Author: Dose

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Slaf on fire on the powerplay: he can (and should) take advantage tomorrow night

Things are going well for Juraj Slafkovsky lately.

He’s one of the Canadiens’ good players, and a big part of the team’s success on the ice. We’re seeing the first half of Slaf… and so much the better.

Because we know he wasn’t used to starting his seasons the right way. We used to see him start to get really good in the second half of the calendar, but it’s quite the opposite at the moment. Again, this is good news.

Slaf has scored four powerplay goals since the start of the season and is now ranked 2nd in the NHL on the powerplay, along with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Clayton Keller, Chris Kreider, Elias Lindholm, Kirill Kaprizov and Wyatt Johnston.

It’s a nice list, we agree.

But that’s just what Slaf needs to make the most of tomorrow night, because the Flyers will be in town. Philly ‘s most punished team so far this season in the National League…

Slaf is becoming even more important in the Canadiens’ line-up. And if he can excel on the powerplay, it will only help… especially as he has the players next to him to help him.

He’s in the right place at the right time. And the results are there:

All this to say that Slaf is becoming a fixture on the Canadiens’ power play. That’s good in a way… because expectations for him have always been high.

The addition of Ivan Demidov on the first wave of the power play must help on certain levels too. But you have to give credit to Slaf, who is helping his club right now in these situations.

And at the risk of repeating myself, he needs to make the most of it tomorrow night as the Habs take on the league’s least disciplined team.

Overtime

– He’s on fire.

– Interesting.

– Nice.

– Whoa. What do we think?

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Michael Hage played wing in his last NCAA game

When people think of Michael Hage, they mostly think of him as the future second center for the Montreal Canadiens.

He’s got what it takes to fill that role: Hage has a nice offensive touch to his game, he’s got good size, he’s creative with his hands, he’s got good vision…

But Hage isn’t the best in the face-off circle. And in his team’s last game, the Habs prospect wasn’t used at center as he has been since the start of the season: instead, he was moved to the wing of his team’s first line.

Hage posted a 47% efficiency rate in the face-off circle in 25-26, and that’s not exceptional by any means.

In 24-25, he finished his team’s season with a 46% efficiency rate in the face-off circle. He hasn’t necessarily improved, so… and it’s interesting to see that he played a different position in his last game.

We know him as a center, after all. But maybe that can change over time…

We know that the Canadiens have great faith in him. And we also know that the Canadiens need to find a guy who can play center on the 2nd line for the long term in Montreal.

Does the fact that Hage played wing in his last college game mean he’ll never be able to fill that role? No, not necessarily.

A player’s effectiveness in the face-off circle needs to be worked on… and Hage is still young too. Because it’s true that we know what interesting qualities he has as a center because he’s capable of doing a lot of things with the puck.

All in all, it’s cool to see him touch other aspects of the game by playing on the wing. Things are going well for him this season (15 points, including 6 goals, in 10 games) and he’s proving that he can make the jump to the pros at the end of the current NCAA season.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll play wing or center, though.

And if he does play wing in the NHL, the Habs will have to find another solution to Montreal’s notorious second-center problem…

Overtime

– With good reason.

– Oops.

– Hehe.

– News in the MLB.

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Arthur Kaliyev accused of stealing over $50,000 from ex-girlfriend and former teammates

It’s a crazy story.

Does the name Arthur Kaliyev ring a bell? A player who has often been linked with the Montreal Canadiens in recent years, but who was never able to make it in the NHL?

Well, everything seems to point to the fact that the Habs have avoided a certain catastrophe. Because things aren’t going well for the main player today…

In an article in the New York Post, we learn that he is accused of stealing over $50,000 from his former girlfriend and several former Kings teammates to pay off his gambling debts.

His former girlfriend doesn’t understand why the NHL hasn’t turned its nose up at the case… and she doesn’t understand how the main guy is still allowed to play professionally after what he did to her and after what he did to his former teammates.

Wow.

It’s still pretty spectacular.

Gambling problems can get really bad for some people, and professional athletes aren’t immune to situations like this either.

We remember what happened with Evander Kane a few years ago, after all…

It’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out. Kaliyev, who had so much potential, is now with the Belleville Senators in the AHL after playing for the Rangers last year and starting this NHL season in Ottawa.

There are probably more details to come… and I wonder if the NHL will decide to investigate the matter too.

Again, we’re talking about a completely crazy story.

Overtime

– Sick.

– Yes.

– Bummer.

