Author: Dose

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There’s a reason the Canadiens didn’t draft Matvei Michkov

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Montreal Canadiens, like many teams, chose to ignore Matvei Michkov in the 2023 draft.

It’s understandable why the Blackhawks (Connor Bedard) said no to Michkov… but the Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Ducks and Sharks, like the Habs, looked elsewhere.

And right now, on the heels of Michkov’s fine start to his NHL career (he leads NHL rookies with 25 points), these teams are being questioned about their motives.

The Canadiens, for lacking forward talent and drafting David Reinbacher instead, are being criticized on the heels of the club’s start to the season.

It’s true that if Michkov had been chosen instead of Reinbacher, Martin St-Louis’ club would have more offensive reinforcements right now.

But the important thing to remember is this: if the Canadiens didn’t draft Michkov, there was a reason. Everyone knew about his talent, but many ignored it.

What was the reason? We can only speculate.

Of course, there’s all the locker-room stuff that goes into the discussion (and to see that John Tortorella benched his young player for off-ice reasons reinforces the idea), but one wonders if that’s the only thing.

Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, on X, recalled the story that Michkov dictated his destination.

Let me make this even clearer, Marco: the Capitals and Coyotes got the memo that the Russian didn’t want to report to their organization if he was ever drafted there.

How much of that was the Habs? I can’t say. But it’s safe to assume that this isn’t the corporate culture the Habs want to create.

It’s worth noting that the Russian said he was ready to play anywhere in an interview. But of course, we all agree that he’s not ready to say the opposite publicly, you know.

It wouldn’t look good.

Let’s not forget that the Canadiens haven’t been afraid to draft in Russia, including Ivan Demidov, in recent years. If Mishkov isn’t in Montreal, there’s a reason. And it doesn’t matter whether you think it’s valid or not.

Ivan Demidov is seen as a prospect who can make a big impact for the Habs as soon as he’s in a position to land in the National League. The Habs have clearly evaluated the possibility of getting two of their own, that’s for sure.

Overtime

– Alex Ovechkin will be nervous before he breaks the scoring record.

– No talks in New York for Brady Tkachuk.

– To be continued.

– Jordan Romano in Philadelphia.[MLB Passion]

– Read more.

Sometimes, when a young player is doing well, it’s better to leave him alone and let him continue doing well. Emil Heineman being one of those young players leads the latest edition of the Canadiens weekly notebook: www.nytimes.com/athletic/598…

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– Arpon Basu(@arponbasu.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 2:08 PM

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When two teams fight… in the doggies

People in Ontario obviously have no idea how to deal with doggies. That’s the conclusion I draw after two different events, and I apply it to millions of people because… I’m acting in good faith.

First, Michael Misa, who plays in the OHL, sent a doggie back into the stands during a doggie toss on the ice. He earned himself a suspension in the process. #Bravo

And now, in a game between Ottawa and Barrie in Ontario, the guys from both teams got into a fight during a doggie toss.

Of course, it’s not uncommon to see clashes after a goal. In the heat of the action between two teams, these things can happen once in a while.

But here? Funny.

When you see the guys fighting while the lights are on and hundreds of doggies are being thrown around the rink, it adds an element that’s… er… fairytale-like?

Maybe that’s not the right word, but whatever.

I think seeing the Grinch on the ice makes it even sicker. He wasn’t ready for that… and I wonder how much he wanted to jump into the fray.

It would have made the whole thing even more implausible.

Overtime

– Igor wants to bring the Cup back to New York.

– It’s going to be a bumpy ride tonight. [BPM Sports]

– Jacques Lemaire (Ring of Honor): his career will be celebrated by the Devils.

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Jayden Struble will leave his place to Justin Barron tonight

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Change for tonight’s game against the Ducks.

Jayden Struble will not be in the lineup. Instead, he’ll make way for Justin Barron, who didn’t play on Saturday night. This will be the only change to Martin St-Louis’ line-up.

It also means that Samuel Montembeault will be in net. #NoSurprise

For the past few weeks, Barron and Struble have been the odd men out. Struble hasn’t missed many games, but if Mike Matheson hadn’t missed two games recently, Struble would have been the one.

Arber Xhekaj is not part of the rotation.

Justin Barron played last Thursday, but that was only because Kaiden Guhle was ill. He resumed his place in the press gallery for Saturday’s match.

It’s now up to him to convince his coach not to return to the bench too soon.

What this means is that offensively, there are no changes. Michael Pezzetta still has to eat his heart out, which must be just dreadful for him. He’s played three games this year.

