Author: Dose

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Juraj Slafkovsky was the habs’ least-used player (unlike Logan Cooley).

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

If the Arizona Coyotes still existed, they’d surely take advantage of the fact that Logan Cooley was better than Juraj Slafkovsky last night to rub the Canadiens’ nose in it.

But they can’t anymore.

Logan Cooley, whom the Canadiens didn’t draft with their first pick of 2022, really was better than Slaf, whom the Canadiens did draft with their first pick of 2022.

In fact, he was the most-used forward (23:13) in Salt Lake City’s 3-2 win over Montreal.

Yesterday, Cooley made this play in particular. It was his 17th point in 22 games, which is better, for the moment, than Slaf has offered the Habs in the last two months.

Ironically, this was done in the game where Slaf was punished most severely by Martin St-Louis. He was playing on the club’s fourth line, but more importantly, he was the club’s least-used forward.

His 11:29 of playing time are quite similar to Joshua Roy’s 11:30.

Since Slaf played on the first wave of the powerplay, it’s understandable that at five-on-five, he wasn’t often on the ice. So it was a big message tonight.

And let’s just say he wasn’t the most visible on the ice.

Kirby Dach was also “punished” on four, but he got some overtime. He got 14:30 of playing time, which is still a little better than Slaf.

Emil Heineman (14:24), Joel Armia (14:39), Christian Dvorak (14:29), Josh Anderson (13:39) and Brendan Gallagher (13:56) were the other players who, like Roy, Dach and Slaf, played less than 15 minutes.

That said, that doesn’t mean the others were perfect. After all, Nick Suzuki may have had plenty of playing time (21:21), but he wasn’t very good.

We sensed a certain disengagement on his part.

Inevitably, when he’s not as good, it doesn’t encourage his team-mates to give more. And here, the club looked like it was playing its second game in two nights, not its first back-to-back duel.

There won’t be any easy ones.

It’s all well and good to talk about Slaf and playing time, but the fact remains that yesterday, the Canadiens mostly looked bad. So what explains it all?

Here are a few possible solutions.

1. Only 13 shots on net in nearly 65 minutes – shameful. The Utah Hockey Club had 14 shots in the first period alone, and André Tourigny’s men won.

Coincidence? I don’t think so, no.

2. Seeing David Savard get angry at a referee (and get one of the softer 10-minute misconducts I’ve seen in a long time) shows there’s frustration. And that’s something.

Savard had a point, though: yesterday, the referees didn’t have it. The Habs should have been more disciplined, obviously, and the home club didn’t play a flawless game either, but…

3. Mikhail Sergachev was excellent yesterday. He stabilizes Utah’s defensive brigade and showed the Habs the player he could have become had he not been traded in 2017.

Water under the bridge since then, but still.

4. Some guys are too soft in this club. Justin Barron (who should feel the urgency to play better) and Christian Dvorak are two guys who didn’t bring much to the table yesterday.

That puts me in all my Utahs. I must be getting old because I thought it was good last night. #JokeDePère

5. Samuel Montembeault didn’t get the W yesterday, but he did what he had to do. He kept his team in the game and didn’t give away any horrible goals. He can’t do everything on his own either.

It wouldn’t be fair to ask him to do that.

6. In Mike Matheson’s absence, Lane Hutson was good. In fact, he quarterbacked both powerplay waves and was the skater most used (26:28) by Martin St-Louis.

Good thing he’s here.

Extensions

Yesterday, apart from the Habs and Utah, there was only one other game on the menu: Vancouver won 2-0 against the Bruins in Boston. Connor Garland and Jake DeBrusk were the two scorers.

Tonight will be different: there will be 15 games on the menu. And tomorrow, on American Thanksgiving? No games.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

As for the Canadiens, they’ll be in Columbus tonight: the boys have been traveling since yesterday’s game. Patrik Laine and Mike Matheson are on the trip. The former is not expected to play tonight, but there’s no word yet on whether the latter will.

There will be no practice today: only the extras will skate at 11:30.

Cayden Primeau will be in front of his team’s net. He’ll have to do well if he wants to continue buying time in the NHL. He won’t want to be distracted by the cannon…

Remember that the Habs will also be playing in the afternoons this weekend: Saturday in New York and Sunday in Boston, in a weekend where Jeff Gorton will see the Habs take on his former clubs.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Patrik Laine to take part in the Canadiens’ three-game road trip

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

With the Canadiens in the midst of a season of misery, a bit of good news goes a long way.