– Well done.

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Steven Stamkos linked to the Montreal Canadiens

Although the Canadiens are off to a great start this season, securing a second center remains a priority for the organization.

Could Steven Stamkos fill that role in Montreal?

Jeff Marek, on the Sekeres & Price podcast, discussing the rumor that the forward is headed for Vancouver, believes that the Habs might also be interested in acquiring him to replace Patrik Laine.

It might be a nice publicity stunt to bring a veteran like Stamkos to Montreal, but I’d be really surprised if the organization made that move.

The problem is, the veteran has been a shadow of his former self since arriving in Nashville, and at 35, you really have to wonder if his best years are behind him.

After a sub-par season in which Stamkos scored 53 points, including 27 goals, plus a minus-36 rating, the forward has just one goal, one assist and a minus-6 rating in thirteen games so far this year.

The main thing we’d replace Laine with Stamkos is his problems on the ice.

Not to mention that the former Lightning star still has more than two years left on his deal, worth an average of $8 million a year. Even if the Predators agreed to pay 50% of his salary, it’s too long and too expensive a contract for a player in decline.

It’s not a gamble worth taking, as I don’t think the veteran can regain his former form at 35, and his acquisition is likely to be a problem for the organization to manage.

And that’s even if Nashville were to ask for very little in return for Stamkos.

What’s more, I’d be really surprised to see Kent Hughes do this deal. Acquiring a declining veteran of uncertain performance with a very bad contract is the antithesis of everything we’ve seen from the general manager since his arrival in Montreal.

In Overtime

– Lions defeat.

– The Canes are one to watch.

– He’s on fire!

– Ouch!

– MLB in a nutshell.

– He’s really dominant.

– What a kick!

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Martin St-Louis calls Alexandre Carrier a warrior (and rightly so)

It will soon be a year since Alexandre Carrier joined the Canadiens organization.

Kent Hughes picked him up from Nashville in December 2024 (on the 18th) in a deal that sent Justin Barron to the Predators, and so far, it’s been a good move.

In fact, it’s an excellent move on the part of the Montreal GM.

Carrier immediately added stability to the right side of the Habs defense… but he also greatly improved the right side of the defense. We’re talking about a guy who can be used at any time during a game because he’s responsible on the ice.

And with the departure of David Savard, we’ve seen him take on an even more important role since the start of the season. Martin St-Louis praised him today, calling him a “warrior”… and saying it’s contagious, seeing the Québécois sacrifice himself for the team by blocking shots.

The Habs pilot is right.

Carrier leads the club in blocked shots (32) and also ranks 5th in the NHL in that regard. Only Brayden McNabb (36), Darnell Nurse (35), Andrew Peeke (33) and Thomas Harley (33) have more than him.

Ah… and it’s also interesting to see that Mike Matheson is also among the league’s leaders, sitting at 10th.

Maybe it’s the Alexandre Carrier effect:

(Credit: Screenshot / StatMuse )

When you see one of your teammates giving it his all and doing everything to block shots, it’s inspiring.

And right now, that’s what Carrier is able to bring to the Canadiens’ lineup. We don’t often talk about him because he’s not a flashy player and because he’ll never win the Norris Trophy, but he deserves some credit because he plays such an important role in the club’s success in his own way.

Martin St-Louis has done well to give him the credit he deserves. And it’s here, too, that we understand just how much the defender is appreciated within the organization. We probably wouldn’t have had the same results with Justin Barron, who still seems to be looking for himself in Nashville…

Overtime

– Georges Laraque is right.

– To be continued.

– Logical.

– Really?

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Volokhin’s contract, a strange team spirit in Ottawa and history for Schaefer

Have you noticed how the Canadiens have quite a few goalies in the branches?

Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes are upstairs. Jacob Fowler and Kaapo Kahkonen are in Laval. But then there are a good number of prospects all over the world.

Alexis Cournoyer, Arseni Radkov, Yevgeni Volokhin, Mikus Vecvanags, Quentin Miller and Emmett Croteau are all prospects whose rights belong to the Canadiens.

We like the goalie strategy. After all, their development is hard to predict, and it’s best to take several chances before hoping to see a guy blossom.

Of course, this means that not all goalies can play in Montreal or Laval at the same time. It takes guys from other leagues.

And that’s probably why the Habs shouldn’t make too much of the fact that Yevgeni Volokhin, who is the third goaltender drafted in 2023 by the club after Fowler and Miller, will stay in Russia until 2028.

