Author: Dose

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CH: Hope Mikus Vecvanags finally takes the path to the QMJHL

Last summer, during the draft, the Canadiens selected a goaltender named Mikus Vecvanags in the fifth round. Obviously, it wasn’t the choice that made the biggest impression… but his situation was nonetheless quite special.

In fact, after the draft, Martin Lapointe stated that the young player would come to play for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada this season. That being said, during the international draft in the QMJHL, it was the Acadie-Bathurst Titan that ultimately chose him…

And in the end, he decided to go with the BCHL. Therefore, he never reported to the Titan or the Armada.

However, in the BCHL, he was relegated to a backup role… but now things are going to change for him.

Indeed, the Titan announced today that Vecvanags has signed with the team. He will finally join the QMJHL ranks to finish the season.

Clearly, this decision is particular, but it can probably be explained in two ways. The player may have decided that he wanted more playing time… or he might have his sights set on the NCAA.

Let’s remember that now, a young player can play in the CHL and maintain his eligibility to play in the NCAA afterwards. By doing so, it allows the Canadiens’ prospect to gain experience (and play more games) in Canadian junior hockey before a possible transition to the NCAA.

I’m speculating here, but the timing makes me believe that it’s a real possibility.

Vecvanags has played only five games in the BCHL this season, maintaining a record of 4-1-0, a goals against average of 3.18, and a save percentage of 0.881.

Let’s see what he can do in the QMJHL now.

In brief

– Jakub Dobes’ mask is beautiful.

– Some updates on NHL injuries.

– Tough break for the Eagles.

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Rocket: Luke Tuch is not among the 12 regulars today.

When thinking about the Canadiens’ prospects, Luke Tuch is a name that often goes under the radar. The second-round pick in 2020 is, however, a big guy who, in an ideal world, could become a solid supporting player in Montreal.

At nearly 23 years old, it’s about time for him to make his mark… but on the other hand, this is only his first full season as a professional.

That said, in Laval, it’s becoming clear that there are a lot of very good forwards in town. With the team generally healthy, there’s a lot of competition for spots.

And naturally, this means that some get the short end of the stick… and this morning, at practice, Tuch was among those who trained as extras.

So we can assume he won’t play tonight.

And in fact, when looking at the roster, it’s hard to see where the team could cut to make room for Tuch. The four lines of the team are all very solid, and all those guys deserve to play.

In fact, the only one who could possibly be sidelined for Tuch is Florian Xhekaj… but for a little while now, it seems that Xhekaj has been surpassing Tuch in the hierarchy.

We might wonder if Pascal Vincent will want to establish a rotation to give playing time to all his guys, but right now, Tuch is somewhat a victim of the fact that the Rocket is fully healthy and is relying on a ton of very solid forwards.

Because it’s not like Tuch is having a bad season: he has four goals and eight points in 21 games, which is far from bad for a rookie supporting player.

So we’ll see how this all evolves over the next games, but for now, Tuch is the 13th forward for the Rocket.

And with Patrik Laine seemingly okay, we can think that it won’t be tomorrow that a call-up from Laval (which would open a spot for Tuch) will happen.

In Brief

– $5.25 million per year for five years: Mackenzie Blackwood gets a nice contract in Colorado.

– Steve Yzerman is not happy.

– There’s action in MLB.

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Rocket: Cayden Primeau had better statistics than Jakub Dobes in the AHL.

It’s done: the Canadiens have finally called up Jakub Dobes. The situation in net in Montreal couldn’t last, and it was going to take a second goalie to give Samuel Montembeault some rest.

Because yes, in fact, the team had a second goalie… but clearly, there is no longer trust in Cayden Primeau. The last game for the goalie was on December 1, while Monty has taken the last 10 starts for the Canadiens.

That’s a lot of games, all of that.

So, Dobes is given a chance to prove himself in the NHL. The young player, who is having success in Laval, thus earns a nice promotion.

However, a very interesting chart from BPM Sports allows for a comparison of Dobes and Primeau’s stats in the Rocket uniform… and what we notice is that they are similar… but still favor Primeau.

Of course, it’s understood that it’s not that simple: there is a question of trust that is extremely important (as told by Cayden Primeau), and it’s difficult to compare the two guys considering that they don’t have exactly the same team in front of them.

However, it still demonstrates something: let’s be cautious before seeing Dobes as being in Montreal to stay. I understand that we wanted to reward the kid for his great season (and it’s deserved), but I can’t help but think it’s still a bit premature.

