Author: Dose

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Shea Weber’s speech was short… but perfect at the same time.

MONTREAL, CANADA- NOVEMBER 16: Shea Weber is honoured after his Hockey Hall of Fame induction during the opening ceremony of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Bell Centre on November 16, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

Yesterday was a special night at the Bell Centre.

Fans gathered on site had the opportunity to honor Shea Weber, who wore the “C” on his jersey for a few years in Montreal.

He received a warm welcome.

Weber then addressed the fans in the amphitheatre… And let’s just say he didn’t mess around with the puck.

He began by greeting the crowd in French, saying he was happy to follow in the footsteps of Jean Béliveau, Yvan Cournoyer and Maurice Richard… Before ending by saying he’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to don a Habs jersey.

It’s no secret that the main interested party is a man of few words. But on various platforms, some criticized the former captain’s speech for being too short.

Let’s face it: it was a bit of a bland speech.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Weber isn’t the one who loves cameras, and he isn’t the one who speaks the loudest in public.

That said, personally, I thought he did what he had to do.

It looked like he was embarrassed/emotional, but he thanked the Canadiens fans for their support. He felt like crying, but he still wanted to keep talking… which is not usually in his nature.

And in all this, you have to realize that before the game, Weber spoke to the media for some 15 minutes to answer their questions.

He showed his class:

Weber’s presence obviously motivated his former teammates, because it’s rare for the Canadiens to score five goals at the Bell Centre.

Especially on a Saturday night!

All in all, it was a perfect evening. The Habs won, Weber was inducted into the Ring of Honor… And he was able to send his love to the fans, even if we’re talking about a guy who’s embarrassed at first.

Overtime

– Love this.

– Nice line-up.

– Any way to improve!

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Salary cap for 25-26: a possible increase of up to $9 million

The salary cap is still a very important issue in the National Hockey League.

It dictates what each team can afford to do, and how each team must arrange its own financial puzzle.

Every signing and every transaction depends on the salary cap, and so, when it increases, it greatly benefits the teams, as they can spend more.

Currently, the NHL salary cap stands at $88 million.

And from what we’ve learned in the last few hours, well, that cap could increase by $7 to $9 million for the 2025-2026 season, i.e. next season.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Indeed, according to Elliotte Friedman, this possibility will actually be discussed in the coming weeks, as the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association meet.

Business is going well in the NHL, so a larger-than-originally-anticipated increase could actually happen for the next campaign.

The only problem is that, currently, under CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) rules, the salary cap can only increase by a maximum of 5% per season.

Going from $88m to $95/97m, an increase of 8 to 10.2%, would therefore not be possible if this rule is not changed by next season.

However, such a rule-breaking increase could still take place if the NHL and the players’ association reach an agreement.

If no agreement is reached, the salary cap will only rise to $92.5 million for the 2025-2026 season, and may then increase further for the 2026-2027 season, given that the current CBA expires in September 2026.

In short, we’re likely to see a very nice increase in the salary cap over the next few years, which can only be positive for teams, who will be able to spend more, and therefore put together better line-ups.

All this remains to be seen.

Overtime

– Logical.

– He turns 21 today!

– Alex Ovechkin is the all-time leading scorer, according to Jeremy Roenick. [Responsible Gambler]

– Wow!

– Whew.

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Juraj Slafkovsky benched: St-Louis is much tougher on his players

For the first time in a very long time, the Montreal Canadiens completely dominated a team’s scoring last night.

The Habs won by four goals last night, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1, which means there will be free wings at the Cage aux sports until the next game.

It’s a win that may look perfect from the outside, but when you look at it more closely, you realize that the Habs weren’t consistent, as they struggled in the second period.

What’s more, before scoring three quickly in the third period, the Habs led by just one goal, so the lead didn’t hold much water.

In short, Martin St-Louis had to make decisions to try and hold on to the lead, and one of those decisions was to put Juraj Slafkovsky on the fourth line late in the second period and bench him early in the third.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Indeed, Slaf was allowed presences on the fourth line, as well as missing a few early in the third period.

Martin St-Louis clearly wanted to send a message to his young player, who is not off to the best possible start to the season, even though he has 11 points in 15 games.

Slafkovsky has just one goal this season, which is clearly not enough.

MSL needs to shake up its troops, and while Slaf wasn’t necessarily having a bad game last night, the head coach decided it was the right time to shock his player.

