Author: Dose

Categories
Uncategorized

Top-5 : Four hat-tricks (!) were scored last night

There were only five games presented in the NHL last night.

The Canadiens of Montreal did not play and will resume action tomorrow night, when they will visit Ottawa to face the Senators.

Let’s see what happened around the league yesterday:

1: Two hat tricks in the same game

The Wild and the Sharks put on a show last night in Minnesota.

What do we take away from the Wild’s 8-7 win?

First, we note that Macklin Celebrini scored his first career hat trick:

Celebrini also added two assists and finished the night with a nice total of five points.

Anyway!

But the young Sharks sensation was stolen by Erik Eriksson Ek, who scored four goals in his return to the game:

It was really an offensive game.

Two hat tricks in the same game, we don’t see that often!

2: 3 goals for Matthew Knies

Without making too much noise, Matthew Knies is having a great season.

He helped his team beat the Lightning in overtime (4-3) by scoring his 27th, 28th, and 29th goals of the season.

Yes, another hat trick:

Knies now has 55 points (29 goals) in his second full season in the NHL.

He’s really becoming an important player for the Leafs. His playing style is perfect for a team like Toronto, and it’s giving the results we’re seeing right now.

Note that Mitch Marner also shone in the win with three points, including a goal.

He’s just three points away from reaching the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career.

4: A win signed by Cutter Gauthier

Let’s move on to the end of the game between the Ducks and the Flames.

The Anaheim team was down by two goals with a little over four minutes left to play, and that’s when Cutter Gauthier woke up.

Frank Vatrano scored and Cutter Gauthier did the same eight seconds later to tie the game (3-3):

Gauthier, who scored two goals in his last game, continued his streak.

The young Ducks player gave his team the win in overtime by scoring his fourth goal in two games.

He’s doing well lately:

5: Connor McDavid has fun against the Blues

The St. Louis Blues will be a team to watch in the playoffs.

But they had a big test last night: Connor McDavid and the Oilers were on the menu.

Things heated up quickly in the game after this altercation involving Jordan Binnington and Corey Perry:

Real playoff hockey!

The Oilers eventually won the game 4-3, and McDavid had fun with three assists.

He had an assist on the first two goals of the game, courtesy of Connor Brown and Vasily Podkolzin:

The Oilers’ captain eventually had his last assist of the game on Connor Brown’s winning goal, with less than 20 seconds left in the game.

Brown scored his second goal of the night, and the Oilers escaped with the win:

Overtime

– Ouch.

– Beautiful moment.

– The top scorers of the night:

(Credit: LNH.com)

– 10 games tonight in the NHL.

We’re keeping an eye on the Islanders, the Red Wings, as well as the Rangers and the Islanders, who will face off on Long Island. An important night for the Habs even if they’re not playing:

(Credit: )
Categories
Uncategorized

Ivan Demidov : his agent signed him at 12 years old

The adjectives to describe Ivan Demidov’s game are scarce. With a coach who did not give him constant chances, he performed small miracles. He will land in a whole new world, while fans, players, and habs’ coaches await him with open arms.

His agent, Dan Milstein, recognized his talent, and has done so for a long time. In an interview with The Sick Podcast, he said he took a plane to see Demidov play at 12 years old. Yes, at 12 years old. This was also the case for Artyom Levshunov, the Blackhawks’ prospect who was drafted second overall in the last draft.

Milstein went on to say that he never signs players before the age of 16, it’s his principle, but Demidov’s and Levshunov’s cases were exceptional. He had to see him in person and sign him.

The agent finished by saying how excited he is to see Demidov play his first game in the NHL. He is convinced that he will have a big impact with the team, and he is not the only one. We should not have to wait too long, as Demidov’s work permit will be settled soon. ‘Even his sticks have already arrived in Montreal and he could make his debut next Monday. What is special for Milstein is that his two clients could face each other on the occasion.

We often forget how much an agent’s work is an investment in young players. They help bring them to the highest level, but the return on investment only comes several years later, if it comes at all. In the case of Milstein and Demidov, it will have taken 7 years, but it will have paid off in the end.

