Author: Dose

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Practice: when Carter Verhaeghe prevents the Oilers from practicing their way

Tonight there’s a hockey match. I’d almost forgotten that the final was taking place, it’s so long between games…

The Panthers lead the series 3-2 over the Oilers. If Florida wins at home tonight, they’ll win the Stanley Cup. If not, game #7 is Friday night in Alberta.

My colleague Maxime Truman just did a piece to set the table for tonight’s game. #FiveThingsToWatch

Obviously, players need to prepare properly for the game. Especially for the Oilers, who have absolutely no room for error between now and the end of the 2025 series.

Stuart Skinner is expected to defend his team’s cage.

And on that subject, Carter Verhaeghe has gone to great lengths to make sure he plays in the Oilers’ heads. This morning, he clearly won the game within the game, as they say in the sports world.

How did he do it? By staying on the ice longer, in order to prevent the Oilers, who were practicing in second gear, from arriving on the ice early to start their practice ahead of schedule.

The Panthers player didn’t need to take any more shots. He was left alone on the other ice just to bother the Edmonton guys.

Normally, the Oilers would practice at 11:30, but Verhaeghe left at 11. Many guys, however, like to arrive more than 30 minutes before the start of regular practice.

If the Oilers win tonight… will they win on Friday? For sure.

Note that at 11 a.m., the Zamboni showed up. The Edmonton folks told the guy driving it to leave it alone so the guys could get on the ice as quickly as possible. I love it.

overtime

– The Oilers need to give more.

– Nice.

– His agent praises him.

– Read more.

– Interesting.

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Game #6 of the Stanley Cup Final: 5 things to watch out for

Just because it won’t be below 20 degrees Celcius next night doesn’t mean we won’t be watching hockey on our Québécois TVs tonight. On the contrary, the Stanley Cup could come out of its box around 11:00 p.m. to be handed over – for the second time in as many springs – to the Florida Panthers… in Florida!

Are you near Fort Lauderdale and want to attend tonight’s game? The cheapest ticket is currently selling for almost $800 Canadian on StubHub.

Remember, if the Oilers ever manage to upset the Panthers tonight, they’ll force an ultimate Game #7 on Friday in Edmonton. That would be INCREDIBLE for the NHL and their broadcast partners. Renaud Lavoie Louis-Philippe Neveu dreams about it at night, I’m told..

So far, each game of the final series broadcast on TVA Sports attracts an average of 100,000 more viewers than at the same time last year.

What questions should we be asking ourselves as we approach Game 6 between the Panthers and Oilers?

1. Who will win the Conn-Smythe Trophy if the Panthers lift the Stanley Cup tonight?

The NHL’s top three playoff scorers are Oilers players: Leon Draisaitl (33), Connor McDavid (33) and Evan Bouchard (23). Sam Bennett (22) is fourth, but has 15 goals, the highest playoff total.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Would the NHL award a second playoff MVP trophy to a guy on the losing team?

Would Sam Bennett have done enough to top the Oilers’ two-headed monster?

Would Sergei Bobrovsky (15-7, 2.26, .912) have been influential enough to be named MVP?

If the Oilers win tonight and Friday, I think we’re all ready to give Leon Draisaitl the Conn-Smythe. But if the Panthers win, we’re in the doldrums..

2. Who will get tonight’s start, Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard?

Stuart Skinner (7-6, 2.99 and .899) and Calvin Pickard (7-1, 2.85 and .886) aren’t having a great spring, let’s put it that way. Skinner has been chased from his net in his last two starts, but Pickard didn’t fare much better in Game #5.

Skinner is the #1 goalie and he practiced as a starter yesterday. Smells like Skinner..

3. Who will change teams next season?

Brad Marchand, Tomas Nesek, Sam Bennett, Nico Strum, Nate Schmidt, Aaron Ekblad and Vitek Vanecek will all be eligible for full autonomy in July. For the Oilers, Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Connor Brown, Kasperi Kapanen, Trent Frederic and John Klingberg will also be able to choose their new team for next season. Many will not be returning to their current teams.

