Author: Dose

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Ivan Demidov to be coached by Roman Rotenberg at Channel One Cup

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2024/11/07: Ivan Demidov (91) SKA Hockey Club seen in action during the Hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2024/2025 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Sochi at the Ice Sports Palace. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 2:5 Sochi). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Every year, Russia hosts the Channel One Cup tournament.

Basically, representatives from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and the rest of the world compete to win the tournament. It’s a popular event in Russia.

And Ivan Demidov has managed to break into the Russian line-up, despite his young age.

However, it’s important to note something. As Andrew Zadarnowski points out on social media, 17 of the 33 players selected are from Demidov’s club SKA… and the Russian team’s coach is Roman Rotenberg.

Basically, what this means is this: how can you expect Demidov to get more playing time than he does with SKA? After all, he’ll be in much the same conditions as in the regular season… but against boosted clubs .

It’s not hard to imagine that Demidov will have a mandate to warm up the bench. I don’t know how excited he is about what lies ahead in the next few weeks.

The more time passes, the more he must be looking forward to landing in Montreal, where he’ll be appreciated for what he’s worth.

Incidentally, we’ve noticed that the people around him in Russia aren’t exactly worried about his future in Montreal, a market where he’ll be under pressure.

On the Responsible Gambler website, Sergey Demidov reports on the comments of several players who believe he will be successful in Montreal.

Speaking of Demidov, I wonder if Kent Hughes, Nick Bobrov and company have had time to visit him in Russia. If so, it would be interesting to hear from them.

And if not, when?

Overtime

– Long absence for Tyler Seguin.

– Is Claude Giroux part of the solution?

– Coming up.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Juraj Slafkovsky “ate shit” from someone in the organization

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

The Habs’ season isn’t going as planned. That’s because a few players aren’t playing up to expectations. Among them is Juraj Slafkovsky.

The Slovak had a better game yesterday, but clearly something is holding him back this season. You’d think putting him with Patrik Laine, in the short term, would (help) get him going again.

The two Europeans are developing chemistry, in any case.

But because he’s still young, Slaf has things to learn. And even though he’s got the big contract in his pocket (effective July 2025), sometimes he needs to be reminded that he’s not doing things the right way on the ice.

And it obviously happened on Monday, on the club’s day off.

After yesterday’s game, Slaf mentioned that he had been “eaten crap” by someone in the organization. He says it woke him up and was a much-needed reminder.

According to Anthony Marcotte, who presented the audio clip on the BPM Sports morning show, it was either Kent Hughes or Jeff Gorton who told him the truth.

This isn’t the first time we’ve sensed frustration within the organization in recent days. After all, we know that Jeff Gorton was as angry as ever after Saturday’s game against the Rangers.

Clearly, the weight of defeat is beginning to weigh heavily on the Habs, and the club wants to get out. Management is fed up, and messages have been sent to the players in question.

It’s the right thing to do.

It’s odd that Slaf has said this publicly, but he’s never been afraid of his opinions and saying when he’s not playing up to scratch. So here’s one more piece of evidence on the subject.

Overtime

– Oh.

– Few Québécois with Team Canada. [BPM Sports]

– Reminder.

– Swedish prospects for the Habs at the CMJ.

– Still.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Patrik Laine: expectations have officially been raised

MONTREAL, CANADA- DECEMBER 3: Patrik Laine #92 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre on December 3, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images)

Clearly, the story of the moment is Patrik Laine. In yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Islanders, he scored his team’s only goal before overtime, energizing the Bell Centre.

I said it last night, but the Canadiens fans were looking for someone to cheer for , and Father André Laine’s healthy return made all the difference in the end.

After two difficult months, let’s just say that the breath of fresh air is a game-changer for the fans, but also for the Habs. This photo of Cole Caufield after Laine’s goal is proof of that.

Even if Laine wasn’t feeling well throughout the game, and his skating is nothing like Connor McDavid’s, it’s clear he had an impact on the boys.

That’s why Kent Hughes got him out of Columbus over the summer… and that’s why he should be playing in the Four Nations Confrontation. #Finland

Right now, I see the whole thing as a kind of honeymoon. The fans are happy to see him. His teammates are happy to (finally) be able to count on him. His coach liked his game. His (big) line worked well.

We even see him being an exemplary teammate by wanting to put the spotlight on the captain after his winning goal…

But let’s not forget that Laine won’t be able to change everything on his own. I didn’t believe it at camp, before his knee injury against the Maple Leafs, and I don’t believe it now.

The Habs are 30th in the NHL this morning. Don’t forget that.

