Author: Dose

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Bruce Garrioch: Giroux could consider the Habs (if Kent Hughes wants to bring him to Montreal)

At 37, Claude Giroux isn’t as dominant as he used to be.

That said, he still racked up 50 points – including 15 goals – in his final season with the Ottawa Senators.

We’re talking about a player who finds a way to be effective from 200 feet… and who is also excellent in the face-off circle.

However, we don’t know where the veteran will pursue his career, since he’ll be as free as a bird as of July 1.

He has begun talks with the Sens about a new contract… but the two sides don’t necessarily seem ready to move forward.

The result?

Giroux could test the free agent market… and if the Canadiens show interest, it looks like he might consider signing a contract in Montreal.

Bruce Garrioch, who covers the Sens, wrote about this in a recent article(Ottawa Citizen):

League officials say he (Giroux) might be willing to consider the Montreal Canadiens if they show interest on July 1. – Bruce Garrioch

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard his name linked to the Habs.

In early May, Andrรฉ Roy said on BPM Sports that Giroux would like to play in Montreal …

All in all, Giroux could prove to be an interesting target for the Canadiens.

He has leadership qualities, he still has what it takes to play in a top-6 NHL team… and he’s not likely to command an astronomical salary either.

Not at his age.

It might make sense, given the Canadiens’ desire to add talent to the top of their lineup.

Then again, Giroux has experience, he’s capable of producing offensively… and the idea of pairing his vision of the game with the talent of a guy like Ivan Demidov on the second unit could be relevant to Montreal’s management.

It would plug a major hole at center in Martin St-Louis’s lineup… and give Michael Hage time to develop in the right way, without rushing his development.

Seeing Giroux sign a contract with the Canadiens, I don’t think it’s crazy either.

Overtime

– I agree.

– Yep. That’s right!

– His place in the Hall of Fame is already assured.

– Hopefully it won’t be too bad.

– News in the MLB.

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Rumor mill: Marchand wants a contract worth $8.5 M per season

With his playoff performances, Brad Marchand has given himself every reason to go for a big contract this summer.

And he’s going to get it.

There will be clubs interested in him – even if the price will be high – because we’ve seen him be excellent when it counts in recent weeks. And when it comes to price…

Darren Dreger told TSN 1050 that the forward would like to get $8.5 M per season on his next contract.

Or…

Or, if not $8.5 million, at least $8 million a year.

Which team would be willing to give him that kind of money?

I have a feeling that this is going to be one of the most exciting stories to follow in the coming weeks.

It’s his last chance to sign a big contract, and even then, with what he’s done in the playoffs, the odds are in his favor.

It remains to be seen, however, where he’ll be playing in 25-26…

Marner and the Leafs haven’t really talked

I’m going to fall off my chair if Mitch Marner decides to stay in Toronto.

I can’t believe it.

It didn’t end well with fans booing him at the Leafs’ last playoff game, and we also know that Marner wasn’t too happy about being asked to waive his no-trade clause in March, when his club was trying to get Mikko Rantanen.

And it’s not as if the Leafs and Marner have had many discussions about a new deal either.

According to Frank Seravalli(Sportsnet 590), the two sides haven’t really talked in the last year…

I really think it would be illogical for Marner to sign a new contract with the Leafs.

He needs to play elsewhere to avoid the pressure of a big market, and if he wants to win, he needs to leave too.

Because it’s hard to believe that Toronto is where the Stanley Cup will be raised next…

Jamie Benn and the Stars

Since the start of his career, Jamie Benn has never played a game in a uniform other than that of the Stars.

He began his career in Dallas in 2009, became one of the organization’s most important players… and has been wearing the C on his jersey for several years now.

That said, it should come as no surprise that he appears to be close to agreeing terms on a new contract with the Stars.

Frank Seravalli – again – talked about it on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast:

I think we can all agree that Benn isn’t the player he once was.

He scored 16 goals (49 points) in 24-25, he’s starting to slow down as he celebrates his 36th birthday in exactly one month (July 18) and he’s not as productive as he used to be.