Will Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett play their last game with the Panthers? Possibly, in Marchand’s case..

Will Corey Perry, who has already mentioned he wants to play again next season, lose a fifth final in six seasons? That would be something.

Will Kasperi Kapanen, entrenched in the (minor) turmoil of Game #5, be back in the line-up?

We’ll see.

4. Can Connor McDavid afford to lose tonight?

Wayne Gretzky made history.

Mario Lemieux has written his story.

Sidney Crosby has written his story.

When a generational player arrives in the NHL, we expect to see him win Stanley Cups to protect his legacy once his career is over.

What will we be saying about them in 20 years’ time?
(Credit: Getty Images)

Connor McDavid will play the final season of his contract next year, before he is granted full autonomy. There’s no telling when he’ll get another chance to play in a Stanley Cup Final, as he turns 30 in 19 months’ time.

McDavid doesn’t want to become a Joe Thornton; he’s desperate for a Stanley Cup ring. This week could be his last chance. You never know if there’ll be a next time..

5. Brad Marchand will be the..

If the Panthers ever lift the precious trophy tonight, when will Brad Marchand be called upon to take the trophy in his arms?

From Gary Bettman to Aleksander Barkov, then directly to Brad Marchand? To Matthew Tkachuk first? To Seth Jones first?

overtime

– Of note.

– The Canadian Grand Prix is in Montreal to stay, but…

– The issue continues to be the talk of the town.

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The Athletic mock draft: Carter Bear at #16

In 10 days, the Canadiens and the other 31 NHL teams will not be meeting in Los Angeles for the first round of the draft. Hopefully, by 2026, we’ll be able to frame the whole thing differently.

Of course, this will be an important draft for the Habs. After all, the current Habs have never drafted in the top-17 twice since the beginning of the club’s reconstruction.

It will be important because two top prospects will be coming to town… or else, it will mean that Kent Hughes will have done something big on the transaction market.

All this to say that, right now, we’re wondering what the Habs will do.

We’re sure that Caleb Desnoyers won’t be available in the CH lineup (unless the Habs make a big deal, of course), but we wonder if Justin Carbonneau will be there.

If The Athletic’s mock draft is anything to go by, Carbonneau will be out (rank #14, in Columbus) before the first of the Habs’ two picks.

However, Corey Pronman doesn’t think Carte Bear will go in the top-15, so the Habs could draft him at #16. He’s a name that’s getting more and more attention in Quebec, and seeing him at #16 on The Athletic will please many fans.

Will it happen for real? Who knows.

But even if he’s not a center, I think Bear has a good chance of being drafted by the Canadiens if he slips through the cracks next Friday.

Note that with pick #17, Pronman predicted that the Canadiens would draft Lynden Lakovic, another left-winger. He’s been the talk of Montreal lately and has a big frame.

Whether this will happen remains to be seen.

overtime

– Yevgeni Volokhin traded.

– Habs captain to the Olympics?

– Of note.

– What a horrible view, huh…

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Corey Perry: one of the three big names circulating in Anaheim

The Anaheim Ducks are going to be active this summer.

The club recently acquired Chris Kreider, but this is only the first step towards an off-season that should allow the California club to get its head above water.

The goal in 2026? To get closer to the playoffs.

Of course, one name that keeps coming up is that of Mitch Marner. We know that the Ducks will be very aggressive in their pursuit of Mitch Marner this summer.

If the club wants him, it’s going to take money on the table.

But he’s not the only big name to watch in Anaheim. After all, as Jeff Marek reports in a piece on the subject, it wouldn’t be surprising if John Tavares(who is still in the midst of his Revenue Canada story, which could impact the off-season) were also in the Ducks’ sights.

In fact, the Western club could offer both players a contract at the same time.

But there’s another familiar name to keep an eye on in Anaheim. What if Corey Perry’s name was linked to the Ducks, the club he played with for years, in July?