St-Louis is clearly more rigid and harder on his players, and Jake Evans noticed.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Indeed, Evans claims that MSL treats them all the same, regardless of their status in the team, and therefore treats everyone more harshly.

On the face of it, you’d think the players might not like this change in St. Louis, but Evans says the players need this right now.

They need to be shaken up and woken up, especially considering the poor start to the season and the many tasteless, emotionless games lost as if nothing had happened.

In short, I’d like to see St-Louis be tougher on his players, but I think there’s a bit of a problem.

Evans explains that the head coach treats everyone the same, but yet, it really looks like he’s still favoring his veterans.

Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia and Mike Matheson have never been benched or even left out, despite some very difficult moments since the start of the season.

On the other hand, when Slaf doesn’t perform, he’s quickly shuffled and punished.

I understand the need to coach the youngsters, but in the midst of a rebuild, is it really the right thing to put Slafkovsky on the fourth line and Lane Hutson on the second powerplay?

Let’s see where all this leads and if St-Louis makes the right decisions regarding its dressing room and bench.

Extension

The Habs honoured Shea Weber before the game, and the former captain got a very nice ovation from the Bell Centre crowd.

Weber remained true to form with a VERY short, but good speech.

It was also a special game for two Blue Jackets players, who were back in Montreal for the first time.

Sean Monahan and Jordan Harris were greeted by the crowd.

Monahan showed his appreciation for the Habs’ relief(#sarcasm) by stealing Lane Hutson’s stick during the game.

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Arber Xhekaj: “We had to put on a better show (than Paul and Tyson)”.

The Habs played a good game last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, entertaining the crowd in many ways, from goals to a fight.

Indeed, in addition to his five goals, the Habs entertained the Bell Centre crowd with a solid fight, as Arber Xhekaj threw down the gloves with Mathieu Olivier.

The two men got in some good trades and some good shots, which woke up the crowd in the second period as the match took a quieter, flatter turn.

In short, it was a fight that kept the crowd entertained, which made it different from Friday night’s fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.

In fact, in the penalty box, Arber Xhekaj felt that he and Olivier had to put on a better show and provide better entertainment than Friday night’s fight.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

In the end, both men really put on a better show with their fight, which was a very strong one and instead ended in a draw.

Olivier is really making a name for himself throughout the National Hockey League, and that’s very interesting considering that the Québécois forward will be a free agent next summer.

It would be really great to have him in Montreal, and it’s Renaud Lavoie’s dream to see him land in Montreal next summer.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Lavoie had a very nice interview with the Québécois forward, and he really believes that adding Olivier to the Habs line-up would be an excellent decision, as it will take a lot of pressure off Arber Xhekaj’s shoulders.

Having Olivier and Xhekaj in the line-up would allow Xhekaj to have less sheriffing and brawling responsibilities.

For $2 million a year, Renaud Lavoie believes Mathieu Olivier would be a bargain, and a clear crowd favorite.

He’s the kind of high-energy player who makes others comfortable around him, and that was one of the first recommendations Rick Nash made when he joined the Blue Jackets’ management team.

“When Rick Nash joined the management group in Columbus, the first thing he recommended to just about everyone around the table was to dress Mathieu Olivier at every game to make the young guys more comfortable.” – Renaud Lavoie

In short, it remains to be seen, but it would be a great idea to add Olivier to the Habs roster.

Overtime

– Here’s Lavoie’s interview with Olivier.

– It was cool to see him!

– Magnificent victory.

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Top-5: Ryan Reaves ejected for violent shoulder blow to the head

There were 12 games in the National Hockey League yesterday.

So there were plenty of goals and plenty of action.

Without further ado, here’s what caught our eye.

1. Ryan Reaves ejected for his hit on Darnell Nurse

The Edmonton Oilers were in Toronto last night to take on the Maple Leafs before heading to the Bell Centre in Montreal on Monday night.

This kind of confrontation between two highly talented Canadian teams always puts on a great show, and once again yesterday, we weren’t disappointed.

Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime victory was somewhat tarnished by a horrific blow to Darnell Nurse’s head by Ryan Reaves.

The Leafs’ forward slammed his shoulder into Nurse’s head and was ejected from the game, while Nurse did not return to the game.