Keeping him doesn’t allow the Habs to put pressure on the 12 guys playing, by the way.

Being the Canadiens, I’d put Michael Pezzetta on the waivers out of respect for the guy, but also to bring in a different 13th forward. It would put pressure on the boys.

But it’s not up to me.

Overtime

– He’s getting more complete.

– When’s his first goal?

– To be continued.

– Please note.

– Clearly, the guy wanted out of the Bronx.

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French Sens, Trouba and Gudas at the Bell Centre and Avalanche GM vs. Kent Hughes

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 07: Ottawa Senators Mascot Spartacat waves to the crowd after National Hockey League action between the Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators on December 7, 2024, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“The pool of Senators fans who live in Gatineau is important to us. We have to take care of it.”

Next thing you know: the organization buys advertising on Facebook (restricted to the Québécois territory)…and inserts four or five French mistakes (syntax or spelling).

Soygez… des premiers répondants soirée… décembre 11… prenez vos billets…

We can even add to this list the expression sapeur-pompiers, used in France but not in Quebec. Artificial intelligence doesn’t distinguish between French from France and French from Québécois!

How to make a false effort for French à la sauce Sénateurs…

Unfortunately, French too often eats a cr*ss in Ottawa, in the words of a friend who worked there for a few years.

Some Internet users have pointed the finger at Sylvain St-Laurent, former journalist turned Senators Communications Director (whose mandate clearly includes bringing the Sens organization closer to its French-speaking fans in Quebec). However, Facebook ads don’t go through Sylvain. At the Canadiens, do you really think Chantal is in charge of Facebook ads(which don’t please my colleague Jean Trudel, by the way)? Nah! It comes from the marketing and/or Web department…

But then, as a former Groupe Habs manager told me: another Montreal manager once proposed at a meeting to abolish the French-language version of the team’s website. Unfortunately, French is far from being respected as it should be by many of the country’s English speakers…

Especially when an organization (like the Senators) isn’t rolling in dough, has revenues in CAD but spends a lot in USD and a large majority of its fans speak English. Except that, when you’re advertising in French, you either do it right or you don’t. That’s it. That’s it.

Ducks vs Canadiens
The Ducks will be at the Bell Centre tonight to take on the Canadiens. They’ve just suffered two thaws in front of their fans (4-1 against the Golden Knights and 5-1 against the Wild) and will now begin a four-game series in the East.

The Ducks (10-12-3) have the same number of points as the Habs, but with two games in hand. Even so, the Canadiens are favourites for one of the few times since the start of the season – even at home, the Montrealers often have the higher odds – and you’d think tonight’s game would be an “easy” one for the Habs.

But watch out! The Ducks players – who are 5-3-2 on the road this season – went wine-drinking at the Palma last night.

For some reason, all but one of the teams that visited the Palma the night before a game won their duel with the Canadiens in 2024-25. Will this crazy statistic continue tonight?

Jacob Trouba is expected to play his first game with his new team.

Will Josh Anderson (revenge) or Arber Xhekaj throw down the gloves with him?

Will Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba form a defensive duo worthy of the ’90s?

We’ll see, as the Senators’ French manager would say!

Don’t trade with the Avalanche again, Kent!
Marc Bergevin had his faults: he offered overly lucrative contracts to certain players with whom he fell in with the staff… he let valued and useful players go(Allo Phil Danault!)… he was unpleasant at the end of his reign in Montreal…

But he won eight or nine deals that he completed out of ten. He was a real pain in the ass.

Max Pacioretty vs Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar and a second-round pick…

Phillip Danault and a pick that became Alexander Romanov vs. Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise…

Shea Weber vs P.K. Subban…

Jeff Petry vs. two picks (not first round)…

Thomas Vanek vs. pretty much nothing…

From memory, only the Drouin vs Sergachev trade left a negative mark.

Kent Hughes has the upper hand in 50% of his trades. #InTheAverage

Except that when he trades with the Avalanche, he just doesn’t have it, Kent.

Sending Artturi Lehkonen in return for Justin Barron and a second-round pick (Carter George) already ranks in the bad-trade column. Justin Barron’s nonchalance will probably prevent Barron from becoming a quality NHL defenseman.

And giving away a first-round pick (Mikhail Gulyayev), a second-round pick (Ethan Gauthier) and Gianni Fairbrother for Alex Newhook (still looking for his first assist of the season, after 27 games, even though he’s playing on the team’s top line) is a movethat’s getting old…

When Chris MacFarland calls you, Kent, to find out the price of Jake Evans, don’t answer. Or hang up right away. You know the old adage: two’s company, three’s a crowd…

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You get the feeling that Andrei Markov would like to work for the Canadiens

In recent days, the General has been seen at the Bell Centre for the first time in a long time.

