Author: Dose

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Fan gets away with filming Canadiens players

Right now, there’s a video circulating on social networks.

It shows Canadiens players in a restaurant. You can see that they’re being filmed by a fan and that they don’t exactly look like they’re having fun because of the camera in their face.

Here it is.

Why do I feel the need to talk about this this morning? It’s because this video brought out, on so many levels, the worst of what Montreal has to offer.

In what way?

The guys may love being in Montreal more and more, because the culture is good in the Canadiens organization, but the fact remains that the sometimes too intense pressure from the fans still exists.

And this video proves it.

When a child gets too close to a player to ask for a photo, it’s normal: he’s a child. But for an adult to start filming the guys when they’re just chilling out together, that’s pretty bad.

As far as I’m concerned, the fan in question got away with it. And it clearly made the Habs players uncomfortable.

But what’s possibly worse than the fan’s reaction is the way some people spun the video, saying that four Canadiens players “lost patience” with the whole thing.

When you say in your headline that you have the images and the images are… these, you have no right to headline like that. #Clickbait

All this put together meant that Montreal as such didn’t look good. The players reacted well, in the few seconds of footage available on social networks, but they certainly didn’t appreciate having a camera shoved in their face.

And they certainly didn’t lose their patience. The Habs players in the video did what they had to do.

overtime

– Cody Ponce: his arrival changes the game.

– Reminder: the Panthers’ pick going to Chicago is unprotected.

– Interesting.

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Jordan Binnington in Montreal: Darren Dreger denies the rumor

The Canadiens and the Blues have often been linked recently.

There was, of course, the transaction involving Logan Mailloux and Zachary Bolduc. There were the rumours involving Jordan Kyrou. There was the Alexandre Texier file.

And there’s more to come, given that two hockey men – including Peter Chiarelli – were at the Bell Centre last night against the Sens.

But who could the Habs be interested in? Kyrou again?

Darren Dreger, who talks Montreal Canadiens news every week on TSN 690, touched on another rumour involving both teams.

The TSN tipster heard, between the branches, that the Canadiens could potentially have an interest in Blues netminder Jordan Binnington.

But in the end, he was told that this was not the case.

Dreger didn’t have to talk about it because it wasn’t really circulating publicly and because, in the end, it’s not true, in his opinion. What forced him to talk about it this morning?

What the journalist said was that, even if there is dissatisfaction in terms of performance in the NHL, the Canadiens like what they have in terms of depth within the organization.

And, above all, in Montreal, it’s considered that the defense doesn’t help the goalies…

Of course, when we talk about depth in the organization, it’s easy to think of Jacob Fowler, a top prospect who’s having a good first season in the pros with the Laval Rocket.

It would have been ironic to see the temperamental Binnington replace Samuel Montembeault in Montreal. Both represented Canada at the Four Nations Confrontation last February.

A short-term solution, then?

overtime

– Big injury for Tyler Seguin.

– Andrei Markov just had to get an agent.

– Interesting.

– What’s in store for him?

– Andrei Markov in the Hall of Fame?

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Jacob Fowler and Samuel Blais stand out in Laval (while the Habs were being destroyed)

Last night, the Canadiens played the Senators. But you knew that.

It’s worth noting, however, that the Rocket, its training club, was also in action in the Montreal region. And let’s just say it went a lot better for the Rocket than it did for the Habs.

The Laval club won 4-1 against the (Providence) Bruins, and Jacob Fowler was one of the main reasons the Rocket managed to get their hands on the W.

Of course, the comparison is easy to make with what’s going on with the Canadiens, where goaltenders aren’t able to deliver the goods.

We’re not saying that Fowler is the solution for the Habs a few months after his pro debut… but we are saying that the guy can give prospects hope that the solution is coming one day.

It should also be noted that Samuel Blais, whom the Canadiens brought back into their organization in recent days via waivers, scored again in Laval.

In three games down there, he collected five points, including two goals.

The difference between Blais and Fowler is that the Québécois, who likes to play hard, must be a real possibility for the Canadiens right now. Yesterday, he would have helped against the Sens…

Is it realistic to believe that the Canadiens could give up Jared Davidson and/or Florian Xhekaj to bring Blais back? To me, that’s a pretty realistic scenario.

overtime

– At this point…

– Read more.

– Wow.

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Martin St-Louis won’t talk about his defensive system (which floundered yesterday)

The man-to-man system, where each player takes his man in defensive territory, doesn’t always work super well with the Canadiens.

And in yesterday’s loss to the Sens, it didn’t work so well.

When you looked at the results on the ice, you could see that some guys were behind and just couldn’t get it done. It was hard to watch.

Martin St-Louis, who decided to blame certain players who didn’t have it in them defensively, didn’t choose to blame himself last night. He blamed the players.