Those who have been looking forward to seeing Patrik Laine in action will be ecstatic to know that the forward will accompany the Canadiens on their three-game road trip, which begins on Wednesday.

That’s what Martin St-Louis revealed at his press briefing after the Canadiens’ miserable defeat on Tuesday night.

But don’t get too excited just yet. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be able to play this week.

He’s probably making the trip to be able to continue practicing with his teammates, having started practicing again in a regular jersey on Monday.

It should also be added that although Laine has resumed regular practice, St-Louis explained on Monday that he doesn’t expect to see his forward play a game this week.

Patrik Laine’s last regular-season game was on December 14. His stint in the NHL’s Player Assistance Program and two major injuries have kept him out of action for almost a year so far.

However, St-Louis explained during the press conference that he is not yet sure whether Mike Matheson will be able to accompany the team on this trip.

The defenseman missed Tuesday night’s game against Utah.

The three-game road trip kicks off on Wednesday in Columbus, before moving on to New York and Boston over the weekend.

Overtime

– Big news from the Alouettes.

– Montreal begins to prepare its official line-up.

– Bucks find a way to win.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Arber Xhekaj and more against Jacob Trouba: Martin Biron would do it

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers during the anthem prior to the game against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 22, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Rangers’ season has got off to a very poor start, sothey’re ready to make some big moves in an attempt to remake themselves. In the last few days, the names of Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba have been revealed as Rangers players who could move.

And when such players become available on the market, there’s often talk of a possible deal with the Canadiens.

The player most targeted by analysts and fans alike is currently Jacob Trouba. The question, however, is what Montreal is prepared to pay for him.

For former NHL goaltender Martin Biron, it would be Arber Xhekaj and one of the organization’s prospects. This is what he revealed on BPM Sports’ Retour des sportifs on Tuesday.

This offer isn’t crazy. Kent Hughes won’t always be able to play the hero like he did by sending only Jordan Harris to acquire Patrik Laine and a draft pick.

Something will have to give to improve the team. Xhekaj may be a crowd favorite because of his physical game, but he’s extremely unstable defensively.

Biron believes that this deal would allow the team to keep the physicality, as Trouba can hit very hard and he would automatically become a much more defensively stable defender than Xhekaj is.

However, this transaction remains a risk for the Canadiens. If the Rangers want to trade Trouba, it’s not for fun. At 30, he may not be expected to be with the team when the Canadiens are competitive.

However, Martin Biron would like the Rangers to keep part of Trouba’s contract. He would like to receive Trouba at only $5 million per season, whereas his contract currently weighs $8 million on the New York payroll.

The Rangers are probably looking to remain competitive, as they have some excellent players on their roster. Keeping a $3 million player in a vacuum is probably not in their plans.

Another question is whether Xhekaj is really a player the Rangers would be interested in. They already have Matt Rempe to take care of the brawling, and adding another brawler wouldn’t necessarily be the idea of the century.

Let’s not forget that Jeff Gorton was the Rangers’ general manager when they acquired Trouba from the Jets in 2019. He could do it a second time with the help of Kent Hughes.

Overtime

– Ovechkin liked to party!

– We’d love him in Montreal.

– He deserves it.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Why will Andrei Markov be in Montreal in December?

Markov needs to put his feelings aside and think with his head!

One of the Montreal Canadiens’ most beloved defensemen was Andrei Markov.

Many fans were disappointed not to see him honored at the same time as P.K. Subban, in January 2023.

Those fans can take solace in the fact that the Russian will be in town this December, but not for the reasons they had hoped.

Markov will offer a signing session on December 7, much as Joshua Roy should have done.

All this will take place in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, to be precise.

To find out more about the day, click here.

Here’s hoping Markov shows up… not like Joshua Roy.

For that, there shouldn’t be a problem since he’s always been a reliable guy, throughout his career.

However, what concerns me most is why would Markov travel all the way to Montreal for a simple signing session?

It doesn’t make sense for him to leave Russia to go to Dollard-des-Ormeaux and sign various items for Habs fans.

Markov has always enjoyed playing in Montreal, but does he love the city that much?

Personally, I think there’s something fishy going on.

Since Subban was honoured on January 12, 2023, and Markov wasn’t there, almost all fans have been waiting impatiently for him to be honoured.

If you do 1+1, that’s 2, and that’s the most logical explanation.