I don’t want to break up the party in town, but we mustn’t raise expectations too high. Because the day the novelty wears off, he’s going to have some bad games, and he’ll sometimes look like the player the Blue Jackets almost gave the Canadiens.

Let’s take it easy on the morning mix, for example.

That said, Laine has taken care of his physical and mental health (he sees his return to the game as an accomplishment) and I have a feeling that, at his best, he can have as big an impact as Sean Monahan did with the Habs.

But even Sean Monahan, who isn’t known for taking days off on the ice like Laine sometimes does, has never managed to take the Canadiens very far. You just have to temper expectations, that’s all.

Because I don’t want to keep breaking up the party, let’s talk about the other elements that helped the Canadiens beat Patrick Roy’s Islanders.

What did I jot down in my notebook?

1. Despite a more… flat first period, Martin St-Louis’s men put on a good show. And one of the reasons for that is that they got their work boots on.

It’s almost as if hard work pays off in life.

2. All indications are that Samuel Montembeault has been told he’ll have the chance to represent Canada at the Four Nations Confrontation. Laine and Joel Armia (Finland) should also be there.

And the Québécois played like a guy who deserved his place in the sun.

3. Juraj Slafkovsky and Kirby Dach did well yesterday. Along with Patty Laine, they gave the Canadiens a true second line. Will this continue?

Because if it does, Cole Caufield will be less guarded on the first line, and the Habs will come out on top.

4. Lane Hutson and Patrik Laine played with Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki on the first powerplay wave. This has the potential to do some damage.

And it could help Hutson (finally) score his first NHL goal.

5. You wouldn’t expect him to steal the show tonight, but in his second game in Montreal as the Islanders’ pilot, Patrick Roy was overshadowed by “the other Patrik” at the Bell Centre. Not much has been said about Roy.

But we were treated to… this.

6. Mike Matheson showed up to play last night. After a tougher weekend, he did what a veteran like him needs to do: he bounced back and played like he should.

A true pro, this Matheson.

Extension

This morning, at 11:30 a.m., the Canadiens have a practice session in Brossard. Expect to see much the same line-up as yesterday’s game.

The Habs play their next four games at home, with the Nashville Predators on the menu tomorrow. The club will arrive in town overnight, as tonight it’s in Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Top-5: For Johnny

Last night, there were nine games on the NHL schedule.

One of these games was won by the Habs in overtime.

Here are the other results and highlights:

1. For Johnny

It was an emotional night in Calgary last night, as the Blue Jackets came to town.

Indeed, both teams didn’t miss the opportunity to honor Johnny Gaudreau for one last time this season. In warm-up, all players wore number 13.

There probably wasn’t a fan who didn’t shed a tear…

What a touching moment!

Calgary eventually won the match 3-0.

The hero of the match: Guy Gaudreau, who waved to the crowd during the presentation of the match’s first star.

For Johnny.

2. Sabres let four-goal lead slip away

The Sabres hosted the Avalanche last night.

It didn’t take long for Tage Thompson to set the tone for the game. He scored the first two goals of the game.

11 seconds later, J.J. Peterka gave his team a three-goal lead.

And Alex Georgiev was chased down moments later after the Sabres took a four-goal lead.

Colorado didn’t give up, however, and scored five unanswered goals to run away with the win.

Just before the midway point of the third period, Nathan MacKinnon brought everyone back to square one.

And with just under five minutes left in the game, the Avalanche scored the winning goal.

Final score: 5-4.

3. The Blues have yet to lose on the regular under Jim Montgomery

Since Jim Montgomery took over, the Blues have been playing some great hockey.

With a win over the Jets yesterday, St. Louis has a 3-0-1 record since the arrival of the Québécois. Yesterday, the club won 4-1.

Things aren’t looking good for Winnipeg, which has lost its last four games.

The Jets, who had started the season well, have a win in their last six games.

As for the game, Jordan Kyrou shined with two goals, including this one:

Dylan Holloway, Robert Thomas and Scott Perunovich also earned two points.

4. Third straight win for the Sharks

For a rebuilding team, things are going pretty well in San Jose.

Thanks to William Eklund and his overtime goal, the Sharks won their third game in a row.

2-1 victory.

The visitors’ other goal was scored by Tyler Toffoli.

It was already his 10th goal of the season.

No Sharks player picked up an assist in this game.

5. Kirill Kaprizov seals the deal

The Canucks were in Minnesota late in the evening.

The game got off to a good start for Vancouver, who led on two separate occasions after two periods.

Jake DeBrusk even scored his 11th goal of the season (already).

All 11 of his goals were scored on the road.

Despite two leads from the visitors, the Wild never relented and won in overtime thanks to a fine goal from the NHL’s top scorer, Kirill Kaprizov.

