Category: Dans les coulisses

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Dans les coulisses

Jonathan Toews: the Jets have talked to him and are interested in signing him.

For a few weeks now, it has been understood that Jonathan Toews is interested in a return to play.

Will this happen this season? Will it happen next fall? Will it happen… at all? It is still a bit too early to make a judgment on that.

The coming weeks will be important to determine everything.

But regarding this subject, journalists Murat Ates and Mike McIntyre had a brief chat with Kevin Cheveldayoff, the Jets’ GM. And he opened the door to signing Toews.

Do I need to remind you that the former Hawk is a Franco-Manitoban?

According to Cheveldayoff, there have been discussions with Toews recently, and the team is interested if the center decides to return to the National Hockey League.

The GM hopes that his team will be in the mix.

It is clear that adding Toews to a team like the Jets would change the game. After all, he would bring depth to a team that is well on its way to making a deep playoff run.

As long as the guy in front of the goal does his job, the Jets will be good.

Normally, Winnipeg is not a top choice destination. But Toews is nearing the end of his career, he comes from the area, and as long as he’s returning somewhere other than Chicago (because no, if he returns, it will evidently not be with the Blackhawks), it will be to win a fourth Stanley Cup.

To be continued, then.

In brief

– To read.

– Pittsburgh: the right year to sell. [BPM Sports]

– Oh really?

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Dans les coulisses

Patrik Laine: Kent Hughes completed the best trade of the offseason in the NHL.

Patrik Laine has 12 goals in 19 games since the start of the season. He has already doubled his total from last season and is on track to have his most productive season since leaving Winnipeg.

Only Cole Caufield (24) and Nick Suzuki (14) have scored more goals than Laine this season. Both Suzuki and Caufield have played all 47 games for the Habs so far in 2024-25.

Since Patrik Laine returned to play (miraculously), the CH has a record of 16-6-1, which is the second-best in the entire NHL behind the Capitals (15-4-4). No team has more wins than the CH during this period…And let’s remember that Laine had to miss time due to a virus!

Patrik Laine has truly changed the face of this team.
(Credit: Getty Images)

Laine has transformed the Canadiens version 2024-25. He has added punch to the offense while giving two extra inches an additional dose of confidence to all his teammates.

The question arises: is the trade Patrik Laine and a second-round pick for Jordan Harris THE trade of the offseason in the NHL?

The answer is definitely yes.

OK, the Devils made a very good trade when they acquired Jacob Markstrom in exchange for a first-round pick and Kevin Bahl. Markstrom has a record of 21-9-5, with a goals-against average of 2.20 and a save percentage of .912 since the start of the season.

OK, Pierre-Luc Dubois is rebounding in Washington, having cost almost nothing to acquire.

OK. Mikhail Sergachev has become an ultra-important cog in the Yetis the Utah HC.

OK, Logan Thompson for two third-round picks is a steal for the Caps.

However, Kent Hughes still deserves the title of best offseason trade. In fact, he has completed several good trades over the past three years…

However, the Canadiens’ GM may also deserve the title of worst offseason trade: Johnathan Kovacevic for a fourth-round pick does not reflect well on Kent Hughes.

Kovy plays an average of 20 minutes per game, has 13 points in 49 games, shows a plus-14 rating, and is currently keeping Simon Nemec out of New Jersey. But hey, nobody hits 1.000.

It is worth noting that Laine may be the best acquisition in the entire NHL when considering free-agent signings. Only Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh) is among the top 40 scorers in the league among players who changed teams last summer.

Overtime

So far, Kent Hughes has also completed the best trade of the 2024-25 season: Alexandre Carrier for Justin Barron is a stroke of genius.

The Quebec defender has recorded nine assists in 16 games with the Canadiens, in addition to showing a plus-7 rating. He plays over 20 minutes per game and has stabilized a defense that needed a guy like him.

Since December 18, the date of Carrier’s acquisition, the Canadiens have been the best team in the NHL: 12-3-1.

And Justin Barron is struggling to earn appreciation in Nashville.

What a trade!

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Dans les coulisses

Training of the CH: No player from the Rocket | Patrik Laine and four other players absent

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Is the Canadiens organization planning to call up anyone (to fill in for Owen Beck) in view of tomorrow’s game in Detroit?

