Author: Dose

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Ivan Demidov scores a beautiful goal in front of Kent Hughes.

Kent Hughes is currently in Russia to monitor the performance of Ivan Demidov.

The Canadiens’ prospect had a chance to impress future GM today as his team faced Bogdan Konyushkov’s team (Torpedo)… And that’s exactly what he did.

Demidov took advantage of a nice pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov while positioned in the slot to beat the opposing goalie with a precise shot into the top corner:

For Demidov, this is his 7th goal scored since the start of the season.

He also has 14 assists to his record for a total of 21 points in 35 games.

More details to come…

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Samuel Montembeault will play tomorrow night (and that says a lot about Cayden Primeau)

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Normally, a back to back means that two goaltenders play to prevent one from playing two games in 24 hours. That’s the standard in the NHL – to the dismay of all those who experienced the old days.

Logically, since the Canadiens play tomorrow night on the road and Saturday night at home against the same team (the Red Wings), we should expect to see Samuel Montembeault play on Saturday.

Now, Martin St-Louis, without confirming the identity of his goaltender for Saturday’s game, said that it’s the Quebecer – and not Cayden Primeau – who will play tomorrow night, that is, Friday. This will be his eighth consecutive start.

And that says a lot about what’s to come.

After all, I don’t see a scenario where Monty plays on the road on Friday and it’s Primeau who gets the Saturday night game, just before Christmas, at home.

And since I don’t believe a Laval goaltender will necessarily come play on Saturday night in his place (even though it’s not completely impossible), I feel like predicting that Monty will play both games of the back to back.

In fact, expect, at this point and under the current conditions, to see him play all three games before Christmas, including Monday, December 23.

I’m really getting the feeling that Martin St-Louis doesn’t want to trust Cayden Primeau. Because if he had wanted to give him a game, it would logically have been the one tomorrow night.

I wonder how the goaltender is taking this.

Let’s also note that defenseman Alexandre Carrier, who will join the Canadiens in Detroit, will be in uniform tomorrow night. He will thus make his debut with his new organization.

Logically, expect Michael Pezzetta and Jayden Struble to be in the stands.

In brief

– Alexandre Carrier brings depth to the group.

– To be continued regarding the draft.

– Too bad for the two brothers.

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Rangers: an employee dismissed for having eaten with a player from the club

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Things are going badly for the Rangers. In fact, it’s really going badly.

The club is in complete disarray and truly represents the following statement: in a business, leadership comes from the top. So when things are all twisted up top, it leads to…

It leads to the Rangers.

Chris Drury, the GM and president, is not managing his club well. And as time goes by, we realize more and more that he has ridiculous rules that undermine team spirit in New York.

Example? When Alexis Lafrenière couldn’t speak French with reporters. It gives off the same vibe as the former CH players who couldn’t speak to CH players under Marc Bergevin.

But now there’s another type of rule that’s causing a stir on social media concerning the Rangers.

According to what journalist Vince Z. Mercogliano reports, a public relations employee of the club lost his job because he – brace yourselves as I’m about to tell you the crime of the year – shared a meal with a player.

In short, management refuses to let members of the organization spend unnecessarily time with players or coaches. They do their job with the players… and that’s it.

It’s not a healthy atmosphere. No need for me to paint a picture for you because when your boss controls who you can talk to or not in the same company, it creates friction.

The journalist also mentions that the firing of Jim Ramsay, who now works for the Canadiens, hasn’t helped the climate within the team. He was liked, after all.

It’s no coincidence that the Rangers (and the Sabres) are teams to watch on the market right now.

In brief

– I like it.

– Noteworthy.

– Makes sense.

– Makes sense.

– Welcome to the NHL.

– Noteworthy.

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Caleb Desnoyers: the Quebec target of the Canadiens at the draft

Photo by Dale Preston/Getty Images

Let’s talk about the draft a little.

Last month, my colleague Maxime Truman wrote an article in which he reported that the Montreal Canadiens were interested in Caleb Desnoyers, a Quebecer from the QMJHL.

He also mentioned it on the Stanley25 podcast, but here’s the gist of his argument.

The Canadiens (Nick Bobrov, Martin Lapointe, and Serge Boisvert) have been spying on young Caleb Desnoyers several times since the start of the season, particularly in Quebec. – Maxime Truman

And clearly, JT and he were right as Caleb Desnoyers’ name is becoming more and more prominent around the Canadiens as a top target for the team.

The site Responsible Gambler echoed this as according to the site’s information, it seems that Desnoyers is still a significant target for the Canadiens.

