Author: Dose

In less than three months, the 2026 Olympic Winter Games will get underway. And for hockey fans, the Games are eagerly awaited, as for the first time since 2014, NHL players will be taking part.

And we can sense that among the players, the desire to take part in international competitions is stronger than ever.

As a result, we’re hearing more and more about the various players who could take part… except that there may be a problem.

In fact, at the moment, the arena that will host the players is not yet fully built… and that’s why, at the moment, there’s some concern about whether it will actually be ready in time.

And Chris Johnston, during tonight’s Insider Trading segment, confirmed that there is no plan B in the event that this arena isn’t ready for the Olympics.

So, if it’s not ready in time, all the talk about which players deserve to represent their country will come to an end… because nobody’s going.

Johnston notes, however, that the NHL, which is seriously concerned about the arena, is a little optimistic after visiting the facility in recent days. Construction is going at full speed right now, and we’re doing everything we can to have a hockey-capable arena in place as soon as possible.

But right now, no, it’s not a certainty.

We all agree that this would be a huge blow for the players and for the fans, who are eagerly awaiting the NHL’s return to the Olympics. And for the players, who have been waiting for so long and finally got a taste of it again last winter, it would be a real blow.

And the NHL, which has a three-week break in its calendar in February for the Olympics, would be in quite a complex situation. Would the league try to organize its own international competition (like the 4 Nations Confrontation), in that scenario? Is that even realistic?

In short, this is an issue we’ll have to keep a close eye on over the coming weeks. The news may be (slightly) encouraging, but the absence of a plan B means that everything rests on the arena in Milan.

Let’s hope it all works out.

Overtime

– Zachary Bolduc: JiC wants him to stay on the first line.

– Nice read on Justin Poirier. [TVA Sports]

– Speaking of the Olympics.

At the moment, the Canadiens are seriously ravaged by injuries. The club will be without the long-term services of Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine and Kaiden Guhle, four of the club’s regulars.

These are losses that are beginning to mount… and to be felt.

So, inevitably, the idea of Kent Hughes looking outside the club for reinforcements got people talking. After all, the Alexandre Carrier effect was felt last year… and just this morning, Renaud Lavoie hinted that the Habs might be closing in on a deal.

But Darren Dreger had the opposite to say tonight. During the Insider Trading segment, the TSN tipster said that if Kent Hughes wants to find reinforcements right now, he’ll have to do it internally.

Because right now, nobody wants to sell… and the prices are way too high.

All this means that to weather the storm, the Habs may have to find options in Laval. We’ve already seen Jared Davidson and Joshua Roy brought in as reinforcements, and we have to assume that they really are the best options available right now.

That said, we know that things can change quickly in the NHL. Last year, for example, it was only a few days before the holidays that the Predators decided to trade Alexandre Carrier… and it’s possible that within a month, teams will decide to sell.

And even if it’s a winger who becomes available, Kent Hughes will be in the mix, says Dreger. The club would like to get a center, obviously… but it’s mainly looking for a forward.

So, we’ll see what the Habs can come up with, but it’s bound to be hard to find a partner for a deal right now.

Yes, depth will be really, really tested.

Overtime

– A reassuring performance for Juraj Slafkovský last night. [TSN 690]

– Matthew Knies on the sidelines. [Maple Leafs]

– News from the MLB.

The Canadiens need help right now.

The infirmary is starting to overflow and, as a result, the line-up is not complete. The Canadiens would like to take another step forward in their rebuild, but they also need help to make it happen.

And that’s why, at the moment, we’re hearing that Kent Hughes could be close to a deal.

Among the names that are attracting attention is that of Steven Stamkos. We know that the veteran’s contract ($8 million per year until the end of the 2028 season) isn’t optimal… but we also know that the Preds will have to withhold salary if they want to make a deal.

To revitalize Stammer – who’s struggling at the moment – Grant McCagg floated the idea on his podcast of pairing him with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the Canadiens’ first line. And it makes you wonder if it makes sense.

Stamkos is no stranger to Martin St-Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, who are currently part of the Canadiens organization.

