Author: Dose

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Dans les coulisses

Canadiens: some media outlets no longer systematically send a reporter on the road

Since the start of the Canadiens’ season, I’ve often talked about how difficult rebuilding can be for many Habs-related businesses.

TV and radio partners are suffering; when the club was at its lowest point a few weeks ago, less than 400,000 people (average per minute) were watching the games on RDS and TVA Sports.

These two media outlets pay tens of millions of dollars per season to show Habs games, and at 375,000 people per game, it’s far from profitable.

When you meet with an advertising company or agency, you sell them spots for 500,000 people, let’s say… and when you don’t even reach 400,000, you have to reimburse the client or give them equivalent advertising elsewhere in the schedule. But not on Sundays at 6:12 when no one is listening…

Most print media – both traditional and strictly digital on the Web – are also experiencing a drop in traffic related to the Canadiens. The camp was interesting… and Patrik Laine’s return is just as interesting right now; except that, in between, it’s been pretty tough.

Especially since social networks are overflowing with free information for fans these days…

During these more difficult times, I was told thatat least two French-language media outlets had decided not to send journalists on the road during a Habs game. I talked about this this week on the Stanley25 podcast.

Reminder: English-speaking journalists had already begun to desert the press galleries.

10 years ago, such a scenario would simply have been unthinkable…

But here we are in 2024, and the media environment is undergoing a veritable revolution. Opinion trumps news (and it costs less to produce), and alternative media have eaten up much of the space once occupied strictly by traditional media.

Managers at the various media outlets have to deal with shrinking/survival and much tighter budgets. Especially when their media receives little or no subsidy…

Sending someone to Columbus for a short one-game trip (plane, two-night hotel stay, journalist’s salary, per diem, etc.) is sometimes hard to defend financially. It’s also logistically difficult when the club is playing in Montreal the day before. That’s why some media outlets didn’t send anyone to Ohio on November 27, according to my sources…

There’s also the need to reduce our carbon footprint, according to the philosophy of certain Québécois media companies. When the opinion or news section of your media constantly pushes this theme to its readers, it’s normal to see the sports section reduce their trips…

With games being broadcast in high definition on our TVs (notably in 4K on Amazon Prime Video on Monday nights) and press briefings being presented live on the Habs‘ social networks, journalists at certain media outlets need to prepare a big list of arguments to convince their bosses to hit the road. And that bothers some of them…

On a purely business level, a boss has to figure that spending $4,000 or $5,000 on a one-game trip to Columbus will be profitable before authorizing it. But if the journalist is only gathering the same information that’s available online – or refusing to release what he sees or hears when he’s close to the team – it’s hard to justify such an expense. Especially when viewers, listeners and readers are less likely to be there than they used to be…

The other problem is that on November 14, the Canadiens had already planned to sleep in Minnesota after their game, then return to Montreal the following day after practice.

Many journalists therefore spent an extra day in Minnesota – and the expenses that go with it – only to see the Canadiens cancel the practice AND the media availability afterwards.

Journalists who were there first and foremost to take clips in the locker room had to go back to town empty-handed. And that bothered a lot of people on the media side.

Extension

A former boss of a (very) large media outlet told me on Tuesday that he often sent reporters on the road to follow the Canadiens’ activities, but that in the end, 98% of the information they were looking for could have come from Montreal.

The media world – especially the sports world – has become a business. Revenues, expenses, profits (or losses)… that’s how the big bosses think these days.

And we have to ask ourselves a question as a society: should we really be subsidizing journalism?

Yes, especially for investigative journalism…

But “on the beat with the Canadiens” sports journalism?

I’m REALLY not so sure. It seems to me that there are far more important areas to put our collective money into, don’t you think?

Take BPM Sports, for example: the station just had an impressive fall survey… and it doesn’t send anyone on the road. They cover the Canadiens on site when they’re in Montreal or Brossard, but on the road, they rely on social networks. And the people who do (paid for by their #1 employer).

The future is digital.

Actually, no: the present is digital. Unfortunately or fortunately…

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Cédric Paré against the Rocket: “in my opinion, Xhekaj… it could be”.

We all remember what Cédric Paré did two months ago, don’t we?

In a warm-up game, he injured Patrik Laine. As a result, he made a lot of enemies in Quebec. Things got out of hand and the story took on enormous proportions.

We remember his name, anyway.

In recent months, water has flowed under the bridge. Paré’s name came out of the news, Laine said he didn’t hold it against him, and recently the Finn returned to the game.

He has, by necessity, brought the fun back into the Bell Centre.