But we’re still talking about the Stars’ captain, and that’s why he has a certain importance within the organization.

He has leadership qualities… and obviously, in Dallas, they want to keep him around to help the youngsters who are there.

Which, in reality, is far from a bad thing.

Bruins and Islanders in talks

The Bruins hold the 7th overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft.

And they may not select with that pick… as they are in talks with the Islanders right now, according to Jimmy Murphy(RG Media).

The two clubs are discussing the possibility of a deal involving the 7th pick… and you have to wonder if the Islanders’ goal is to target James Hagens – who comes from New York – with the 7th pick overall.

In the article above, we also read that Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s name is circulating in discussions between the two teams.

Eille! Imagine Jean-Gabriel Pageau in a Boston Bruins uniform.

A real nightmare for the Canadiens… because we know that Pageau has loved hurting the Habs since the start of his NHL career.

And to see him hurt the Canadiens with a Bruins uniform on his back would be even more… ironic.

It’s bad enough he wasn’t Montreal’s favorite player in Ottawa!

Cleaning house in Edmonton?

The Oilers – for the second year in a row – lost in the Stanley Cup Final.

That hurt.

And now… clearly, we’re going to want to change things within the organization.

So, in David Pagnotta’s view, we shouldn’t be surprised if Evander Kane and Viktor Arvidsson are on the market in the next few weeks – even if Kane has a no-trade clause and Arvidsson has a no-movement clause.

While we’re on the subject of the Oilers…

It’s worth noting that there’s a world in which Corey Perry isn’t back in Edmonton for next season.

Because, according to Chris Johnston(The Chris Johnston Show), the veteran might be interested in testing the free agent market in July.

And just like Brad Marchand… there’ll be plenty of interest in Perry’s services, too:

Corey Perry is 40 years old, but he proved his worth in the recent playoffs.

He still scored 10 goals (14 points) in 22 games, while playing an important role in the dressing room too…

I don’t expect to see him sign a super-expensive contract, and that’s why I’m thinking there will be several teams lining up for his services.

Would you be tempted, Corey, to come back to Montreal?…

Overtime

– Wow.

– What a surprise!

– I don’t believe it.

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Marchand, at the party, sings โ€œMerci Boston!โ€ with Panthers fans

The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row.

And perhaps none of it would have happened without Brad Marchand’s playoff brilliance.

What an acquisition the Panthers were, after all: Marchand collected 20 points in 23 games, scored important goals… and was a regular contributor to his club’s success.

Naturally, the club’s players have been at the party since last night.

Brad Marchand was spotted smoking a cigar, beer in hand… and in the photo, you can clearly see he’s got a few drinks in him.

The guys are enjoying it – and it’s perfect like this:

But there’s a video floating around on X that’s also worth sharing.

The Panthers players were back at the Elbo Room bar to celebrate, and some of the team’s fans came out to party with them.

Upon seeing Marchand, the fans started chanting “Merci Boston!”… and the main man, upon seeing the scene, decided to join in.

Here again, it’s easy to see that he’s having fun… lots of fun:

I have a hard time telling myself that Bruins fans are happy when they see this video.

We’re talking about the former captain in Boston… and it’s as if we’re watching him thank the Bruins for trading him, which allowed him to lift the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career.

But, ultimately, Marchand is happy with the turn of events too.

The Bruins weren’t going to make the playoffs, he had the opportunity to join a great club in Florida, and he did everything he could to help the Panthers be crowned NHL champions for the second year in a row.

It’s a great story, though.

Although… in Boston, it must hurt a little to see Marchand celebrating like this after his many years with the Bruins.

Overtime

– Good point.

– It worked.

– For those who live in Florida… #Hehe

– Oh.

– News from the Sparrows:

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Calder 2026: Ivan Demidov is the favourite (by far)

Rookie awards.

In 2024-2025, Ivan Demidov won KHL Rookie of the Year. And Lane Hutson won the same title, but in the best league in the world.

This was a possible scenario for the Habs organization, and it worked out just fine.

But now, looking ahead to next season, we’re wondering whether Ivan Demidov will be able to get his hands on the Calder Trophy in the NHL and succeed Lane Hutson.