The three guys played together in Tampa Bay and have a great relationship. That could be one of the reasons why Stamkos might want to play for the Canadiens.

That said, it’s true that adding Stamkos to the Canadiens’ attack could be… interesting.

We’re talking about an experienced player who knows how to score goals and can add offensive punch to the team’s top-6. The Canadiens need to find a way to score more goals and get more shots on net, too…

But I find it hard to see how this would fit in with Kent Hughes’ plan at the same time. It’s a nice idea to acquire an old player like Stamkos… but we’re not talking about Sidney Crosby either.

All in all, the idea intrigues me in a way, even if the contract scares me.

Overtime

– The Habs’ depth will be put to the test. [BPM Sports]

– Yikes.

– Go read this.

During Saturday night’s game against the Boston Bruins, Kirby Dach sacrificed himself for his club.

He blocked a shot in the second period, and it seemed to hurt. But Dach finished the game for the Canadiens anyway, and finished with almost 15 minutes of playing time (14:43).

The next day, we learned that he will miss four to six weeks of action due to a fractured foot.

It’s hard news to hear, especially when you’re talking about a guy who can’t stay healthy. He blocked a shot, and it’s not “his fault” in a sense that he’s still on the sidelines right now.

But…

On the other hand, Antoine Roussel explains (in a TVA Sports text) that Dach could have avoided this injury by wearing shot blockers. We’re talking about a piece of equipment that allows guys to be better protected when blocking shots.

The equipment in question is not mandatory for guys in the big league.

Some American League clubs force their players to wear them… but that’s not how it works in the National League.

That said, I wonder how many Canadiens players wear the coin.

Nick Suzuki nearly broke his foot against the Flyers on November 4, and his absence would have really, really hurt the Canadiens on the ice. The captain would also have broken his streak of active games, and seeing him go down fighting would have been a real catastrophe.

That said, it’s often said that players’ health should come first… and that’s why all guys should wear shot blockers to protect themselves even more. Especially guys who are “fragile” like Kirby Dach.

Because it’s true that the story could have been different if Dach had been better protected…

Overtime

– Ayoye.

Shocking viral video: boy hit in the head at hockey tournament

Listen to Cynthia Wilson, William’s mother, and François Lemay, a coach for 32 years, talk about it all on Tuesday morning with Marie-Eve Tremblay.

[image or embed]

– 98,5 FM(@985fm.ca) November 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM

– Happy reading.

“We need slayers,” said Marinette Pichon.

“We lacked finesse in front of the net,” confirmed Mégane Sauvé.

No doubt, @rosesmtl.ca’s problems have been identified. Now, does the team have the leeway to correct them?

www.lapresse.ca/sports/socce…

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– Jean-François Téotonio(@jfteotonio.bsky.social) November 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM

– Belle liste.

Top Québécois scorers since January 1, 2025

1. Jonathan Drouin 45 pts
2. Jonathan Huberdeau 42
3. Pierre-Luc Dubois 38
4. Thomas Chabot 38
5. Alexis Lafrenière 36

– Alexandre Pratt(@alexandrepratt.bsky.social) November 18, 2025 at 11:29 am

Yesterday, John Beecher was put up for grabs by the Bruins.

We expected him to be claimed… because we’re talking about a former first-round pick (2019) who has always played for the same organization.

He’s still young at 24 and his contract (one year at $900,000) doesn’t hurt the payroll.

That said, many have asked themselves the following question when thinking about Beecher:

Might the Canadiens want to claim him with the team’s lack of center depth… and with the recent injuries to Dach and Newhook?

I was one of those who thought the scenario made sense. But Beecher had to make it to the Canadiens… and that didn’t happen. It was the Flames who got their hands on the forward, as Elliotte Friedman reported on X:

The Flames, sitting at the very bottom of the National League’s overall standings, had first dibs.

And they didn’t mess around with the puck: they decided to claim Beecher in the waivers in an effort to help the team… and sure, adding an energy guy like him can’t hurt in a way.

That said, it’s a bummer for the Canadiens.