Why am I talking about Paré this morning? Because in his morning column on BPM Sports, Anthony Marcotte talked about the fact that the player’s current club, the Toronto Marlies, will be in Laval this weekend.

And, of course, he wondered if that was going to be a big deal.

The question on the table (apart from whether the Québécois, who played eight games this year with the Maple Leafs’ training club, will be dressed) is whether the hatred that inhabits the people of Montreal also inhabits the guys from Laval.

If it does, Marcotte has a theory.

In my opinion, Florian Xhekaj… could be. – Anthony Marcotte

The Rocket will be back at home tomorrow, and the club will be looking to stick some wins together. And with only two road games in the next month, it just might happen.

For all these reasons, I have a feeling there’ll be a great atmosphere at Place Bell tomorrow.

(Credit: RDS)

Overtime

– Read on.

– A name to watch on the market.

– Enjoy.

– Like it or not?

– Joel Farabee defends Travis Sanheim’s presence at the Four Nations Confrontation.

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Rumor: Evgeni Malkin in Dallas

I’m not sure when the Pittsburgh Penguins will light up, but it’s time to rebuild.

Obviously, the presence of Kristopher Letang and Evgeni Malkin makes it hard to think about rebuilding. And Sidney Crosby’s presence makes it “disrespectful” to think about rebuilding.

But it has to happen one day.

For it to happen, the big names would have to be traded. It wouldn’t exactly be simple to do that, since the guys don’t seem too keen on the idea of leaving.

But it might get people talking too.

And on that subject, according to what Cam Robinson has heard between the sticks, it wouldn’t be totally impossible to think that the Stars might try to get their hands on Malkin.

He’s heard echoes of this and says the rumor refuses to die.

According to the Elite Prospects member, he’s been hearing this for several weeks, but was waiting until he was more certain before releasing the whole thing. And clearly, the unveiling of Tyler Seguin’s injury, which could keep him out of the regular season, is a game-changer.

The Stars have known for a while that this injury was coming.

Obviously, for this to happen, the Stars would have to make sure that Seguin ($9.85M on lot) wouldn’t return in the regular season, but just in the playoffs. That way, it would work on the payroll.

The Stars would also have to give a good youngster to the Penguins (who wouldn’t want to let him go on the cheap) and the Penguins’ #71, who loves his life in Pennsylvania, would have to say yes to such a deal.

Note that the Stars will have to keep in mind that the $6.1 M on the lot that comes with Malkin doesn’t end in 2025, but in 2026. We’ll have to make room for him next year, too.

I know the cap will go up and the Penguins can withhold salary, but the cap increase will likely cover Jake Oettinger’s new contract, which goes into effect in a few months.

He’ll go from $4M to $8.25M…

When I look at this, I say to myself that if Malkin lands in Texas, Jamie Benn will have to accept quite a bit more than his current $9.5M to stay in town in the summer of 2025. His contract is up in a few months, for those of you wondering.

In Overtime

– Seth Jarvis instead of Nick Suzuki: why?

– Interesting.

– Will they re-sign with the Habs or not?

– Emil Heineman with Patrik Laine and Kirby Dach? [TSN 690]

– Cayden Lindstrom hasn’t played yet and Tij Iginla won’t play again this year.

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Samuel Montembeault “present by default”: he is the only Québécois at the Four Nations Tournament

Canada's goalkeeper Sam Montembeault saves the puck during the IIHF Ice Hockey Men's World Championships Preliminary Round - Group B match between Slovakia and Canada in Riga, Latvia, on May 15, 2023. (Photo by Gints IVUSKANS / AFP) (Photo by GINTS IVUSKANS/AFP via Getty Images)

At the next World Junior Championship, there will be, at most, two Québécois on the team: Ethan Gauthier and Mathieu Cataford. And the two guys aren’t guaranteed to make the club.

That’s not much.

And if you take a look at Canada’s line-up for the Four Nations Confrontation, you’ll see that it’s the same story, with only one Québécois making the team: Habs goaltender Samuel Montembeault.

We know that in front of the net, Canada isn’t super strong… and right now, he seems to be goalie #3.

Even if we took the guys who didn’t make the club and made a second Canadian team, there wouldn’t be many Québécois. Marc-André Fleury and Alexis Lafrenière are the only ones on Sportsnet’s fictitious #2 roster. It’s a good club, though.

The fact that there’s only one local guy raises the question: was Samuel Montembeault chosen because he speaks French?

It’s a legitimate question, given that the #3 goaltender position was probably the last decision to be made. One wonders if this was a factor in the decision.

On this subject, there are two schools of thought.