In his eyes, his system wasn’t the problem. What wasn’t working was that the players weren’t alert and weren’t playing the right way on the ice.

Nick Suzuki, meanwhile, said the guys couldn’t afford to make mental mistakes with the man-to-man system in place.

But mistakes do happen…

It’s all well and good to say that the powerplay worked well or that Slaf played a big one, but the fact remains that the Habs have a lot of issues to deal with.

Staying focused is one of them.

The Habs aren’t allowed to go out like that at home, but it’s becoming a nasty habit anyway. And it’s not really normal.

Will things change?

extension

– We have to note this game yesterday.

– The second period is part of the game…

– 21 shots is too few.

– It’s going to take a win tonight on the heels of the Andrei Markov tribute. And in the standings, it would make all the difference.

(Credit: NHL.com)
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Don’t expect Florian Xhekaj to play tonight

Last night, Martin St-Louis benched a few players during the game against the Sens. We’re talking about players who couldn’t hold their own defensively.

Among them? The Unicorn, Florian Xhekaj.

Given the Canadiens’ surplus of forwards (Jared Davidson has skipped his turn in recent games) and Florian’s poor showing yesterday, we wondered whether he’d be dressed for tonight’s game against the Jets.

And clearly, he’s not expected to play.

The Canadiens didn’t practice this morning, but Florian Xhekaj jumped on the ice. Normally, that means he’s not expected to play tonight.

Unless Samuel Blais is recalled (which would be desirable) by the Habs, it’s obviously Jared Davidson who will take Xhekaj’s place in the lineup.

That wouldn’t be the only change, since all indications are that Jakub Dobes will get the start tonight. But that’s no surprise to anyone.

Defenseman Adam Engstrom also jumped on the Bell Centre ice this morning. We can deduce that Martin St-Louis has no intention of changing his blue-line recipe.

And no, the fact that Lane Hutson skated means nothing. He just likes hockey too much.

The Canadiens will hold a media availability at 4:30 p.m. with Martin St-Louis. At that point, details regarding the lineup could be offered.

As for Andrei Markov, who will be honoured, he will take questions from the media at 6pm.

overtime

– To be continued

– Veterans must stand up.

– Bruins in the Kiefer Sherwood file?

– Wow.

– He needs to produce at home.

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Jake Evans is no shadow of the player he was last year

It’s the same old story. The same unpalatable (and unhealthy, Mr. Prime Minister) cold poutine.

Which bacon ranch poutine os*i am I talking about? The one served in the concessions on the Bell Centre ice since the start of the season.

The Canadiens have once again found a way to put on a flat performance in front of their fans, who, let’s not forget, pay hundreds of dollars to attend this “show”.

Following yesterday’s loss to the Senators, the Habs find themselves this morning in 12th place in the Eastern Association, just two wins ahead of the Panthers and last in the conference. #InTheMix

Since the start of the season, the Canadiens have lost seven of their 13 home games; that’s too many! Above all, it has suffered four thaws in front of its fans. All four in the last three weeks..

7-0, 5-1, 8-4 and 5-2…

No, Saputo Centre Bell Stadium is no longer a fortress. Against division rivals and Western teams alike..

Yesterday, we were treated once again to a disappointing performance from Samuel Montembeault, to a big team getting the better of our small and (too) young team, to an opposing team coming to our place and dominating the shots on goal..

In short, to the same unpalatable poutine!

No Montreal player was able to finish the game in the plus against the Sens. The “best” were Alexandre Carrier, Arber Xhekaj, Brendan Gallagher and Oliver Kapanen at zero.

It’s time to return Jared Davidson to Laval and replace Florian Xhekaj (or Alexandre Texier) with Samuel Blais, who is on fire in the AHL. But that’s another subject, as is the status of Jacob Fowler..

The Habs have a chance to bounce back tonight and finally give the team’s fans what they ask for when 21,000 of them show up at the Bell Centre: a performance to match, a show and a win. I had a better show when I went to see my niece play Ultimate Frisbee two weeks ago, and it didn’t cost me a kidney!

Will the Jets be docile enough to allow this?

Jake Evans is a shadow of his former self
Martin St-Louis didn’t mince his words in his team’s dressing room after the first period: ” Those who can’t play defensively will sit out,” he told his players.

Who was left sitting more than the others after that? Florian Xhekaj… and Jake Evans.

Evans didn’t even play 10 minutes yesterday. And he found a way to finish the game at -3!

Where’s Jake Evans, our defensive specialist? The one who supposedly accepted a paycut (at $2.85 million per season) after making his boxes?

Where is the good Jake Evans?
(Credit: Getty Images)

Nobody knows. Evans has a -15 differential so far this season, the fifth worst in the NHL.