But it’s not the only explanation.

We know that the Habs may have been looking for another assistant coach to back up Martin St-Louis in this season of misery.

And many fans, even some experts, saw Markov as a good potential assistant.

He could also take charge of the powerplay, which would free up MSL’s time.

There may be several reasons for this sudden announcement of Markov’s return to Quebec, and we should know more next month.

Overtime

– No fewer than 12 scouts from 12 different teams will be at the Habs’ game against Utah tonight.

– It remains to be seen who will be the team’s third goaltender.

– The Snake likes to stir things up.

– Here’s a good look at Demidov’s start to the KHL season.

– Three-game suspension for a guillotine in the middle of a hockey game…

– Read more.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Production: If his seasons over the past ten years are anything to go by, Dach will never become an offensive player.

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 2: Kirby Dach #77 of the Montreal Canadiens skates during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on November 2, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Kirby Dach disappoints.

We knew it would be a long time before we saw him back in form… But still.

What’s disturbing is the fact that we see him dragging his boots on the ice and the fact that he doesn’t work his butt off as he should.

That said, doubts are beginning to creep in about his potential.

After all, he’s never been super-dominant so far in the National League… And when you dig deeper, you realize it goes even further than that.

In an article published on the TVA Sports website, Jean-Nicolas Blanchet reminds us that Dach was never super-productive in junior either.

The last time he terrorized a league? It was in 2015… when he was playing with guys his own age at 15.

He scored 132 points in 48 games that year, but he was never able to be as productive after that :

In midget AAA, he was putting up a point a game, just like in junior. That’s not dominant.

Since then, he’s been in the NHL, and despite a few good sequences in the past, he’s never been dominant. – Jean-Nicolas Blanchet

It’s true that in junior, Dach didn’t produce like a guy who was going to be selected 3rd in the draft.

He spent three seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, without necessarily breaking everything:

  • 10 points in 19 games (2016-2017 season)
  • 46 points (seven goals) in 52 games (2017-2018 season)
  • 73 points (25 goals) in 62 games (2018-2019 season)

He was chosen so quickly because he has some interesting qualities for a National League player. He’s got hands, his skating isn’t awful, he’s big, he’s got great vision… But those qualities don’t always translate to the National League.

That said, some people are starting to give up on him. That’s the case for Georges Laraque (BPM Sports)… And on the other hand, there’s Eric Engels (Sick Podcast) who continues to defend him because the sample is relatively small.

Ultimately, you have to understand that Kirby Dach is still young. At 23, there’s still time for him to reposition himself for a successful career in the National League.

On the other hand, you can’t always protect him because he has to give more. He’s just come back from major surgery, and everyone knows it. But that doesn’t excuse the fact that his level of involvement is minimal, and that needs to be corrected if he’s to succeed at the professional level.

Overtime

– I like this.

– A beautiful moment for Jake DeBrusk.

– Happy Birthday!

– That’s it. It’s done.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Yaroslav Askarov returns to the American League

SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 25: San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (30) during the national athem before an NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San Jose Sharks on November 25, 2024 at SAP Center at San Jose in San Jose, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

On November 18, eight days ago, the Sharks recalled Yaroslav Askarov from their club-school.

At the time, we all said the same thing:

Finally! Let’s see what he’s got…

But let’s just say that his stay in the National League wasn’t very long.

The Sharks decided today to send their goalie back to the AHL.

I know one guy who can’t be happy right now…

Askarov must not be happy right now because he wants to play in the National Hockey League.

He asked the Preds to trade him so he could have a chance to play in the big leagues… And now he’s back in the AHL after playing just two games with the Sharks.

Besides, it’s not as if Askarov wasn’t good in his audition in San Jose:

  • 3-2 loss to the Blues – 29 saves on 31 shots
  • Victory against the Kings – 22 saves on 24 shots

In two games, Askarov has a record of one win and one overtime loss. He has a .927 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average.

Those are great stats, we agree. And that’s why, in my opinion, the kid can’t be happy with his club’s (bizarre) decision.

Especially in light of the fact that it’s not like the Sharks are in the playoff race right now. So why not give one of the best prospects in the world a chance to shine? Unless they want to protect him?

It’s hard to understand…

Overtime

– Will he be claimed?

– Speaking of the Sharks.

– Logical.