Overtime

– New podcast!

– Not a bad idea!

– Quite incredible!

Categories
Uncategorized

Here is the reason why Demidov has a bonus if he wins the Conn Smythe this year

It’s hard not to talk about Ivan Demidov in Montreal right now. As he signed his entry-level contract in the NHL, many noticed a rather particular clause in the contract of the Russian prospect.

Indeed, there is a $550,000 bonus in his contract if he wins the Conn-Smythe Trophy this season. As a reminder, it’s the trophy awarded to the player of excellence in the playoffs.

It’s a pretty particular clause, but it’s quite strategic on the part of Kent Hughes.

As Nicolas Cloutier reports, who spoke with Hart Levine of PuckPedia, Demidov cannot have access to type A or B bonuses for this season.

So it’s a way to offer a little something extra in the contract, although it’s an amount of money that the habs would be extremely happy to give.

It’s not a usual bonus, but it’s an extra in the circumstances.

Demidov also has bonuses if he plays 5 and 10 playoff games, which total $55,000.

Kent Hughes also protected himself in some way for next year, as Demidov’s bonuses won’t be as high as the limit allows.

This situation reminds us how Kent Hughes’ past as an agent can serve the habs in contracts like this one. He knows the small flaws in the NHL formalities very well, which undoubtedly helps him. We don’t talk about it enough, but he does a colossal job of managing his payroll.

When he arrived, he quietly cleaned house, and it’s paying off now that the team is on the verge of having good years.

Demidov’s clan was satisfied with the contract, as everything was settled in less than 3 hours.

All that’s left is the work permit to see Demidov with a Tricolore jersey, but that’s not in the habs’ hands.

Overtime

– What a moment!

– It’s obvious.

– Lane Hutson’s big brother, Quinn, could sign with a Western team.

Categories
Uncategorized

Ivan Demidov’s sticks arrived at Montréal Airport

I hope you’re wearing a mask, if you’re suffering from Demidov fever. Montreal is literally sick today.

Maxime Truman and Jean Trudel have published a special hit of Stanley25 on YouTube, tonight, to follow the evolution of the case. Where is Ivan? When is he arriving? Where is he arriving?

Before anything, the image of the hour: Demidov’s sticks have arrived at the Airport.

(Credit: Patreon of Stanley25)

After the famous (cursed) gloves of Marian Hossa… Here’s tangible proof that the young man’s landing on North American soil is imminent. It’s true!

Here’s an image where we can see his stick, for reference.

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – 2025/01/16: Ivan Demidov (91) SKA Hockey Club seen in action during the hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2024/2025 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Severstal Cherepovets at the SKA Arena. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 4:7 Severstal Cherepovets). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
(Credit: Getty Images)

Some interesting information also comes out of the express episode of the podcast. First, the young man and his girlfriend, Katya, will spend one or two days in Istanbul before landing, probably in Toronto.

Max was informed that the Canadiens are not tripping over the idea of welcoming Demidov with thousands of people at the Montreal Airport…

  1. For security reasons
  2. To not shake him
  3. To not have players in the locker room have bad emotions or frustrations about the hype surrounding Demidov

This is why he might land in Toronto. It would be “too much”, in other words.

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Ivan Demidov gives himself at least 6 games to impress the free agents of the NHL

In the summer of 2020, Marc Bergevin had “checked” four boxes. In 2025, Kent Hughes only has one box, but it’s huge: finding a center player worthy of the second trio to support Ivan Demidov during his first season in North America.

If Marc said it was almost impossible to acquire a center, Hughes is officially taking on the task.

We’ve known for a few months that it will be a big challenge. That being said, Demidov’s arrival could help his new boss by making the Canadiens more attractive to players who will be free agents in July.

I explain. An apartment on Marketplace is more interesting when it’s already furnished, right? It’s a bit the same principle.

It’s one thing to imagine a 19-year-old Russian offensive star flying over the ice in the iconic blue, white, and red uniform at the Centre Bell, but it’s another to see him with our own eyes and know he’s there.