Going from Emil Heineman and Joel Armia to Alexandre Texier, Josh Anderson or a young Rocket sometimes makes things a little more complicated in your zone. And it doesn’t give you the same offensive punch.

Because let’s talk about Jake Evans’ offensive game. Evans signed his current contract on March 4. He finished last season with 13 goals and 26 assists, notably being on fire during the month of December. Remember, he was scoring almost every night for a while.

This season, however, he’s not producing at the same pace, with just 4 goals and 4 assists in 25 games.

Did he take his foot off the gas after signing his four-year contract? Did he play over his head at the best possible time, when his agent was negotiating with Kent Hughes?

Perhaps… but I think the birth of his twins at the end of August had something to do with it. Looking after two babies at the same time, when you’re already dealing with an atypical schedule like that of an NHLer, isn’t easy. Nights are even shorter and naps a lot more difficult.

Evans isn’t the first player to experience a downturn after becoming a father.

We can just count ourselves lucky to have a GM who didn’t flinch by giving him $5 million a year last spring.

extension

Oh yes, I forgot: last year, Evans shared the defensive responsibility at center with Suzuki, Dvorak and Newhook. Now, he’s doing it with Suzuki, Kapanen and Veleno.

Not the same… man-to-man or zone system!

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Arber Xhekaj: “It’s the end of his career in Montreal”

Arber Xhekaj hasn’t been a shadow of his former self since… er…

It’s a good question, really: how long has the Sheriff (who doesn’t go by that nickname, according to Martin St-Louis) not been himself on the ice?

Quite a while.

The #72 has flashes (like at practice), but in general, the big defenseman is having trouble finding the defenseman he can or should be.

Is this the fault of the coach, who never seemed to be the president of his fan club? Some think so.

Yesterday was no exception. Is Xhekaj confused by his club about his role as strongman? He’s fighting less and less… and less and less well.

Yesterday, he refused to dance with Kurtis MacDermid. And in Gilbert Delorme’s eyes, this is the last straw for Xhekaj, as he doesn’t see how he can continue like this in Montreal.

It’s true that WiFi was solid on his skates when the Sens player stepped forward to tackle him. And it’s also true that Xhekaj didn’t necessarily benefit from fighting at that point.

But maybe that’s the problem: he’s having fewer and fewer moments to shine.

In reality, the situation isn’t easy at the moment, as we can sense that the defenseman is in a situation that isn’t obvious for the future.

He was the first to give way to Adam Engstrom recently, and he must feel he has no room for error… playing hockey that isn’t 100% in his nature.

The Habs don’t seem to be focusing on his qualities or accepting his shortcomings on the ice as a defenseman. And with the surplus of guys on the blue line in the organization, a deal is definitely possible in my eyes.

To be continued.

overtime

– The Jets could look like this tonight.

– Interesting.

– Ah well.

– Who’s going to the Olympics?

– Normal.

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Olympics 2026: The arena isn’t ready… and the surface will be smaller than an NHL rink

Preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games continue to generate a lot of ink… and not for the best of reasons.

Milan’s ice hockey arena now finds itself at the center of controversy: Not only is construction of the amphitheater still not complete… but we’ve learned via Frank Seravalli(Insider Notebook) that the ice surface will be smaller than an NHL rink.

Yikes. Let’s just say it raises a lot of questions…

Why the decision to opt for a smaller surface? Space constraints, cost-cutting… or probably a combination of all of the above. The fact remains, it doesn’t give a great image right now for the league’s players, and that’s a problem.

And I wonder how much the fact that the rink is likely to be smaller might change the guys’ vision, two and a half months before the start of the Olympic Games.

We also know thatthere is no plan B for the arena, which is not yet ready. The Olympic Committee doesn’t seem to see a huge problem with this situation… and that’s a shame, because it’s the show on the ice that’s likely to be affected.

Because if everything is delivered at the last minute (which seems to be happening at the moment), we’ll be playing with fire. As much for the quality of the ice as for the safety and experience of the spectators…

Milan 2026 was supposed to be a showcase for winter sports. But for the moment, the hockey tournament looks more like… a risky bet, because we can see how much anxiety there is at the moment.

In any case, I’m worried.

Seeing NHL players take part in the Olympic Games is always spectacular. It makes for a great show because the guys are working their butts off for their respective countries. But right now… I’m a little less excited about the tournament with what’s going on right now.

And I hope it’ll be corrected before too long… even though the 2026 Winter Olympics are less than three months away.

Overtime

– I love it.

– Oh.

– That’s right.

– Good point.

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“I have to give Ivan Demidov more playing time” – Martin St-Louis

Does Ivan Demidov play enough minutes in a game?

In October, he averaged 13:47. And in November, the average went up to 14:47, which is a bit better. But it’s still low.