In fact, according to what has been written, sources mention that if the Habs do not draft in the top-5 and the Quebecer is still available, he would be Montreal’s pick.

This can change, of course, but still.

Desnoyers is a 6’2 center who shoots left. In his second year with the Moncton Wildcats, the native of Saint-Hyacinthe has 42 points in 26 games, including 17 goals.

He is the best prospect in the QMJHL since Alexis Lafrenière in my eyes.

In a nutshell

– News from practice.

– Interesting.

– Makes sense.

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Kent Hughes is harshly criticized for stepping foot in Russia during wartime.

The Canadiens visited earlier this week the leaders of SKA, Ivan Demidov’s KHL club.

Nick Bobrov, who is Russian, was accompanied by two Canadians: GM Kent Hughes and Vincent Lecavalier, who also works on the second floor for the Habs organization.

Together, they spoke with Roman Rotenberg and notably visited the facilities of the Russian club.

Even though several topics were discussed, it is understood that the reason the Canadiens were there was to talk about the development of Ivan Demidov, an excellent prospect too often left on the bench by his coach.

Otherwise, they would not have gone to Russia.

What we notice, however, is that several articles from Quebecor have been signed by journalists who condemn the presence of the Canadiens in Russia due to the war.

Jean-Nicolas Blanchet is wondering if the Canadiens are above the war and François-David Rouleau wrote an article that, in Loïc Tassé’s eyes, discusses an odious and condemnable decision on the part of the Habs.

The debate is interesting because yes, the war exists. Yes, there is a moral debate to be had. And yes, politics and sports, whether we like it or not, will always be linked to each other.

But it is understood that the Habs were there legally to follow one of their top prospects. If they did not do this, they would be criticized.

At a certain point, we must also let people do their jobs, and the job of the Habs is to make sure that Ivan Demidov, a prospect that the Habs had the right to draft, progresses. And it’s not as if the Habs enjoy watching him play in Russia since in an ideal world, he would be in Quebec.

Moreover, it should be noted that in the articles, there is not really any mention that the Habs would have been in favor of Russia’s return to international competitions, according to what Roman Rotenberg said. In my opinion, that would have been a more concrete basis for debate.

There are Canadians in the hockey world who work in the KHL as players and coaches. And we have not seen the same criticisms directed at them as towards the Habs this week.

Yet, they established themselves there. They are not just passing through.

It should be noted that even Renaud Lavoie, who works for Quebecor, was not exactly in favor of such articles. He mentioned it on the radio (BPM Sports) in his morning column.

I understand where the debate is coming from, but I won’t throw the first stone at Kent Hughes when he has the right to do so… especially given that it has been known for months that this visit was in the plans.

In brief

– Exactly.

– Hmm…

– Contract: Patrik Laine will not gift the Habs anything. [98.5 Sports]

– Brady Tkachuk will be showcased by the NHL. We will see him behind the scenes of his sport.

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Alexandre Carrier: David Savard and Mike Matheson become more easily tradable.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

In 2022-2023, the Canadiens had four options among the veteran defensemen: Mike Matheson, David Savard, Chris Wideman, and Joel Edmundson. So, there was experience on the blue line.

But since last year?

With Wideman and Edmundson not having played in Montreal since spring 2023, let’s say it had been a while since Savard and Matheson were the only two veterans in the defensive group. And when one was absent, the other was alone.

Clearly, this didn’t seem to be the biggest issue in the world for management if it took them a year and a half before adding a guy like Alexandre Carrier. But it was perhaps starting to become an issue to think about.

We know that the CH was looking for a defenseman of that kind recently.

Now that the CH has three defensemen on the blue line, we must open the discussion: is returning to two veteran Quebecois on the blue line, the formula used for over 100 games, part of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton’s plans?

In other words: do Mike Matheson or David Savard have a greater chance of leaving now that Carrier is there until 2027?

I included Matheson in the mix because he is clearly an attractive candidate for contending teams. But in fact, eyes are currently turning toward David Savard.

After all, he is slower and more defensive than Matheson. He is in the same mold as Carrier (more the type to play on the penalty kill than on the power play), and his contract will expire in a few months.

From the way things are going, we do not necessarily expect Savard to sign a new contract in Montreal. In my view, he was already on borrowed time in the city.

Carrier is an ideal replacement. And the CH is in a strong position to shop Savard (the thing to do by then) by the trade deadline without creating a hole, right now.

