CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 11: Laval Rocket right wing Jacob Perreault (34) looks to shoot during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Laval Rocket and Cleveland Monsters on April 11, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Transaction at the Canadiens.
We’re not talking about the trade of the century… But still…
Kent Hughes has traded the services of Jacob Perreault to Edmonton, in return for defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer.
We’re talking about a 4th-round pick in 2017 who has never played a single game in the NHL.
He does have AHL experience, though:
The Canadiens acquire defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer from the Edmonton Oilers in trade for forward Jacob Perreault.
If Nick Suzuki wasn’t selected by Team Canada for the Four Nations Confrontation because he shunned the Canadiens at the last World Championship, why was Samuel Montembeault chosen?
Was it because he speaks French?
You know as well as I do that the answer is different for a goalie (who won gold in 2023, which also counts) than for a forward, a position of strength for Team Canadiens in 2024.
So, here he is with Adin Hill and Jordan Binnington, two Stanley Cup winners. Is he really the #3 goalie many people say he is? The question arises.
According to Renaud Lavoie on BPM Sports this morning, we’ll have to wait a while before drawing any conclusions.
Samuel Montembeault will start this tournament. – Renaud Lavoie
What the TVA Sports journalist is saying is that Montembeault’s stats are much better than those of his Hockey Canada colleagues when it comes to winning games this season.
In eight wins this season, it looks like this.
Average of 0.69
.978 save percentage
These are stats that, with support, make him very good. And clearly, with Team Canada, he’d have a lot of support, since the team ahead of him would be better than the Habs.
That could make all the difference.
In reality, all this will depend on the next few months. The three goalkeepers are chosen, and the one who performs best in time and place will be the one who has his coach’s confidence when the tournament begins.
And for a guy who was put through the waivers just over three years ago, let’s just say it’s pretty spectacular to see Montembeault’s progression curve over the past few seasons.
“When I left Florida, people said I was an AHL goalie at best. Hopefully, after 3-4 years, I’ve changed their minds.”
A few words about Samuel Montembeault and Julien BriseBois’ call-up on Sunday
This season, our goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens chose to pay tribute to the 14 victims of Polytechnique with 14 rays of light prominently displayed on her mask pic.twitter.com/gnFxajKfvf
Another coach who will land somewhere very quickly. Played in the NHL forever and has coached in the league a long time now too. A hockey lifer who gets it and most importantly a great person. Had the pleasure of playing for him in MTL. One of my favorite coaches. https://t.co/OClOaYiALV
Clearly, the Rangers want to clean house. And it’s not just about shaking up the boys’ cage.
According to Larry Brooks, who works for the New York Post, the Rangers would like to get Trouba’s $8 million out of the way in order to make room on the payroll for a big player.
Remember that the Panthers were lucky to get Matthew Tkachuk, and the Rangers would obviously like to recreate the recipe with his brother. It’s understandable.
Do the Senators, who saw Tkachuk ask to be named captain in order to sign for the long term, also want to clean up their act? We don’t know.
Tkachuk earns just over $8.2 million a year until 2028.
Note that Brooks, in his text, talked about Alexis Lafrenière going the other way. Clearly, the Sens need to talk about the Québécois in such a process, we agree.
On the other hand, several journalists were keen to deny the whole thing. Whether it was Bruce Garrioch or Darren Dreger, both men insisted that there was no story there between the Sens and the Rangers.
Who’s right?
Nothing to Brady Tkachuk to the Rangers or anywhere else for that matter. #Sens
CBJ, Det and Anaheim among the crop of teams circling around Trouba and the NYR. Complicated. Nothing going on between the Rangers and Ottawa Senators. Zilch.
At the moment, the names of the Blue Jackets, Red Wings, Ducks, Sharks, Sabres and Senators have been linked to the Jacob Trouba file. It remains to be seen who is really interested in him.
With Trouba out of the way, Tkachuk can’t really land in the Big Apple.
Extension
If the Rangers really do use the waivers to get out of the Trouba situation, you’d think it would hurt the reputation of hockey operations boss Chris Drury.
After all, with Barclay Goodrow last year, the message it would send is this: if you sign with us, you’d better always be good. Otherwise, we’ll do everything we can to cut you.
If the Rangers keep using waivers as an end around for no trade clauses I don’t see why any player would want to sign a free agent contract with this GM. https://t.co/TKF4FxfDGg
You can sense that Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are upset that they didn’t get the call that they would be taking part in the Four Nations Tournament in February.
That’s understandable.