By freeing himself from his contract in the KHL and offering what seems to be a minimum of 6 games with the Habs (2 in the regular season and 4 in the playoffs), Ivan Demidov is giving himself a chance to impress and convince coveted centers in the NHL to have fun with him in 2025-2026.

Do you want to be paid millions of dollars to score points with a young star in one of the biggest markets in the league? Come to Montreal. Seller, no?

Imagine if, in addition, Martin St-Louis’ men exceed expectations in the playoffs… And psst! We haven’t even talked about the imminent Calder winner, Lane Hutson.

This theory applies to Sidney Crosby, who wouldn’t be crazy to imagine a world where he joins the current Canadiens core. However, it could also apply to Matt Duchene, John Tavares, Sam Bennett, and Mikael Granlund, who are perhaps more realistic names for Canadiens fans who are used to being told to stop dreaming.

No one knows the plans of the management team for the offseason, but it seems evident to me that one of the most concrete impacts of the Russian’s arrival in Montreal is directly related to the attractiveness of the market for players across the league.

Overtime

– Martin Lemay is also dreaming.

– Ovy trolls Sorokin!

– Gauthier to Syracuse.

Categories
Uncategorized

Paying to get Ivan Demidov out of Russia would have been criminal: the Canadiens didn’t take the risk

People are wondering these days how the Canadiens managed to get Ivan Demidov out of Russia so quickly, without waiting until May 31.

After all, it was clear that the members of SKA, his club in Russia, did not want to let him go. At least, that was the rumor that had been circulating for several weeks.

What could have changed, then?

Because money makes the world go round, it’s logical to wonder, even if it’s forbidden to do so, if the Canadiens didn’t use money to “buy” Demidov’s contract.

But what needs to be understood is that it’s not only illegal between the NHL and the KHL, but it’s also a crime.

On this subject, at the beginning of his show of the day (Le Forum) on the waves of BPM Sports, Tony Marinaro discussed the topic with his listeners. He explained that paying SKA to get Demidov out of his contract was not possible.

It’s against the law… and the Habs, for a few games from Demidov, didn’t risk getting caught committing a crime. Paying to get Demidov out would have been dangerous for the Habs.

Roman Rotenberg, as Marinaro explained, is on a blacklist in Canada. On the Canadian government’s website, in the “Special Economic Measures Regulations – Russia” section, we find the name of Roman Rotenberg and his brother Boris.

They are in the “Individuals – serious breach of international peace and security” section of the site with hundreds of other names. Seeing a Canadian club, in times of war, handling a file involving money with the coach of SKA would have been very serious.

It must be understood that Roman Rotenberg’s father is a close friend of Vladimir Putin (they are childhood friends) and that he is a Russian oligarch, i.e., a man who has profited from his connections to get rich at the expense of the state when the USSR was dissolved.

So no, the Habs didn’t take the chance, for a few games from Demidov, to play in those waters.

But despite everything, we have to wonder what SKA got out of all this. If it’s not money, is it possible that the club got something else from the Canadiens in exchange for Demidov’s services?

And without being sure, Marinaro suggests that the photo opportunity during the visit of Kent Hughes, Vincent Lecavalier, and Nick Bobrov to Russia in December may explain why SKA was willing to let Demidov go. After all, SKA played politics with it…

But is that all that made SKA let him go?

Usually, when a veteran of several seasons in the league has such a request (to finish the year in the NHL), he can more easily get what he wants because the KHL clubs consider that he has contributed to hockey in Russia for years.

But that’s not the case with Demidov, who is still young.

In the meantime, we have to stick to the official version. And this version, whether we believe it or not, is that Demidov’s behavior was so exemplary that SKA gave him what he wanted. Nicolas Cloutier (TVA Sports) wrote an article about it, precisely.

In short, because the young man never complained when his playing time was cut, for example, SKA would have accepted to let him fulfill his wish to go to Montreal.

That would have been one of the aspects that made a difference, but not the only one.

It seems too good to be true to me, but so much the better if that’s the story. The story of the photos during the visit in December seems like an excellent lead.