– The former Alouettes is off to Calgary.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba: just what the Canadiens need

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Alexis Lafrenière #13 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes with teammate Chris Kreider #20, Mika Zibanejad #93 and Jacob Trouba #8 during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 11, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

No bickering in my cabin: these are words Chris Drury can’t say right now.

Yesterday, we learned that Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba are two players who could, at the right price, leave New York. I don’t know if the GM leaked this to shake up his troops or if it’s really a possibility, but let’s just say it’s got people talking.

And without saying that the Habs must do everything in their power to get them, the fact remains that, in their own way, both guys have a profile that fits the Habs’ needs.

A forward with flair

On the attack, the Canadiens need a forward with a real bite(Patrik Laine isn’t going to lead the charge in terms of effort on the ice), who can score and who is capable of being a leader.

A perfect match for Louis Leblanc Chris Kreider.

The Rangers forward has nine goals this season (and no assists, oddly enough) and is on track to score at least 35. He gives his all on the ice… when he’s motivated.

Incidentally, he was not at his team’s optional practice this morning after missing yesterday’s game with an injury.

Kreider saw his relationship with the Rangers ruined when he refused to “represent the club” in a press conference after a game against the Habs. And now, the Rangers’ start to the season has management looking at options.

Will a club raise its hand?

A top-4 defenseman

At the blue line, the Canadiens need a right-handed defenseman(who isn’t Justin Barron) to play on the top-4. It takes a veteran to eat up minutes, and it takes a tough guy who’ll bring leadership.

A perfect match for Shea Weber and Jacob Trouba.

We know that Trouba was almost traded to the Red Wings this off-season, so it’s no surprise that the Rangers want to get the guy out of their line-up.

It’s also worth noting that the Rangers captain hasn’t spoken to his boss since the latest rumours broke.

Clearly, Trouba knows that his days are numbered in New York. He suspects that of the two, he’s possibly the one his GM wants out of the club the most.

Will a club raise its hand?

Links with the Canadiens

As you can see, both fit in with what the Habs need. But even so, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton aren’t likely to go for them.

What are they?

  • The guys’ contracts
  • The Rangers’ needs

How badly does the Habs want to go after a $6.5M forward until 2027 and an $8.0M defenseman until 2026? In my opinion, it’s not Kent Hughes’ priority – especially for older guys who won’t be around when the Habs want to win the Stanley Cup.

And I don’t think the Rangers are in “salary withholding” mode when they’re currently aiming for the Cup…

And on that subject, I don’t see how the Rangers, who won’t necessarily want prospects and picks that don’t help in the present, could find common ground with the Habs.

Short of a three-team deal that would send Trevor Zegras to New York, that is? But then, I’m imagining things.

I don’t think it’s going to happen as the pitfalls look numerous. But the fact remains that, on paper, Kreider and Trouba have what it takes to fill short-term gaps for the Habs… who, however, are thinking more long-term.

Better luck next time?

Extension

Let’s note, for the fun of it, that Jeff Gorton was in New York in 2009 when the Rangers drafted Kreider and in 2019 when the club acquired Trouba’s services.

He was assistant director of player personnel (2009) and GM (2019) respectively at the time. He knows the guys well.

(Credit: Elite Prospects)
Categories
Dans les coulisses

The habs’ problem is effort: Patrik Laine won’t change everything

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

The Canadiens have been inconsistent all season.

The club can play well and perform well for a few games in a row… But it can also fall apart quickly and have long, difficult moments.

But in defeat, there’s one element that comes up time and time again. And I’m talking about the flagrant lack of effort on the part of certain players.

It’s one of the Canadiens’ biggest problems right now, and it’s ironic because behind the bench is Martin St-Louis.

We’re talking about the same guy who had success in the National League because he showed fighting spirit and fought to make his mark. There was effort in Martin St-Louis’ game when he played in the NHL.

That said, it may be easy to think that things will turn around when Patrik Laine returns, because he has his qualities… But those who believe he will change everything will be disappointed.

Why? Because Laine, well…

Because Laine, well… He’s not necessarily the hardest-working guy on earth.

He may have an excellent shot, and that’s never going to change, but we also agree that he’s not the one who’s going to push the group to push even harder.

He’s not the one who’s going to lead the others towards absolute effort, let’s put it that way.

Sure, Patrik Laine will help the team on certain levels… But only when he’s completely shaken off the rust.

Because let’s not forget this too: when the maverick returns, don’t expect him to fill the net at a completely insane pace.