We can assume that with the CH practicing this morning in Brossard before heading to Michigan, and with the Rocket playing at home tonight, a recalled player would be training with the main club and on the Canadiens’ plane.

But this morning, there were no signs of a recalled player in Brossard.

It was quickly thought that a guy from Laval would not be at the CH’s practice (and that was confirmed) as normally, those guys arrive on the ice before the others. And this morning, that wasn’t the case.

We’ll see what that means, but one can think that Michael Pezzetta has a chance to play tomorrow. Take everything with a grain of salt, though.

Let’s note that five players (Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, Kaiden Guhle, Patrik Laine, and David Savard) were not at this first regular practice in more than a week.

The five were entitled to a treatment day. We don’t know what that means for tomorrow, but don’t expect all of those guys to miss tomorrow’s game; on the contrary.

If the CH were worried about not seeing them play tomorrow, there would surely have been some guys from Laval on the ice.

A treatment day is not unusual, even if there are many today. But it must be said that yesterday’s game was tough for a few guys, including Savard and Guhle.

What we think, however, is that the players’ health status may partly explain why Nick Suzuki and Martin St-Louis canceled some practices recently.

It would be logical to think so, at least.

in brief

– To watch for.

– Scout meeting in Montreal.

– Happy birthday to Serge Savard.

– Happy reading.

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Dans les coulisses

Owen Beck is back in Laval

The Canadiens have made a move.

They announced that center Owen Beck (who was playing wing with the Canadiens) has been sent back to Laval. He has just been reassigned after playing his first two games of the season in the NHL.

He went scoreless during his two games played in the NHL this year.

Yesterday, during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he played less than seven minutes, and Nick Suzuki took his place a few times on the fourth line towards the end of the game.

That wasn’t a role for Beck, in fact.

Initially, I was surprised to see the Canadiens call up a guy like him for the fourth line – even though it provided him with a little treat. However, it is probably better for him to get significant minutes in the Rocket’s colors.

In fact, Beck will play tonight in Laval.

At this point, we will need to see if the Canadiens decide to recall a fourth-line player (perhaps Jared Davidson?) or if the team will choose to play Michael Pezzetta tomorrow in Detroit.

The Canadiens will practice at 11 a.m. this morning. That’s when we might get answers to our questions since undoubtedly, there will be a new player joining the lineup tomorrow night in Michigan.

In Brief

– Glad to know he’s in shape.

– There’s love in the air.

– Scoring is low in the West among the league’s poor teams.

– Good analysis.

– Mike Bossy would have been 68 years old today.

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Dans les coulisses

Samuel Montembeault: successful audition in front of the Team Canada coach

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Last night, the Canadiens found a way to win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a score of 3-2 that Martin St-Louis’s team managed to secure victory at the Bell Centre.

And the result is that the CH is back in the playoffs.

The team, which is more #DansLeMix than ever, has surpassed the Bruins in the standings. Right now, the Sens and the Flanelle are just one little point behind the Lightning and the top-3 in the division.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Obviously, the way things are shaping up, it looks like the Canadiens will have to cross off a quality draft pick, as they are not on track to draft in the top-5 like in previous years.

And clearly, that makes many people happy.

Among the satisfied customers, there must certainly be the Canadiens’ coach. After all, Martin St-Louis must be proud to see that his guys never give up and are always in the game.

Yesterday, for example, the team was down by two goals and did not have the best first period in history. But still, the guys found a way to rally.

It’s not an “isolated incident.”

In fact, the last eight victories of the Canadiens (dating back to the game on December 31 against Vegas) have come via a comeback. And yesterday was a two-goal comeback.

With a record of 7-1-1 against teams currently in the playoffs since December 28, the CH is impressive. And this is partly due to what Samuel Montembeault is capable of accomplishing.

The Canadiens’ No. 1 goalie has seen many people demanding that Jakub Dobes get more time (especially after Saturday’s game, where the Quebecer did not look good) lately.

However, not only does the CH want to manage Dobes’ playing time (like Emil Heineman before he was hit by a car), but they also trust Monty.

And yesterday, he responded well.

