Author: Dose

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Peter DeBoer and the Kings are in “advanced discussions”

If the NHL playoffs were to begin tonight, the Kings would be in with a shout.

At the time of writing, the Los Angeles outfit is sitting in 3rd place in the Pacific Division… although things haven’t necessarily been going well in recent weeks.

The Kings are 4-3-3 in their last ten games, which is far from conclusive…

And the club’s recent failure is obviously starting to worry them. Because, according to Cam Robinson (Elite Prospects), the Kings have been in “advanced discussions” to bring Peter DeBoer behind the bench.

Ultimately, this means that Jim Hiller (the Kings’ current head coach) is living on borrowed time. For there to be advanced discussions with DeBoer, an experienced coach with a proven track record and reputation around the league, there must be something going on somewhere…

The transaction market is dead right now, and clubs have to find other ways to stir the pot.

The Canadiens, for example… have been active in asking Samuel Blais to the waivers and offering Alexandre Texier a contract. The Kings could therefore change things behind the bench to have a similar effect on the group and on the ice.

Because that’s what it’s all about: right now, the Kings are almost at a crossroads. This is probably their last chance to win the Stanley Cup for a while, since club captain Anze Kopitar is in his last NHL season… and because the group in Los Angeles is getting very old .

Going all-in with Peter DeBoer, even if it didn’t end well for him in Vegas and Dallas… might make sense. Still, we’re talking about a coach who has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals twice and the Western Conference Finals six times since the 2019-2020 season.

That’s no mean feat. We know that Ken Holland has to find a way to beat the Oilers in the playoffs, and it makes you wonder if Peter DeBoer will be the man for the job.

We’ll have the answer in due course, I imagine.

Overtime

– The Ducks have such a great club.

– With good reason.

– Reminder: there are five NHL games tonight.

– It’s going to be a good game.

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Ivan Demidov’s clothing line creates quite a stir

Yesterday, we learned thatIvan Demidov had decided to launch his clothing line online. It’s an important branding move for the Russian, who has chosen to produce sweaters that, objectively, aren’t pretty.

In fact, it’s not just that they’re not pretty: they’re cheap.

Instead of partnering with a major brand to bring out something nicer and classier, he’s brought out a model that looks like an AI-produced project.

I’m sure Demidov didn’t mean any harm. But by releasing these products, he didn’t do things the right way since it affects his image.

I agree with JT on this one: you can’t put an image like that on your site.

The logos that look cheap… the fact that you can buy a version where Demidov is right-handed (WTF) in hockey… all that, it’s already a bit weird for his brand image.

But the reason I say it looks like he just rushed to get his products out is because a lot of people are pissed off at the way he did it.

We can confirm that internally, at the Habs, there’s dissatisfaction.

And at Warrior, it’s the same thing. The company paid a lot of money for him to represent the brand under the terms of a five-year contract… and seeing him with equipment from another brand (and promoting it, of course) doesn’t sit well.

So even if his agent is happy and tries to hide the problem, there’s something wrong with all of this. Steps have been skipped. Is it because Christmas gift-giving time is approaching and we had to finish everything before then?

And to think that his agent confirms that the next wave is coming…

Demidov isn’t selfish on the ice or with his number (he kept #93 leaving #91 to Oliver Kapanen) and we know he’s a serious little guy in terms of on-ice practice. That (and his talent) is why fans love him.

But his clothing line is… something else.

Recently, my colleague Maxime Truman wrote that Demidov should put less emphasis on his partnerships and choose better which companies to promote. I think this is even more true today.

Ah, one last thing to show that yes, things did happen quickly: ID93, the branding of his site, is also the name of a vaccine against tuberculosis…

overtime

– It’s all the talk of the town.

– Wow.

– To be continued.

– The Bruins defenseman has lost twenty pounds: he can no longer eat solids.

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The five worst teams in the East are in the Canadiens’ division

Let’s talk about the standings.

The Canadiens are currently the only Canadian team in the playoffs. In both the East and the West (where we find the Canucks and the Flames, the two worst clubs on the Bettman circuit), it hasn’t been an easy start to the season north of the border.

At the moment, the Canadiens are third in their division with 31 points.

(Credit: NHL.com)

But the standings are so tight that the Canadiens’ 31 points don’t exactly give them any breathing room. Not really, in fact.

The Detroit Red Wings, who have played two games more than the Canadiens, also have 31 points. The Senators, meanwhile, have one point less than the Canadiens and have played one game more than the Habs.

The Maple Leafs, the Canadiens’ next opponents, are two points behind the Canadiens. The two teams could in fact be tied on Sunday morning.

