Author: Dose

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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.

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Michael Pezzetta’s punishment has gone on long enough

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 24: New Jersey Devils left wing Xavier Parent (67) defends the puck against Montreal Canadiens left wing Michael Pezzetta (55) during the New Jersey Devils versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 24, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

This morning, there was no practice as such before the game against the Devils.

However, that doesn’t stop us from knowing that Samuel Montembeault will be in front of the net for the club, and that Lucas Condotta will have the chance to enter the line-up.

He obviously takes the place of Oliver Kapanen, who is back in Europe for the rest of the season.

Then again, I can’t help but notice that Michael Pezzetta isn’t being used and has been passed over in the pecking order. That’s quite usual, in the case of the Ontario forward.

And I think that’s enough.

Would Pezzetta single-handedly change everything? Obviously, the answer is no. But rewarding a guy who waits his turn without making waves to take someone else out would send two messages.

It wouldn’t do any harm to a club that’s going nowhere… and it would send the right message to a guy who keeps the right attitude.

Since the start of the season, El Pezz has played just three times. He played against the Rangers and in the next two games, back-to-back against the Blues and Flyers.

Although he hasn’t been a major factor and hasn’t been as involved as one might hope, the club has won two of its four games this season with #55 in the lineup.

(Credit: ESPN)

I don’t know what kind of punishment he’s entitled to (only playing three of the first thirteen games and only playing the ones where Juraj Slafkovsky was injured is a punishment) since the start of the season, but it would be time to bring him back into the lineup.

Is the Canadiens afraid that it’ll work out and they’ll have a dilemma on their hands?

That’s a real question, by the way. After all, it’s easy to take Pezz out of the lineup, but it’s a lot harder to do it with a guy like Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak or Alex Newhook, for example.

I’m sure he’s finding the time long. But for the good of the club, publicly, he doesn’t whine.

Overtime

– Beautiful moment.

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– Max Fried in Toronto?[MLB Passion]

– Good news.

– No word on when Auston Matthews will be back.

– Team Canada: a name to watch.

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Paul Byron invited David Reinbacher to spend time with his family

For David Reinbacher, the 2024-25 season is his first full-time in North America. Last year, he came to Laval to finish the year, but spent most of the season in Europe.

It had been a laborious year marked by countless coaching changes, so the Habs were happy to bring him into a more stable environment.

That said, the youngster suffered a serious knee injury just minutes before Patrik Laine suffered the same fate, and while the latter could return in a couple of months or so, Reinbacher’s season is essentially on the rocks. He might play a few games at the end of the season, but nothing more.

And given that the youngster has just arrived in America, it’s not necessarily easy for him. He doesn’t have his family or close friends around him, so it’s easy to be isolated in such a situation. Especially since rehabilitation can be mentally demanding.

But the Canadiens are trying to avoid this: on Halloween night, Paul Byron invited Reinbacher to spend the evening with his family.

The young defenseman was the delight of many youngsters that evening.

Our colleagues at HabsolumentFan also reported the news.

It’s great to see Byron, who works for the club, trying to take Reinbacher under his wing. The youngster has had to deal with some big changes in his life in recent months, and if the club can help him feel at home in Quebec, that’s a good thing.

Mathieu Chouinard notes that Reinbacher was not familiar with Halloween celebrations in America. So Byron invited him to his home to experience it all.

And for the Habs, it will be all the more important to take such initiatives in the coming days, given that Oliver Kapanen has been sent back to Europe. Yesterday, Kapanen stated that he has been spending a lot of time with Reinbacher since the start of the season, and the two seem to be close.

But now that he’s gone, we’ll have to make sure that the youngster continues to be in contact with members of the organization.

We know that Reinbacher is sometimes around the Habs and/or the Rocket. He’s been seen a few times on both teams’ victory videos (more often on the Rocket’s, that said), and the club will have to keep making sure the kid ‘s doing well.

He’s already going through a major adjustment and recovering from a major injury, so we need to help him with what we can control at the Canadiens.

Overtime

– Should Lane Hutson shoot more often?

– My colleague Marc-Olivier Cook agreed at lunchtime.

– These guys are amazing.

– It’s still the talk of the town.

– Cool!