Savard is very important for the Canadiens (and his contributions will not be forgotten when he is elsewhere… and I really say this without wanting to seem like the guy who sends Savard away too quickly) and he is a reason explaining the Canadiens’ good penalty kill.

It is good to know that Carrier will be able to continue doing this the day Savard is no longer there.

Extension

Let’s also note that even though he is a forward, Jake Evans is also in the final year of his contract and he is a very important element of the team’s penalty kill. Savard and he are key players.

If both were to leave, replacements would be needed. Carrier fits into that mold.

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It was Jeff Gorton who called Alexandre Carrier (and not Kent Hughes) after the trade.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

The Montreal Canadiens, last night, acquired the services of Quebecer Alexandre Carrier. In return, Justin Barron is heading to Nashville to continue his career.

It is known that the Quebecer is happy to be in town and that he has received the green light to play, after being injured. However, there are still several angles to address regarding this transaction.

What do I take away from the Canadiens’ trade?

1. It was Jeff Gorton – and not Kent Hughes – who called Alexandre Carrier to welcome him to Montreal. Normally, it is the GM’s job to do this after a trade.

The main interested party confirmed this to Maxim Lapierre from La Poche Bleue. Great job by Max to have him so quickly, by the way!

It is important to note that normally, it is the GM who calls a player in such a situation. But here, it was the VP of the Canadiens who took the phone to call the club’s new acquisition.

There are two reasons that might justify why it was Gorton who called and not Kent Hughes.

  • The GM is on the other side of the world
  • The VP is the real boss of hockey operations

In my opinion, the fact that Kent Hughes is on the other side of the world (he was on Tuesday, anyway) can explain why Gorton took the phone to call Carrier. Who knows if Hughes was sleeping at the time of the announcement.

Kent Hughes certainly receives calls like this. But here, in my view, there are circumstances.

The trade was likely discussed before Hughes left for Russia to see Ivan Demidov play. It was formalized, notice, when Carrier was taken off the injured list.

That said, when we know that Jeff Gorton is the boss in Montreal, the question is worth raising nonetheless.

2. Kent Hughes, a former Quartexx agent, went to get a client from Quartexx. And even though they haven’t worked together much (Carrier has not been with the agency for years, and Hughes has never been his agent), it is still noteworthy.

If the Canadiens want to know a player’s character, all contacts are good.

3. The Canadiens not only traded for present talent but also exchanged a player obtained by the new administration. Marc Bergevin has nothing to do with Justin Barron’s presence in town (who is on his third organization, mind you).

But since the Canadiens wanted reinforcement in the top-4, it was the right thing to do.

4. This morning, on the radio (BPM Sports), Anthony Marcotte said that this summer, the Canadiens had interest in Alexandre Carrier. He, however, decided not to become a free agent and signed for $3.75 million a year until 2027.

So he got himself back by acquiring him through trade.

5. The Predators trading Carrier for a defender (Barron) who may never be as established as the Quebecer, is this a sign that Barry Trotz’s reconstruction threats were valid?

The question arises.

6. Carrier will stabilize the Montreal defense. He can play around twenty minutes per game and in short-handed situations, and while he may not be as offensive as Barron can be, he has a clear identity in the NHL.

That will definitely help.

In Brief

– Interesting.

– NHL: how to manage the Canadian dollar? [98.5 FM]

– Alexandre Carrier knows Trevor Letowski. #TeamCanada

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Top-5: John Tortorella has a justified meltdown behind the Flyers’ bench

There were five games in the NHL last night.

The attention of fans in Montreal shifted to the Justin Barron trade, but oh well.

Let’s see what happened if you missed the action:

1 : Sacred Torts

The Flyers were visiting Detroit to take on the Red Wings.

And in the game, there are mainly two easy things to remember.

First, it’s this beautiful goal scored by Owen Tippett:

Without making too much noise, Tippett is establishing himself as one of the good players in the National Hockey League. He’s a joy to watch!

At the end of the game, with a little more than eight minutes left to play and the Flyers down by one goal, one of the referees raised his hand to signal a penalty.

The problem?

The referee in question decided to cancel his call… something we simply never see in the NHL.

John Tortorella was furious behind the bench of his team, and it’s understandable:

The penalty could have allowed the Flyers to go on the power play and score… But no.

That’s not what happened, and the Flyers lost the game by a score of 6-4.

Note that Matvei Michkov was held scoreless for the third straight game in his team’s defeat.

2 : Marc-André Fleury continues to mess with his opponents

Marc-André Fleury really looks like a good guy.