Victory 3-2.

The Russian has 39 points, as do Martin Necas and MacKinnon.

Extension

– A 600th point for Matthew Tkachuk.

– This save changed the momentum… in favor of the wrong team.

– First goal for Owen Pickering.

– Tkachuk leads the charge.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Eight teams in action tonight.

(Credit: Google)
Categories
Dans les coulisses

Massive standing ovation for Patrik Laine: “I don’t deserve this”.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

And the Patrik?

Patrik Laine was exactly the player the Habs needed. Even if he wasn’t perfect, he still managed to find the back of the net. Until proven otherwise, without him, the Habs were shut out.

He was excellent for a guy returning to the game after a year’s absence. And the crowd let him know it.

His NHL debut was marked by the breath of fresh air he brought to the Bell Centre. It seemed that fans were looking for a player to cheer after a mediocre start to the season.

And clearly, for one night, Laine fulfilled his role to perfection. And there’s nothing to say it won’t continue thereafter.

The Habs’ highest-paid forward clearly fed off the crowd’s applause. After the game, he said that the fans’ tribute was his best moment ever.

He also added that he “didn’t deserve” to experience it.

Even though he didn’t feel great from the beginning to the end of the match, he performed. That’s because, putting on such a sweater and playing in such an environment, he couldn’t help but be motivated.

A lot of guys aren’t always, but hey.

He thought it was outrageous to be applauded like that (he means it in a good way, of course), and it’s clear that the love he’s getting after his difficult years in Columbus is doing him good.

He wants to make the most of the opportunity he has. And if he keeps it up, the fans are going to love him.

Extension

Will it hold up? Who knows. But for now, the recipe is working, and it seems to be inspiring the rest of his teammates, who clearly need a spark.

To be continued in the coming weeks.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Patrik gets the better of Patrick

After back-to-back losses over the weekend, the Habs were back in action against Patrick Roy’s Islanders.

Patrik Laine was back in action for the occasion.

Here are the starting line-ups:

No goals were scored in the first period, but I was very pleased with Laine’s performance.

For a guy who hasn’t played in a year, he didn’t do badly at all.

In the second period, the Habs took advantage of a powerplay to score a goal.

And it wasn’t just anyone who scored it. Yes, in his first game with the Canadiens, Patrik Laine scored with a perfect shot.

He became the 600th player in history to score a goal for the team and the 76th to score in his first game with the team.

Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki picked up the assists on the goal, which was followed by a monster ovation.

People love the Finn, anyway.

Late in the period, the Islanders tied the game. On their 20th shot, they finally foiled Samuel Montembeault, who had been on fire up to that point.

A wink from Patrick Roy after the net.

In the third period, both teams played a tight game, so overtime was necessary.

The Habs finally prevailed thanks to captain Nick Suzuki.

He took his own throw-back to seal the game. Mike Matheson picked up an assist on the winning goal and played very well tonight.

Laine’s return has breathed new life into the lineup, anyway. He was named the game’s first star and even ended his interview with Marc Denis with a “merci beaucoup”.

Final score: 2-1.

Montreal is back in action on Thursday night. For the occasion, the club welcomes the Nashville Predators.

Prolongation

– Nick Suzuki wins the Molson Cup.

– What a thrill!

– The officials had called a four-minute penalty, but reconsidered.

– A Martin St-Louis face.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

CHL: several superstars could leave for the NCAA

For young field hockey players, playing in American colleges is a dream before reaching the NHL.

With the new rule that allows players to play in one of Canada’s three major leagues (OHL, QMJHL and WHL) without forfeiting their NCAA eligibility, many players decide to take this route.

In fact, since the introduction of the CHL, some 30 players have begun their career in the CHL. And let’s just say that the introduction of such a rule is making the big American colleges hungry. In fact, they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to spy on the superstars currently playing in Canada. Guys like Gavin McKenna (WHL), Michael Misa and Porter Martone (OHL) could leave for the NCAA next year.

In the case of Martone and Misa, it’s much less certain, as both are eligible for the next NHL draft.

Presumably, both forwards will emerge in the top-5 and could be playing in the NHL as early as 2025-2026. But for McKenna, he’s the consensus top pick in the 2026 draft so far. And with 55 points in 27 games at age 16 (!), he’s likely to stay there.

Michael Hage’s school, the University of Michigan, is keeping a close eye on the young man who plays for the Medicine Hat Tigers. Could the two young forwards play together next year? Possibly. Although Hage could make the jump directly to Quebec next year, perhaps at the end of his university season in March-April.