Andrei Markov, who attended Saturday’s game, was introduced on the giant Bell Centre screen. He was, of course, warmly applauded by his former fans, who have not forgotten him.

It was a beautiful moment.

Since he left, Markov hasn’t really been honored by the club in the way he deserves – on Saturday, he was there with a friend, not because of an invitation from the Habs.

But to me, it’s clear: he doesn’t want a tribute, he wants a job.

Reading an interview he gave to Responsible Gambler (to Sergey Demidov) in the last few days, it’s clear that #79 never really gave up on the idea of working for the Habs.

When asked about it, he made no secret of his enthusiasm. And to me, seeing a guy like Markov talk like that says a lot.

I’m always open to suggestions. – Andrei Markov

I don’t know what kind of position Markov could fill, but from what we understand, the former defenseman would like to work for the Habs one day. Remember that he was an assistant in the KHL in recent years.

Could the Habs find him a position? Something he could do from Russia? There seems to be no hurry if the right opportunity doesn’t present itself.

Oh, and by the way: the Ring of Honor is for guys like him. Give me a break with the retired number… no matter how good he’s been to the Canadiens over the years. After all, the Habs aren’t the Senators. #ChrisNeil

But that’s just my opinion.

Overtime

– Matvei Michkov is good.

– The Habs’ forwards aren’t challenged.

– The Mets owner did it.

– Good listening.

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Juan Soto: more money ($765 million) than the seven biggest contracts in NHL history

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

If you have a young child, put a baseball bat in his or her hands.

After seeing Shohei Ohtani sign for $700m over 10 years a year ago, Juan Soto has already crushed that total a year later. With a 15-year, $765 million contract, the outfielder leaves the Yankees for the New York Mets.

And that’s despite the fact that he doesn’t pitch, that he’s really rotten defensively and that he won’t earn the Mets as much in advertising as Shohei Ohtani did with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But because Juan Soto is only 26 and is the league’s most “natural” hitter, he managed to get such a contract. He also has an exit option that could bring him more cash… and no deferred money is on the menu.

In short, the $440 million he turned down two years ago in Washington is long behind him now.

Obviously, this is a completely insane amount of money for the average person. But even for the millionaires of the NHL hockey world, it’s an amount hard to imagine.

And let’s put it into perspective.

In the history of the NHL, only seven players have ever received a contract worth at least $100 million. And if we add up the total amount of those seven contracts, we don’t even come close to Soto’s $765 million.

Here’s how it looks.

  • Alex Ovechkin: $124 million
  • Leon Draisaitl: $112 million
  • Shea Weber: $110 million
  • Sidney Crosby: $104.4 M
  • Nathan MacKinnon: $100.8 M
  • Connor McDavid: $100 M
  • Ilya Kovalchuk: $100M (after his $102M contract was rejected)
  • Total: $751.2 million

It’s worth noting that if Soto had signed the same contract at this time last year, he would have received an amount higher than the value of several NHL franchises. The Coyotes were worth $500 million and the Sabres $750 million.

The Blue Jackets were exactly $765 million, and clubs like Florida ($775 million) and Winnipeg ($780 million) were worth less than the $805 million Soto could earn if he exercises his opt-out in five years’ time.

Basically, if he opts out of his contract, Steve Cohen can prevent him from leaving by giving him another $40 million.

However, since it’s 2024, it’s worth noting that all NHL clubs are now worth at least $1 billion. The Blue Jackets (ranked 32nd) are currently worth, according to Sportico, $1.06 billion.

We know that in a few years, MLB will have to renegotiate its labor contract and that the owners will push for a salary cap. But believe me: the top players want nothing to do with that.

Juan Soto is proof of that.

Overtime

– Clearly.

– Logical.

– Three points in one game this season: impossible to do for a Preds player.

– Montreal tradition.

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Top-5: Matvei Michkov signs an autograph after being ejected from the match

There were seven games on Sunday in the NHL.

What happened?

Let’s find out together:

1: Matvei Michkov signs an autograph after being ejected from the game

Has anyone ever told you that Matvei Michkov is a good hockey player?

We saw it again last night, when André Tourigny’s team visited Philadelphia.

Michkov picked up an assist during the game and became the first rookie to total at least 25 points this season:

Michkov’s efforts weren’t enough, as the Flyers lost the game 4-2.