But in fact, no matter the reason, Demidov is in town, and that’s what matters.

Categories
Uncategorized

The prices for the tickets for the Monday game are very, very high

According to Elliotte Friedman, we can really expect Ivan Demidov to make his debut in the NHL next Monday.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be visiting the Centre Bell for the occasion… and the Canadiens’ amphitheater is going to be packed.

You want to attend the game? You’re better off getting out your wallet!

I’ve checked three sites where we can get tickets for Monday’s game.

And without much surprise… the tickets are quite expensive at the time of writing:

  • $244 for the cheapest ticket on StubHub
  • $264.99 for the cheapest ticket on TicketMaster
  • $328 for the cheapest ticket on Billets.ca

It’s crazy in town right now.

Everyone is eager to see Demidov in the Canadiens’ uniform and that’s normal. But at that price, it doesn’t include the beer, parking, and food…

(Credit: )
(Credit: TicketMaster)
(Credit: Billets.ca)

If the price of tickets is that high for a regular season game, it’s going to get crazy pretty quickly during the playoffs.

It’s sure that on Monday, it’s potentially Demidov’s first game in the NHL… But people will also want to pay big bucks to see him in the playoffs.

Especially if the Canadiens face Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in the first round!

That being said, it’s special to think that despite everything, the Centre Bell is going to be full.

There shouldn’t be many seats available next Monday evening and it’s the same thing in the playoffs.

We do things in a special way in Montreal… and it shows how much we love hockey and the Canadiens.

Overtime

– Tony Marinaro is sick – in the good sense of the word.

– I like the concept.

– Alright.

Categories
Uncategorized

Okay, what do we do with the powerplay and the arrival of Demidov?

The addition of Ivan Demidov to the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup will immediately add some punch to the forward.

It always helps when a talented player like him joins a club, and it’s well-timed because the Canadiens’ top-6 isn’t the best in the NHL.

The first line does what it has to do, we agree. But we can’t say the same about the second unit because there’s a significant hole on the right side. Kapanen, Heineman, Roy… these guys have had their chance but haven’t been able to produce when needed.

Logically, we can really believe that Demidov will take Kapanen’s place on the second line. The Dvorak trio is rolling too well and the Canadiens’ head coach won’t use Demidov on a fourth line.

We’re talking about Martin St-Louis and not Martin Rotenberg, after all.

St-Louis shouldn’t listen to Pierre McGuire…

More seriously, we have to ask a question with Demidov’s arrival and usage. And that question is simple:

What do we do with the powerplay?

I don’t see Martin St-Louis deciding to insert Demidov immediately into the first powerplay unit.

That would be disrespectful to the guys already in place…

But if Demidov arrives and St-Louis judges after a few games that the (new) #93 of the Canadiens can already help the team on the first wave… there will be decisions to make.

Who gets taken out between Slaf, Suzuki, Caufield, Hutson, or Laine?

(Credit: DailyFaceoff)

Let’s settle some things from the start: Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson are really untouchable.

The captain is too good to take that role away from him, and it’s exactly the same for Lane Hutson.

Then, we have to wonder if Caufield and Laine can coexist together on the ice in a powerplay. We know both have a similar style: both guys have good shots… but Laine’s is really more devastating.

In all of this, we also have to think about Slaf because he plays his role well in front of the net and because he’s good at going to get the puck in the corner.

He creates space for his teammates and has his usefulness in a powerplay.

In my eyes, it’s really between Slaf and Caufield.

Patrik Laine doesn’t serve much purpose when used equally, and the Canadiens must exploit his shot with a man advantage.

With Laine, we’re also talking about one of the (very) good powerplay specialists in the NHL:

(Credit: NHL.com)

The decision to take Caufield off the first wave would be difficult too because we’re talking about one of the best goal-scorers in the NHL this season.

For Slaf, it’s difficult too… because if Demidov takes his place on the first unit, we’ll have to find a guy to fill his role, and it won’t be Demidov, Suzuki, Hutson, Laine, or Caufield who will go position themselves in front of the net to block the goalie’s view.