Honestly, it’s very dirty on Reaves’ part, and I can well imagine he’ll be suspended for at least a few games. We’ll keep an eye on that today.

As for the game itself, it was Mitch Marner who gave the Leafs the win in overtime.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

2. Jets suffer second straight loss for first time this season

The Winnipeg Jets have been virtually perfect since the start of the season, with 30 points in 17 games and only two losses prior to yesterday.

However, last night, while in Florida to face the Stanley Cup champion Panthers, the Jets suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat.

Getting shut out and dominated like that is a first for the Jets this season, who also suffered a second consecutive loss for the first time this season.

They also lost to the Lightning 4-1 two days ago.

In short, the fairy tale is probably coming to an end for the Jets.

Note that in the win, Sam Reinhart had three assists, extending his streak of games with at least one point to 10, as he has 16 points (eight goals and eight assists) during this stretch.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

3. Penguins win, despite a sick team

It was a rather special situation last night, when just before their home game against the San Jose Sharks, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Kris Letang would not play due to illness, and that the rest of the team represented a pre-game decision.

So there was some question as to whether the Penguins would be able to play, but in the end, it all worked out, and the Penguins played the game being I guess all sick.

The beauty of it all is that, despite their poor start to the season, the Penguins were able to overcome this ordeal and find a way to win 4-3 in a shootout against the Sharks.

Note that in defeat, Tyler Toffoli scored two goals, giving him eight this season.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

4. Martin Necas extends his streak of games with at least one point to 12

Here’s one who’s really surprised everyone this season.

All summer long, Martin Necas was linked to major trade rumors, even involving the Canadiens, but in the end, the Czech forward stayed in Carolina.

Since the start of the season, Necas has been the Hurricanes’ best player, producing at a blistering pace that ranks him 5th in the entire NHL.

In fact, last night, Necas picked up an assist in the Canes’ 4-0 win over the Ottawa Senators, extending his point streak to 12 games.

He now has 23 points (eight goals and 15 assists) in that streak.

He picked up an assist on Sebastian Aho’s goal last night.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

5. Anthony Richard has six points in five games

Since being inserted into the Flyers lineup, Anthony Richard has managed to stay in the lineup night after night.

The Québécois is currently on an excellent run, with six points in five games this season, and at least one point in his last four games.

He registered two assists yesterday in the Philadelphia Flyers’ 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Six points in a season is a personal best for Richard, to whom we truly wish the best.

Let’s hope for his sake that it continues.

Note that Matvei Michkov also picked up two assists last night, making it 15 points (six goals and nine assists) in 16 games.

Overtime

– Here are yesterday’s results.

– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Today’s program: four games.

(Credit: Google/NHL)

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Arber Xhekaj and Mathieu Olivier fight furiously

Arber Xhekaj has made a name for himself with his physicality throughout his career.

This season, he seems to have matured in his game, not putting himself out of position as often as he used to.

The Montreal Canadiens’ colossus last fought on October 5, when the Habs took on the Ottawa Senators in pre-season.

This was Xhekaj’s first regular-season fight of the year.

Rather unusual on his part, but you get the feeling he’s been waiting for more opportune moments to throw down the gloves.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Xhekaj left for the dressing room on the spot.

More details to come…

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Michael Chandler (UFC) invites Matt Rempe to practice with him

Last night (Friday) saw the long-awaited boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul.

Despite an ending that was much disliked by fans, the other fights at least put on a good show.

Speaking of combat sports, there’s also UFC 309, which takes place this Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden.

The main fight card features two highly anticipated bouts.

Jon Jones will face Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title, while Charles Oliveira will take on Michael Chandler at lightweight.

Some fighters on the card have had the opportunity to view fights by Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers, and many were impressed by the colossus.

In fact, Michael Chandler invited Rempe to practice with him.

“Is that #73 again? This guy is an animal! #73, give me a sign, buddy. We should practice together.” – Michael Chandler

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Chandler also wondered why guys don’t headbutt and if it’s illegal.

Imagine if the NHL allowed head-butting during fights.

Popular Jon “Bones” Jones also mentioned that the brawlers in Rempe’s fight montage haven’t joined the right sport.

“They joined the wrong sport. They should be fighters in the UFC.” – Jon Jones

The latter was also told that it’s crazy that you’re preparing for a 35-minute fight and they’re preparing for a 30-second fight.