Theoretically, his chances are good, considering his talent and the fact that there is no Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini in the 2025 draft.

But how good are his chances?

A look at bet365 shows not only that Demidov is at the top of the rankings, but also how monstrous the difference is between the Habs prospect and Alexander Nikishin. An odds of 2.60 or 9.00, that’s a world of difference.

Obviously, it’s all going to come down to the ice. It’s possible that a prospect will emerge unexpectedly elsewhere in the NHL and put a spanner in Demidov’s works.

No doubt he’ll want to win the trophy, but above all, the Habs will want him to play up to his immense talent. That’s the most important thing.

Let’s not forget that his seven games of NHL experience, including five in the playoffs against the Washington Capitals, will help him prepare this summer… just as Lane Hutson’s two games in 2023-2024 also helped him.

Having an excellent center could also help him win the Calder.

overtime

– One to watch.

– He could have signed the Sabres jersey anyway. It’s not like it’s an Oilers jersey….

– Playing in Sunrise has transformed Brad Marchand’s reputation.

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Lane Hutson behind the bench at a hockey tournament in Montreal this week

Lane Hutson loves hockey. You knew that, didn’t you?

Need more proof? It comes from Tony Marinaro, who reports that Lane Hutson is currently in Montreal for a hockey tournament.

Of course he is.

Basically, his dad runs a club called Hutson Pro Development. And this week, Lane and Cole Hutson are his assistants to guide the club’s 12-year-old players.

It’s a Chicago-based team.

As you can see by poking around, on the team’s website, there’s currently an event called “King of Spring” in Montreal, which is why the Hutsons are in town right now.

I imagine Cole is happy to be in the city of the Canadiens, his favorite team… even if he is a Capitals prospect. No, I haven’t come back from that yet: it must be my little boomer side.

While many NHL players are enjoying their summer, Hutson is taking the opportunity to give back to the people in his community by sharing his hockey knowledge.

And the fact that he’s currently in Montreal makes it all the more special.

If I were a 12-year-old kid on that team, I’d listen to what the NHL’s Rookie of the Year had to say. After all, Lane Hutson knows how to dominate hockey, and he’s here to share his knowledge with his teammates.

In my opinion, Kent Hughes, who has also given back to the youngsters as a coach, must be happy to see Lane Hutson doing what he’s doing. And rightly so, if you ask me.

overtime

– Ouch.

– He’s enjoying it.

– Obviously.

– I can see him staying.

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Oilers goalkeepers sh*t in the playoffs (again)

28-17: that’s the cumulative score from the six games of the Stanley Cup Final. In favor of the new Floridian champions!

That means the Panthers scored an average of almost five goals per game in the Grand Final. Against the best team in the other conference..

I mean, even the Maple Leafs did (slightly) better than the Oilers against the Panthers: 26-17. And they’ll have made it to the ultimate Game 7!

Were the Maple Leafs – whose core will soon undergo a metamorphosis – the second-best team in the 2025 series? The question arises.

Back to the Oilers..

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl finished the playoffs with 33 points each, 10 more than the Panthers’ top forwards: Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. This is McDavid’s second straight spring at the top of the playoff scoring charts, but without a ring..

Why didn’t the Oilers go for the two wins that separated them from a Stanley Cup? Zach Hyman injury… lack of depth and grit up front… quality deficit on the blue line… but above all, atrocious performance from the team’s two goaltenders.

You can’t expect to win the Cup with a #1 goalie who finishes the playoffs with a 2.99 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage. Especially not when your second goalie finished his spring with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .886 save percentage.

Let’s face it: both Oilers goalies performed abysmally during the 2025 series.

The problem is, it’s been that way for three years. The evidence is staring us in the face (a bit like the Montreal players’ lack of grit against the Capitals).

(Credit: NHL.com)

Skinner in the playoffs is like Connor Hellebuyck… without the excellent regular-season performance though!