Beecher really had all the tools to help the team: good in the face-off circle, defensively responsible, a more physical game, a 6’3 and 220 lb. frame…

It’s not illogical to see the Flames take a chance on a guy like him, especially in the context where the risk really isn’t huge because of his contract.

But then again, it’s too bad for the Habs… because they didn’t even get a chance to talk on the matter.

Extension

I wonder if, at some point, the Flames can place Beecher on the trade market knowing that there was interest in him from all corners of the National League.

We know, after all: center players aren’t exactly a dime a dozen in the NHL right now…

As you no doubt know, the Maple Leafs’ season is going rather badly.

As we speak, the Toronto club is 15th in the East. Only the poor Buffalo Sabres are currently behind the Queen City club.

Ouch, you say?

Obviously, there are some big questions in town. And Brad Treliving, the club’s GM, appeared before the media to talk about his organization.

First of all, he clarified that his head coach, Craig Berube, isn’t going anywhere.

Brad Treliving defends Craig Berube amid the Leafs’ struggles: “I believe in Craig and his messaging”: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681…

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– Jonas Siegel(@jonassiegel.bsky.social) November 18, 2025 at 12:25 PM

But what I found most interesting was seeing the club’s GM take responsibility for the ugly start to the season on his shoulders and say he had to do better.

And to hear him talk, it’s not going to be easy to get there, because even if you’re always looking to improve your club…

“You can’t trade your way out of problems.” – Brad Treliving

Even with Auston Matthews closing in on a return to action, it’s going to take quite a bit more than that to help the Maple Leafs climb back up the increasingly steep hill.

The sample is starting to get pretty big, with the American Thanksgiving coming up, so we’ll be able to rely on the standings.

I wonder what Kent Hughes thinks of this sentence, uttered by his Toronto counterpart. Because even if transactions can help, there’s some truth to it.

But then again, Craig Berube was more the target of his GM’s message than anything else. Despite the vote of confidence, Berube has to give more than that, obviously… and I don’t think that sentence, in context, could apply to the Habs.

overtime

– Excuse me?

– Gavin McKenna, still the best prospect in the upcoming auction? [NYT]

– Zachary Bolduc, a la Mario Tremblay[X]

-CJ 2026-2027: to be held in Edmonton. [X]

– Please note.

Over the past few months, Jordan Kyrou’s name has been circulating in transaction rumours.

Of course, as you know, he has also been linked to the Canadiens. In June, around the time of the draft, the forward’s name refused to die in town.

But in the end, he’s still in St. Louis.

Could things change? Who knows. The player’s poor start to the season and the fact that he’s been passed over by the Blues recently could push a file forward…

But we do know that since July 1, the main interested party has had a no-trade clause.

According to what David Pagnotta reported this morning on TSN 690’s Campbell VS Gallo, the Canadiens were indeed considering Kyrou in June…

But his no-trade clause changed everything.

According to Pagnotta, this means that Kyrou wouldn’t want to play in Montreal OR wouldn’t want to leave the St. Louis Blues. One or the other.

Could what was true (according to Pagnotta) in July be different in November? Yes, theoretically.

That said, the way the Canadiens have been playing for a while now, it’s not clear that Kyrou, signed for over $8 million a year until 2031, would want to embark on a Montreal adventure right away.

And there’s no guarantee that the Canadiens would be happy with the price they’d have to pay to get him, should he become available.

overtime

– Really?

– Marie-Philip Poulin gives her sweat to science. [JdeM]

– Well.

Logan Mailloux drops one in.

#SPRvsHFD

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– American Hockey League(@theahl.com) November 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM

– Ouin…

Since their last win on Nov. 8th, the Habs have not gotten goaltending above an .870 sv % from either Jakub Dobes or Sam Montembeault.

They are 0-3-1 during that span.

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– /r/Habs(@habsonreddit.bsky.social) November 18, 2025 at 00:15 am

Last night was a strange night for some Canadian teams on the Bettman circuit. And why? Because two of them were screwed on air.

The first is the Canadiens.

Patrice Bergeron, a former client of Kent Hughes, was live at a Bruins game, chatting away. And at the request of… nobody, he said he felt like a Canadiens fan because he was excited when he saw the puck from the red line.

