Author: Dose

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Joe Veleno sees himself helping the Habs with a numerical disadvantage

Joe Veleno isn’t coming as a savior.

He won’t score 50 points or play on the powerplay. But that doesn’t mean he won’t help the Habs. On the contrary, teams need (Québécois) players who play a more supporting role. In my opinion, they’re the ones who win you a championship.

In any case, Quebec is ready to help the Habs. He believes there are opportunities for him down low, especially with the loss of two big players (Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia) in such situations. This is what he told Kevin Dubé in a text published in Le Journal de Québec.

Last year, the team’s main 4-on-5 duos were Jake Evans/Josh Anderson and Christian Dvorak/Joel Armia. We know Nick Suzuki can play in these situations, but he’s already playing a lot and you certainly don’t want to burn him.

Now that a duo is gone, you have to replace them. Could Zachary Bolduc help? In any case, Veleno seems a logical candidate right now.

The newest member of the team played 20 minutes a game in the AHL and got some playing time shorthanded. He’s no stranger to this role.

I now take a lot of pride in playing a more defensive style. You watch the playoffs and everyone has to be able to be responsible defensively. What I want to be is a complete player, a guy who can be responsible defensively and still rack up points on occasion. – Joe Veleno

The text also states that the Québécois has become the first QMJHL player to be awarded Outstanding Player status. He’s in good company with John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDabid, Sean Day, Shane Wright, Connor Bedard, Michael Misa and Landon DuPont.

He knew this status would follow him throughout his career, but he worked hard to live up to it. Today, he has no regrets, and seven years after his first-round selection with the Wings, he now finds himself with the club of his childhood.

Overtime

– It’s great to see him in action.

– It feels like the end.

– Listen now.

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“If the Habs get Nazem Kadri, they’ll be in the top-3 of their division in 2025-26”

Nazem Kadri has been a popular name in Montreal this week. Nick Kypreos said the forward might be open to waiving his no-trade clause to join the Habs… and the word is out.

After all, a top-6 left-handed center is exactly what the Habs need.

Jimmy Murphy noted that the Canadiens aren’t necessarily interested in Kadri. One might think that the forward’s age (35 at the start of the season) and the length of his contract (which runs out in 2029) are factors in this.

That said, in the immediate term, there’s no doubt that a guy like Kadri would improve the Habs. And in a recent episode of The Steve Dangle Podcast, Adam Wylde had this to say:

If the Habs get a player like Nazem Kadri, they’re guaranteed to be a top-3 team in their division in 2025-26. – Adam Wylde

These words illustrate one thing: the Habs aren’t even close to being a competitive team. Picking up a guy like Kadri may not be the best thing for the club’s long-term plan (and I’m not saying it has to be), but in many people’s eyes, the Habs are one solid second center away from being one of the very good teams on the Bettman circuit.

After all, being in the top-3 in the Atlantic would mean the Canadiens would be ahead of at least one of the Panthers, Lightning or Maple Leafs. And that’s not counting the other teams in the division that are pushing ahead (Senators, Red Wings, etc.).

The fact that Kadri is older and has such a long contract means he’s probably not the Habs’ ideal target. On the other hand, in a world where the Leafs have just lost Mitch Marner, there’s a window that could open up for the Habs if they want to establish themselves among the big players in their division.

And especially since the Leafs, even if they have a little more depth, didn’t get the moon with the money saved by Marner’s departure.

We’ll have to see if the Habs can find another player in the image of Kadri, who still scored 35 goals last year, who could help the club establish itself as a real contender.

Because clearly, in the eyes of some, this is the last piece missing to see the Habs compete with the big teams in the Atlantic.

Overtime

– Sam Bennett is immortalized on the Conn-Smythe Trophy.

– Ah.

– That was something, indeed.

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The Jaroslav Halak deal still pays off (handsomely) for the Canadiens

This morning, we learned that Jaroslav Halak has announced his professional retirement. The goalie, who broke all records in the playoffs with the Habs 15 years ago, has hung up his pads.

That said, 15 years ago, Halak didn’t just dominate the playoffs: he was also traded to the Blues. And with the goaltender now retired, it’s interesting to see how that deal turned out in the end. And frankly, it’s surprising.

In return for the Slovakian goaltender, the Habs got Ian Schultz, but more importantly, they got Lars Eller, who had some great years in town. The Dane was then traded for two second-round picks, one of which became Joni Ikonen and the other was later traded again.