Even though he gave up two goals in the first half of the game, he was impenetrable afterward… even though the Lightning outshot the Canadiens by 13 (35 to 22) during the game.

I don’t know if being in front of Jon Cooper helped (it surely didn’t hurt, between you and me #TeamCanada) Monty to perform well, but he was the goalie the CH needed.

And I’m sure Cooper took notes. It’s his job to do so, after all.

Having Dobes to help Monty allows him to push further (because he has more competition than with Cayden Primeau), but it also enables him to rest more adequately.

And as the CH has 13 wins in their last 17 games (13-3-1), let’s say the results are there.

Let’s also note that Samuel Montembeault got his 17th win of the season, which is a new record for him. Playing as the No. 1 goalie without a three-way share on a good team helps win games, I think.

But that’s not all we should take from this game.

What caught my attention during the match, which became increasingly interesting for the fans on-site as the game progressed?

1. When we look at Owen Beck’s ice time, we can see that his 6:57 is not that much. He jumped on the ice seven times during the game, and in the end, it was Nick Suzuki playing in his place.

Martin St-Louis was clearly playing to win.

2. The Lightning gave the Canadiens two power plays (who scored once), and Tampa Bay had four power plays, but at times, the referees kept their whistles tucked away.

They missed some calls during the game.

3. David Savard is very important for the Canadiens. He has a stabilizing effect on Arber Xhekaj, but he is also important, in a lesser role, on the ice in defensive situations.

Because even though he will never be Lane Hutson (who did his job yesterday), Savard did something that little #48 doesn’t do: protect a lead at the end of a game. I’m not saying Hutson couldn’t… but let’s say he has some work to do before hoping to make a play like this:

4. Jake Evans scored his 11th goal of the season. He also performed well in other aspects of the game (faceoffs, penalty kills, play over 200 feet, etc.) and was at the heart of the victory.

He is just two goals away from matching his career record.

5. Mike Matheson did not have the best game of his career. These things happen… but he did not fully help his team at the end of the game, at least.

Not as much as David Savard, anyway.

6. During the Canadiens’ last victory, a miniature Youppi! was thrown onto the ice. And yesterday, after the win, the real Youppi! lay down on the ice, which was funny.

If I had been in a player’s position, I would have (gently) laid down on him.

overtime

This morning, the Canadiens will train (yes, yes!) in Brossard around 11 AM. Then, a flight to Detroit awaits the team ahead of their game tomorrow against the Red Wings.

Detroit may be low in the standings, but the team is not on a bad streak (6-3-1 in their last 10 games), and the standings are so tight that nothing can be left to chance.

(Credit: NHL.com)
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Dans les coulisses

Lane Hutson already has more points than P.K. Subban as a rookie (and we are only in January)

And then? Do you believe in the playoffs? More than the crew at The Athletic? Because it can’t get any worse…

Because it’s one thing to see that the Canadiens are in a position to qualify for the playoffs if the season were to end today, but… the standings are so tight that it can change quickly.

According to the Playoff Status website, the Canadiens currently have a 54% chance of making the playoffs.

And if there’s one player who is helping the Canadiens have a chance to make the playoffs this season, it’s Lane Hutson. After all, not only is he producing, but he’s also involved.

One day, if he competes more, maybe he can climb into the top-4 of a good team. #Sarcasm

Yesterday, Hutson found a way to get his 39th point this season and his 41st in his career. His assist helped the Canadiens climb back against a major division rival.

And seeing him at 41 career points is notable. Why?

Because P.K. Subban, who also had two assists in two games the year before making the jump to full time in Montreal, collected 40 points as a rookie in the Bettman circuit.

Hutson is already ahead of Subban… and we’re only in January. He needed 30 fewer games to achieve this, which is very clearly notable.

Yes, Subban scored more (14 goals in his rookie season), he had a better shot, and he was capable of hitting anyone in the league. But what Hutson is doing is completely crazy.

His active streak of nine games with at least one assist places him first in NHL history for a rookie defenseman.

At this point, one might wonder how much the American team is considering him for the Four Nations in case of injury. And otherwise, maybe for the Olympics next year?

Not to repeat myself, just imagine what it will be like when Ivan Demidov joins him on the power play for the Canadiens this fall…

In Brief

– Game day in Laval.