He’ll need time, after all. And that’s perfectly normal. A bit like what we’re seeing with Kirby Dach, although it’s starting to get rather worrying in the case of #77…

For the effort problem to be solved, it’s up to the important players to stand up and lead by example.

Slaf, Suzuki, Caufield… When a club’s big guns work hard, it’s easier for the rest of the group to keep up.

And that’s what leaders need to understand. It starts in practice, and at that level, maybe the guys need to be more serious too.

Overtime

– He’s really hot.

– Auston Matthews is back to practice.

– The Hurricanes are looking for a goalie.

– If he keeps performing like this, he’ll win the Vézina. And that won’t even be a question.

– Happy reading.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

First line for Newhook and top-4 for Barron: you can’t make it up!

This morning at practice, we saw that Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach were still on the club’s fourth line. Not a bad thing, as they need to wake up.

But that’s not all we can learn from practice.

There are two things we want to highlight here. The first is that Alex Newhook finds himself on the club’s first line for tonight’s game against Utah HC.

Newhook has four points so far this season.

We’re quite critical of his game, as we feel he can give more, especially in terms of passing. Did you know that since the start of the season, the former Avalanche has zero assists in 20 games?

Why not pair him with Cole Caufield, of course?

It was probably Brendan Gallagher who deserved to be there. I don’t know if Martin St-Louis didn’t want to break up a line, but one fact remains: Newhook is there by default. And the Habs don’t look good, since a position like that has to be earned.

But there’s another element we need to look at: Justin Barron.

The guy played one game in November (against Columbus, on the 16th) and is clearly the team’s #7 defenseman. And now, on his return to the line-up, we choose to place him on a top-4?

I understand that they wanted to put David Savard with Arber Xhekaj and that the Sheriff isn’t a top-4 guy. I also understand that Kaiden Guhle (who’ll be playing with Barron tonight) isn’t a third-pair defenseman and that Matheson/Hutson is the first pairing.

But the fact remains that the Habs’ lack of depth is glaringly obvious when you see Barron move from the bridge to the defensive top-4. This explains why the Canadiens, despite being healthy, won’t be making the playoffs.

Overtime

– Have fun : Martin St-Louis’ advice to Joshua Roy.

– Logical.

– Interesting.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Michael Pezzetta is no longer part of the team’s plans

Let’s face it: Michael Pezzetta is no longer part of the Canadiens’ plans.

It’s all very well to talk about Cayden Primeau, who played only two games (and two incomplete games at that) in November, or Justin Barron, who played only one game in November, but Pezzetta has played only three games this season. And he’s obviously healthy.

Even so, El Pezz has the right attitude. He doesn’t whine, and we even see him getting involved in his community.

But the fact remains that on the ice, he’s not an option. He’s only played in games where Juraj Slafkovsky was absent, and he’s clearly not lining up to play often anytime soon.

While Lucas Condotta (who has clearly surpassed him in the pecking order) has been sent back to Laval, Joshua Roy has been recalled. And that’s not counting the imminent returns of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Patrik Laine.

Pezzetta is unlikely to play for the Habs anytime soon, if nothing changes.

Right now, the Habs have 22 guys on their active roster, so they won’t need to move to add just one of the two injured. But if RHP and Laine are ready and none of the guys are injured, a decision will have to be made.

Yesterday, the decision would have been simple: send Condotta back down. But now?

If Joshua Roy does well, he’ll stay in town. And we’ll have to find another solution to make room for RHP(if he doesn’t make the cut in the waivers, of course) at the club.

And that’s where Pezzetta comes in. Instead of considering Harvey-Pinard for the waivers, why not Pezz? After all, he has no future in Montreal, and clearly, it wouldn’t hurt the Habs.

Renaud Lavoie confirmed in a text that this is indeed an option.

If Pezzetta were placed in the waivers, he would either go elsewhere in the NHL or to Laval. He wouldn’t get any less playing time than he does now, and he’d surely make more money(either because of taxes or because he wouldn’t have to pay escrow in the AHL) in the end.

In my eyes, it’s the right thing to do instead of thinking about putting Harvey-Pinard in the waivers. And if the two injured players return this week (which isn’t completely impossible), Pezzetta could really go for the waivers in the next few days.

Overtime

– It’s going to be a long process.

– Which players don’t play like Corey Pronman thought?

– It’s not much.

– The three former Sens players honoured on December 5.

– Audience on the menu.