We know he loves to play tricks on his teammates, and he enjoys doing it.

Except that yesterday, he rather messed with an opponent: while Evan Rodrigues was in front of him, the goalie was doing what he could to block his view.

Classic Marc-André Fleury:

The Wild lost 6-1 to the Panthers, but Fleury can still be happy because he reached third place for the most career starts among goaltenders in the league.

He passed Patrick Roy in this regard, and he could beat Roberto Luongo’s record before the end of the season. He has 10 starts left to reach Luongo:

3 : Sergachev is a hero this morning

Things are going well for Mikhail Sergachev since he was traded to Utah in the last draft.

The big defenseman had 22 points in 30 games before facing the Canucks last night, and he added a goal to his tally.

The one who was once part of the Canadiens organization scored in overtime to give his team a 3-2 win:

Sergachev has established himself as the first defenseman in André Tourigny’s lineup.

He is an important piece for the team, and we saw it last night because he is capable of making the difference in a game.

4 : The Ducks can thank Terry and Dostal

Usually, when a team scores 26 seconds before the end to take the lead 3-2 in a game, they can secure the win.

That’s what happened to Anaheim last night.

Troy Terry found the back of the net with little time left on the clock to put his team ahead against the Jets:

But the Ducks still had a scare.

Why?

Because after Terry’s goal… The Jets almost managed to tie the game with a breakaway.

Lukas Dostal, who is having a fantastic season, shut the door, and the Ducks won the game 3-2:

5 : Big win for the Leafs

We might have witnessed a preview of the Stanley Cup final between the Leafs and the Stars, two teams that have been performing well since the start of the season.

But the Stars struggled to penetrate the Leafs’ defense.

This is partly thanks to Joseph Woll, who was really in shape:

Woll stopped 38 of the 41 shots directed at him to secure the victory (5-3).

After the game, Craig Berube praised his goalie, stating he was the best player of the match.

This is the 20th win for the Leafs, and William Nylander scored his 20th goal of the season for the occasion:

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Alexandre Carrier wanted to come play in Montreal for a long time.

When the Canadiens acquire a talented Quebecer, it grabs attention.

We all know that the dream of almost every young hockey player is to play for the Canadiens.

Alexandre Carrier is no exception to this rule, having just been acquired by the Canadiens in exchange for Justin Barron.

In October 2023, Carrier was a guest of Kevin Raphaël on the podcast Sans Restriction Deluxe. What people didn’t know is that Kevin Raphaël decided to remove a segment from the podcast to avoid causing problems for Carrier.

Now that Carrier is a member of the Canadiens, Kevin Raphaël has decided to publish this never-before-seen segment.

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Alexandre Carrier is in good health: no need to call a guy from Laval.

OTTAWA, CANADA - DECEMBER 7: Alexandre Carrier #45 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 7, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Canadiens, as you know, have acquired the services of Alexandre Carrier. In return, Justin Barron is heading to Nashville.

The rumor going around was that the Quebec defender would not be able to play right now, as he has been on the injured list for a few days. But the good news is that this morning, he received the green light from the doctors.

He will therefore be able to play right away.

Otherwise, we could have expected to see a defender from the Laval Rocket take the road to Montreal – and ultimately to Detroit, where the Canadiens will go tomorrow after practice – to bring some depth on the road.

But since Carrier can play, it won’t be necessary.

In fact, Carrier should be able to play the last three games before the holidays (Friday, Saturday, and Monday) with the Canadiens, if all goes well. That’s good news for the Canadiens.

Carrier will also join the team in Detroit.

This means we can expect to see Martin St-Louis’ new defensive combinations as of Friday. I’m not sure how different it will be, but well.

If I were the coach of the Canadiens, I would do this:

Hutson – Matheson
Guhle – Carrier
Xhekaj – Savard
Struble

By virtue of circumstances, Jayden Struble is likely to be the one who will be benched more than the others. Before, it was between Barron and him… but now, Carrier is not there to be taken out of the lineup.

Given how long the Canadiens have been looking for a defender like him, he will play.

Extension

– Three Quebecers on the blue line and Samuel Montembeault as goalie: there will be Quebecers in abundance when it comes time to talk about the team’s defensive aspect.

– Kaiden Guhle should play more to the left with the trade, which was not the norm at the beginning of the season. This is good news since he performs better on his natural side.

– Kent Hughes made a trade to think about the present by sacrificing a defenseman of the future… who didn’t really have much of a future left. It’s rare for him to act that way due to the rebuild. But in this case, it had to be done.