talking about one of the best forwards in the NHL.

– I believe it.

– Sick!

– Oh really?

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Mikko Rantanen: Eric Engels believes that the CH would do everything to sign him this summer.

The longer it goes, the more doubts there are about Mikko Rantanen’s future in Colorado.

And the reason is simple: the Avalanche may not have the necessary resources to pay him what he’s worth, as the forward is currently in the last year of his contract.

If he hasn’t signed a new contract by July 1, Rantanen will be a free agent.

The possibility of seeing the Avalanche trade him before the deadline has therefore been mentioned (by Renaud Lavoie).

But even if Rantanen is traded by March 7… That doesn’t mean he will agree on the terms of a new contract with his new team.

There is a world where he decides to test the free agent market to see how much money he can get… And if that happens, Eric Engels feels that the Canadiens will do everything they can to bring him to the city.

This is just my opinion, but I think they (Canadiens) would back a Brinks truck up to Mikko Rantanen’s door if he managed to hit the market. – Eric Engels

For those wondering: Brinks is known for its armored trucks that transport cash and valuables.

Eric Engels’ reference is spot on.

There is some salary that will be freed up at the Canadiens this summer.

Christian Dvorak ($4.45M), Joel Armia ($3.4M), and Michael Pezzetta ($812,500) are not expected to return to Montreal, and we might also consider adding David Savard’s name ($3.5M) to that list.

That’s already more than $10M that would be removed from the Canadiens’ salary cap. But at the same time, they also need to offer new contracts to Evans, Heineman, and Dobes… And we must not forget that Slaf’s next contract ($7.6M per season) will kick in this summer.

There is also Lane Hutson, who will sign a big contract soon… But his big salary would only come for the 26-27 season.

That said, we know the salary cap will rise. But does the Canadiens really have the space (short and long term) to offer a monster contract to Rantanen?

The question arises because there are rumors suggesting Rantanen could earn up to $14M per season on his next contract:

Note that Patrik Laine and Mikko Rantanen are both from Finland and share the same agent.

Could Laine convince his buddy to take a little less money to sign with a team that has what it takes to be competitive for a long time?

Maybe… But in my eyes, it would be the only possible option to see Rantanen wear the Canadiens uniform next October.

Unless Kent Hughes decides to trade one of his big contracts to make room for the Avalanche star forward? That’s possible, too…

In Brief

– The market is heating up regarding John Klingberg.

– Wow.

– Good point.

– Bravo!

– Indeed.

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Logan Mailloux plays less in the A.N. (Laval) and it’s partly because of Lane Hutson.

Times have been tougher lately for Logan Mailloux in Laval.

The defender – who will participate in the American League All-Star Game – has only collected four points (one goal) in his last 22 games.

He is in a slump.

Perhaps this coincides with the fact that he is playing less on the power play as well.

Pascal Vincent decided to give him less ice time when the team has the advantage of one man, and last week, I mentioned in an article that it was normal to have questions seeing Mailloux’s role changing.

But the head coach of the Rocket explained yesterday on the airwaves of BPM Sports that there is a reason behind Mailloux playing less on the power play.

And without saying that it is entirely Lane Hutson’s fault… Let’s just say that the small defender of the CH is playing his role (unintentionally) in Pascal Vincent’s decisions:

If I had a short-term vision, he (Mailloux) would be on the first powerplay. We would focus on that and develop his skills on the power play. – Pascal Vincent

The Rocket’s coach then explains that long-term, he does not necessarily see Mailloux playing on the first power play in Montreal because Lane Hutson occupies that position.

And unless there is a surprise, Hutson won’t be moved anytime soon.

Pascal Vincent wants to find a solution so that his defender is able to help the CH in another way when he is ready to make the jump to the NHL.

In Laval, they also want him to improve without the puck:

Pascal Vincent’s comments are interesting.

He hasn’t hidden his game and wanted to set the record straight because there were still doubts starting to settle in some people’s minds.

Now, it’s clearer.