But it’s worth noting something crazy: the five worst teams in the East, in terms of standings, are in the Canadiens’ division. This means that the five best wild-card teams are in the other division, the Metropolitan.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Did we mention it’s a tight race in the East?

We’ll agree that it’s not normal to see the Panthers this low. We fully expect to see the Florida outfit back in the thick of the race sooner rather than later, as they’re only five points behind the Canadiens.

Everything can change quickly.

Seeing two Metropolitan teams (both New York teams) out of the playoffs, but with fewer points than the Habs, shows that the Atlantic has clubs that are underperforming a little… but also that the market is paralyzed by the tight standings.

Only the Sabres are really in a position to sell, in the East… and they’re not doing it. So right now, everyone’s making do with what they’ve got, basically.

Will the upcoming freeze on transactions (in view of the holiday season) stimulate the market? If so, it’s likely to go through clubs in the West, where there are more potential sellers.

overtime

– Confirmed: it’ll be him tomorrow. It should be Samuel Montembeault on Sunday.

– This is good.

– Oh?

– Excellent.

– Sabres want reinforcements.

– But’s goal? That would have been sick.

– Interesting.

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Here’s why the Canadiens didn’t have any players recalled from Laval at their practice sessions

This morning, the Canadiens held a practice in Brossard.

It was the club’s last practice in Quebec before leaving for Toronto later on Friday. Tomorrow night, the club takes on the Maple Leafs.

Obviously, some guys got on the ice before the others… and you can guess who we’re talking about.

We note that the Canadiens, who theoretically have only 12 healthy forwards and six healthy defensemen in town right now, practiced without Josh Anderson, who had a day of treatments.

So there were only 11 forwards at practice.

Under the circumstances, it’s logical to wonder why the Habs didn’t issue a recall. Especially since, normally, before going on the road, there’s a recall to make sure there’s an extra – at the very least.

And the answer to that question is simple: the Rocket is already in Ontario.

Tonight and tomorrow, the Rocket will be playing in Belleville, a town just a two-hour drive from Toronto. We can therefore expect to see one or more of the guys playing tonight in the AHL and then being called up again.

To me, this explains why there are no Laval players on the ice in Brossard this morning.

Since we don’t think Martin St-Louis will change his lineup for tomorrow’s game (barring injury, of course), we can assume that Marc Del Gaizo will be recalled following the Rocket game.

Will a forward also be recalled? And if so, who?

overtime

– Hehehe.

– Once a hockey player, always a hockey player.

– Nice.

– Interesting.

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“I don’t think Michael Hage is untouchable”

The Canadiens want to improve their center position.

Yes, Oliver Kapanen exists, and he forms an unlikely and successful duo with Ivan Demidov. But we know that regression is almost inevitable in his case.

And we agree that behind them, it’s thin. If Kapanen were the #3 center, it would help.

So the Canadiens will keep on looking to see if they can find their second center of the future elsewhere. Kapanen, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook and Michael Hage are the best in-house possibilities right now. It’s possible to do better.

But you know as well as I do that in order to receive, you have to give.

If the Canadiens had to give away a big prospect to get their hands on a top-6 center, would they be willing to give Michael Hage in return?

We agree that this is certainly not the Canadiens’ plan A… but Darren Dreger, who spoke to TSN 690 about the trade market, doesn’t think Hage is an untouchable in the organization.

Interesting stuff.

No one is saying that the Canadiens want to trade Michael Hage. On the contrary: it’s possible to believe that the club hopes he’ll one day develop into a top-notch center.

But to receive, you have to give. We keep repeating ourselves, but it’s all the same.

I don’t feel that there’s a high enough quality center on the market right now to make Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton say that parting with a Hage (or any other top prospect) is worth it.

But I also think that, compared to Alexander Zharovsky, David Reinbacher and Jacob Fowler, it’s Hage who potentially has the best chance of leaving. Especially if it’s for a second-line center…

Ah, while we’re on the subject of the Habs on the market: let’s also note that right now, it’s debatable whether Frank Seravalli’s eyes have anything to do with the Canadiens.

overtime

– Of note.

– Seen the same.

– Sports fans in Toronto: it’s all about perception.

– Um…

– File to follow.

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Matthew Knies wants to make the Canadiens pay tomorrow night

Two weeks ago, the Canadiens hosted the Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre.

The home team, with Jakub Dobes in net, won 5-2. The game had gone really well for the Canadiens, just before a trip out West.

The win felt good.

Tomorrow night, it’s the Maple Leafs’ turn to welcome their foes home. The Habs will practice at 11 a.m. this morning in Brossard before heading to Toronto.

And let’s just say the Toronto club is ready.

Matthew Knies, who missed the duel between the two teams two weeks ago, said that his club had taken advantage of its most recent trip to rediscover the way it plays.