Because when a plogued guy like Jeff Marek wonders if Perry could end his career where it all began, you have to understand that he’s not necessarily talking through his hat.

That’s not to say it’s going to happen, since Perry, who is still performing well despite his age, seems genuinely determined to win the Stanley Cup in recent years. The only time he’s deviated from his plan was when he signed with Chicago for a lot of money.

I’m not saying he won’t come back to Anaheim, but I don’t think it’s his priority –especially if the Panthers win another game this week against the Oilers…

Overtime

– A machine.

– Official.

– It will be Stuart Skinner and it will be a mistake.

– Of note.

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It feels like the end for Rafaël Harvey-Pinard in the Habs organization

two years ago, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard was racking up points at an incredible rate in the Canadiens organization. After a great first half of the season in Laval, he was called back to finish the year in Montreal… and he played some great hockey.

14 goals and 20 points in 34 games, that’s quite a resume for a guy who came out of nowhere.

RHP signed a two-year contract at the end of the 2022-23 season… but he was unable to recreate his magic thereafter. Injuries seriously slowed him down, and even this year, he didn’t have a great year in Laval.

Five goals and 19 points in 40 AHL regular-season games is a far cry from what he’s been able to offer the Habs in the past.

All of which begs the question: does RHP have a future in the Canadiens organization? And as Vincent Duquette(TVA Sports) noted in a piece last night, it’s a safe bet that the Québécois’ time with the Montreal organization is coming to an end.

Harvey-Pinard will become a restricted free agent on July 1… but the Habs must submit a qualifying offer by June 30 if they wish to retain his services. The offer would be $1 million for one year.

That said, at 26, it seems pretty hard to see a world in which Harvey-Pinard becomes a factor again with the Canadiens eventually. It’s logical to think that the Habs won’t take advantage of this option, because there’s a limit to the number of contracts a team can have on its books.

Using one of your 50 contracts for a player who doesn’t really have a future with your organization, and who is unlikely to be a real option for a recall (even if he did play a game in Montreal this year), isn’t optimal management.

You might think that the Habs could bring him back next year by signing him to an AHL contract… but you have to wonder if that’s something that would really interest the Québécois. More importantly, would it really interest the Canadiens, who already have some good veterans under contract in Laval and will want to keep room for the youngsters.

If not, there’s always the option of Europe for Harvey-Pinard… but in any case, another NHL contract with the Habs seems unlikely for the Québécois this summer. It’s a shame, because he showed great promise two years ago, but things change quickly in the world of sports.

Overtime

– The salary cap could rise even higher than expected in the next few years.

– It’s understandable.

– Nothing less.

– Interesting.

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Draft: if the Habs want Caleb Desnoyers, the Blackhawks are ready to negotiate

For the first time since 2021, the Canadiens don’t have a top-5 draft pick. So, unlike in other years, there’s less focus on the big names in Montreal… but there’s one name that’s got the city talking: Caleb Desnoyers.

The Québécois is, after all, the best prospect to come out of the province since Alexis Lafrenière… and for the Habs, who are looking for a second center (who, ideally, would be left-handed), Desnoyers ticks quite a few boxes.

The big problem, though, is that the Habs don’t draft until the 16th spot. Desnoyers will be long gone by then, so Kent Hughes will have to work hard if he wants to move up to select him.

We knew that the Mammoth, at No. 4, was open to trading his pick. However, according to Frank Seravalli’s report on DFO Rundown today, there’s another team ready to talk: the Blackhawks, who have the third pick.

At that rank, the Habs would be virtually assured of selecting Desnoyers.

After all, it’s far from impossible for Desnoyers to emerge at #3 if the Blackhawks keep their pick. In such a scenario, the Habs wouldn’t gain much by going after the Mammoth’s pick… unless they preferred Porter Martone to Desnoyers, for example.

But we agree that if the club does move forward, it will probably be for Desnoyers, who took his interview with the Habs very seriously and who “would have a bit more to give” if he played in Montreal.