That said, Logan Mailloux has the talent to be a good offensive defenseman in the NHL. We saw it this season, as he collected three points in five games during his (brief) stint with the Montreal Canadiens.

But to become a good NHL player, you cannot just excel in one area.

Just as we saw his offensive qualities in Montreal this season, we also observed that he had a lot of work to do in his zone or when he is not in the offensive territory, and that is what the coaching staff in Laval is currently working on.

It makes sense. And we agree that the Canadiens’ management has a say in these decisions, especially seeing Hutson perform so well since the beginning of the season…

In Brief

– A newcomer in Trois-Rivières.

– He is back.

– Today’s waiver activities:

– Tony Marinaro is a national treasure.

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Injury of Emil Heineman: “It’s quite easy to see that it’s an arm”

Emil Heineman was hit by a car on Monday. We learned this yesterday and it changes the dynamics in the city a bit.

We know that the Canadiens will have to call someone up (Jared Davidson is a strong possibility at the moment) to bring a 13th forward into town – and to send Michael Pezzetta to the stands.

We also know that the fourth line of the CH has been broken up.

But the most important thing is that the young man is okay. On this subject, he posted a message on social media to thank those who support him.

Here’s what it says.

Thank you all for the love and support recently. I will come back stronger. #GoHabsGo

 

View this post on Instagram

 

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Jake Evans : «I do not believe that the Canadian is comfortable going for six years»

Let’s talk about the trade market.

The Jake Evans file is probably the most important for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. After all, he is the best player of the CH this season among the unrestricted free agents of the club for the summer of 2025.

And I say this with all due respect to David Savard, who is also important. Yesterday, he stepped up after the second goal from the Utah representatives, and that energized his teammates on the bench.

We know that the Canadiens want to extend their center’s contract – discussions have already begun in this regard – before the trade deadline… but the club does not want to do it at all costs.

Once again, in his daily article on The Athletic’s site, Pierre LeBrun talked about the situation. And he repeated that the Canadiens do not want Evans to have a contract that is too hefty or a “home run” type for the coming years.

What the informant mentions is that the number of years on the contract will surely complicate negotiations. The 28-year-old player will want to capitalize on his window of opportunity, but…

But the CH might not want to sign the player for the long term, according to Pierre LeBrun.

I do not believe the Canadiens are comfortable going to five or six years. – Pierre LeBrun

The journalist believes that if the CH has not signed Evans by March 7, he will be shopped by necessity. After all, there are teams that will want him at $1.7 million.

And since the market is expected to get active quickly this season, as written by Marco D’Amico, the CH GM’s phone will ring sooner rather than later.

If the CH and Evans need to “both be a little uncomfortable” to reach an agreement, it will thus be necessary to determine what the risk management will be for both sides.

And if both are comfortable taking a bit of risk, there should/could be an announcement in a few weeks.

in brief

– Note.

– What will he do?

– Surely.

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Ivan Demidov is off to the KHL All-Star Game.

Since Kent Hughes and his team visited Ivan Demidov in Russia, everything is going well in the best of worlds for the Canadiens’ prospect.

We knew that the young man was overflowing with talent, but in the past few weeks, he seems to have more space to express himself on the ice. With good playing time, he can dominate.

And now, today, the KHL announced that the young man has been invited to the league’s All-Star Game, which will take place on February 8 and 9.

Initially, he wasn’t necessarily supposed to be there. But he will replace Tony DeAngelo, his former teammate with SKA. DeAngelo packed his bags and returned to North America.

They don’t play the same position, but Demidov is still replacing DeAngelo.

At 19 years old, Demidov is one of the youngest players in the league. But despite that, in 43 games, he scored 14 times and got 18 assists, giving him a total of 32 points.

With highlights worthy of the best players in the world, we can’t say that the Canadiens’ prospect stole his spot.

The Canadiens must hope that he can finish his season strong to gain confidence before coming, if all goes as planned, to North America in the coming months.

It can be assumed that in Montreal, his impact will be quite immediate. But we shall see in due time.

In Brief

– To read.