– Too bad.

– To keep in mind.

– He’s bouncing back.

– Worth reading.

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Dans les coulisses

Top-5: Igor Shesterkin wanted to fight with Brady Tkachuk

Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Canadiens won again!

Martin St-Louis’ team defeated the Lightning, who visited the Bell Centre last night.

But there were also seven other games played in the NHL:

1: It’s chaos in New York

The Rangers have been doing better lately and were looking to build on their momentum against the Sens.

And that’s exactly what they did.

The New York team won by a score of 5-0 and Igor Shesterkin recorded a shutout for the second consecutive game.

He’s on fire right now, the Rangers’ goalie:

During the game, there was also a scuffle that occurred in the third period.

Things got heated in front of the net after Brady Tkachuk hit Shesterkin… And he responded by confronting the Senators’ captain himself.

It looked like a circus:

I can’t talk about the Rangers’ victory without mentioning the beautiful goal scored by… Matt Rempe.

Yes, you read that right.

The Rangers’ giant scored in the top corner of the net with a beautiful backhand after receiving a pass from his teammate in the crease.

He made himself look like Connor McDavid:

2: Corey Perry scores while there are nachos on the ice

The Oilers had a big challenge hosting the powerful Capitals at home.

Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring with his 34th goal of the season… And it was a beauty:

The Capitals scored three unanswered goals and the Oilers found themselves trailing 3-1 late in the third period at one point.

That’s when Corey Perry stepped up to score… While there were nachos on the ice.

Again, you read that right:

Perry’s goal wasn’t enough, however.

The Capitals won 3-2 and Pierre-Luc Dubois played a significant role in his team’s victory.

The Quebecer recorded one goal and one assist in the game.

3: A first for KK in a long time

Ah, Jesperi Kotkaniemi…

We rarely hear about him in Carolina lately, but he stood out in his game yesterday.

The Hurricanes were in Dallas to face the Stars and managed to win 2-1, thanks to two goals scored by KK:

It had been a while since Kotkaniemi scored two goals in a single game.

The last time was on March 14, 2023…

It’s worth noting that the former Canadian has now recorded 22 points (nine goals) in 48 games since the start of the season in Carolina. It’s not exceptional…

4: Spectacular comeback by the Preds

We thought we were going to witness a blowout in Nashville.

The Sharks were leading 5-1 against the Preds at one point in the game, after all…

But the Preds stepped up and came back from behind.

They scored not one, not two, not three, not four, not five… But six consecutive goals to steal the victory (7-5).

Barron notably contributed to the scoring by netting his 3rd of the season:

The Sharks are young and this is part of the learning process.

That said, when you’re leading 5-1, you are really not supposed to lose the game…

Jonathan Marchessault was excellent in his team’s comeback. He finished his work night with four points (including one goal) and was the offensive engine for the Preds during the game.

It’s worth noting that this marks the fourth consecutive victory for the Predators.

5: The Sabres can thank their goalie

Nothing is going right in Vancouver.

It’s difficult for the Canucks to perform well in this context… But hey, it is what it is!

Elias Pettersson put his problems aside and scored his 11th goal of the season:

The score was 3-2 late in the game and the Canucks made a final push.

But Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wanted nothing to do with that: the Sabres’ goalie stopped the puck at the sound of the buzzer to allow his team to take the win 3-2.

This sequence deserves to be seen and seen again:

The loss is hard to swallow for the Canucks because they were supposed to beat the Sabres.

They have the talent to be good… But there are too many issues in the locker room right now.

Overtime

– What a beautiful shot.

– Huge victory for the Flyers in overtime:

– The top scorers of the night:

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Four games tonight in the NHL:

(Credit: Google)
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Dans les coulisses

Victory: Montreal in a playoff position

After a weekend break, the CH returned to action tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

A big four-point game.

Here are the lineups:

The two teams seemed headed to the locker room tied after one period, but towards the end of the engagement, Nikita Kucherov took advantage of a strange rebound in the crease to open the scoring.

This marked his 10th consecutive game with at least one point for the Russian.

Right from the beginning of the second period, Jake Guentzel doubled the lead for his team after another defensive lapse by the home team.