This traded pick became a fifth-round pick (which was used to select Samuel Houde), but also a third-round pick, with which the Habs selected Jordan Harris.

So, when you look at all this, it’s partly thanks to Jaroslav Halak that the Habs are now betting on Patrik Laine… but also on a second-round pick in the next draft.

We know that Laine, despite the fact that he’s not a perfect player, was a big acquisition in Montreal. The Finn added a pure scorer to Montreal’s forward group, and did so in an injury-shortened year.

There’s a real possibility that Laine will be better this year than last (if he avoids injury, of course). So the Halak deal is still helping the Habs right now.

But the second-round pick acquired in that same deal means that there’s a real possibility that it will continue to help the Habs in the long term. Perhaps this pick will be used to select an interesting young player, but it could also be used in a transaction to bring an established player to town.

The funniest scenario, though, would be for him to be traded to a team willing to take on Carey Price’s contract, hehe.

So, even if Halak has retired, the deal made 15 years ago still pays off for the Canadiens today every time Patrik Laine scores a goal. And who knows: maybe it will continue to pay off for many years to come, if the second-round pick becomes a valuable asset.

In Overtime

– A nice contract for Gabe Vilardi in Winnipeg.

– That’s right.

– Love this.

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Top-23 players under 23: the Habs are the NHL’s best-represented team

Since the beginning of the week, the NHL has been highlighting its young stars. Via its social networks, it has been showcasing its young talent in a variety of ways, including presenting a little of the players’ personalities.

Juraj Slafkovský, for example, has been featured in recent days.

That said, the league’s official website asked its various editors to vote for various rankings of the league’s best young players. In the under-25 age group, the Habs look good offensively (Cole Caufield), defensively (Lane Hutson) and in front of the net (Jacob Fowler).

Today, however, the league’s official website shared a ranking of the under-23s. It did so in the form of a top-23… which is pretty conceptual, we agree.

And what you notice when you look at the list is that the Habs are the best-represented team in the league. We’re talking about the only team with four representatives, with Lane Hutson, Juraj Slafkovský, Ivan Demidov and Zachary Bolduc all on the list.

When you read the article associated with the rankings, you learn that nine editors had to make their top-25, and that each position was worth one point more than the previous one. To put it simply, a player in first place would get 25 points, while the one in second place would get 24 and so on.

So it’s interesting to see that Hutson, in third place, had the most first-place votes, with five. Connor Bedard (1st) received three, while Macklin Celebrini (2nd) received the other.

This seems to indicate that Hutson is a slightly more polarizing player: he was visibly lower on some lists, which caused him to drop in the rankings.

As for the other Habs players, we note that Juraj Slafkovský is 10th, while Ivan Demidov is 14th. And when we look at the points in the article, we see that the two forwards aren’t very far apart.

For Demidov, it’s pretty interesting given that he’s only played seven games in the NHL. He’s already ahead of established guys like Owen Power, Mason McTavish and William Eklund, and that just goes to show how highly regarded the kid is across the league.

Bolduc, meanwhile, closes the gap at 23rd. He’s put himself on the radar this season with a fine rookie year, and under the Montreal spotlight, he’ll have the opportunity to gain even more popularity.

Do you agree with this ranking?

Overtime

– Speaking of Hutson.

– Whew.

– Indeed.

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Projected Habs line-up: NHL places Zachary Bolduc on… the 4th line

What will the Montreal Canadiens line-up look like for the first game of next season?

That’s a good question.

But one thing’s for sure: Martin St-Louis should have a lot of fun playing in the forward line. There are a lot of talented players out there right now…

The NHL had some fun projecting the Canadiens’ roster for the 25-26 campaign, and right off the bat, there was one thing that jumped out at me.

In fact, it’s especially when you see that Zachary Bolduc is placed… on the 4th line.

Remember: we’re talking about a guy who finished last season in the top-6 with the Blues and was acquired by the Canadiens to score goals.

To see the Québécois playing on a 4 with Joe Veleno and Jake Evans… it’s a bit illogical.

I don’t know where Bolduc will be placed in the lineup for the start of the season.

But if it’s on the third line, I’d love to see him alongside Alex Newhook and Josh Anderson.

All three guys have a good skating stroke, Bolduc and Anderson are capable of shaking up the opposition… and there’s a certain offensive touch to that line too – even if Andy sometimes has trouble converting his scoring chances.

Still, I’m inclined to believe that Bolduc will find himself in the Habs top-6 before too long.