It was announced recently, but it’s safe to assume it was signed before November.

The Russian is only 20 and has had more playing time in the VHL than in the KHL so far this season. He’s going to need time to develop – and that’s okay.

See you in 2028 to see what’s what, then?

Nick Cousins in a state of indifference

On Saturday night, Nick Cousins fought Jayden Struble. Of course, he didn’t have much choice in the matter, considering what had happened during the preparatory calendar.

But something special happened afterwards, when he left the match.

His team-mates didn’t really care. His club didn’t necessarily issue an update on his condition. He just… disappeared for the time being.

Renaud Lavoie (not the first to suggest that Cousins isn’t Ottawa’s most valued teammate) spoke about it on the radio this morning.

Weird, isn’t it?

It seems that in Montreal, even though the club is younger and less experienced, we wouldn’t have seen this. The Canadiens’ youngsters are holding their own.

The race for the Calder

If Matthew Schaefer gets about as many points as Ivan Demidov, will he win the Calder? And if he scores more goals, how will that look?

This is a subject that will be the talk of the town for months to come.

Right now, the Islanders defenseman leads the rookies in goals (5) and points (10), which is pretty impressive for an 18-year-old defenseman.

Yesterday, he became the youngest defenseman in history to score two goals in a game. That’s no mean feat.

Lane Hutson has shown that a good passer in a club that makes the playoffs can win the Calder. So Demidov has a chance, if you look at it that way.

But what the Long Island player is doing… Wow.

overtime

– Hard blow for Washington.

– Interesting news.

– He’s a good kid.

– Not wrong.

– What do you think?

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Brendan Gallagher and Joe Veleno change lines

At practice this morning, there wasn’t much at stake.

I say that because the club has 18 healthy skaters, so we shouldn’t have expected anything extra on the ice. Barring an eventual recall, that’s the reality of the club right now.

Yes, we’re keeping an eye on the goaltending situation, but there’s not too much chaos in town at the moment, let’s say.

But just because the Canadiens don’t have any new ingredients for their fruit salad doesn’t mean the chef can’t stir it up a bit, regardless.

And this morning, he did.

Looking at the offensive trios, there’s one change from Saturday’s game against the Senators at the Bell Centre.

And that is? Brendan Gallagher and Joe Veleno have switched places.

Caufield – Suzuki – Slafkovsky
Newhook – Kapanen – Demidov
Bolduc – Dach – Gallagher
Anderson – Evans – Veleno

Did Martin St-Louis want to punish someone? Are we talking about an idea to add energy to the Bolduc and Dach line, two guys who want to give more?

Who knows.

We also don’t know if these trios will hold up for tomorrow’s game (possibly), when the Flyers come to town. We should have more answers tomorrow.

But Bolduc and Gally together, we know it can work.

overtime

– Nice.

– Interesting.

– Indeed.

– Of note.

– Transaction.

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All clubs in the East play for .500 or more

Incredible, but true.

When you look at the standings, you see that every team in the East is playing for .500 or more. And even though the sample size is still small, the season didn’t take off yesterday either, you know.

The Bruins play for .500, but since they’ve played more games than anyone else, they have the same number of points as the Lightning, who are third in their division.

(Credit: NHL.com)

It’s pretty crazy that the Canadiens, who are turning the corner on their rebuild, are in first place in the East when the playing field is this tough. The Montreal club is better than 15 clubs playing well.

The Habs (.750) are the only club playing for at least .700.

(Credit: NHL.com)

One reason for the high number of points is that there have been many three-point games since the start of the season. Many games go to overtime.

And since the Habs often win in overtime, it’s normal to see Martin St-Louis’ men at the top of the East.

At some point, you’re going to have to win games in 60 minutes, because it’s hard to always get back into games, and because wins in overtime or shootouts are worth less than regular tie-breaker victories.

But the Habs are winning, and that’s better than losing. No?

The Red Wings (3), Lightning (2), Devils (1) Hurricanes (3), Blue Jackets (2), Rangers (2), Senators (2), Bruins (2), Capitals (1), Panthers (1), Maple Leafs (2), Sabres (1) and Flyers (3) have all won at least one game over 60 minutes.

And the Habs have five, as we all know.

Only the Penguins and Islanders haven’t won in overtime in the East. And only the Habs, Red Wings, Devils, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets and Bruins have never earned a point in a setback this season.

Many of these teams have a negative differential, which means you have to take some and leave some. Mathematically, we know that normal will return.

