Author: Dose

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Barry Trotz says he has a plan

Things are really bad in Nashville.

The club has signed the likes of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei and a certain Steven Stamkos to take the club to the next level. And right now, it’s not working.

What’s next for the Preds?

Barry Trotz, the club’s GM, was very transparent on the subject. He said on the radio (102.5) that if the guys don’t get back on track, he’s going to start the process of rebuilding the team.

Nothing less.

Of course, the GM says that some contracts could make it more complicated… and that’s the point: the change in direction is really, really drastic on the GM’s part.

Even if he hasn’t said he’s rebuilding tomorrow morning, opening the door four months after untying the purse strings shows a very clear lack of vision on the part of the executive.

He seems to be thinking too much in the short term… like a coach.

I wonder what David Poile thinks of all this. Is he going to recommend that we don’t go ahead with a rebuild? Will the guys stand up to avoid that process?

Who knows.

But one thing is clear: even if the club wants to make room for youngsters if things continue to go badly, it’s clearly going to be harder said than done. After all, big contracts are a dime a dozen.

  • Filip Forsberg: $8.5 M until 2030
  • Steven Stamkos: $8M until 2028
  • Jonathan Marchessault: $5.5 M to 2029
  • Ryan O’Reilly: $4.5 M until 2027
  • Roman Josi: $9.059 M until 2028
  • Brady Skjei: $7M until 2031
  • Alexandre Carrier: $3.75 M until 2027
  • Jusse Saros: $7.740M from 2025 to 2033

Add to this the fact that Matt Duchene will be on the block until 2029 (at $5.55M this year and $6.55M next year, among other things) and that Kyle Turris is at $2M for four seasons.

The Preds also have two salary holdbacks.

(Credit: CapWages)

I wonder what Steven Stamkos thinks of this. After all, while he could be traded to another club that would take him, I don’t think he imagined himself signing for a club that was going to be thinking about rebuilding in 2024.

And when I say Stamkos, I can also say Marchessault, you know.

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Delayed penalties: Joey Daccord would like goalies to be able to support the forward

Joey Daccord kind of came out of nowhere with the Seattle Kraken.

He was the 199ᵉ overall pick in the 2015 draft, has had his ups and downs in the NCAA and AHL, but last year, at 27, he proved he’s NHL-caliber.

In 2023-24, the American goaltender allowed an average of 2.46 goals per game, in addition to posting a 0.916 save percentage in 50 games.

Recently, he came to prominence after his team’s overtime win, when he joined his team by “jumping into the pile”.

Of course, he couldn’t stay on his skates after the jump, but that just goes to show his goofy side.

Here’s the sequence in question:

The What Chaos! podcast released an episode featuring the Kraken keeper.

You can find the full video right here.

After hosts Pete Blackburn and DJ Bean revisited the aforementioned footage, a rather peculiar topic surfaced.

Daccord suggested that goalies should be able to join the attack on a delayed penalty, rather than heading to the bench in favor of a sixth player.

He even went so far as to say that he could score five goals a year if this fictitious rule came into being.

He seemed very excited about his idea.

He would like to change the central red line rule for goalkeepers, which prevents them from crossing the middle during the match.

Pette Blackburn tossed out an image of a goalie standing in front of the net to block the other goalie’s view with all his equipment.

To this, Daccord countered by saying that he could very easily make deflections with the width of his goalie stick.

What a conversation.

The goalie even mentioned that he likes to practice his on-reception shots at the end of warm-ups when he’s not playing.

“I still wish I could play forward. Scoring goals is so much fun. Whenever I’m not playing, I practice my spot-kicks at the end of warm-ups. And I’ve got one no worse with my goalie gear.” – Joey Daccord

Jokingly, he occasionally tells his head coach, Dan Bylsma, that he’d like to play on the powerplay.

Definitely, Daccord seems like a good person to be around and must be the type of player who can lighten the mood with his zany side.

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Linus Ullmark says he doesn’t know where his “game” is at the moment

Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images

Linus Ullmark was acquired by the Senators this summer.

And let’s just say that things aren’t going well for the goalie in Ottawa right now.

He’s not helping the Sens win, which is a problem.

When you look at his stats, it’s clear that he’s not performing up to expectations.