Jones countered by saying that it’s like 30 seconds in hell on ice.

It seems a very apt comparison.

Hockey fights may be short, but they are undoubtedly very exhausting.

Another of the fighters to compliment the technique of Nicolas Deslauriers and Matt Rempe during their brawl.

He liked the fact that they used their shoulder to protect themselves, then followed up with a powerful punch from their rearmost fist.

One thing’s for sure, mixed martial arts and hockey fighting are two very different worlds.

Overtime

– Another Rocket victory.

– Well done. The Regina Rams must have been wondering what was going on.

– Read more.

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

KHL: things are (really) going badly for Ivan Demidov’s team at the moment

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2024/09/23: Ivan Demidov (91) SKA Hockey Club and Darren Dietz (4) Avangard Hockey Club seen in action during the Hockey match, Kontinental Hockey League 2024/2025 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Avangard Omsk at the Ice Sports Palace. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 4:1 Avangard Omsk). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Since the start of the season, we’ve been keeping a close eye on Ivan Demidov in Russia. The Habs prospect, who is the organization’s most promising right now, is being closely watched because people are anxious to see him in Montreal.

And if his activity on social networks is anything to go by, he too seems to be looking forward to being in town.

That said, when you look at what’s been going on with the SKA for a while now, you notice one thing: things have been going (really) badly for the club ever since.

Yesterday, for example, SKA was defeated in overtime…

And in the process, they’ve now lost six of their last seven games.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

Of course, for a club that pulled out all the stops this summer by bringing in some big names, it’s a difficult sequence. The expectations were clear at SKA: we wanted to be a dominant team and be at the top of the league standings.

And that’s why we’re starting to feel the tension around the team. Yesterday, after the defeat, coach Roman Rotenberg criticized his players for their lack of discipline… and he also served up some rather cold and acerbic responses to journalists in connection with the lack of offense recently.

No, it’s not ideal.

Demidov, for his part, seems to be affected by the whole situation, as he still hasn’t scored a single point since the start of the month (six games). We’re starting to see him play less than 10 minutes a game again, and much like the rest of his team, he seems to be stuck in a slump at the moment.

It’s not ideal, of course… but let’s hope for Demidov’s sake that things turn around soon for SKA. Because at the moment, the mood within the team seems rather heavy, and we’ll just have to hope that it starts to calm down quickly.

Overtime

– Congratulations to the Rouge et Or, who will be taking part in the 14ᵉ Vanier Cup in their history.

– Interestingly, Jeff Gorton’s son Jack will play his first game with Boston University, taking the place of Lane Hutson’s injured brother Quinn.

– Will Pastrnak have another 60-goal season?

– The Russian seems to have understood that he no longer has the right to make mistakes.

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Jacob Fowler receives NCAA suspension

Last night in the NCAA, Jacob Fowler went ballistic. After awarding a goal, he smacked his opponent in the face with a cookie… which earned him an ejection.

It was the right thing to do, even if it doesn’t necessarily seem to be the young keeper’s habit.

The question now was whether he would get a suspension… and now we know the answer.

Hockey East, the conference in which he plays, has just announced that Fowler will be suspended for one game.

He won’t be able to play on Tuesday.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

More details to come…

This content was created with the help of AI.

Categories
Dans les coulisses

Draft 2025: What would be the best top-4 pick for the Habs?

Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images

Three near-first-round picks… That was the case in 2022, and it’s likely to be the case again in 2025.

As we speak, the Montreal Canadiens are headed for a glittering top-4 pick and a mouth-watering top-20 (Flames), not to mention the1st pick of the second round, 33rd overall.

I don’t know if Hughes and Gorton will be tempted to do the same thing they did in 2023, when they traded picks #31 and #37 to get Alex Newhook, but it’s an avenue to be used with great caution, because better players than Newhook regularly remain in the draft at the start of the2nd round…

Good scouts need to be able to identify them…

That said, with the time at my disposal, it’s too early to make an informed judgement on potential early-second-round picks. It’s a difficult exercise just a few days before the draft, so in November, it’s a no!

However, a good deal of thought has already gone into the top-4, which, while not set in stone, seems set to take shape fairly quickly.

If we all agree that the Habs have just as many needs up front as they do at the back, in light of what we’re seeing on the horizon, what would be the Habs ‘optimal top-4 pick next June?