If things don’t work out with Patrik Laine, if we see him dragging his feet on the ice or not being involved enough… Martin St-Louis will give another guy a chance to shine, and that’s where Bolduc could come in.

I see him having success on the 2nd line with Ivan Demidov. And with the Russian’s passing skills and the Québécois’ shooting ability… it could be really interesting for the Canadiens.

Overtime

– Ahem. I’d go with Justin Williams!

– Definitely.

– Shohei Ohtani… the author.

– A good tournament so far.

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Connor McDavid and the Oilers have yet to discuss a contract extension

It’s been two years in a row that the Oilers have lost in the Stanley Cup Final.

And…

And for two years in a row, we’ve been wondering the same thing: does Connor McDavid want to stay in Edmonton when the team can’t seem to win the Stanley Cup? We know there are shortcomings in this club, after all…

The issue will take on even greater importance in the coming months as McDavid enters the final year of his eight-year contract, which pays him $12.5 million per season.

If he hasn’t signed a deal by next summer, he’ll be as free as a bird as of July 1, 2026. And we agree that the Oilers don’t have the luxury of losing him for nothing.

That said, it’s also interesting to know that, at this point, McDave and the Oilers haven’t even discussed a contract extension.

Chris Johnston talked about it on Steve Dangle’s podcast.

Edmonton fans have every right to be concerned.

Connor McDavid is the face of the organization, he’s the club’s best player since Wayne Gretzky… and he’s the one who can bring the Stanley Cup back there, too.

But if he leaves – whether through a trade or the free agent market – it’s going to hurt.

It’s going to hurt, and it’s going to sink the entire organization, because we all know how much McDavid is a player who can single-handedly change the game. Without him, this club’s talent would plummet…

The Oilers can’t afford to see him leave, and that’s why I’m a little confused by the fact that there have been no discussions about a new contract.

Being Stan Bowman, it seems to me, would be a priority on my desk… But hey.

The file remains to be followed, and it will be interesting to see how it concludes too.

Overtime

– I like it.

– It’s your turn to answer.

– Interesting.

– It’s going to start moving in MLB.

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Mason McTavish: Teams consider hostile offer sheet

Mason McTavish is a popular name these days.

But why?

Because the player isn’t necessarily happy with his situation in Anaheim. And when you hear that about a talented 22-year-old like him… there are some pretty obvious reasons.

We know that he’s a player to watch, and that there’s a good chance he’ll change address between now and the start of next season.

But according to Frank Seravalli(Bleacher Report), there’s more to it than that too.

Seravalli said some teams have been trying to figure out how to make a hostile offer sheet to get McTavish out of Anaheim.

A hostile offer sheet for McTavish… that would be big :

It would be big and expensive too.

McTavish has the potential to be one of the NHL’s good players before too long if he’s placed in a favorable position, and teams know it too.

That’s why, among other things, they’d have to pay the big bucks to try to convince the Ducks not to match the offer.

And when you look at the various compensations for a hostile offer sheet in the NHL… you realize that above $9,360,153 (which would probably be the case for McTavish), it would still be intense :

(Credit: Screenshot TVA Sports)

Hostile offer sheets (when they happen) are the talk of the town, because you don’t see them all the time in the NHL.

You’d think it would have been different this year… but so far, no club has decided to go that route since the start of the off-season.

That’s not to say it can’t happen, though.

After all, last summer, the St. Louis Blues submitted an offer sheet for defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway on August 13… and today is only July 18.

So there’s still time to move things around the NHL.

Overtime

– I like his answers.

– Attention all interested parties.

– Meh…

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Ryan McDonagh could be traded (again)

Ryan McDonagh has proven himself.

He’s one of the best two-way defensemen in the National League, and even though he’s 36, he’s still capable of helping a club on the ice.

That said, he may not be back in Tampa Bay for next season.

At least, that’s what Nick Kypreos says in an article (Sportsnet).

The Lightning would like to free up some salary under the payroll… and trading McDonagh, who is worth $6.75 million on the club’s books, would be an option right now.

Reminder: the Lightning traded the defenseman to Nashville in 2022 before going after him in May 2024.

A little more than a year after his return to Tampa Bay, he could now request a move to the Bolts…

It’s certain that there will be interest in the man drafted by the Habs in 2008 if he becomes available on the market.

There again: teams love reliable defensemen like him in the NHL.

McDonagh is responsible in all three zones of the rink, he has leadership qualities, he’s won the Stanley Cup twice…

For a club looking to add depth and experience to its blue line, the defenseman could prove to be a perfect candidate.