We needed an immediate solution, I agree. I personally would have opted for Connor Hughes, but I can understand why the team chose Dobes… and like Marc Antoine Godin, I feel that this solution is not permanent.

Tomorrow, the trade freeze in the NHL will be lifted. In the immediate term, the Canadiens needed a goalie, so Dobes was the lucky chosen one… but I wonder if Kent Hughes isn’t trying to find an Andrew Hammond version 2024.

The team has done it before, after all, and in an ideal world, we probably want Dobes to continue dominating and playing many games with the AHL team.

So this will be something to watch, but let’s see if, unlike Primeau, Dobes can translate his big numbers in the AHL (and in the NCAA) to the NHL. It didn’t work for Primeau… but it’s understood that reasoning logically about goalie development is an almost impossible task.

Quick Hits

– The new head coach of the Red Wings was bored at home.

– CMJ: Jack Ivankovic will be the goalie for Canada tonight.

– Henri Richard’s son wants to tackle headshots in hockey. [La Presse]

– Great read on Marco Rossi.

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Ivan Demidov: fourth match in a row with a goal

This morning (or this afternoon, in Russia), Ivan Demidov played on the first line for his team. And let’s say it went well.

The Canadiens’ prospect, who played on the power play (yes, yes), showed that with a little confidence, he was capable of achieving great things for his team.

This pass early in the game is a good example. The guy is strong.

Then, near the end of the game, Demidov decided to help his team, which was trailing 4-2 against Sochi after 40 minutes of play. With about seven minutes left in the game, Demidov found the back of the net.

This gave him a second point in the game.

His teammates managed to score two more times, and SKA won 5-4. He played an important role in his team’s win, which is good for his confidence.

Four games in a row with a goal is worth noting.

In total, he had no less than 18:56 of ice time and two appearances (1:55) on the power play. He responded by being one of his team’s best players during the game.

In my opinion, there is a lesson to be learned from all this. If Roman Rotenberg can’t do it alone, he should call his friend Kent Hughes, who will gladly set him on the right path.

In Brief

– Mackenzie Blackwood staying in Denver?

– Worth noting.

– Interesting.

– The Red Wings are dissatisfied.

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TV rights in Canada and expansion: a (very) different picture in 2025 in the NHL

This morning, on BPM Sports’ morning show, Renaud Lavoie came in to deliver several very interesting pieces of information regarding the future of the sport.

I invite you to listen to his segment for a good overview of the situation.

Basically, there are three key points to note about all of this. These are factors that will ensure the NHL has one of its biggest years in history, if everything goes as planned.

1. In the coming weeks, the NHL and the Players’ Association will negotiate to renew the next collective agreement, which is set to expire in 2026, in the coming months.

The goal? To have everything in place to think big for the future.

2. Negotiate national broadcasting rights in Canada. Once again, the contract will expire in 2026, meaning negotiations must begin soon to avoid last-minute resolutions.

Renaud Lavoie expects this to be announced in the fall of 2025, in view of the 2026-2027 season.

3. Once a collective agreement is in place, the NHL could indeed look to move forward with an expansion process. This way, we would know what to expect in setting a price for franchises… and that’s why the expansion project has been on hold for two years.

Increasing this to 34 teams would be the plan. And by the same time next year, the process should be open. And even though Quebec is popular in the eyes of the players, it seems that Atlanta may be the city joining Houston, which is quite assured of having its own team.

So you would have understood that the first step would be the collective agreement. Thus, the major files of expansion and broadcasting rights could more easily get started.

That’s good.

We’re talking about a snowball effect on other major issues. That’s the reason Renaud Lavoie believes the agreement could be settled before the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

No work stoppage on the horizon, then? Sweet.

But what also interests people a lot is how broadcasting rights will affect viewing habits. Essentially, the question is: how many platforms will one need to subscribe to watch 82 Canadiens games and the playoffs?

And there is a phrase that stands out in Lavoie’s segment.

What’s circulating a lot is that there will no longer be exclusives for a single network, namely Sportsnet in Canada and TVA Sports in Quebec.

We expect TSN to pick up some, RDS to pick up some, TVA Sports the same, and Sportsnet as well. But what about streaming? – Renaud Lavoie on national rights in Canada

Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV: these are all players who will be competing for their share of the pie. And even though Lavoie mentioned Apple TV just in passing, it feels like it’s not a great possibility.

No surprises here, as my colleague Maxime Truman recently mentioned.

We must wonder how all that would affect broadcasts in French (the Monday games on Prime AND on RDS show us that Quebec is a different beast), but the possibility of no longer having exclusives for a single network says a lot to me.