– Kirby Dach is regaining his speed. [98.5 FM]

– Nice.

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Stop disrespecting Lane Hutson; you look bad.

Last Thursday, I dedicated almost my entire column to the show Laraque & Gonzalez featuring Lane Hutson.

Let’s just say that his three-point match and first star in Salt Lake City has only added weight to his exceptional resume since arriving in the NHL.

I still pinch myself every time I see Lane Hutson dance on the ice…

Incredible statistics
Hutson is the Canadiens’ best defenseman in 45 years…

He is the MVP of the first half of the CH season…

He is one of the biggest surprises in the entire NHL since the start of the season…

He is the third-highest scorer on the CH this season, after Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield…

He is the club’s leading passer so far in 2024-25…

Only Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley have more points than Hutson among the 2022 draft class, and Hutson is just three little points behind Cooley… in 80 fewer games! Not bad for a guy drafted at the end of the second round…

He was named the rookie of the month for December in the NHL and is on track to win this title again in January…

He is the top scorer among rookies this season, four points ahead of Michkov and Celebrini…

He has had nine games with more than one point already this year…

He is the sixth-highest scorer among all defensemen in the Bettman circuit, ahead of Victor Hedman, Adam Fox, Evan Bouchard, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Dahlin, Roman Josi, Mikhail Sergachev, John Carlson, Moritz Seider, Mike Matheson, and many more…

He has recorded at least one point in each of his last five games. This is the third time this season he has gone on such a streak…

He is capable of playing simply, but also in more complicated ways. The fact that he is equally capable of collecting secondary assists on the power play, as well as a good number of spectacular primary assists five-on-five, proves it.

There was a game this year where Hutson had the puck on his stick for over four minutes. Michel Pezzetta doesn’t even play that long, four minutes, in a game…

He holds his own physically, in fact, he seems to be at his best when it gets rough…

He has more points this season than the combined total of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh best rookie defensemen. Wow!

We thought he would only be a power play specialist, but he is very good defensively and also produces at even strength…

Want more?
Lane Hutson was good last year, in his two matches against the Red Wings. He also performed very well during the first 23 games of the current season (13 assists).

But the little American defenseman has truly reached a whole new cruising speed since November 27.

In 22 games, Hutson has recorded no less than three goals and 21 assists, giving him a production rate of over one point per game. All this while maintaining a plus-9 differential during this period!

Only Mike Matheson (24:35) spends more time on the ice on average per game than Hutson (22:43). But Matheson is a veteran, and the fact that he ceded his spot on the team’s first power play unit to Hutson may lower his average ice time (and increase Hutson’s).

Hutson’s rapid emergence has caused everyone to reassess their positions, especially Mike Matheson.

Trophies to be won
Many believe that Lane Hutson will win the Calder Trophy this year, especially those who have watched his last 22 games.

“Many people”, however, does not include Kevin Weekes and Adnan Virk from the NHL Network.

Darren Dreger sees Hutson as a superstar in the making.

Both P.K. Subban and Renaud Lavoie predict not just a probable Calder Trophy for Hutson; they even go so far as to predict him a Norris Trophy. Do I need to remind you that such a trophy is awarded to the best defenseman in the entire NHL?

The disrespect towards Hutson
Some commentators continue to show disrespect towards the young Canadiens defenseman.

The latest? Corey Pronman, who suggested yesterday that Lane Hutson might one day become a top four defenseman in the NHL.

Cr*ss! He is already top two in Montreal… and top 10 in the NHL!

Corey, when you miss the mark as much as that, you do your mea culpa; you admit your mistake. Like The Snake dared to do this week in Processus…

Especially since you claim to be an expert on young players (as does The Snake and Pronman).

We are lucky to have him
Let’s take a few minutes on this day off for the Canadiens to appreciate how lucky we are to have a young player like Lane Hutson. With Hutsons, we are used to dreaming about them and watching them bloom elsewhere while thinking: “We never have players like that in Montreal.”

Or we trade them too early!