“I’m like the Montreal fans, I get excited at the red line

COOK ‘EM, BERGY!

@coorsbanquet pic.twitter.com/91CWKgtQrz

– NESN (@NESN) November 18, 2025

It’s understandable that he thinks Habs fans get excited too quickly over nothing.

Normally, the Quebec native is known for his class. This is a bit out of character for him, but I can’t say it’s out of place – on the contrary. Has he been spending too much time in Florida with Brad Marchand lately? Hehe.

But the one that’s most deadly is clearly from Rob Ray, who analyzes Sabres games and was there yesterday for the Oilers game.

Let’s not forget that the Oilers ate a hearty one last night.

Not only did the Oilers lose 5-1 to one of the league’s worst clubs in years, but when Stuart Skinner was withdrawn in favor of a sixth skater, Rob Ray got spoiled.

He said it wouldn’t matter as the net was deserted for most of the evening.

“Empty net for Edmonton… yeah, it has been most of the night, so what’s the difference?”

Buffalo commentator Rob Ray did Stu Skinner dirty pic.twitter.com/y7dvc7IVW4

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) November 18, 2025

It’s rare that a Sabres analyst can be a dog… and it just goes to show how controversial Skinner is in Edmonton, an easy target when things go wrong.

What do you think?

overtime

– Will Evgeni Malkin stay in Pittsburgh?

“If this is the last season, I just need to enjoy it.”

Evgeni Malkin opened up to RG about his mindset, scoring pace, and contract-year outlook as he leads Pittsburgh. Full story https://t.co/4Cif9scLJu pic.twitter.com/fphvZDqV7v

– RG (@TheRGMedia) November 18, 2025

– No surprise.

#Habs send Marc Del Gaizo back down to Laval

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) November 18, 2025

– Really?

Sandy Alcantara’s name is in the rumour mill (again). https://t.co/hwlvcwo9ma

– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) November 18, 2025

– Yes.

The Habs still two or three years away from a champion club https://t.co/eWLM8qxEuv

– Mathias Brunet (@mathiasbrunet) November 18, 2025

– Ouch.

Forward Vincent Arseneau (lower-body) will be sidelined for five weeks.

Forward Vincent Arseneau (lower-body) will be out for up to five weeks.

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) November 18, 2025

Yesterday, the Canadiens lost a shootout to the Blue Jackets. The score was 4-3.

Despite a fine overtime performance by the Canadiens, it’s clear that the club is no longer invincible at three-on-three. That’s what pushed the game into a shootout.

At least the Habs got a point after playing a decent game. #SmallVictory

There’s one thing to consider, though: captain Nick Suzuki, once again, couldn’t find the back of the net in the shootout.

It may seem insignificant… but that’s 13 times in a row that the #14 has missed.

source: www.deephockey.com/shootout/pla…

– /r/Habs(@habsonreddit.bsky.social) November 17, 2025 at 11:09 PM

HabsOnReddit is right: on his last 13 chances in the shootout, Suzuki missed. He didn’t shoot on December 12, 2024 because the Habs lost before he could come in as third man in the shootout….

But for the rest, his last goal in such circumstances was on December 13, 2023. We’re talking about two games this season, four more in 2025 and seven games in 2024.

Yet there was a time when the captain was one of the NHL’s best shootout players. He was too good, with his famous Pavel Datsyuk-style deke.

But he doesn’t do that deke anymore.

Instead, the captain always gets too close to the goalie, and even when he foils him, he doesn’t lift the puck. He’s not really unpredictable anymore, and he gets too close to the goalie.

And the result is… what the result is.

Of course, yesterday’s defeat isn’t just on the captain’s shoulders. The club played well overall (even if there were some difficult moments), but the Blue Jackets were more opportunistic.

We’ll need to win on Thursday against Washington to help ourselves in the standings…

extension

– Sick.

– There was no powerplay for the Habs yesterday. That’s notable.

– He was excellent yesterday.

Yesterday, Lane Hutson was on the ice for 76% of the Habs’ scoring chances.

19 out of 25.

And only 4 for the Jackets.