According to Seravalli, the Blackhawks want “a player who can make a difference”. You’d think the Habs wouldn’t be interested in trading Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson or Ivan Demidov… but would the Blackhawks see a player like Juraj Slafkovský (who may be untouchable, too) or Cole Caufield as a player who could fit that profile?

The Habs can ill-afford to trade a guy like Caufield, of course… but he could be the bargaining chip they need to get Desnoyers.

In any case, having said that, it’s interesting to see the 3rd pick potentially on the market. It’s another path that could lead the Habs to Desnoyers, but it’s obviously going to be expensive.

Because no, I don’t think the Blackhawks would be very interested in a deal that would send Kirby Dach back to Chicago, for example.

Overtime

– Jonathan Toews: It’s between the Jets and the Avalanche.

– Whew.

– Very cool, that.

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David Pagnotta insists the Habs will test the waters for Mitch Marner

In just over two weeks, we’ll know where Mitch Marner will continue his career in the Bettman circuit. The forward, who is not expected to return to Toronto, will become an independent player on July 1… and we’re expecting things to be settled fairly quickly in his case.

Because officially, there can be no negotiations between Marner and the other teams before July 1… but you know as well as I do that’s not exactly how it works.

The popular feeling right now is that Marner will go somewhere south of the border. That said, it’s not completely impossible that a Canadian team might be interested in him… and we know that the Canadiens have been mentioned by David Pagnotta as a team that might be interested in Marner.

It still has to be reciprocal, but at least there’s interest on one side.

And this morning on Leafs Morning Take, Pagnotta was adamant that he expects the Habs to “test the waters” for Marner on July 1.

He also mentions the Senators and Flames in the same category as the Canadiens, but adds that he doesn’t necessarily feel that Marner, who would have a list of 6-8 teams he’d consider on July 1, will come to terms with a Canadian team. On the other hand, he didn ‘t say that he knows for a fact that it won’t happen: that’s just how he feels about the situation.

And just because the Habs are interested in Marner doesn’t mean he’ll consider Montreal. He’s exhausted by the reality of the Toronto market… and in Montreal, it wouldn’t be much better for him.

But for the Habs, who are looking for big-name forwards, trying to lure Marner to town is a no-brainer. With the trade market teeming with buyers rather than sellers, the free-agent market might be the most logical avenue for adding talent.

It would be very expensive in terms of money, but talent can be bought… especially with the upcoming salary cap increase.

What all this tells me, personally, is that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton are ready to consider several solutions to get some punch forward. We’re casting a wide net and doing our homework, even with players who have very little chance of coming to Montreal.

And who knows, maybe a miracle awaits the club.

Overtime

– Read more.

– Great read on Justin Carbonneau.

– More on the hot topic in baseball.

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Crosby in Montreal: “yes, if we don’t touch Demidov, Hage and Reinbacher”

The more the days go by, the slimmer the chances that Sidney Crosby will stay in Pittsburgh.

After all, he doesn’t have many seasons of good hockey left, and his team isn’t going anywhere. Just today, we learned that Evgeni Malkin’s contract would not be renewed. So, how long will 87 be a member of the Penguins?

If he’s traded, we need to talk about Montreal. His childhood club was the Canadiens, his father was drafted by the team and he’s never hidden his love for the city. Not many people would say no to seeing him in the metropolis. Mathias Brunet would say no if Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher and/or Michael Hage were involved in the transaction.

I agree with Mathias. The problem: Pittsburgh is probably going to ask for one of these prospects and a first-round pick or two.

Crosby isn’t going to cost anything, because “he wants out of Pittsburgh…”

The Penguins will soon begin a pivotal period in their rebuilding. They won’t want prospects too old or picks too far away. They’ll be asking for the CH’s first two picks in 2025 and two prospects. Would Logan Mailloux and Joshua Roy be enough? Probably not.

But if Kyle Dubas realizes he can’t trade him for the price he wants, maybe he’ll take the trade in the end. We’ve seen worse.