Because, in his opinion, the Maple Leafs are sometimes a bit flat at home… although he promises that won’t be the case tomorrow.

We’ll make the Canadiens pay. – Matthew Knies

The last time the two great rivals met, things got a little heated: 70 penalty minutes were handed out. Florian Xhekaj (who fought) is not with the Canadiens at the moment…

Although we can’t necessarily expect to see Joseph Woll (who was hurt yesterday) in front of the Maple Leafs net, Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies will be there. On November 22, they weren’t. #Injured

It’s not the same club that will face the Canadiens tomorrow night. The Toronto team has won four of its five games since the loss in Montreal – and tomorrow, the Maple Leafs will play at home for the first time since November 20.

Will the Canadiens, who haven’t had much (regular-season) success in Toronto in recent years, send Jakub Dobes in front of the net in the Queen City? We’ll see in due course.

overtime

– Interesting.

– Ouch.

– Zachary Bolduc will have to get up on the road. [TVAS]

– Really?

– Read more.

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Alexander Zharovsky leaves for the KHL All-Star Game

Good news for the Canadiens.

One of its top prospects, Alexander Zharovsky, has been selected by the Russian media to play in the KHL All-Star Game next February.

12 names were announced this morning, and he’s one of them.

Alexander Zharovsky, a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2025, is performing very well in his first full season in the KHL.

In 24 games so far, he’s found a way to collect 20 points, including eight goals.

He’s not just good for an 18-year-old : he’s good in general. And that’s why it makes sense to see him earn a spot at the All-Star Game in Russia.

He also looks like a man among kids because he won Rookie of the Month in October and November… but that’s not necessarily why he’s at the All-Star Game.

Remember that Zharovsky, who saw Ivan Demidov push for him with Kent Hughes at the last draft, is still under contract in Russia for 18 months.

If nothing changes, he could land in Montreal as late as 2027.

But in the meantime, if he continues to get plenty of playing time in Russia (something Demidov didn’t always get with Roman Rotenberg’s SKA last year), Zharovsky can continue to develop.

And all the better for the Habs.

overtime

– What do you think?

– Will Horcoff has a nice relationship with Michael Hage. [RG Media]

– A name to watch.

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Return of the Expos: An entrepreneur who is financially ready to bring back a club right now

It’s been over 20 years since the Expos left Montreal for Washington.

Yes… already.

And much like the Nordiques’ comeback, the Expos’ comeback continues to be a hot topic of discussion, because people would like to see a ball team back in Montreal. That’s normal… because Nos Amours didn’t end so well in 2004.

Entrepreneur Ashkan Karbasfrooshan, who wants to bring baseball back to Montreal, was on Max Lalonde’s show this morning on BPM Sports to talk about his project.

What you need to know?

Right now… the problem isn’t money – and the project would be financed without government help. Karbasfrooshan’s main point was that it’s up to the league to make a decision about the possibility of an MLB team returning to Montreal.

It’s up to the league to decide if they want a team here. – Ashkan Karbasfrooshan

(Credit: YouTube)

It’s worth mentioning that Ashkan Karbasfrooshan doesn’t necessarily believe in the Olympic Stadium. He’d like to build a stadium – between Atwater and McGill – to encourage space so that it’s conveniently located for everyone.

But more to the point, he’d like to see the project come to fruition before too long… because the price of concessions in the MLB keeps rising, as it does in the NFL, NHL and NBA.

Unfortunately, I think that if it’s 2030 and the valuation of the clubs is going to go up to four or five billion dollars, I wouldn’t be comfortable telling investors that it’s worth coming in right now. – Ashkan Karbasfrooshan

Speaking of investors… let’s note that the money for the project would mainly come from American funds, which is interesting to know. But then again, Ashkan Karbasfrooshan is keen to point out that the “problem” at the moment is timing, not money.

He’s made it clear on a couple of occasions that the decision will ultimately rest with the league.

It’s all very interesting. You get the sense that he’s really serious about what he’s doing, because he’s a guy who loves the sport… and there’s no doubt that the project will get a lot of attention if there are more developments in the next few months or years.

It piques my curiosity.

Overtime

– It’s true that it was beautiful.

– Oh.

– Well done.

– To be continued.

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Top-5: Patrick Roy inflicts a second regular season defeat on the Avalanche

Last night was a rare Thursday night when the Habs didn’t play.

Still, there were plenty of games on the bill.

Here are the results and highlights:

1. Patrick Roy inflicts second regular season defeat on Avalanche

Prior to last night’s games, the Avalanche had lost only one game in regulation time since the start of the season.

That defeat came on October 25 against the Bruins. Yesterday (December 4), Colorado finally lost its second game in 60 minutes. The Islanders won 6-3.