In a year, the picture of the NHL could thus be different. But will the hockey fan and the Canadiens fan benefit from this change?

In Brief

– Interesting.

– The name Sergei Fedotov circulated to coach the Red Wings before the coaching change. [HF]

– Speaking of the Red Wings: a change had become necessary.

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Bold predictions from SN: a missing player at the 4 Nations to lead Team Canada in goals

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Evan Bouchard #2, Connor McDavid #97, Zach Hyman #18, Mattias Ekholm #14, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers stand for the playing of the national anthem before Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Last December, the top brass of Team Canada unveiled their lineup for the Four Nations tournament in February.

There are several notable absentees, of course.

At least, Samuel Montembeault will be there unless he gets injured.

Another player who has been overlooked is Zach Hyman.

In his case, it’s not really a surprise since he is not having a season up to expectations. The Oilers winger has only 19 points in 29 games, and after scoring 54 goals last year, he only has 13 this season.

Recently, he has been improving, but he started finding the back of the net only after the Canadian lineup was unveiled.

Despite his lack of offensive contribution, it’s not like he suddenly forgot how to score. And that’s why Sportsnet, which has made bold predictions for the upcoming year, believes that Hyman will be the top scorer of the Four Nations tournament, even though he is not in Team Canada’s current lineup.

With an injury, Canada could call up another player, and the English-speaking network thinks it will be Hyman. And they believe that he will leave his mark, perhaps alongside McDavid. Unfortunately, according to Ryan Dixon, the nation will fall in the finals against Sweden, despite Hyman’s potential exploits.

Considering how Hyman has been playing lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the first call-up in the event of an injury. Nick Suzuki is probably also #intheMix.

But obviously, we don’t wish injury on anyone.

I genuinely invite you to read Dixon’s piece from Sportsnet. In his surprise predictions, he also writes that Brad Marchand will sign with the Golden Knights at the end of the season, that Trevor Zegras will be traded to the Islanders, that the Ducks will draft Porter Martone with the first pick in the upcoming draft, and much more.

In Brief

– Yes.

– Is Steve Yzerman the next to leave?

– The Senators want to make the playoffs.

– They are not in yet.

– It doesn’t make us younger.

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5 points in a match at the CMJ: Cole Hutson shatters Lane’s standards

In 34 games this season, Lane Hutson has only two goals, but 24 assists.

Many would like him to score more, but his brother Cole may be less than his older brother. Indeed, in 16 games at Boston University this season, Cole Hutson has collected 14 points, including 10 assists.

And today, in his first game at the World Junior Championship with the United States, the Washington Capitals prospect recorded five (!) assists. He already has half of Lane’s points in 14 games at the WJC.

The younger brother has more points in his first WJC game than his older brother did in his first WJC.

It’s quite crazy, nonetheless. Both brothers have a fairly similar playing style, according to many. It is worth noting that the Canadiens had two opportunities to select before the 43rd pick, which is the one the Capitals ultimately used to draft Cole. But I don’t think selecting the other brother with their 21st pick would have been the optimal choice. Even less so with the fifth.

Like the Canadiens’ prospect, Cole is a second-round pick, and many even think he is better than his brother. Simon Boisvert has been saying for a long time now: the youngest of the Hutsons was in his top-14 of the best prospects in the most recent draft.

This afternoon, in a 10-4 rout of the Americans (defending champions) against Germany, he was outstanding. But he was overshadowed by his teammate for the title of Player of the Game. Gabe Perreault (two goals and two assists) earned the honor.

Another one who performed well is James Hagens.

In a more recent article, I mentioned that this was a big tournament for him if he wants to solidify his spot in the upcoming draft. He finished his first game at the WJC with four points, no less.

In brief

– He already has the Quebec accent.

– Not an easy trip for the Tricolore.

– Oh really.

– He is living the dream.

– Too bad for the people who had him in their fantasy finals.

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Dans les coulisses

5 points in a game at the CMJ: Cole Hutson shatters Lane’s standards

In 34 games this season, Lane Hutson has only two goals but 24 assists.

Many would like him to score more, but his brother Cole might be counting fewer than his older brother. Indeed, in 16 games at Boston University this season, Cole Hutson has amassed 14 points, including 10 assists.

And today, in his baptism of fire at the Junior World Championship with the United States, the Washington Capitals prospect collected five (!) assists. He already has half of Lane’s points in 14 games at the WJC.