That’s absurd.

In the morning, he had mentioned how disappointed he was with his last few games.

The skates followed the chops yesterday. pic.twitter.com/TT0B4i1VPp

– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) November 18, 2025

– His line did well.

Good things happen when Juraj Slafkovsky is the net-front presence and blocks the goalie’s sight.

Hopefully we’ll see more of that again next game. pic.twitter.com/bCnshs5LTA

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) November 18, 2025

– Jakub Dobes found a way to get a point again. That’s something…

#FunFact: even though it was a shootout loss tonight, #Habs Jakub Dobeš became the 1st #GoHabsGo rookie goaltender to record a point in each of his first 6 road games to start a season!

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) November 18, 2025

There’s panic in the village; the Canadiens have just suffered six defeats in their last seven games and are now just one point ahead of the teams outside the top eight in the East.

Everything was going so well just three weeks ago..

A few things jump out at me right now. Jasons-en..

1. Generally speaking, when you play good hockey in the bottom six, you increase your chances of being promoted to the top six. That’s how it works in the sports world..

Zachary Bolduc was promoted to the top line and powerplay last night… after going eight games without a point. Worse still, Bolduc hadn’t had a shot on goal in three of his last four games, and had a negative cumulative differential of minus-5 in three games (including yesterday’s).

Surprise (or not): Bolduc was blanked from the scoresheet yesterday, finishing his game at minus-1.

At least he got two shots on goal, say the club’s die-hard fans..

Bolduc started the season on fire, collecting three goals and 1 assist in his first three games (all on the road). Except that since he made his debut on Sir Pathétik at the Bell Centre (October 14), he seems to be damned: he has just one goal and one assist in 13 games.

Enough to discourage the next Habs player thinking of making his entrance on T’aimes un badboy or L’Accro du trip next year..

2. Martin St-Louis is currently dealing with a number of injuries: Patrik Laine, Kaiden Guhle, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. And none of these four players will be back before mid-December at best. That’ll be 2026, except perhaps for Kirby Dach..

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, in developing a strategy to maximize accounting space at the trade deadline, generally don’t offer their coach anyextra players. Only Marc Del Gaizo acts as the only possible replacement when the team goes on the road. #AuCasOù

I understand the principle: every day spent under the salary cap provides the Canadiens’ management with extra accounting dollars to add an important player or two to the squad for the playoffs.

Except that the more time passes, the more I wonder if the Canadiens will actually be in a position tobuy at the trade deadline. The more days go by, the more I say to myself: this 2026 season will be another mixed bag where Kent Hughes will have to decide whether he’s a seller or a status quo supporter in March, and not a buyer..

In short, I think the Habs management should seriously consider calling back some of the guys who are performing well down in Laval – or even asking for players in the waivers – in order to insert a competitive season throughout the group.

It’s not normal to see a guy like Joe Veleno have ZERO points in 14 games, as well as a minus-7 cumulative differential, and not be challenged for his spot in the starting lineup.

You need a little internal competition on a high-level team..

This lack of competition could cost you points… and possibly a playoff spot. What’s the point of maintaining your strategy of buying for the playoffs if, in the end, you might not make them?

Note that Habs management will also have to think about building around players who aren’t too injury-prone, but that’s another issue. #InjuryProne

3. The Penguins are third in the East this morning and only three points from the top of the association. I don’t think today is the perfect day to see Sidney Crosby say, “OK, I’m leaving Pittsburgh for Montreal.”

The stars just aren’t aligning, unfortunately.

4. Emil Heineman has nine goals in 19 games with the Islanders. He’d be the Habs ‘ second-highest scorer if he were still in Montreal; only Cole Caufield has more goals than that with the Habs (13).

5. The Canadiens players directed 32 shots at Kirill Marchenko’s net last night. Jakub Dobes received only 23 shots.

Still, it’s rare to see the Habs get more shots than their opponents this season. The team needs to build on yesterday’s game: Lane Hutson’s goal late in the third was scored on a shot that wasn’t dangerous in the first place.

Michel Therrien used to say it all the time (with a Québécois accent): send pucks to the net.