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

A top-4 for every taste

If the Habs finish last in the overall standings – which would surprise me enormously, but hey – 5’10 Boston College center James Hagens, Missisauga right winger Porter Martone, Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Saginaw center Michael Misa will all be available for the Habs to take.

In my opinion, none of them stands out all that much from the other three right now, and once again this year, the first teams to draft are likely to go with the optimal choice in their eyes, considering both the player’s talent and their organizational needs and culture.

And what would be the Habs’ optimal pick as of today?

A left-handed center with more talent than Nick Suzuki?

A big, right-handed winger capable of filling the net and distributing the puck at least as well as Slafkovsky does as a lefty? Martone even has a much better scoring touch than Slaf, who remains bigger, stronger and a better passer than the Ontarian.

Or a #1 left-handed defenseman somewhere between Miro Heiskanen and Rasmus Dahlin?

For his part, if he were in the shoes of Hughes and Gorton at the moment and had doubts about his future defense (recurring injuries to Guhle and Reinbacher, defensive potential of Huston, Mailloux, Xhekaj, etc.), the ever-relevant Simon “Snake” Boisvert, would turn to defenseman Schaefer, probably the safest bet of the four players mentioned, all things considered.

Talent is coming out of Schaefer’s ears, both offensively and defensively. We’re talking about a skater with rare fluidity, excellent hands, a good shot and above-average vision. A guy who can play 25 minutes without a problem, night after night. A future number 1 every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

According to Boisvert, Schaefer’s selection would even guarantee the Habs a Stanley Cup within 6 years! Nothing less!

Schaefer-Reinbacher
Hutson-Guhle

In theory, it would be quite a top-4!

All that’s left is to decide between Struble, Xhekaj, Engstrom on the left and Mailloux, Barron on the right.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

With all this talent coming of age, we would have seen teams win the Cup with lesser defensive skills. Just think of the 2016-2017 Penguins, WITHOUT Kristopher Letang!

Finally, if the Habs don’t draft a guy like Schaefer, they’ll have to try to be the first team in the modern era to win the Stanley Cup with a #1 defenseman under 5’11 and 170 lbs in Lane Hutson!

BUT, we all also know that Nick Suzuki isn’t the ideal first center for a champion club, or at the very least, that the Habs need another top-quality center to help them out.

Is that center Kirby Dach?

Is it Ivan Demidov?

Is it Juraj Slafkovsky, who should at least deserve a try in this year… of tries?

For the moment, nothing is less certain, and left-handed centers James Hagens and Michael Misa would be hard to ignore, because in the last 40 years, we haven’t seen many teams win the Cup without the equivalent of at least two very good center players.

I dare you to name just one!

Very fluid on skates, superb playmaker, good defensively, very supple hands, James Hagens is a kind of blend of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.

The American practically treaded water last year with the USNDT (102 points in 58 games) and at U18 (22 points in 7 games).

A favorite on most lists right now, Hagens could go downhill in the coming months. He’s playing well, but isn’t throwing anyone off their chair at Boston College with his 11 points in 8 games, including just 1 goal.

Does he lack chemistry with his teammates, having played with several different wingers since the start of the season, including the talented Ryan Leonard (Washington, 8th, 2023) and Gabriel Perreault (NYR, 21st, 2023)?

Then there will always be legitimate doubts about a 5’10 number-one center, especially from a playoff perspective…

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

That’s why another left-handed center, Michael Misa, 6’1, 185 lbs, former OHL first choice and player of exceptional status at 15, teammate of Owen Beck and Memorial Cup champion with Saginaw last spring, is likely to make more and more noise in the coming months.

Misa is an agile skater who shows great finesse in his game and has a surgical shot that he unleashes at lightning speed. An instinctive and intelligent player, he also does very well defensively. Finally, 23 goals and 39 points in 19 games so far this season is “something I think…”, as the great Mario would say! Over a projected 68-game season, that’s 82 goals and 139 points!

In short, even if there’s no unanimous candidate for the top spot, it’s hard to see how the teams drafting in the top-4 can go wrong next June.

For now, as far as I’m concerned, if I were HuGo, I’d say it’s between Misa and Schaefer, with perhaps a slight advantage for Misa.

But we’d still have to try out Slaf in the center before making a decision, unless we’re already certain that’s where we’ll be playing Demidov in the near future…

This content was created with the help of AI.