His numbers are… Worrying:

  • 2-4-0 record
  • 3.02 goals-against average
  • .892 save percentage

For a number-one goalie… It’s atrocious. Ullmark knows it, and he told reporters about it earlier today.

But the problem? The man himself doesn’t know where his game is at the moment.

He’s in a difficult period:

These comments come a month after seeing him sign a major contract extension with the Senators.

On October 8, the goaltender reached an agreement with the Sens on the terms of a four-year contract extension, which will pay him a hefty salary of $8.25 million per season.

The contract will begin at the end of the season.

That said, until then, the Sens must be hoping he finds his feet.

You can’t pay a goalie who’s not doing the job $8.25 a season… And if he can’t find his game, his contract will become a nightmare for the Ottawa organization.

To be continued…

Overtime

– Really?

– Good news.

– Impressive.

– This case will generate a lot of attention in the coming months.

This content was created with the help of AI.

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Two goals for Macklin Celebrini, including a magnificent one

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Canadiens lost last night in New Jersey. Another defeat for Martin St-Louis’ men…

But there were also 11 other games presented across the NHL.

Let’s take a look:

1: Two goals for Macklin Celebrini

The Sharks aren’t off to a good start this season.

But at least Macklin Celebrini is back in the game, having missed the first month of the campaign through injury.

Last night, the youngster stood out against the Wild… even though his club lost again.

Celebrini scored two goals, and his second was particularly beautiful :

Still, the Wild won the game by a score of 5-2, inflicting an eleventh defeat (in 15 games) on the Sharks in the process.

Small victories in San Jose are to be celebrated, and seeing Celebrini score two goals is one of them.

2: An impressive line-up for Marc-André Fleury

Speaking of the Sharks-Wild game…

On the Minnesota side, it was Marc-André Fleury who had the task of keeping goal for the game.

And in getting the start, Fleury had the opportunity to join Patrick Roy in third place for goalkeepers with the most games played in the National League.

Only Roberto Luongo (1044 games) and Martin Brodeur (1266 games) surpass him in this respect.

Fleury, for his part, has now played 1029 games in his career:

He’s got 15 games left before he joins Luongo in second place in history.

It should happen this season, logically…

3: Another embarrassing defeat for the Preds

Right. Now… it’s starting to look worrying.

At least, that’s what Barry Trotz must be thinking right now.

We know that the Preds are off to an atrocious start to the season, and that continued last night.

The Predators were in Florida to take on the Panthers… And they allowed no less than six goals to their opponents :

The Panthers’ 6-2 victory gives them their sixth straight win. Not bad, eh?

But the main thing to remember is that the Predators simply can’t win.

Seems a bit crazy with all the recent major acquisitions…

4: The Jets are unstoppable

The Winnipeg Jets have been solid all season.

Like, really solid.

Connor Hellebuyck was perfect last night, stopping all 35 shots he faced as his club took on the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche’s big guns were unable to break through Hellebuyck’s wall, and the Jets prevailed by a score of 1-0.

Gabriel Vilardi was the lone scorer.

It was the Jets’ 13th win in 14 games since the start of the campaign.

Who will be able to stop them?

5: A record for Crosby

Sidney Crosby made National League history last night.

In his club’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins captain won his 14,838th career NHL face-off.

And that’s a record:

Crosby has overtaken Patrice Bergeron to take the top spot all by himself.

His place in the Hall of Fame is already assured…

Jack Roslovic scored his 8th and 9th goals of the season.

He’s off to a good start, as are the Hurricanes: the Carolina outfit have now won their last eight games.

Extension

– He’s too good.

– A battle of Québécois!

– That’s why he’s one of the best in the league.

– Oh.

– He’s on fire.

– Wow.

– Classic.

– You can’t do that, Connor.

– Top scorers of the evening :

(Credit: NHL.com screenshot)

– Quiet schedule tonight :

(Credit: Google screenshot)

This content was created with the help of AI.

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Gallagher couldn’t have had a better start to the season

MONTREAL, CANADA- NOVEMBER 5: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on November 5, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ahhhh, good old Brendan Gallagher.

We loved him so much when he was in his prime… Because he worked his butt off night after night for the Canadiens logo.