I don’t know how closed the door is for Caufield. After all, he’s the NHL’s leading American scorer, and even if he doesn’t play well defensively, he can help the States. And he’s been named in this piece that aims to say who the replacement candidates are in case of need.
And if you do the research you want in the paper, you won’t find Suzuki’s name in the Canadiens section.
Yet Suzuki is a fine hockey player who is responsible on 200 feet. That he’s not considered a serious option, at this point, must be hiding something.
And on that subject, Darren Dreger(as he told TSN 690) believes he’s hit the nail on the head.
Saying no to Team Canada in the spring of 2024, in preparation for the World Championships, has undoubtedly hurt his candidacy. After all, you’d have to be pretty good to say no to Hockey Canada and have it make no difference.
If Hockey Canada calls you, you’d better have a good reason for saying no. – Darren Dreger
Suzuki said no because he wanted to spend time with his significant other. He took her on a trip… and along the way, it wasn’t his girlfriend: it was his fiancée. But that obviously worked against him.
Note that if a player plays in the NCAA instead of the CHL, it can work against him at the CMJ. That’s obviously how hockey works in Canada. #MichaelHage
There’s a certain amount of hypocrisy here, though, because Samuel Montembeault also said no to the tournament last spring… but made the Four Nations Club anyway. But then again, it’s not the same game in front of the net… and Monty speaks French. #Hehe
It’s also worth noting that Dreger isn’t even sure whether Suzuki received a call to tell him he wasn’t making the club. Several players (including John Tavares) have received such a call, and that’s another clue as to how the Canadiens’ #14 is viewed by Hockey Canada.
John Tavares says he got a call from Hockey Canada last weekend informing him that he wasn’t selected for the 4 Nations team. Says he’s “disappointed,” but expresses hope he’ll be able to fight to be in the mix for Team Canada again down the road.
I don’t know if this will change for the Olympics if Suzuki agrees to go to the 2025 World Championships. But in the short term, you’d think he could book a vacation in February 2025 with his fiancée.
And if it motivates the Habs captain in the meantime, that’ll be something.
Note also that, according to Renaud Lavoie, if Nick Suzuki were playing for Jon Cooper and the Tampa Bay Lightning instead of the Habs, it’s clear in his mind that he would have received his invitation.
Cooper, who takes a lot of room in decisions, will have three of his players with him at the tournament.
– Chris Kreider doesn’t want to talk about the Jacob Trouba situation.
Chris Kreider wasn’t ready to get into the Trouba stuff. He’s trying to block out distractions, as difficult as that may be given everything going on inside the org.
“Yeah, but not today,” he said when asked if he has a reaction. “We’ve got to focus on winning a hockey game.”
On the short- and long-term impact of Tyler Seguin’s injury, including what it means for the trade deadline not just for Dallas but perhaps other Western Conference contenders. Catching up with Stars GM Jim Nill in my latest for@TheAthletichttps://t.co/Vv503GQNQG
Yesterday, Kirby Dach was a negative factor for the Habs.
After all, even though the Canadiens won 3-0, the fact remains that the penalties cut into the Canadiens’ backbone. The Preds enjoyed five powerplays.
And while you have to tip your hat to the guys on the power play (starting with Samuel Montembeault), you have to wonder why there were so many penalties.
Whether it was the referees’ or the players’ fault, there were too many penalties. However, it’s clear that the one that bothered Martin St-Louis more than the others was the Dach penalty.
Dach didn’t play for the last 10-12 minutes of the game, when he took his penalty.
Even if he wasn’t having a bad game, the fact remains that the center often does things to shoot himself – and his club – in the foot at the wrong time.
Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach are surely the two players who most need to take their game up a notch, and right now they’re being pulled by Patrik Laine on the second line.
#Habs focus needs to be on Slafkovsky & Dach.
Jump start mode for them.
Two players Martin St-Louis needs.
Now #NHL teams will be game planning for Patrik Laine.
Who will step up on #Canadiens roster?
If Dach is struggling because he doesn’t trust his knee enough, that’s one thing. But if he didn’t arrive ready for practice camp, as Mathias raises, that’s another.
It won’t help people to sympathize with him.
Let’s remember that Dach could have been ready to play last April, at the end of the 2023-2024 season. That means he could have had a normal summer of practice, and injury can’t be an excuse – as far as we know – on this one.
Hearing Rangers do have several options, but Trouba can block with his partial no-trade. Rangers have indicated they will waive him if he does not accept one. One team is believed to be Columbus.