On the one hand, there are those who think it did. David Staples, who covers hockey in Alberta, believes that you can’t separate politics from hockey, and that Montembeault’s selection had something to do with it.

If you look at the ratio of Francos to Anglos on the team, Canada had no choice but to select Samuel Montembeault. – David Staples

In his eyes, there were better candidates, but the decision to take a Québécois (who won’t play much, in his opinion) is politically motivated. He also adds that it’s not a knock on Monty, whom he considers a good goalkeeper.

Is he saying this to start the debate again, or because he knows something? Is he basing his remarks on what John Shannon (who makes a similar point) says? Is it just to avoid insulting Québécois? Who knows.

For his part, Marco D’Amico, who works for Responsible Gambler, has done his homework and talked to people who think otherwise. According to them, Monty deserves his place.

And according to them, Montembeault has been on Team Canada’s radar for a long time.

Because Montembeault won gold at the World Championship in 2023, because he’d be better if he played for a good NHL club and because he knows what it’s like to play at the Bell Centre, where the tournament starts, he was a good candidate in the first place.

That’s the view of a lot of people, anyway.

It’s worth noting that Montembeault has been monitored by Hockey Canada for many years and has been part of the program in the past. That must be part of the equation, too.

When it comes down to it, we’ll probably never know 100% of the reason for his presence. At this point, the Habs goaltender can only push himself and try to earn playing time.

Extension

The Canadiens will have three representatives at the tournament. In addition to the Québécois, Finns Joel Armia and Patrik Laine will be representing their country.

Is it too early to pick Laine? Your guess is as good as mine.

Note that Cole Caufield (USA) and Nick Suzuki (Canada) are two candidates who failed to make the cut. But perhaps if there are injuries, they could end up with an invitation?

Being them, I wouldn’t plan my February vacation in the sun too quickly…

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Top-4: Jonathan Marchessault scores one of the most bizarre goals of the season

There were four games in the NHL last night.

Before a stop in Montreal, the Preds were in Toronto.

Here are the results and highlights:

1. Jonathan Marchessault scores a bizarre goal

Before a stop in Montreal, the Predators had to focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

But Nashville lost… again.

The club broke the ice in the first, however, with one of the strangest goals of the season from Jonathan Marchessaut. He took his own clearance back to surprise Joseph Woll.

The goal wasn’t enough, however, as the visitors lost 3-2.

For the winners, Auston Matthews shone with two goals. That makes three goals in three games since his return to action. This goal was a thing of beauty:

And on the captain’s first goal, Mitch Marner increased his streak of games with at least one point to eight.

2. Two goals for Brad Marchand

In the Bruins-Blackhawks game, Brad Marchand scored two goals in a matter of moments.

Paul Bissonnette’s little sketch at NHLonTNT, he took it personal. Check it out :

Very funny.

Here are the nets for Marchand, who was selected by Team Canada earlier tonight.

David Pastrnak, on the other hand, is on fire these days.

And it just so happens to coincide with Jim Montgomery’s departure.

3. Trevor Zegras injures himself on an innocuous sequence

Another player who’s been doing well lately is Trevor Zegras.

Yesterday, he didn’t pick up a point in the Ducks’ 4-1 loss to the Knights, but was injured on a rather bizarre sequence.

He barely touched William Karlsson and fell very strangely.

He never came back into the game.

Let’s hope it’s not too serious, but when an injury occurs after minimal contact like that, it’s not a good sign.

For Vegas, Jack Eichel collected two assists. He became only the second player this season to collect 30 assists.

Among American players, only Blake Wheeler has managed to reach this plateau in fewer games.

4. Mason Marchment has five goals in his last six games

The final game of the night pitted the Stars against the Kings.

The Kings won 3-2, but that didn’t stop one Stars player from shining.

Mason Marchment scored a beautiful goal, making it five in his last six games.

In the second period, Dallas led by a goal, but former Habs Joel Edmundson scored from the blue line to tie the game.

Then, Warren Foegele scored the winning goal early in the third period.

Extension

– It didn’t take him long to score his second.

– Top scorers.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Tonight’s games.

(Credit: Google )
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Dans les coulisses

“It’s been a good few days”: Patrik Laine touched by his selection with Finland

Since yesterday, Patrik Laine has been the talk of the Canadiens. The man who scored in his first (regular-season) game in a Habs uniform earned a ton of love at the Bell Centre last night.

His return was eagerly awaited, and he was there. It was a truly beautiful moment.

And after his dream evening yesterday, Laine got another piece of good news today: he’ll be taking part in the 4 Nations Confrontation, as part of the Finnish team.