His form waned during the 20-21, 21-22 and 22-23 seasons, so much so that it was said that he had become a burden on the club’s rink.

But now…

Now it’s time to start giving him some love again, because realistically, the veteran couldn’t have had a better start to the season.

Last night, the forward scored his 5th goal of the campaign (in only his 13th game) and could have had one more had Josh Anderson not entered the zone so quickly on the Habs’ disallowed goal midway through the third period.

It was a beautiful goal too, his 5th of the season:

Five goals in 13 games is a pace of 31 goals over a full 82-game season.

Imagine if he could keep up!

But beyond goals and offensive production, Gallagher is off to a good start because he’s staying true to his style of play.

Let’s cut to the chase: it’s true that he’s not as fast as he was eight or ten years ago, and it’s true that he doesn’t skate with the same intensity throughout his entire career.

But Gally does what he has to do. He goes into traffic, he still disturbs opposing goaltenders… All this while being super disciplined on the ice.

Eille! We don’t talk about it, but Gallagher has only two penalty minutes in 13 games this season.

That means he’s not hurting his club the way he often has during his career, and it shows he’s doing things the right way on the ice.

We know he has a big salary and maybe earns too much money for what he brings to the rink.

But if Gally continues to set an example like this by showing up for every game, if he’s able to produce when needed, if he continues to be a role model for others who should follow his lead, and if he’s able to not hurt the Habs by staying disciplined on the ice, I’ll take him any day in my lineup.

It’s hard to ask for more, after all.

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Nashville’s solution: get Barry Trotz behind the bench?

Yesterday, Barry Trotz was the talk of the town. Why? Because his comments on the possibility of rebuilding the Predators, a few months after they broke everything on the autonomy market, were ridiculous.

Would the Preds owner let that happen? No.

We agree that the Preds’ ugly record (nine points in 13 games, tied for last in the NHL) is horrible and that something has to be done. But the solution isn’t a rebuild.

This morning on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie addressed the subject. And his suggestion is simple: get Trotz back behind the bench.

What Lavoie is saying is that Andrew Brunette isn’t necessarily the right man for the job, and that the best coach in the organization is currently in the GM’s chair.

He believes that the Preds’ owner could ask Trotz to resume his place behind the bench to bring the club higher up the standings for the future. His assistant could take more space on the second floor and go to GM meetings, for example.

This would bring Trotz into an environment he knows well, as he is the third-winningest coach in NHL history.

(Credit: NHL)

The former Capitals and Islanders man was, of course, the Preds’ first coach, and as Renaud Lavoie points out, he’s never had a better club under his belt.

Wouldn’t he rather manage it than let someone else do it, seeing how bad it is?

I imagine that the way the season has started, everything will be on the table for the Preds. And whether Trotz goes down or not, a change of coach could be a realistic solution to save the club.

It remains to be seen how long it will take before management reacts. To be continued…

Overtime

– How good will the Canadiens be?

– Alexander Moginly at the Hall of Fame? [RG]

– I love it.

This content was created with the help of AI.

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Habs problems: Several former coaches weigh in

Everyone has an opinion on the Canadiens’ start to the season, because it’s been pretty tough.

For example? In the eyes of Stéphane Waite, who has been the club’s goaltending coach for years, Martin St-Louis is searching for his identity, and he should have an experienced coach at his side.

He said this on 98.5 FM yesterday.

But he’s not the only NHL alumnus with an opinion on the subject. We can also talk about Michel Bergeron, who knows what it’s like to manage in the NHL in Quebec. He also knows what it’s like to run a bad club.

And as he told TVA Sports, in his eyes, the Habs are improvising.

One night’s speech is different from another night’s speech. One day’s practice is different [from the next].

There’s no continuity, and that’s why I have the impression that the Canadiens is an improvisation festival. – Michel Bergeron

We could also talk about Michel Therrien, who was in the NHL just a few years ago. He said that the Habs are too focused on certain individuals.

He believes that if this continues, management will have to decide what to do.

The question here is: would Martin St-Louis, who doesn’t listen to criticism from people he wouldn’t ask for advice, ask one of these former NHL coaches for advice?

As time goes by and expectations are raised, it’s clear that there’s a lot of grumbling in town. Whether it’s in the media or among fans, results are needed to see the Habs move forward.