There’s only one season left on his contract (plus) and even if he doesn’t produce as much offensively as he used to, we’re still talking about a guy who can bring a lot to the table on and off the ice too.

All this to say, then, that this is a name to keep an eye on between now and the start of next season.

Right now, it’s (really) quiet in the NHL because it looks like the GMs are on vacation… but things could get busy soon too.

And if that happens, McDonagh could still be forced to pack his bags for the third time since July 2022.

Overtime

– Coming up.

– Oh?

– For Montreal CF fans.

– Nice.

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It will be interesting to see Joshua Roy’s role this season (especially in Laval)

You can’t say Joshua Roy is at a crossroads right now.

He’ll be celebrating his 22nd birthday in a few weeks (August 6) and still has time to explode.

But… it’s fair to say that he’ll have to work even harder if he ever wants to establish himself as a regular NHL player in Montreal. And with the depth that exists within the Montreal organization…

It will be interesting to see what his role will be this year – whether in Laval or Montreal.

I see him starting the season with the Rocket… but the Habs’ club-school also has some good players in place who will want to earn their place in the sun. Come to think of it, Laval will have a lot of good forwards:

  • Luke Tuch
  • Filip Mesar
  • Florian Xhekaj
  • Jared Davidson
  • Owen Beck
  • Sean Farrell
  • Alex Belzile
  • Samuel Blais (?)
  • Vinzenz Rohrer
  • Oliver Kapanen (?)

The two guys with a question mark attached to their name are likely, in my eyes, to make the club in Montreal after practice camp.

But if Kapanen and Blais fall by the wayside… That leaves less room for a guy like Roy, too. And if that happens, that’s when Joshua Roy will have to step up and remind the Canadiens organization that he’s got the talent to play in the NHL.

Because right now, as you can read in the text below (Transaction Rumours)… there isn’t necessarily room for him in Montreal.

We know that Joshua Roy has skills, that he’s capable of producing offensively and that he’s still responsible defensively.

There’s a reason he played 35 NHL games for the Habs.

But we’re also talking about a guy who doesn’t show up every night, and therein lies the problem.

If you want to play in the NHL full-time, you have to understand that it’s not that kind of mentality that allows a young player to succeed. Just because Roy is talented doesn’t mean the Canadiens have to force themselves to make room for him: it’s up to him to prove to the Canadiens that he deserves a place.

I can’t wait to see what his 25-26 season will be like.

But one thing’s for sure: this may be his last chance to impress the Canadiens’ management. Still, this will be his third season in the pros… and the clock is ticking.

Overtime

– Another one.

– Happy birthday.

– Nice reaction.

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Logan Mailloux wants to see Florian Xhekaj in the NHL this season

Logan Mailloux now belongs to the St. Louis Blues. The defenseman, as you know, was traded to the Blues in return for the services of Québécois Zachary Bolduc.

This is the first time that Mailloux has been at the heart of a transaction (which doesn’t surprise him, given the arrival of Noah Dobson in Montreal), so he needs to turn the page quickly.

After all, his next challenge will be to make his mark in St. Louis, where he is eagerly awaited.

But before he turns the page, he’s still in interview mode these days. And last night, Tony Marinaro broadcast the interview he did for the Sick Podcast.

You can listen to it here:

Tony Marinaro and Anthony Marcotte, who knows Mailloux well from his years playing for the Laval Rocket, chatted to the man who had nothing mean to say against the Habs.

Mailloux is grateful for the chance to belong to the Canadiens for so many years, and to play a few games in Montreal.

Towards the end of the interview, Mailloux was asked about his former teammates. And after praising several teammates, I was particularly taken with what he had to say about Florian Xhekaj.

Here’s what he had to say about La Licorne.

I’d like to see him in the NHL this season, but that’s obviously not up to me. – Logan Mailloux

You can sense that Mailloux, who had a good time in Laval when Arber Xhekaj went down in 2023-2024, is a fan of the two brothers’ game. And we understand why.

But Mailloux is right: Florian has a unique toolbox.

I don’t believe, the way the club is built, that Xhekaj will have his place at forward as soon as practice camp – if nothing changes. Nor do I think that seeing him return to Laval for a while longer would be bad news.

But given that the Habs have considered recalling him for the playoffs, it’s clear that a door could open for the forward during the season.

overtime

– Love it.

– Read on.

– The question of Matvei Michkov’s contract is back on the table. He can’t sign until July 2026.