It’s going to get interesting.

Because if the Canadiens end up with Slaf or Caufield on the second powerplay wave and with Mike Matheson as the quarterback… the team will have the tools to be pretty dangerous with a man advantage.

In Overtime

– The Ivan Demidov jersey craze has arrived in Montreal.

– Me too.

Categories
Uncategorized

The SKA would not have offered a contract to Demidov since last June

Ivan Demidov was already part of the SKA Saint-Petersburg organization when the Canadiens selected him in the last NHL draft.

We knew he was going to play in Russia this season because he was already under contract in the KHL.

But his goal was to come play in North America as soon as possible. The SKA gave him that permission by releasing him, which allowed the Canadiens’ prospect to sign his entry-level contract with the NHL, yesterday.

This doesn’t mean the SKA didn’t try to keep him.

In fact… the SKA asked Demidov in June, during the draft, if he was interested in signing a contract extension with the club.

Demidov said no because he wanted to play for the Montreal Canadiens.

And according to his agent, Dan Milstein, who spoke to Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic), the SKA respected the player’s decision to the point of not making him any new offers during the season.

But they (the SKA executives) were so loyal that they never came to propose another contract to him all year long. – Dan Milstein

Dan Milstein also recalls that in Russia, things are done differently when a young player is in a situation like Demidov’s.

But instead of punishing him for not wanting to sign – like several other clubs would have done -, the SKA decided to listen to Demidov’s dream of playing in the NHL.

Is Dan Milstein saying this to protect his relationship with the SKA? Maybe.

But in fact, Roman Rotenberg was so flattering towards the young player that it really seems like I believe this story.

The SKA knew it didn’t have to insist with the player because it knew his intentions.

The executives knew he wanted to leave to play in the NHL and they took advantage of the fact that he was still with the organization to use him this season in the KHL.

And ultimately, it worked because it was Demidov who brought the club to the playoffs even if he didn’t play much.

He finished the season as the top scorer on the team and he was the team’s offensive engine.

The SKA may have lost in the first round of the playoffs… but again, it’s hard to blame Demidov for that because he finished the playoffs with five points (three goals) in just six games.

All’s well that ends well, then.

Overtime

– It’s official: Demidov will wear #93.

– I’m looking forward to seeing him go.

– Good news.

– Bang!

Categories
Uncategorized

According to Pascal Vincent, Jacob Fowler could really play in the playoffs for the Rocket

Jacob Fowler practiced for the first time with the Rocket this morning.

What is the plan for Pascal Vincent and the team’s coaches with him in mind for the rest of the season?

The goalkeeper is expected to have the opportunity to play a few games before the end of the regular season in the American League. Recall that the Rocket has already secured its playoff spot and the team wants to see Fowler play to see what he’s got.

But that’s not all.

Jeremy Filosa, who attended Pascal Vincent’s press conference today, also suggested in a tweet that Fowler could play in the playoffs.

The Rocket’s coach said that Primeau deserves respect for bringing the team to the playoffs… but everything can change quickly in the playoffs.

In short, Pascal Vincent did not close the door on Fowler getting starts during the spring dance.

Connor Hughes is currently injured and this opens the door for Jacob Fowler.

The Canadiens’ prospect arrives in Laval with confidence because he had an exceptional season in the NCAA… and there’s a world where he surpasses Cayden Primeau by the end of the season with the Rocket.

But it won’t be easy because Primeau has been more than dominant since his return to the American League. The numbers don’t lie:

  • 19-2-2 record
  • 2.00 goals-against average
  • .924 save percentage

Jacob Fowler will have to prove to the coaches that he can do the job in important moments.

He needs to have good starts before the end of the season to impress his new coaches… and if that happens, we could really see him play in the American League playoffs.

In Overtime

– Speaking of Primeau and Fowler.

– File to follow.

– Lane Hutson wants to improve and Kent Hughes likes that aspect of his personality.

– By the way… Lane was one of the few at the optional practice this morning. Classic.

– It smells like playoffs!