I put myself in Connor McDavid’s, Leon Draisaitl’s or Corey Perry’s shoes; I can’t believe that somewhere inside me, I’m not thinking that with a real #1 goalie, I’d have had a real chance of playing a game #7 this weekend, and then drinking champagne in the Stanley Cup.

What can we say about Stan Bowman, VP hockey and general manager of the Oilers, who did nothing to improve a huge weakness that was very apparent last summer?

Linus Ullmark, Adin Hill, Jake Allen, Frederik Andersen, Anton Forsberg, Ilya Samsonov..

The list of unrestricted autonomous goaltenders is thin once again this year. But if they want to win the Stanley Cup, the Oilers will have to find a new, quality #1 goaltender. Will they?

In closing, I don’t want to diminish the Panthers’ incredible achievement, both this year and last. It’s just that if they’d swapped goalies, I’m far from convinced they’d have celebrated a second consecutive title…

Overtime

– It’s going to be expensive!

– Matt Rempe stays in New York.

– Proof that you can take it or leave it with the trials and tribulations of the combine.

– Brad Marchand came close to winning the Conn-Smythe trophy.

– The Jones family, a family of champions.

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Matthew Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau: the deal of the decade in the NHL

The decade of the 2020s is not over. We’re pretty much in the middle of it.

But even so, I’m comfortable saying that the 2022 deal that notably sent Matthew Tkachuk to Florida in return for Jonathan Huberdeau won’t be beaten in the 2020s. And it’s not close.

Why do I say that? Because without that transaction, which transformed the identity of the Florida club, the Panthers haven’t made it to the finals three times in the last three years.

I don’t know how Huberdeau feels this morning, after seeing the Panthers repeat their 2024 exploits. But the Quรฉbรฉcois can’t be feeling too good, in my opinion.

The Flames had no choice but to let Matthew Tkachuk go – he didn’t want to stay in Alberta – and getting Huberdeau is no mean consolation prize. Despite the too-big contract offered afterwards.

But Tkachuk turned things around in Florida.

From a club that excelled in the regular season, but couldn’t break through in the playoffs, Tkachuk has turned the Panthers into a club that just has to go get its playoff ticket to do some damage rendered on the big stage.

The club has represented the East three times in the last three years in the Cup Final. And Tkachuk has had his say each time.

This year, he’s had less impact on the ice, but he’s still had some. And seeing him play despite his major injuries (Tkachuk tore his adductor bone and suffered a hernia) undoubtedly motivated his teammates to give more.

The Panthers have become, with Tkachuk, a “tough club to play against” when it counts most. Guys like Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand are part of that culture.

Everyone has brought a bit of their experience to the table to win in 2024 and 2025.

But it all started with Tkachuk, who was hated in Montreal in February. Without him, Florida doesn’t reach the finals three times or win the Stanley Cup twice. The Lightning, who also have two rings in the 2020s, didn’t need a transaction of that magnitude to win.

So no, I don’t see how any other club could make a bigger deal than the Panthers between now and 2029.

overtime

– Speaking of Tkachuk.

– Speaking of culture: Bill Zito believes he can bring everyone back next year.

– Martin St-Louis turns 50.

– Already?

– Celebrating in Florida.

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Fifth defeat: Corey Perry must hate Florida teams

Poor Corey Perry.

Once again this year, the veteran lost in the Stanley Cup Final. He may have won the Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Ducks, but that’s not what history will remember.

What history will remember is that, for the fifth time in less than 60 months, Corey Perry lost in the Stanley Cup Final. Yesterday, he became the first player in history to lose five times in the final over six seasons with four different clubs.

And all five times, it involved a Florida club.

In 2020 and 2021, he lost with the Stars and the Canadiens to the Lightning. Then, in 2022, he lost to Denver, but WITH the Lightning. In 2023, he didn’t play in the final.

Then, for the past two years, he’s lost with the Oilers to the Panthers.

This is the fourth time in six years that a Florida club has won (clearly, the monetary advantage is important these days), and it can’t be said that Perry hasn’t made his war effort to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada.

But we agree that the Panthers, for the past two years, have just been too good.

As Arpon Basu joked, the only way the Panthers would lose in the finals in 2026 would be if they signed Corey Perry. I found that one really funny.