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Mike Matheson (560 NHL games) takes inspiration from Lane Hutson (15 games)

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Although the Canadiens are off to a rocky start, there are a few bright spots. Cole Caufield is scoring a ton of goals, and Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher are playing some great hockey.

And rightly so: these are good things happening with the club.

That said, on the blue line, Lane Hutson is another big bright spot. His seven points in 13 games are a fine production, but above all, he’s really dynamic on the ice.

He’s not a perfect player, but he adds a much-needed element of mobility to the Habs’ blue line.

And clearly, the youngster’s style is inspiring some of his teammates. In conversation with Anthony Martineau(TVA Sports), Mike Matheson confessed that he draws inspiration from his young teammate.

And that’s despite the fact that Matheson (560 games) has quite a bit more experience than Hutson (15 games) in the Bettman circuit.

Matheson, who says he’s already been advised to always try to get elements out of his teammates’ play, is trying to incorporate the young defender’s famous shoulder dekes into his game. It’s an element that helps Hutson create space on the ice and often makes his opponents look bad, so Matheson wants to try and have similar success.

You could almost say that #48 is an influencer at this point. He didn’t invent it, of course, but he’s one of the most frequent users of these dekes.

In a context where many fans would like to see Hutson tame Matheson from the first powerplay wave, it’s nice to see that the veteran doesn’t see the youngster as a threat, but as a guy he can learn from. And that’s even if he might think he has no time to waste on that, given that he’s a veteran and has already had his share of success with his own style of play.

The question now is whether more and more NHL players will adopt the famous shoulder deke. It worked for Hutson, and with Matheson successfully integrating it into his toolbox, maybe some mobile defensemen (or even some forwards) will figure it can help them, too,

To be continued.

Overtime

– Darren Dreger finds talk of regression in the Habs “a bit strong”.

– Price family launches foundation.

– The kind of habs season where we talk about the coach’s drinking… in November.

– It’s been tough for Elias Pettersson since he signed his new contract.

– Nice sequence for the Habs prospect.

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Another goal for Ovechkin

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Canadiens didn’t play last night.

But there were three other NHL games.

Let’s find out what happened:

1: Another goal for Ovi

It’s only a matter of time.

But Alex Ovechkin – barring a major surprise – is on track to break Wayne Gretzky’s record for most career goals scored (894) in the National Hockey League.

The Capitals’ captain took advantage of the visit of the poor Predators to score his 8th goal of the season (in 12 games) and his 861st career goal:

With 861 career goals, Ovi is just 33 goals away from tying Gretzky’s record.

It’s coming…

The Preds lost again last night. The Caps won 3-2 and continue their excellent start to the season.

Steven Stamkos scored in defeat, but Barry Trotz can’t have been happy with his team’s result.

We knowhe’s already thinking about rebuilding…

2: Golden Knights too good for Oilers

We’re transported to the middle of the third period, when the score was 2-1 in favor of the Oilers.

But that’s when Noah Hanifin stepped up.

The big defender tied it with a beautiful goal:

I say Noah Hanifin got up… Because he’s also the one who played the hero at the end of the game.

The score was still tied (2-2) and Hanifin sent everyone home by scoring with 48 seconds left on the clock.

A devastating goal for the Oilers:

Mark Stone completed the scoring in an empty net to give the Golden Knights a 4-2 win.

Jack Eichel’s performance was also noteworthy in the Knights’ victory, with three points (including a goal).

3: Easy win for the Wings in Chicago

This was Patrick Kane’s second game in Chicago since his departure.

And I guess he put money on the board because the Red Wings won easily (4-1) over the Blackhawks.

Connor Bedard was cleared from the scoresheet for a rare occasion, and the game was highlighted by Dylan Larkin’s fine goal:

When he uses his speed… He’s really hard to stop.

For the Wings, this is their second consecutive win. The team has a 6-5-1 record since the start of the season, which isn’t awful… But it’s not great either.

Oh, and for those wondering: no, Patrick Kane didn’t play a part in his team’s victory.

He was cleared, just like Bedard.

Extension

– He’s well accompanied.

– Sometimes it takes a little luck to score!