Remember that he was officially selected even before his return to the game, when the official rosters were submitted to the NHL a few days ago. Management was clearly confident that he would be able to make a strong comeback.

As a result, Laine’s good news has been multiplying over the past few days, and if his comments on TVA Sports tonight are anything to go by, it feels like it’s done him a world of good:

It’s been a good few days. – Patrik Laine

Laine, who considers his selection to be something “special” for him, finally seems to be lining up some good moments. We know that Laine has been through a lot in the past year, and to see him finally healthy and selected to represent his country on the international stage must be quite a balm after all those ordeals.

It’s also worth noting that, at the tournament, Laine is hoping for a chance to play alongside his good friend Aleksander Barkov… and there’s every reason to believe he has a real chance. After all, Laine is likely to get his chance on an offensive line (especially if he plays big hockey in the next couple of months), and putting him alongside the team’s best center in Barkov wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Especially if the two guys have pre-existing chemistry.

So, we’ll see if Laine can continue to string together good days, but right now, watching him enjoy those beautiful moments after difficult trials is a great story. And who knows, maybe if these good times continue, he’ll want to extend his stay in Montreal beyond 2025-26 (possibly at a discount).

In Overtime

– Owen Beck gives the Rocket the win in overtime.

– A man of many talents, this Jacob Fowler.

– Imagine if Kent Hughes had said that about Michael Hage….

– Defeat for Victory.

– Interesting.

– Overtime defeat for the Lions.

– Wow!

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OHL: Michael Misa suspended for throwing doggies into the stands

Ah, the famous doggie-tossing matches.

In the world of hockey, this is a time-honored tradition. Even if it’s not done in the NHL, we often see the concept in the AHL or in junior hockey: fans bring plushies, and when the home team scores its first goal of the game, all the plushies are thrown onto the ice.

They are then donated to charities that give them to needy children. It’s a wonderful tradition, really.

That said, in the last few days, one of the doggie games turned into a suspension. And it wasn’t just any player who was suspended: we’re talking about Michael Misa, one of the top prospects for the upcoming NHL draft.

The reason? While fans flooded the ice with stuffed animals, Misa took the opportunity to throw a few back into the stands.

Misa received a one-game suspension for her violent gesture.

Just as we don’t tolerate fans throwing things on the ice, we don’t tolerate the opposite either.

You might think that Misa, who was on the ice for the other team’s goal that led to the teddy bear toss, might have been a little frustrated at seeing his team concede a goal. Maybe that’s why he decided to throw a few doggies back over the boards.

Was it serious? No, especially as we all agree that no one was hurt. That said, he needs to be able to control his emotions, because throwing things back and forth across the boards is not accepted behavior.

It should also be remembered that in recent days, Misa’s name has been circulating as a player who could leave Canadian junior to be tempted by the NCAA, given that junior players in Canada now retain their NCAA eligibility. Is this on his mind in the midst of a season that isn’t always easy for his team? Possibly.

That said, it’s a reason for suspension that, quite frankly, is more comical than anything else. Let’s hope he’s learned from this little slap on the wrist.

Overtime

– Remember that he was drafted with the pick the Habs got for Alexander Romanov… who was then traded to Chicago for Kirby Dach.

– It’s the result that counts!

– The saga comes to an end.

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4 Nations: for Samuel Montembeault, “3rd goalkeeper” does not mean “not playing”.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Today, the four countries participating in the 4 Nations Confrontation in February announced their line-ups. Earlier today, we saw Patrik Laine and Joel Armia selected for the Finnish team, but tonight we were watching for the unveiling of the Canadian and American teams.

Here they are, by the way:

In Montreal, we notice that Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki aren’t there. Not necessarily a surprise, but now confirmed.

What we also notice is that , as expected, Samuel Montembeault is officially part of the Canadiens line-up.

It’s a nice recognition for a guy who had success with Canada at the World Championships.

What’s interesting, though, is that Montembeault joins Jordan Binnington and Adin Hill, who aren’t exactly in the Carey Price and Martin Brodeur tradition. It’s a line-up of goalkeepers that, for an international tournament, doesn’t look particularly dominant… and that’s perhaps a good thing for Montembeault.

Basically, we already knew that Binnington and Hill were going to be in the lineup. It’s been rumoured for some time, so Montembeault seems to have the third goalie’s chair… or not.

Earlier today, on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie noted that for Team Canadiens, “3rd goalie” doesn’t mean “not playing”. Pierre LeBrun has been saying much the same thing for the past few weeks on Radar: Canada may be announcing three goalies today, but it’s not naming its #1 goalie.