Remember, even though Perry is 40 years old and has been hurt in the Final several times since leaving Anaheim, his goal is to play next year. And seeing him again in Edmonton is very possible.

To be seen in due course.

overtime

– A message to Stuart Skinner or what?

– Well done.

– Big win in Toronto yesterday. No, I’m not talking about hockey here.

– Friendly reminder.

– Deserved.

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Connor McDavid: third time leading the league in playoff pointsโ€ฆ but no ring

It’s done: the Florida Panthers have won the Stanley Cup. Sam Bennett, who will be a free agent in less than two weeks, is the MVP of the entertaining 2025 series.

Quรฉbรฉcois A.J. Greer, Roberto Luongo and Sylvain Lefebvre are Stanley Cup champions. Greer had never won the trophy before and was the only Quรฉbรฉcois in the final.

I wonder how Jonathan Huberdeau is feeling this morning…

Aleksander Barkov, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Paul Maurice: you could name several people this morning who are two-time Stanley Cup champions.

But at the other end of the spectrum, there’s Connor McDavid, who has lost twice in the finals. He’s the only captain in the last 50 years to lose back-to-back finals.

And what’s worse? This is the third time in four years (2022, 2024 and 2025) that the Oilers captain, who was clearly playing injured on the heels of the 2025 final, has led the league in playoff points. He was even last year’s playoff MVP.

But he still doesn’t have a ring.

It’s clear to see that without goaltending and depth, a player, no matter how good, can’t win. His 33 points in 22 games this year are proof of that, as are his 150 points in 96 games since the start of his career.

And what about Leon Draisaitl’s 52 goals and 141 points in 96 career playoff games?

Note that according to Matthew Tkachuk, McJesus is too good not to win it one day. But right now, I imagine McDavid doesn’t want to hear that, as he must be very disappointed.

Ah: remember that the Oilers captain, who is proud of his boys’ effort against the overmatched Panthers, can sign a contract extension as early as July 1, 2025…

overtime

– Gonzo must be relieved.

– Giving the Cup first to all the guys who weren’t there last year and never won: wow.

– Matthew Tkachuk: a banged-up guy.

– Pure, unadulterated domination.

– Interesting.

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For the second season in a row, the Panthers are champions

Game six of the Oilers-Panthers series took place tonight.

Florida could clinch a second consecutive Stanley Cup with a win.

And that’s exactly what the club did. With a 5-1 victory, Paul Maurice’s team wins the final series 4-2.

Last year, the team also took top honours in front of their home fans. That time, however, it was in seven games.

So it took less time in 2025.

The Cats got off to a good start.

In the first period, Sam Reinhart set the tone with a superb goal. He laughed at everyone.

Early in the second period, Matthew Tkachuk hurt the Oilers badly with a goal that gave his team a two-goal lead.

Reinhart scored another goal and threw a shower of cold water on the Oilers.

What a mistake Stuart Skinner made on that one…

With just under seven minutes to go, Kris Knoblaugh decided to remove his goalie and it benefited… the Panthers.

Reinhart completed his hat trick, his first in a Stanley Cup Final since Mark Stone in 2023.

Think he was done there? Think again.

He scored his fourth goal of the game late in the third.

Sergei Bobrovsky was beaten late in the game, but obviously, it was too little, too late.

A reminder that the Habs beat the two-time defending champions four times in 2024-2025…

This intermittent season is now over. The NHL will really have to rethink its schedule, especially in the playoffs.

Now it’s time for the best moments of the year: the amateur draft and the opening of the free agent market.

Extension

– It was definitely directed at Skinner.

– Brady was obviously on hand.

– Impressive.

– Still.

– Scorers of the game :

Sam Reinhart 4 goals

Carter Verhaeghe 3 assists

Aleksander Barkov 2 assists

Matthew Tkachuk 1 goal

Anton Lundell 1 goal

Vasily Podkolzin 1 goal

Eetu Luostarinen 1 assist

Aaron Ekblad 1 assist

Leon Draisaitl 1 assist

Jake Walman 1 assist