It’ll be more like the West, at some point. Over there, there are no fewer than six teams below the .500 mark, and of the lot, the Flames really suck.

Here’s how it looks.

(Credit: NHL.com)

When you think that, in the past, the West was stronger than the East… it’s clear that this hasn’t been the case for some time. Will that change? I don’t know.

It’s also worth noting that seven of the last ten Stanley Cup champions have come from the East.

(Credit: NHL.com)

overtime

– Interesting.

– Of note.

– This is good.

– The question on everyone’s mind.

– Ah well.

– That’s fair enough.

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The time Chantal Machabée stood up to a Habs player in the locker room

Thank god! Society has changed a lot since the ’80s. No, I’m not starting my text by alluding to Québécois municipal politics or Donald Trump (I’ve just come from a weekend in the States for son).

30 or 40 years ago, there was still a culture of intimidation/initiation AND male privilege in professional sports. Especially in hockey..

In the old days, female sports journalists were rare, and before Chantal Machabée, they didn’t have access to the Canadiens’ locker room after games.

What’s more, anyone involved in or around a professional men’s hockey team like the Canadiens had to go through a certain initiation rite before earning the respect of others. You had to earn respect the hard way, let’s put it that way.

How did Chantal Machabée earn the respect of Canadiens players when she started covering the team on a daily basis? By standing up to Shayne Corson (nude) in the team locker room.

Chantal, now the Canadiens’ VP hockey communications, told this story on Saturday on the Télé-Québec program Pour une fois. She was the show’s main guest this weekend, interviewed by Élizabeth Rancourt, Steve Bégin, Sébastien Delorme and Maïka Desnoyers.

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A post shared by Télé-Québec (@telequebec)

The full episode is available HERE.

Anyway, Chantal Machabée was in the Habs locker room at the Montreal Forum chatting with Guy Carbonneau and Shayne Corson was walking around Chantal naked, throwing hockey tap balls at her as she laughed.

Chantal finished her interview as if nothing had happened, then looked Shayne Corson in the eye from head to toe – while he was naked, remember – and simply said: “You don’t impress me

All the players on the team laughed, and Shayne Corson went to give her a high-five. It ended there, she had just earned Corson’s respect.

A few years later, she went to eat at Corson’s restaurant… and he offered her the meal on his arm.

Note that Chantal never confirmed that this was Shayne Corson on the Télé-Québec set – describing him only as #27 – but I’ve heard this anecdote with Corson’s name. And Corson, who wore #27, once had a restaurant on Bishop..

As I said at the outset: thank God society has changed since the ’80s.

overtime

– Three games this week.

– Habs will practice at 10:30 today.

– Read more.

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Pavel Zacha would accept a deal in Montreal

Is the Canadiens a perfect team? No. It’s off to a good start, but nothing’s perfect.

With such a hole in the middle (with all due respect to the work of players like Oliver Kapanen and Alex Newhook, who are off to a good start), we don’t know if it can last.

In the long term, it’s important.

That’s why Kent Hughes, who wasn’t able to get big reinforcements at center this summer as he would have liked, is still on the case.

And quite rightly so.

Among the names that have been circulating and will inevitably continue to do so is that of Pavel Zacha. The Bruins player could well be leaving Boston soon.

And Nicolas Cloutier, who spoke to TVA Sports on the subject, provided some details.

What he’s saying is that he’s not sure the Bruins will trade Zacha, whom David Pastrnak likes. But if that happens, Montreal is clearly a possibility.

Why? Because the Habs need help at center, because Kent Hughes is his former agent… and because the player wouldn’t say no to such a deal.

Trusted NHL sources assure us that Montreal is not on the list of teams to which Zacha would refuse to be traded, quite the contrary. – Nicolas Cloutier

Quite the contrary? Hmm…

At $4.75 million a year until 2027, when he becomes a free agent, the 28-year-old would fit into the Habs’ plan. And next summer, the Czech could be in line for a contract extension.

Zacha has 12 points in 14 games this season, including two goals. He’s 6’4 and shoots from the left.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that the Bruins would want to send Zacha to Montreal. If several offers are on the table, sending him somewhere other than a big rival might make more sense in the event of a transaction.

But we’ll have to wait and see, because despite the Habs’ interest and the fact that Zacha wouldn’t say no to the Habs, there’s nothing to say that this will become a serious matter.

Stay tuned.

overtime

– Amazing.

– Well done.

– Read more.