The younger brother has more points in his first WJC game than his older brother did in his first WJC.

It’s quite crazy, after all. The two brothers also have a fairly similar playing style, according to many. It is important to note that the Canadiens had two opportunities to select before the 43rd pick, which the Capitals eventually used to draft Cole. But I don’t think selecting the other brother with their 21st pick would have been the optimal choice. Even less so with the fifth.

Like the Canadiens prospect, Cole is a second-round pick and many even think he is better than his brother. Simon Boisvert has been saying for a long time now: the youngest of the Hutsons was in his top 14 prospects in the most recent draft.

This afternoon, in a 10-4 rout of the Americans (defending champions) against Germany, he was on fire. But he was robbed by his teammate for the title of player of the match. It was Gabe Perreault (two goals and two assists) who earned the honor.

Another who performed well is James Hagens.

In a more recent piece, I specifically talked about the fact that it was a big tournament for him if he wants to solidify his spot in the upcoming draft. He finished his first WJC match with four points, no less.

In Brief

– He already has a Quebec accent.

– Not an easy trip for the Tricolore.

– Oh really.

– He’s living the dream.

– Too bad for the people who had him in their fantasy finals.

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Dans les coulisses

Connor Bedard is the worst player in the NHL for face-offs.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The infamous sophomore slump seems to be affecting Connor Bedard, who has had a rather ordinary campaign so far.

In 35 games, the forward has 9 goals and 30 points. That’s not bad, but it’s approximately the same production rate as his rookie season when he scored 61 points, including 22 goals, in 68 games.

However, for a first overall pick expected to be a generational player, we expect more than not bad.

Where the issue really lies is in the faceoffs.

Bedard currently ranks last in the NHL among players who have taken at least 100 faceoffs with a win rate of 31.4%. Ouch!

That means he’s losing more than two faceoffs out of three. It’s not easy to score points when you spend the first thirty seconds on the ice chasing the puck.

This is clearly an aspect of his game that the center will need to work on if he ever wants to be one of the elite impact players in the league.

And Bedard doesn’t need to become a faceoff specialist, but he must achieve a better efficiency than 31.4% if he wants to improve his offensive chances on the ice by ensuring his team controls the puck.

Additionally, while Bedard’s somewhat disappointing offensive output can partly be explained by the lack of quality wingers with the Blackhawks, his faceoff issues are truly harder to understand.

Let’s hope for Chicago that the organization will know how to help its young player improve this aspect of his game.

However, even if the former first overall pick does not show exceptional numbers in his first two seasons, it is undeniable that he possesses the talent and potential to become an elite player in the league, and that patience is necessary in his case.

And we must not forget that the Blackhawks are a young team in rebuilding, and Bedard will be able to count on the arrival of many talented players to better support him, which should also help the young center in the years to come.

In Brief

– Tune in!

– Canada wins!

– Signature for Victory.

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Lane Hutson: only seven NHL defensemen have more points than him this season.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

When looking at what Lane Hutson has done since his debut in the NHL, it’s clear that it would have been hard to ask for better. The defenseman, who accumulated two points in two games at the end of last season, quickly proved this year that he wouldn’t need to pass through Laval.

And since the beginning of the year, he continues to demonstrate that his offensive talent is special. In 34 games this season, the defenseman already has 26 points to his name.

It took him some time to score his first goal, but he currently has two to his record.

Of course, this places him in an excellent position among rookies (especially with Matvei Michkov struggling lately), but when looking among all the defensemen in the league, it stands out that the CH defenseman looks very good.

In fact, right now, only seven defensemen in the entire Bettman circuit have accumulated more points than him since the start of the year. That’s it.

(Credit: Screenshot/NHL.com)

And among these seven defensemen, it’s notable that Adam Fox, recognized as being a role model for offensive defensemen in the NHL, is not included. Fox also has, like Hutson, 26 points to his name since the beginning of the campaign.

I am not saying that the CH rookie is already a better defenseman than Adam Fox, but the fact that Hutson is neck-and-neck with Fox for points this season is already a huge success, especially since he has more points than other big names across the league.

Hutson, who has seven points in his last six games, makes a few small mistakes in his zone, but offensively, he proves game after game that he is indeed a special talent.

And if the CH can finally count on a top offensive defenseman within its ranks, it will already be a significant boost for the future of the club.

In Brief

– A hat trick for Axel Sandin Pellikka during the first game of the WJC. Sweden won by a score of 5-2.

– Ivan Demidov among the elite under 20 in the KHL.

– Attention interested parties.