The Wolverines are also said to have their eyes on Porter Martone, who is expected to be drafted in the top-3 in the upcoming draft. If all these players continue their junior training and decide not to make the professional leap, Michigan could have quite a club.

Let’s give them top honors right now!

As for Misa, the Boston University Terriers, Lane Hutson’s former club, are worth keeping an eye on.

In short, there’s a lot of movement to come between the Canadian junior leagues and the NCAA.

Overtime

– Ryan Reaves won’t be changing his style of play. [TVAS]

– A 10th goal for him this season.

– This is completely ridiculous.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Patrik Laine scores on his return

It was written in the sky!

On his return to action, Patrik Laine scored a beautiful goal.

A perfect shot in the top corner.

Lane Hutson and Nick Suzuki picked up the assists on the powerplay goal.

People in Montreal love the Finn, anyway.

They gave him a standing ovation after his goal.

The Patrik Laine effect is activated in the metropolis.

Extension

The 92 became the 600th player in the history of the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge to score a goal with the team. His first and certainly not his last.

What a goal, yet again!

Categories
Dans les coulisses

20 goals in 58 games for Patrik Laine: Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez’s prediction

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Patrik Laine madness gripped the hockey world on Tuesday morning, when the Canadiens announced his return to action on social networks. Fans are already expecting to see Laine make an impact as soon as he returns to action.

At BPM Sports, as elsewhere, this was obviously the topic of the day. How could we miss it?

Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez made a bold but realisticprediction for the production of the Canadiens’ number 92 between now and the end of the season.

20 goals and 20 assists in 58 games.

20 goals is realistic, but Laine still needs to stay healthy.

It would be surprising to see the talented goal scorer play the entirety of the Canadiens’ last 58 games after missing nearly a year of regular-season hockey. But it’s not impossible.

And for the 20-goal mark in 58 games, it’s something he’s been capable of, even in his “less good” years.

In 2021-22, he scored 26 goals in 56 games with the Blue Jackets. The following season, he scored 22 in 55 games. He’d be able to do it without a problem.

What we’ll have to keep an eye on is whether he’ll play in fear of another injury. His knee injury was serious and happened because of his aggressive style of play in the zone. It’s a facet of his game that helps him to be dangerous on forward.

However, Laine will be playing on a line with two players who are really coming into their own these days. Kirby Dach collected just three points in November, and Juraj Slafkovsky hasn’t lived up to expectations since the start of the season either.

The good news, as Bob Hartley pointed out on BPM Sports earlier this evening, is that Laine will complete a very imposing line-up.

Laine and Dach are the Habs’ two biggest forwards at 6’4 and Slafkovsky is just an inch behind at 6’3. This could help the line to threaten opponents and create scoring opportunities through physical play.

However, we must limit our expectations of Laine. His return to action may well be slower than expected. After all, he hasn’t played regular-season hockey in nearly a year.

Overtime

– He’s got his work cut out for him in Laval.

– Impressive.

– He’s been excellent this season.

– The Blue Jays want to bring him back.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

4 Nations Confrontation : Patrik Laine expected to play for Finland

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Patrik Laine’s return isn’t just good for the Canadiens, it’s good for Finland too!

The four teams participating in the 4 Nations Confrontation had to submit their official rosters on Monday for Wednesday’s unveiling.

According toTSN’s Pierre LeBrun, Finland has selected Laine for the tournament.

What’s quite interesting about this situation is that Laine has yet to play a single game this season. He’ll make his return to action on Tuesday night against the Islanders in front of a Bell Centre crowd.

According to LeBrun, Finland is willing to take the gamble of selecting Laine because of the impact he can have on the team. He will also have about two months to find his feet on the ice before the tournament.

Should Finland decide to add Laine to its official roster, he could be one of only two Canadiens players at the 4 Nations Confrontation.

The second Canadiens player expected to take part in the tournament is Samuel Montembeault, who should act as Canada’s third goaltender, according to LeBrun.

We’ll also be keeping an eye on Joel Armia with Finland. It was Pierre LeBrun who reported in October that Finnish officials were watching the Canadiens’ depth player.

Two other Canadiens players could also earn a spot on one of the tournament teams. Nick Suzuki is unlikely to be part of Canada’s plans, as is Cole Caufield with the United States.

One has to wonder whether Finland’s decision may have precipitated Laine’s return to action.

Laine’s first game in a Canadiens uniform on Tuesday night would therefore be the first step in his preparation to represent Finland at the 4 Nations Confrontation.

Overtime

– Heavy loss for the Canucks.

– We can’t wait to see if his production remains similar with the Canadiens.

– There he is!

– Wow!