This is absolute hardball, but there is a precedent. In…
If the Rangers keep using waivers as an end around for no trade clauses I don’t see why any player would want to sign a free agent contract with this GM. https://t.co/TKF4FxfDGg
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)
Did we ever tell you how hot things are in New York?
The Rangers are looking to shake up their club and bounce back from a tougher start to the season, but it’s not exactly easy to do things the right way at MSG.
After all, announcing that the big players are available on the trade market hasn’t necessarily had the desired effect.
The Rangers have been playing for .400 for the past 10 games, and if the club doesn’t want to miss the playoffs, something will have to give. And once again, Chris Drury seems to have a genius idea to fix everything.
Basically, he’ll send a message to his captain, Jacob Trouba.
BREAKING. First shoe/skate is dropping. Post has learned that Jacob Trouba will not be on the ice today for purposes of roster management. Will not play tonight. Expect Victor Mancini to be recslled.
What we do know is that the defender won’t play tonight… and it’s not because he’s not up to it. It’s to send a message to the rest of the group.
Victor Mancini is expected to be recalled to take Trouba’s place. And the question on everyone’s mind right now is whether Trouba has been traded or whether he’ll be placed on the waivers.
League source says #NYR are recalling Victor Mancini and Jacob Trouba will not play tonight. Trade may be imminent.
Several reports are circulating that the Rangers will waive Jacob Trouba today. No confirmation yet. He won’t be at practice this morning, reports @NYP_Brooksie and won’t play tonight. @TVASports
It’s safe to assume that right now, the Rangers are working on a deal and if it doesn’t materialize soon, he’ll be sent to the waivers while it’s sorted out.
I wonder who the Rangers are talking to.
It’s also conceivable that the Rangers could use the “Barclay Goodrow” format with Trouba, i.e. send him to the waivers to be claimed by a particular team.
Clearly, the Habs haven’t exactly been playing National League powers for the past two games (Islanders and Predators), but Martin St-Louis’ men have won twice.
And the fans who show up at the Bell Centre are having a great time.
Let’s face it: the Patrik Laine effect is real. He’s scored twice in two games, and you can feel the impact he’s having on the ice and in the dressing room for the Canadiens.
The guys are happy for him – and so are the fans.
For both goals, he was fed by Lane Hutson. Hutson has yet to find the back of the net on the Bettman circuit, but he continues to prove his worth to the club’s success.
With 17 points in 26 games, he’s one of the NHL’s top rookies.
But Lane Hutson didn’t play much – for his standards – during the game, which was won 3-0 by the Habs. He played less than 17 minutes (16:36) for the first time this season.
Only Justin Barron (13:29) played less.
(Credit: NHL.com)
What should be noted, as Renaud Lavoie said this morning on BPM Sports, is that Lane Hutson touched the ice only twice after Laine’s goal.
Laine scored early in the third.
What’s interesting is that the Habs pilot didn’t punish Hutson: instead, he used his defensemen to their strengths and didn’t have to overload the American defenseman, which hasn’t always been the case this season.
Because Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble did well (they’re doing better) and the Habs were looking to protect a lead, Hutson played less. And that’s okay, at this point.
Even without Kaiden Guhle (ill), the Canadiens were able to avoid overloading Hutson. This is good news, as it means that the club’s defensive corps is doing better.
And that’s even if it was in a game against a club that’s more disorganized than disorganized.
(Credit: NHL.com)
Note that even though the Preds are low in the standings, so is the Habs. Despite their two straight wins, they’re still 30th in the NHL (or 29th for optimists using points percentage) on this Friday morning in December.
Patrik Laine can score, but he can’t work miracles. #InTheMix
But it’s not just Lane Hutson who’s the talk of the town. Several players deserve to be talked about, whether for the right reasons or the wrong ones.
So what do I take away from the game?
1. Samuel Montembeault is the Canadiens’ most important player on the power play, a unit that’s been working well this season. And yesterday, he saved his teammates’ butts on a couple of occasions.
Monty leads the league in shutouts (3), and since learning that he’s made his mark with Team Canada, he’s been excellent. But I’m not saying that to play politics… #EnFrançaisSVP
#Habs Sam Montembeault was informed he made Team Canada on Sunday – his 2 starts since:
– win Tuesday vs. NYI = 1 GA, 30 saves, .968 save%
– win tonight vs. NSH = shutout, 29 saves, 1.000 save%
2. Patrik Laine scored again and is fast becoming a crowd favorite. He has a rallying effect.
Obviously, things won’t always go so well for him. But a guy with confidence can wreak havoc… and for the first time in a long time, he’s in a position to do just that.