But here’s what caught the eye at the end of the game: after a little scrum with about twenty seconds left on the clock, Michkov was taken out of the game… And he decided to sign an autograph on his way to the locker room.

It made for a funny moment:

2: Kent Johnson is on fire

You can see why Kent Johnson was selected with the 5th pick in the 2021 draft.

The Blue Jackets player is blossoming and quickly becoming an important part of the Columbus line-up.

He demonstrated his talent by scoring two goals in 2 minutes and 27 seconds against the Jets:

Johnson’s two goals gave the Jackets a 4-1 victory.

It’s a big win because we know that the Jets have been excellent since the start of the campaign.

But things are going well in Columbus: the Blue Jackets have a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games.

That’s not bad.

3: A shutout for the Avalanche’s new goalie

Scott Wedgewood was making his second start since the trade that sent him to Colorado.

And he took the opportunity to show his new teammates that he has what it takes to help the team.

He stopped all 25 shots he faced against the Devils’ big attack to record the shutout (4-0):

It’s got to feel good because in Colorado, even though the team is super talented on paper, there’s a big problem in front of the net.

It remains to be seen whether Wedgewood will be able to keep the momentum going… And if he does, the Avalanche will be a club to watch for a long time to come.

4: Kraken comeback

The Rangers and the Kraken had quite a duel at Madison Square Garden.

The Kraken trailed 3-1 at one point, but the Seattle outfit scored five unanswered goals to silence the New York crowd.

Three of those goals came in the second period, and the last one was scored by Oliver Bjorkstrand :

The Kraken’s fifth unanswered goal was scored by none other than Shane Wright.

Things have been going well for him lately, as he’s hit the target six times in his last eight games.

In the end, the Kraken won 7-5 against the Rangers. Another defeat for the Blue Shirts…

5: Brayden Point is too strong

For the past two games, Brayden Point has been dominant.

He took advantage of his club’s visit to Vancouver last night to finish with four points (two goals and two assists), and was the offensive catalyst in his team’s 4-2 win over the Canucks.

It’s the second game in a row that he’s scored four points. And that puts him in good company:

Brayden Point is really establishing himself as one of the best players in the league.

It’s crazy when you think about it, but Point is a 3rd-round draft pick (2014)…

Extension

– Well done.

– Oh, no.

– Oops.

– What a shot.

– 500 points for Palmieri.

– Top scorers of the night :

(Credit: QuantHockey screenshot)

– Three games tonight, including the Canadiens against the Ducks :

(Credit: Google screenshot)
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Ovechkin and Michkov out of the top-6: Russians to dominate at 4 Nations

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2022/05/05: Matvei Michkov (No.39) of Russia U20 seen in action during the Liga Stavok St. Petersburg Cup, hockey tournament match between Russia and Russia U20 at Jubilee Arena in Saint Petersburg (Final score; Russia 4:2 Russia U20) (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The line-up for the 4 Nations Showdown is now complete. The tournament, to be held in February, will see the best players from Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland go head-to-head to see who is the best hockey nation.

However, an important player is missing with the absence of Russia, which is currently being ostracized from world sport due to the war in Ukraine.

And for those wondering why countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia aren’t taking part in the competition, it’s because all players must play in the NHL to be eligible, and these nations don’t have enough to form a complete team.

On the other hand, it might be interesting to create a Team Europe with players from countries not taking part in the tournament.

But back to our potatoes. Gino Hard lent himself to the exercise of making a projection of what the Russian team might have looked like if it had taken part in the 4 Nations Confrontation.

It’s an impressive team on paper.

First of all, in goal: it’s a really solid goalkeeping line. Possibly the best in the Confrontation if Russia were involved.

While Canada, and Quebec in particular, has been struggling to produce elite NHL goaltenders for some time, Russia has been developing several excellent ones.

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The attack, too, packs a punch, with a number of forwards who are very dangerous with the puck. The left wing is particularly powerful, with four players who would play on a first line with any team in the League.

The center line lacks a little depth compared to the wings, but overall, it’s a very good, well-balanced attack.

However, the Russian defense looks a little more ordinary on paper. The team lacks attack-minded defensemen and, in particular, the presence of an NHL elite line general.

Nevertheless, it’s a defensive brigade that would be solid in its zone and could facilitate the work of its excellent goaltenders.

It would be interesting to see how this team would have performed at the tournament, but as long as Russia is banned from international sporting competitions, we can only speculate.