– Last night’s top scorers :

(Credit: NHL.com screenshot)

– It’s going to be a lot busier in the NHL tonight :

(Credit: Google screenshot)

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If Kirby Dach isn’t the second center of the future, what’s the solution?

Losing Kirby Dach last year was a huge blow to the Canadiens. The young center, who was starting to make the move to Montreal, was seen by the Habs as the club’s best player at camp last year, after all.

At the time, I was among those who thought that Dach might be the Habs’ future #1A center (with Nick Suzuki as #1B, of course).

That said, Dach has been a bit of a worry so far this season. In my opinion, it may be a little early to be really worried (considering that he’s coming back from injury and, more importantly, that he’s already been playing a little better for a few games), but that’s not necessarily everyone’s opinion.

While the Snake says on BPM Sports that he doesn’t see Dach becoming a 60-70 point guy, Georges Laraque and Stéphane Gonzalez also talked about Dach today.

Their conclusion: at the moment, we can’t say with certainty that Dach is the Habs’ second center of the future.

And in fact, it’s a statement that stands up. I tend to agree with my colleague Marc-Olivier Cook that criticism of Dach’s performance at center is a bit harsh, but that doesn’t mean I’d consider that box to be checked.

Sooner or later, it’s true, he’ll have to show that he’s capable of it. Because if he can’t, it’s going to be… tricky.

If the Habs eventually realize that Dach isn’t their second center of the future (whether because they see him as a winger or a third center), it’ll be hard to find a solution within reach. Michael Hage’s name is often mentioned, and he is indeed promising, but he remains a project, not a certainty, at the moment.

The other name sometimes mentioned is Ivan Demidov, whom the Habs considered a potential center when they selected him(it was mentioned in the behind-the-scenes video of the draft). That said, he currently plays wing in Russia, and who knows if he’ll make the transition to center in the NHL.

Our colleague Tony Patoine might talk to you about giving Juraj Slafkovský a chance in that role.

And then there’s Alex Newhook… but let’s just say his start to the season hasn’t been reassuring either.

All this to say that, right now, the Canadiens really need Dach to show that he’s the club’s second center of the future. He’s possibly the player in the Habs’ plan who needs to reach his full potential at all costs.

If he doesn’t, the Habs may have to use a high draft pick to acquire a center… but then again, we’re not talking about a certainty. After all, Dach was drafted third overall.

Meanwhile, in Carolina, Jesperi Kotkaniemi has eight points in 11 games. Make what you will of this information.

Overtime

– Patrik Laine looks happy.

– Great read.

– News from the Habs’ prospects.

– An announcement that hides another to come?

– Big start for Derrick White.

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Tony DeAngelo says he’s no longer playing in the NHL because of his support for Donald Trump

If you don’t live under a rock, you know that yesterday was election day in the United States.

Donald Trump won against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, and it’s been the talk of the world.

After learning that Donald Trump had won, Tony DeAngelo was quick to go and write a message on his Twitter account.

The former NHL defenseman is one of his supporters, and said he was delighted to hear the news.

But DeAngelo – who doesn’t mince his words – also wrote in his message that being a Trump supporter is one of the reasons why he’s no longer playing in the NHL today.

Again, his outburst sparked a number of reactions. TVA Sports also wrote an article on the subject:

This is great Tony DeAngelo.

Like Donald Trump, he’s not known as a person with the best reputation because he’s had a few problems since the start of his career at the professional level.

He was called a racist after an affair with Alexandar Georgiev, he was placed on unconditional waivers by the Flyers for behavioral reasons…

You get my point.

The former Coyotes, Rangers, Hurricanes and Flyers defenseman now plays in the KHL.

He plays on the same team as Ivan Demidov, and things are going well for him: he’s collected 20 points in just 16 games, making him one of the most productive defensemen on the Russian circuit.

That said, he seems to be happy with his situation, and is pleased to see that Donald Trump has succeeded in his gamble by winning the American election. Good for him, if he’s having the time of his life…

Overtime

– Speaking of Demidov:

– Today’s activities at the waivers.

– Sad news.

– Does the Habs miss Jake Allen? [BPM Sports]

– That would be sick.