He enjoys facing the CH, that one.

But a bad penalty in the offensive zone by Conor Geekie turned the game around.

First, Juraj Slafkovsky found the net from an impossible angle.

1 minute and 49 seconds later, Alex Newhook scored with a powerful and accurate shot.

My colleague Félix Forget actually asked in the group chat DLC: “Since when has Alex Newhook become Shea Weber?”

During this sequence of two quick goals, Patrik Laine recorded two assists and Lane Hutson extended his streak to nine games with at least one assist.

In the third period, the officials put away their whistles.

But that didn’t prevent Montreal from scoring. Late in the game (2:15 remaining), Jake Evans outsmarted Andrei Vasilevskiy with a weak shot that surprised the Russian. On the play, Joel Armia collected his 100th career assist.

Both played an outstanding game!

This was the game-winning goal.

Final score: 3-2. Montreal is in the playoffs as I write this.

Martin St-Louis’s team will be in Detroit on Thursday. Another big game for them.

Overtime

– After a tough game against Toronto on Saturday, Samuel Montembeault bounced back very well, stopping 33 of the 35 shots directed his way against Tampa Bay. No controversy in front of the net (for now), then.

– He continues to impress.

– Yes.

– The officials are strong too.

– Still.

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Dans les coulisses

Tony Marinaro does not think that Christian Dvorak will finish the season in Montreal.

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Even if the Canadiens are in the mix at the end of January, the short-term plan isn’t very clear.

After all, even if Kent Hughes isn’t going to be a big buyer, it is unknown if he will sell guys like Christian Dvorak or David Savard, two UFA players who have been in trade rumors since this summer.

Between Dvo and Savard, the one most likely to be traded at the trade deadline is the center. In fact, Tony Marinaro doesn’t think he will finish the season in Montreal.

Hence the arrival of Owen Beck.

It is important for the Canadiens to see what he can accomplish and if he is ready to play in the NHL; perhaps trading Dvorak would be easier.

For now, Dvorak isn’t hurting the Canadiens.

Within the third line, he is doing a decent job with his teammates Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson. Besides, Anderson is not untouchable either, and despite his big contract ($5.5 million for two and a half seasons), some believe he could bring back something (big) to Montreal.

But trading both Anderson AND Dvorak wouldn’t make any sense to me.

For a rare time, the guys feel they have a chance to make the playoffs, and trading two regular forwards would send a very bad message to the group.

And even if Kent Hughes wants to rebuild and wouldn’t say no to a transaction like Alexandre Carrier (theft), he is aware of that too.

What about David Savard in all this? Trading him would hurt Arber Xhekaj, in particular.

In Brief

– To listen.

– A dream matchup.

– Oh.

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Dans les coulisses

J.T. Miller does not want to stay in Canada.

The topic of the hour in the NHL is certainly J.T. Miller.

The name of the player who almost got traded to the New York Rangers last weekend is on everyone’s lips. What are the latest developments in his situation, then?

According to journalist Rick Dhaliwal covering the Vancouver Canucks, the forward does not want to stay in Canada.

So, what was the issue with a possible trade sending him to New York?

The conditions of the draft pick, according to The Cam & Strick Podcast.

However, it’s just a matter of time for the Rangers…

Empty Netters posted something quite interesting on X.

Returning to the article’s subject, Miller wants to go back to his home country, as he hails from East Palestine in Ohio.

Forget about the Canadiens—oh and let it be. Montreal wasn’t in the derby anyway. And I’ve never seen any of the Leafs, Jets, Flames, Oilers, and Senators (the other five Canadian teams) in the running for his services.

On Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun also talked about the situation and believes it’s just a matter of time before the star forward changes addresses. Even if a trade is imminent, it could be this summer if the Canucks don’t find a taker before the trade deadline.

He adds that the Hurricanes, Devils, Stars, and three other clubs are talking to the Canucks, who have changed their requests. Initially, Patrick Allvin was asking for NHL players (because he also wants to make the playoffs), but he quickly realized that the teams interested in Miller wouldn’t give up important players from their current lineup.

In Brief

– It’s deserved.

– This suspension is not unanimous.

– Oh really.

– Too bad.

– Oh yes?