If I were Kent Hughes – and I agree with the LaPresse journalist – I wouldn’t touch Demidov or Reinbacher at all. As for Hage, who received a nice tribute earlier today, I’d think twice…

Overtime

– The penultimate episode before the draft.

– Ah well.

-Too bad.

– I can imagine.

– That’s right.

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Mitch Marner cancelling his charity event: not everyone is happy about it

The big story of the off-season will undoubtedly be Mitch Marner.

If you weren’t already convinced he was going to change his address, you’ll probably change your mind with the news below.

The Leafs’ forward has cancelled his charity event.

After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event, scheduled for July 10 and 11. The uncertainty surrounding Mitch’s summer schedule makes responsible planning difficult. – Marner Assist Foundation

The event scheduled for July 10 and 11 in Toronto has therefore been cancelled, due to the uncertainty surrounding the player’s future.

And on social media, people aren’t taking the news too well. Some are calling him selfish and pathetic, others narcissistic, because he’s not supposed to be the center of attention at this event.

At the end of the day, the event aims to “generate lasting change for children and young people by providing resources that will have a significant impact on their lives”.

That he wants to leave the Queen City is one thing.

To cancel a charity that has nothing to do with contract negotiations is quite another.

In any case, the Leafs have nothing to reproach themselves for in this matter, and lately, the athlete has escaped it.

Overtime

– Notice to interested parties.

– Bon.

– Still.

– A real one.

– What a story!

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Rumor mill: The Panthers want to offer Bennett a contract worth $7 million per season

The Panthers will have some choices to make this summer.

In fact, one in particular is likely to be more complicated than the others.

Do we keep Sam Bennett… or do we offer him a big contract to keep him in Florida?

Because yes, we agree that Bennett is going to break the bank in a few weeks. He’s got the makings of a monster contract, and there will be interest in his services if he makes it to the free agent market.

And that could really happen, by the way… in the context that right now, the Panthers are trying to offer him a contract similar to that of Carter Verhaeghe, who earns $7M per season.

Elliotte Friedman talked about it today on Sportsnet 590.

7M isn’t enough for Bennett.

The Panthers have a tax rate advantage… but still: there’s going to be a club offering him a lot more than that, and maybe that’ll weigh in the balance, in the end.

Unless Bennett figures that in Florida, he has a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup and is willing to take less money to do it…

Andrew Mangiapane may test the market

Last summer, Andrew Mangiapane signed a one-season contract ($5.8 million) with the Washington Capitals.

He struggled offensively – 28 points, including 14 goals, in 81 games -… and the Caps seem keen to make another call.

The result?

The diminutive forward is likely to test the free agent market on July 1. Mangiapane also has a new agent:

I really find it hard to believe that Mangiapane will be able to sign such a nice contract this summer.

His performance has been disappointing, he’s 29, he’s not the biggest at 5’10 and 183 pounds….

5.8 M$ per season for a player like him was already a lot to begin with. He may have to take a pay cut to sign elsewhere, and there should be some interest in his services around the league.

But clubs won’t be lining up, either.

Two guys on the market on Long Island

The Islanders are entering a new era.

The organization has a new GM in Mathieu Darche, the club will be in a position to talk about the top spot in the next draft (which is fast approaching, by the way) and we have a feeling it’s going to feel good out there.

The Islanders have been good in recent years, but they’ve never been a dominant club.

That said, to make room, Darche seems to have a plan in mind.

I say that because right now, there are two guys on the market on Long Island according to David Pagnotta: Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Pierre Engvall.

Pageau is coming off his second-best offensive season in his career (42 points), and he’s still capable of giving more.

On a third line, we’re talking about a guy who can really get the job done. Should the Canadiens be interested in him? Maybe, in the sense that adding a feisty guy like him who’s good in the face-off circle can never hurt… But it’s Pageau’s contract ($5M) that’s the scary part.

For Engvall, it’s been really tough this season, and trading him will be difficult because he still has five years left on his current contract ($3M per season).

Overtime

– Nice!

– 100 %.

– A good draft.