Man, he’s going to break the bank with his next contract, little Lane. If Slafkovsky was able to get nearly as much money as Nick Suzuki, Hutson will surpass the captain.

I expect an eight-season contract with an annual average salary between eight and nine million dollars.

Don’t forget that the salary cap will rise significantly over the next few years…

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The Predators would like to hire Shea Weber.

The name Shea Weber is becoming less and less present in Montreal. He still has an impact in the city (Nick Suzuki chats with him every now and then), but not as much as before.

After all, not only is he no longer playing, but he was traded a few years ago.

Even though we saw him back in the city during his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame and his addition to the hockey ring of honor, let’s just say he is no longer at the heart of the news like he used to be.

Now, he spends his time moving from Vegas to Arizona to Salt Lake City with family in Western Canada.

Since the finals against Tampa, he has not been the most involved man in the hockey world. We know he has already jumped on the ice with the Golden Knights’ AHL team and has done scouting with Marc Bergevin, but nothing more.

But it seems that this experience with Marc Bergevin, who left the Canadiens a few months before Weber, could be repeated one day, on a more regular basis…

But not with the CH.

According to what Alex Daugherty (a Nashville journalist) reports, the Preds would be open to the possibility of bringing their former captain back into the fold one day.

A scout in Western Canada recently retired. Well, well…

Obviously, this won’t be for tomorrow. Weber is still under contract for a year and a half with Utah HC, which inherited his contract by buying the contracts of the defunct Arizona Coyotes.

But Barry Trotz, who was Weber’s coach for years and is now the GM of the Preds, opened the door in 2026 to see Weber take a role in his organization.

At the end of his contract, if he wants to be part of the organization, we will listen. – Barry Trotz

extension

Because Weber spent more time in Nashville and knows Trotz better than Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who traded him after a few months in office (it was the right thing to do), it makes sense to believe that if he works in hockey, it will be with the Preds.

Let’s remember that Pekka Rinne and David Poile are also on the payroll of the Preds. Both will be honored in Nashville at the same time as Weber this week, and perhaps this will motivate the former captain to join the club in a bit more than a year.

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Jared Davidson: Anthony Marcotte’s choice for a recall to Montreal

Yesterday, it was learned that forward Emil Heineman had been hit by a car in Salt Lake City. Naturally, this changes things in Montreal.

Because the club was in Utah (and is heading to Dallas afterwards) and still has 12 healthy forwards and seven healthy defensemen, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton did not need to provide Martin St-Louis with another forward.

Yesterday, that did not happen.

And right now, we’re wondering if it will happen ahead of tomorrow’s game. If it doesn’t occur, we can assume that Michael Pezzetta will, once again, be in uniform.

According to Stu Cowan, however, a recall could be announced tomorrow.

Unless the Canadiens play seven defensemen (thus dressing Jayden Struble) and 11 forwards if the club decides to wait until Saturday to make a recall?

That’s not impossible.

But regardless of what happens tomorrow night, we know that afterwards, the Canadiens will bring in a player from Laval. After all, the club may not roll with 14 forwards… but 12, including Pezz, is too few.

And according to Anthony Marcotte, it’s Jared Davidson who deserves to be recalled – whether it’s for tomorrow or for Saturday’s game. That’s what he said this morning on BPM Sports.

Obviously, many people will wonder why it’s not Joshua Roy (who will be at the AHL All-Star Game… and who missed his chance earlier this season in the NHL), Alex Barré-Boulet, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, or Owen Beck who stand out the most among the current possibilities.

But as I wrote yesterday, we must not forget who needs to be replaced. Heineman was an effective fourth-line player, not a middle-6 guy.

Because he is good along the boards, has an excellent shot, is a young player the Canadiens might want to test, and would fit well in the spot left vacant by Heineman alongside Jake Evans and Joel Armia, he’s the choice of the Rocket’s voice.

We will see in due time what the Canadiens will announce. To be continued…

in brief

– Noted.

– Soon, the Canadiens will be a real threat every year. [RDS]

– He continues to improve.