Brock Nelson, traded to the Avalanche last year, was back in New York for the first time since his trade.

He got a standing ovation, of course.

New York led 4-0 at one point in the game, but Colorado didn’t give up, scoring two quick goals.

Nelson even picked up an assist on one of the goals.

The Islanders held on, however.

Matthew Schaefer earned an assist, too, becoming the fifth-youngest player in history to reach the 20-point plateau in a career.

Another Mathew made a name for himself, this one Barzal.

He thought he was Nathan MacKinnon for a moment.

Ironically, it was Patrick Roy’s team that beat Colorado in 60 minutes.

It was Roy’s 200th NHL win and he didn’t even know.

2. Steven Stamkos scores the winning goal in a bizarre fashion

The Preds were in Florida yesterday to take on the Panthers.

In the end, it was the visitors who prevailed in overtime, thanks to a rather bizarre goal.

Steven Stamkos scored while the net was down.

Florida wasn’t happy, but the goal was awarded.

The two-time defending champions are still in the doldrums of the Atlantic Division.

Sergei Bobrovsky, in defeat, stopped 27 of 29 shots. Here, he denied Filip Forsberg a Michigan goal.

He had help from his defender at one point.

3. Maple Leafs score on their first shot of the game in fourth straight game

Here’s a surprising statistic.

The Maple Leafs have a knack for starting games strong. Last night, for the fourth game in a row, they scored on their first shot of the game.

The Habs’ next opponents crushed the Hurricanes by a score of 5-1.

They are now on a three-game winning streak.

However, Toronto lost its number-one goaltender in the victory.

Joseph Woll suffered a lower-body injury and never returned to the game. We wonder if he’ll be back in the line-up on Saturday against Montreal.

In the win, Matthew Knies, who is out for revenge against the Habs, was good, collecting a goal and an assist.

His goal was a thing of beauty.

4. Nine Oilers goals and a hat trick for Connor McDavid

Late in the evening, the Oilers and the Kraken faced off.

The Oilers won the duel with ease, scoring nine goals. Fans wanted 10, though…

Connor McDavid scored a hat trick in the win.

Here, he really made Joey Daccord look bad.

Leon Draisaitl also had a strong game in the 9-4 win.

He scored four points. The two-headed monster collected eight points.

5. Lightning come from behind, but still lose

The Penguins were in Tampa Bay last night and got off to a good start.

They even led the Lightning 3-0. Evgeni Malkin thought he was the Evgeni Malkin of a few years ago.

Tampa Bay finally got going when the club was behind 0-3.

Brandon Hagel, who scored two goals in the game, created the tie.

Unfortunately, all that effort was for naught.

Malkin, again, scored the winning goal.

Tampa thought they had tied the game again moments later, but the goal was disallowed for passing with the hand.

Funny sequence…

After the match, Jon Cooper didn’t seem to agree with the decision.

Extension

– Ville Koivunen’s first.

– Nice set.

– 900 points for Artemi Panarin.

– Edmonton’s two-headed monster leads the charge.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Five games on the schedule today.

(Credit: NHL.com)
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Zachary Bolduc: “It’s a privilege to play for Martin St-Louis”

Zachary Bolduc is having a rather strange season. The forward is absolutely killing it on the road (11 points in 12 games)… but has just one point in 14 games at the Bell Centre.

Usually, when there’s such a difference between home and away stats, it’s the other way around.

Bolduc’s playing time, however, is the talk of the town. This week, for example, he started on the first line… but he was benched for Tuesday’s game and played less than eight minutes last night.

However, the player himself doesn’t seem too bothered by all this: in an interview with La Poche Bleue broadcast this evening, Bolduc talked about his relationship with Martin St-Louis… and was very complimentary about his coach:

It’s a privilege to play for Martin St-Louis. – Zachary Bolduc

Bolduc insisted that St-Louis is passionate and an excellent communicator. He also praised the fact that the coach has clear expectations for each of his players and wants to bring out the best in each of them.

And the interview was recorded today, so he said it after the events of the week.

Of course, it would have been surprising to see Bolduc publicly trash his coach. However, what we seem to understand from his comments is that Bolduc understands what the coach wants to build… and you’d think he’d understand why he gets the short end of the stick at times.

Above all, it echoes what Renaud Lavoie reported earlier this evening on JiC: the relationship between Bolduc and his coach is far from damaged.

We’ll have to see if all that changes if Bolduc continues in such a limited role. But for now, the forward seems to be embracing what St-Louis is trying to bring to town.

At least, that’s what he says publicly.

Overtime

– Speaking of Bolduc.

– Love this.

– He’s playing big hockey.

– Jake Evans gives some love to Oliver Kapanen.