3. Jake Evans is proof that a player can take time to develop, but that it’s really possible to see a player blossom if he’s well surrounded. What a great season for him.
He’s also proof that an NHL player given time and space can turn into… Patrik Laine.
4. With all this, guys like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield go under the radar more. Both players, ignored by their respective countries for the Four Nations Confrontation, have less pressure on their shoulders with a more… respectable second line.
It’s not right that Suzuki is less talked about than the referees, let’s say. But that’s another matter.
Patrik Laine high sticked, blood on his face, no call.
5. Kirby Dach will have to look for consistency. Patrik Laine’s center didn’t do badly, but he took a nasty penalty in the third… and wasn’t seen on the ice again.
Martin St-Louis got his message across during and after the game. #HardCoaching
6. Mike Matheson doesn’t put his ego ahead of the club’s success. For example, he barely played on the powerplay and no one hears him complain about it.
He played a lot on the short-handed and was a key to victory. It takes guys like that and like David Savard, who blocks shots without asking too many questions.
Mike Matheson only played a few seconds on the powerplay tonight.
He is, however, the Habs’ most-used skater on the DIGITAL ADVANTAGE.
And he does it very well.
Here’s one whose ego will never come before the club.
The Canadiens have announced a day off for their players. This means that the players won’t hit the ice until tomorrow, in preparation for the game against the Capitals at the Bell Centre.
I expect the Habs to field the same lineup tomorrow night as yesterday – unless, of course, Kaiden Guhle is able to play.
The Canadiens took advantage of the Predators’ visit to pull off a shutout in front of their fans, but there was plenty of action in all four corners of the league.
Let’s find out what happened:
Players named to #4Nations Face-Off rosters this week (or already part of them) had a hand in 31 of the 63 goals scored during Thursday’s nine-game slate, which also produced the League’s first 40-point scorers and 20-point rookie.#NHLStats:https://t.co/5kE6EfUI3mpic.twitter.com/CYolMP2VaM
It must be hard to swallow for the Sharks, because these defeats always hurt. The club may be rebuilding, but losing 8-1… It’s still pretty humiliating.
Brayden Point (four assists) and Brandon Hagel (two goals) stood out for the Lightning.
5: The Sens got hot
We’re transported to the end of the Senators-Red Wings game.
Josh Norris already had a goal in the game, with just under a minute to play… And that’s when Norris stepped up to the plate, scoring his second of the game.
And today, we learn that Mika Zibanejad is also on the market.
Mika Zibanejad’s name is circulating in NHL trade talks! As the Rangers struggle, a trusted source reveals they’re gauging his value. Could a big move be coming?https://t.co/qnVNko6va1
There are starting to be a lot of names on this list.
General manager Chris Drury will definitely have his work cut out for him between now and the trade deadline.
And these aren’t small names, either…
With guys like Kreider, Trouba, Kakko and now Zibanejad, we can expect a very good return for these players.
They could be of interest to a number of teams looking to add offensive punch, youth, toughness or even depth for some well-heeled clubs.
Of course, it’s important to remember that they all have big salaries, except in the case of Kakko, who has a salary cap of $2.4 million for this season alone.
Mika Zibanejad ($8.5 M/year), Jacob Trouba ($8 M/year) and Chris Kreider ($6.5 M/year), that’s a lot of dollars on a lot.
It’s easy to understand why the Rangers want to trade so many big players: to make room for future contracts.
So, in addition to the young Finn, the contracts attached to the other players on the market are likely to weigh heavily on the balance.
So there will have to be salary restraints or contracts in return if there is to be a deal.
Interestingly, the Rangers can hold back three salaries, since there are currently no salary holdbacks.
Let’s see what Drury has in store for us in the coming weeks/months.
Overtime
– Michael Hage is player of the month. He’s also the top rookie with the best points-per-game average in the NCAA (tied with James Hagens).
Congrats to Michael Hage on being named the HCA Rookie of the Month.
https://t.co/C9dbzVSBVVhttps://t.co/C9dbzVSBVV
https://t.co/rFhxNWs80P
https://t.co/1PY2UrqDA3
, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future in Toronto 
and current rumors, including Juan Soto 
https://t.co/HJVB2kSHgD
https://t.co/7JTHsdFdnW
As the Rangers struggle, a trusted source reveals they’re gauging his value. Could a big move be coming