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If the Canadiens wanted to give Joshua Roy an important role, they would

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 12: Joshua Roy #89 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with the bench during the first period of the NHL regular season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Bell Centre on March 12, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Arianne Bergeron/NHLI via Getty Images)

This morning, the Canadiens announced that the Oliver Kapanen experiment is over – for now. The center is off to Sweden, where he will be placed in winning conditions.

Was it the right thing to do? Surely, yes.

After all, he wasn’t getting much playing time and wasn’t producing much. The magic of training camp was no longer present, which tends to prove Antoine Roussel right about the place of youth.

To take his place among the club’s 13 forwards, Lucas Condotta was recalled from Laval. He is now on the road with the other members of the Canadiens for the rest of the season.

Clearly, the organization respects him. He’s the one who’s been recalled and he’s the captain down in Laval.

For the second time this year, he was recalled when the Habs could have called up Joshua Roy or even Alex Barré-Boulet, who started the season with the Canadiens.

Condotta, for the second time, went ahead of Roy.

The first time, the Habs simply needed a guy “in case” Josh Anderson couldn’t play. Calling Roy back to sit in the stands or giving him bad minutes wasn’t worth it. It made sense to put him in front.

But this time?

If the Habs don’t intend to give Condotta big minutes (he could even be the 13th forward if Michael Pezzetta were to play), not calling Roy back was the right thing to do.

That’s the most likely scenario in my eyes.

If Condotta starts playing crazy, it’ll be a (big) message. But in the meantime, I look at it this way: the Habs needed a guy while they waited for Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who is making progress toward a return to action.

Condotta will probably go back down if RHP comes back and everyone’s healthy.

Let Roy continue to break things down below, and if the Habs feel like calling him back up, he will. But in the meantime, it’ s clear that the club has no desire to make room for him… and that, too, is a message.

After all, giving him big minutes wouldn’t be that hard. It’s not as if the Habs’ top-6 is made up entirely of indispensables.

Overtime

– You still have time to ask us questions: the text isn’t out yet.

– A name to keep in mind?

– Good question.

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Brendan Gallagher is tired of rebuilding

Brendan Gallagher is still under contract for three seasons... and he's untradeable.

The Canadiens don’t have a great hockey team right now. When will that change?

We’re all anxious to see when the players will be able to take the next step. And let’s just say that over the past month, the answer has become increasingly nebulous, hasn’t it?

This obviously frustrates fans, who expect more. But guys who had better years with the Canadiens must also, by necessity, expect more.

And that brings us to Brendan Gallagher.

Gallagher is the little warrior who has seen better days in Montreal. He’s the player who sees the end of his career approaching and tells himself he’d better win soon if he wants to drink champagne in the Stanley Cup one day.

And it shows in his recent comments.

In a recent Arpon Basu piece on team standards, it’s clear that Gally is fed up with the Canadiens losing games they could be winning.

Take yesterday’s game.

The Habs put themselves in a position to win, late in the game, but the Flames rallied and they won in overtime. And that obviously pisses Gally off.

That’s enough (escaping late-game advances).

We have young players, but they’ve been in the league long enough. We have expectations and we’re not going to use age as an excuse. – Brendan Gallagher

That’s saying a lot.

Gallagher, who couldn’t really give much more since the start of the season, talks like a guy who’s tired of rebuilding. He wants tangible results in terms of wins in winnable games.

Would I go so far as to say he wants to be… #InTheMix this season? I think he does. And I think he’s angry that he’s not, right now, given the last few years.

Will his teammates get the message?

Overtime

– Not to be missed.

– Is Jakub Dobes healthy, then?

– The Blue Jays’ solution: the trade market. [MLB Passion]

– Don’t miss it at 8pm tonight.

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Oliver Kapanen leaves for Sweden: Lucas Condotta called up

MONTREAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 23: Look on Montreal Canadiens center Oliver Kapanen (91) during warm-up before the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 23, 2024, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A surprise.

When Habs started practice today in Brossard, Lucas Condotta was in attendance. This obviously means that the Canadiens have decided to recall him for the club’s trip.

Here he is before the start of practice.

We quickly realized that it’s because Oliver Kapanen is no longer with the Habs that Condotta is in town. The European has been returned to his father’s club in Sweden for the rest of the season.

It was rumoured… and it’s done.

Details to come…

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