Overtime

– Habs Weekly.

– Already 25 points for Michkov.

– New inductees.

– Another big performance from Jokic.

– Nice mark for Chris Paul.

– Double bronze for Canada.

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Cole Caufield heads for a 51-goal season

MONTREAL, CANADA- OCTOBER 14: Cole Caufield #13 smiles during the warm-up of the NHL regular season game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Canadiens may be having a rather disappointing season, but at least some of their players are putting in interesting individual performances. The first to come to mind is Cole Caufield, who already has seventeen goals and twenty-five points in twenty-seven games this year.

At this rate, and we’re already a third of the way through the season, the diminutive forward could score fifty-one goals and become the first fifty-plus-goal scorer since Stéphane Richer in the 1989-90 season.

Caufield currently ranks third among NHL scorers, just two goals behind Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl, and if he continues to score at the same rate, he could possibly win the Maurice Richard Trophy.

In fact, the Habs’ forward could even benefit from Patrik Laine’s return to see his offensive production increase if the first line can take advantage of the increased attention of the opposing team’s top defensive elements on the Finnish player and his line.

After a season a little below expectations, Caufield should easily surpass his personal mark of twenty-seven goals from last campaign.

It’s really hard to understand why Team USA didn’t choose Caufield for the 4 Nations Confrontation.

The forward is currently the top scorer among all American NHL players.

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His detractors will say he’s too one-dimensional, but scoring goals as a unique talent comes in handy for winning games…

And we’re still talking about scoring goals in elite quantities from the National Line, because that’s Caufield’s job, and right now, he’s doing it better than 99% of the players.

Moreover, if the American produces at this kind of pace for several seasons, his contract could quickly become a very good deal for the Canadiens. Last season, he signed an eight-season, $62.8 million contract after a season of twenty-six goals in forty-six games.

Some wondered whether the young player had sat on his contract when his average had dropped to twenty-eight goals in a full 82-game season. However, at 7.85 million a year for a scorer of forty, maybe even fifty goals a year, it’s a good deal regardless of his defensive shortcomings.

In short, let’s hope Caufield stays in shape for the rest of the season and keeps up the momentum.

Overtime

– A nosebleed and a goal for Hughes!

– And a beautiful mark!

– What a game!

– Seattle wins a duel of rivals.

– Never easy for the Bears.

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Frank Nazar (drafted with Kirby Dach trade pick) dominates

Frank Nazar is off to a good start in the AHL, with 24 points in 20 games. His production ranks him first among rookies and fifth in the AHL.

Why am I talking about Nazar? He’s the player the Chicago Blackhawks selected with one of the two 2022 draft picks, thirteenth overall, that the Canadiens gave up for Kirby Dach.

This pick was obtained from the New York Islanders in return for defenseman Aleksandr Romanov and the Habs’ fourth-round pick, the 98th, which became defenseman Isaiah George.

The second was a third-round pick, 66th overall, with which Chicago drafted forward Gavin Hayes.

So, to sum up, the Canadiens gave away Romanov (or a 13th-round pick, depending on your point of view), a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick to acquire Dach.

It’s a high price to pay, especially since the big forward is having a difficult, not to say disastrous, season. In 27 games, he has just one goal for a meagre total of eight points and a minus-21 rating. Ouch!

For the man we were sold during the off-season as the team’s second established center, this is rather disappointing.

Yes, Dach is coming off a lengthy injury, and Patrik Laine’s injury forced him to play part of the season with allies who aren’t top-six material (not to mention Alex Newhook, who’s also having a tough season).

However, after three games since Laine’s return, Dach has no points on his record playing with the Finn.

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And meanwhile, Romanov is doing a fine job defensively with the Islanders, playing an average of 21:35 minutes per game on the first pair of defensemen. The kind of defenseman the Canadiens could really use right now.

Although the trade made sense from a rebuilding point of view, it’s not really Kent Hughes’ best move yet. On the other hand, if Frank Nazar becomes a star player in the NHL, it’s a trade that could also hurt us in the long run.

But that’s all hypothetical. A good start in the AHL is absolutely no guarantee of a good career on the National Line.

What’s more, I think we need to be patient with Dach. It’s not easy to recover from a double ligament tear in the knee, and we have to give him time to find his beat and hope he returns to the same level of play as before his injury.

Overtime

– Things are bad in Buffalo!

– Already thirteen goals for Gaudette.

– Steelers win over section rivals.

– Big game for Darnold!

– The Eagles are on fire!

– Duel of pirates.

– Victory for Canada.