In November, the guy had 10 points in 13 games. For a 19-year-old rookie, that’s excellent.

(Credit: ESPN)

For several weeks now, many people have wanted to see Martin St-Louis offer more playing time to his young Russian, who is obviously brimming with talent.

And let’s just say that the coach agrees.

Martin St-Louis, questioned on the subject after the day’s practice, said he sometimes looks at his colt’s playing time after a game and finds it too low.

But obviously, the context sometimes forces him to keep Demidov on the bench.

In reality, Demidov just has to keep convincing his head coach that he deserves to play. He needs to keep playing hockey the right way.

And playing time will follow, as MSL said:

I’d tell you he should get more [playing time], but life isn’t always fair. He’s got to keep going. – Martin St-Louis on Ivan Demidov

This isn’t the first time recently that Martin St-Louis has taken the blame publicly. After the Denver game, the coach said his strategy wasn’t right.

You have to have confidence to say things like that publicly.

For the moment, Demidov is playing on a regular basis with Oliver Kapanen at center and Juraj Slafkovsky on the other wing. Remember that Zachary Bolduc is with NiCole.

Slaf says he’s gaining confidence in this line. If the guys keep working together, they could develop something good.

Juraj Slafkovsky today on playing on Habs 2nd line:

“I carry the puck a lot more. I obviously like that, who doesn’t like to play with the puck? I’m playing a little different role…I like how we’re playing. We can be even better in the D-zone and that will create more O-zone time for us.”

[image or embed]

– /r/Habs(@habsonreddit.bsky.social) December 2, 2025 at 11:38 am

We agree that at some point, Demidov will get his playing time. And if you ask me, with talent like his, he’ll possibly end up on a line with Nick Suzuki.

But one thing at a time.

overtime

– Coming up.

– The importance of wanting to win with a group. [BPM Sports]

– Linus Ullmark will be in front of the Sens net tonight, but there’s still some stuff to confirm for the rest of the lineup.

– Wow.

– Quinn Hughes: keeping an eye on the Devils.

– Logical.

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Alexander Zharovsky, a replica of Ivan Demidov according to Bob Hartley

Bob Hartley surprised everyone last summer when he announced he was coming out of retirement to coach… the defending Gagarin Cup champions, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the KHL. At 65, Hartley had closed the door on any return to the bench of a professional hockey team.

But then, the passion (and the paycheck) must have been strong to turn down such an offer in Russia! And life as a new retiree, not much fun…

How has Bob’s team been doing so far this season? Very well, with a record of 20-10-3, putting them in third place in the Western Conference.

We miss Bob Hartley on the radio
We’ve heard less of Bob Hartley on our FM airwaves since his departure from BPM Sports, and we rarely hear him on Martin Lemay’s daily podcast (on YouTube). It’s a pity, because Hartley is interesting every time he agrees to take the microphone and talk to us about hockey.

Except that Bob Hartley fans are in for a treat today, as Hartley gave an interview to Saguenay-based radio/podcast host Mark Dickey.

What did Bob have to say in this episode of Dickey and the zebra? Mostly, he said he’s sure Alexander Zharovsky will play in the National League.

Need I remind you that 1. Hartley coaches against Zharovsky and 2. Hartley knows his hockey in ta*?

“We’ve played him twice, one of them really recently, and then unlike Demidov, Zharovsky is on a team where the budget (which comes from the government) has been cut […] the Salavat team still let some very good veterans go. Zharovsky is a bit of a team leader despite his young age.” – Bob Hartley

Hartley admitted that Zharovsky was a replica (perhaps only slightly less good at the same age, in his opinion) of Demidov, but that with the puck, especially on the powerplay, his vision of the game and the way he moved his feet, it was really comparable to the newly-minted Russian winger. Perhaps it’s only Zharovsky’s shot that isn’t up to Demidov’s level, even though he has a very good one.

Let’s not forget that Zharovsky is only 18… and already has 20 points in 23 games in a Russian men’s league. He was selected in the second round by the Habs last summer, but has clearly been playing like a first-round pick since the start of the season. In fact, several NHL teams had Zharovsky on their radar and are already regretting having turned their noses up at him..

We also learned a few minutes ago that Zharovsky had been named KHL Rookie of the Month for a second consecutive month.

Officially, Zharovsky is under contract until May 31, 2027, and the Canadiens can’t pay to break that contract. Since Zharovsky’s team has less budget than before, it will clearly be reluctant to let a young, inexpensive, productive player go before the end of his contract.

Canadiens fans will have to wait another year and a half before seeing Zharovsky in North America (alongside Ivan Demidov).

Unless..

overtime

– Answers in a few days.

– Good question.

– What do you think?

– He’s got a whole season.

– Attention all interested parties.