The ball is in Martin St-Louis’ court.

Overtime

– Really?

– Like the result?

– Speaking of women’s hockey.

– He’ll be one to watch on Saturday.

– Well, well…

This content was created with the help of AI.

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Ivan Demidov (finally) on the powerplay

Ivan Demidov and SKA were in action against HC Sochi.

For those who made the connection, we’re actually talking about Matvei Michkov’s former club. This is where the Flyers’ prospect – who will be left out tonight by John Tortorella – played his last season in the KHL, after being loaned out by SKA.

But we’re not interested in Michkov here. How was the game for the Habs’ prospects, you might ask?

The forward, who’s been having a good time lately, was more relaxed in his game today.

He finished the game with just one shot on goal, but was still used for almost 16 minutes (15:53) by his head coach.

Roman Rotenberg begins to understand that he can count on him if he needs a goal. At the end of the second period, Demidov was punished for holding… And when I saw this, I thought his game was over because Rotenberg often benches him after seeing him do something stupid on the ice.

But no: the SKA head coach needed to create a spark in the third when his club was behind, and he wasn’t afraid to use Demidov.

Ah, and the Habs prospect even got a chance to play on the powerplay:

I wonder if Roman Rotenberg has a fever….

On a more serious note, seeing Demidov get the playing time he deserves is good news.

Let’s not forget that he only spent 8 minutes and 27 seconds on the ice in his last game… But now, Demidov has played more than 14 minutes in five of his last six games.

So much the better!

At least, that should please Kent Hughes and the Habs, who are supposed to visit him in Russia soon.

By the way… I get the impression that Roman Rotenberg knows that the Habs’ visit is coming up, and that maybe that’s why Demidov has been used so much lately, even though he logically deserves it.

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Jack Hughes voted to become President of the United States

Now that’s funny.

The US election was earlier this week and we know that Donald Trump won.

But among all those who voted to elect the new President of the United States, there was one who made his comedian… By voting for Jack Hughes, the New Jersey Devils player.

I’d like to say it’s a joke, but it’s not.

His teammate Paul Cotter also received a vote, as did Jalen Hurts, NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Oh yes, someone also voted for Bugs Bunny:

I have a feeling this joke came straight from the Devils’ bedroom.

I’m sure the guys thought it would be funny to see Cotter and Hughes each get one vote to become the new U.S. president… And I have to admit, it works.

It’s a good prank. If Marc-André Fleury played in New Jersey, the mystery would be easier to solve, hehe.

That said, I hope at least one journalist will broach the subject with Jack Hughes and Paul Cotter, because I’d be curious to see their reaction to all this.

Overtime

– El’ Capitaine.

– Oh…

– Can’t wait to see this.

This content was created with the help of AI.

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It’s official: The NCAA opens its doors to CHL players

Discussions had been going on for some time about allowing players who had played in the CHL to join the NCAA.

We knew the project was moving forward, but we didn’t know when it would be confirmed.

The news came today: the NCAA has officially approved the rule, which now allows any player who has ever played a game in the Canadian Hockey League to play in the American college circuit.

All in all, this is big news for junior hockey in North America.

Players who have signed an NHL contract won’t be able to go back to university to play… But what’s interesting is that NCAA players will now be able to attend NHL camps.

And that’s big news too.

This is an important development as it will allow NHL teams to properly evaluate their prospects.

All guys are going to be eligible to attend the camp, after all, so it’ll be easier to see where NCAA players are at in their respective development because they’ll have the opportunity to measure themselves against big league players.

Note that the effective date of the new rule is August 1, 2025. This means, therefore, that if the Habs select a player at the next draft and he is expected to play in the NCAA in 25-26, the principal interested party will be entitled to participate in the Habs’ practice camp next September.

If the rule had been approved last summer, a guy like Michael Hage could have been there at the habs’ last camp:

I really don’t hate it.

Now, it remains to be seen how all this will impact the caliber of each of Canada’s junior hockey leagues.

That said, I can’t wait to see how many kids decide to leave Canadian junior to join the NCAA, because we know how popular the university circuit has become in recent years…

Overtime

– What do you think?

– Great idea.

– Pooler alert: Marc-André Fleury will play tonight.

– Well done.

This content was created with the help of AI.