This is partly because things have time to change in two months… but it’s also because none of the three particularly stands out.

Binnington and Hill have already won the Stanley Cup, which certainly works in their favor.

That said, Montembeault enjoyed success with Team Canadiens last summer, and we’re talking about a guy who’s used to keeping goal at the Bell Centre. The Bell Centre is a different kettle of fish… and considering that some of the tournament’s games will be played at the Habs’ home, that’s probably in Monty’s favour.

The Québécois, who has bounced back nicely after a slightly more difficult start to the season (last night, for example, he was incredible), has a very real chance of getting some playing time with the Canadiens. It won’t be given to him and he’ll have to earn it, but just because he’s the “third goalie” doesn’t mean he’ll be spending his time on the bench.

Let’s see who will be in net for Canada in the first game of the tournament.

Overtime

– The Habs gave their goaltender some love.

– I love it.

– News from the Blue Jays.

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Dans les coulisses

Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre: Laine could stay in Montreal (at a discount) if he keeps having fun

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Patrik Laine set the Bell Centre ablaze last night with his first goal of the season.

The fans were loud after seeing him score, and the crowd reaction was perfect.

Like, PERFECT.

After the game, the sniper said he didn’t deserve all the screaming… And he didn’t deserve the standing ovation.

Welcome to Montreal, Patrik!

That said, the fans already love him, because everyone knows how hard it’s been for him in the past.

And the guys at HFTV have already created a song for him:

Laine clearly felt the love from the fans and it made for a beautiful moment.

When the fans are on your side, it’s easier to produce on the ice. And God knows, Laine has the support of the Habs fans!

At this level, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre(BPM Sports) thinks that Laine might be willing to sign at a discount to stay in Montreal if he’s having fun in Montreal and the fans continue to give him so much love.

The idea is interesting:

Patrik Laine earns an annual salary of $8.7m and his contract expires at the end of the 25-26 season.

What I mean by that is that Kent Hughes still has time to watch him before making his decision.

But if Laine produces up to his potential, fills the net and wants to stay in town while still being able to be healthy… the idea of extending his contract will become really interesting for the Canadiens.

Kent Hughes is constantly looking to improve his club, and a healthy Laine can help the team on the ice. And if Laine stays, Demidov arrives and Michael Hage becomes an impact player in the NHL, the Habs will have ammunition to go to war on offense :

  • Slaf – Suzuki – Caufield
  • Laine – Dach – Demidov
  • Newhook – Hage – ?

That’s a lot of talent, and obviously some things can change between now and then.

But seeing Laine stay in Montreal, conditions permitting, would fill a direct need in the Canadiens’ line-up.

Overtime

– Indeed.

– That’s normal.

– Great contest :

– Reminder: there are four games tonight in the NHL.

– Too bad for the Spurs.

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Jacob Fowler’s November stats are mind-boggling

ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 13: Boston College Eagles goaltender Jacob Fowler (1) skates on the ice before the men's Frozen Four championship game between the Boston College Eagles and the Denver Pioneers on April 13th, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jacob Fowler hasn’t performed like a 3rd-round draft pick since he arrived in the NCAA.

He plays like a top-10 draft pick because he’s simply dominant.

And in November, he let his talent shine through once again.

The Canadiens’ prospect was named goalie of the month in his conference because his numbers are mind-blowing.

It’s hard to ask for more, after all:

  • 6-1-0 record (with two shutouts)
  • 1.76 goals-against average
  • .936 efficiency rate

When Fowler is at his best, he helps his team win.

The way he’s going, it’s only natural to think he could make the jump to the pros at the end of his season.

Because if he doesn’t, you have to ask yourself a few questions: does Fowler still have things to learn at the university level? Would he really benefit from another year in the NCAA playing with players of a lower caliber than the American League (or even the National League)?

Jacob Fowler may have just turned 20 (November 24), but he’s already too good for the NCAA.

He’s proven himself, and it’s not as if he hasn’t been excellent already :

(Credit: Capture d’écran Hockey DB)

You have to be careful with a goalie’s stats in the NCAA.

Cayden Primeau is a case in point.

He was exceptional with Northeastern University and now, at 25, he seems to be at a crossroads in the NHL.

On the other hand, it’s interesting to see Jacob Fowler being so good at Boston College. His stats are really interesting, but it’s his style and calmness in front of the net that make him an intriguing prospect for the Habs.

So much the better!

Overtime

– Indeed.

– Sick!

– The infirmary is overflowing in Minnesota.

– Of note:

– Hard blow for the Jaguars.