Category: Dans les coulisses

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Dans les coulisses

Field hockey Canada scandal: Bill Daly won’t give a date for the announcement

I don’t think I’m exaggerating if I say out loud that we’re all looking forward to the outcome of the Hockey Canada scandal.

In the last few days, news has emerged that five members of the 2018 edition of Junior Team Canada were going to be punished for what they did. Who are they, you might ask?

I’d like to answer the question, but I don’t have the answer. And right now, the situation is the same across the country and throughout the NHL. What is the NHL waiting for to reveal the information?

Katie Strang, an investigative reporter for The Athletic, tried to get answers from Bill Daly via e-mail. The result?

The NHL’s Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel maintains that, at this time, no date is set for the announcement.

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It’s frustrating, for obvious reasons.

Because at the end of the day, it’s the whole image of the league that’s taking a hit right now. It just seems like the NHL is trying as best it can to distance itself from this horrifying story… But that’s not how it works. At least, that’s not how it should work.

This is serious business. Very serious business. So what’s slowing it down so much?

I sincerely hope that the league and all parties involved in the investigation are doing things the right way and not taking the whole thing lightly.

We’re talking about a gang rape, an ordeal… And just because the guys are playing in the NHL today doesn’t mean they’re to blame.

All this to say that we’ll have to wait (again) before knowing the identity of the players involved in the story.

It pisses me off (forgive my language) and I’m sure it does the same for you… But hey.

In brief

– Nice signing for the Canucks.

– He’s ready to get back in the game.

– A top seed goes down at the National Bank Open.

– Things are getting tougher in MLB.

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Dans les coulisses

“Ivan Demidov is better than Matvei Michkov”.

When we think of Russia’s top prospects, Matvei Michkov’s name springs to mind for obvious reasons.

Some were talking about him being the best Russian prospect since Alex Ovechkin for the last NHL draft, so much so that he has great potential. But…

Ivan Demidov’s name will soon be added to the discussion. The latter is seen as one of the most attractive prospects in the 2024 draft, and if the draft were held tomorrow morning, Demidov would probably come out (very strongly) in the top-3.

The kid’s got talent.

He’s so good that Grant McCagg, who specializes in prospects, sees him (already) as better than Michkov. In his eyes, Ivan Demidov will become a better NHL player than the Philadelphia Flyers prospect:

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It’s a bit ironic that Demidov and Michkov are currently playing together with SKA St. Petersburg.

Demidov has taken part in the team’s preparatory activities, and in Russia, he is expected to be relegated to the MHL (Russian junior league) so that he can continue to develop properly.

That said, some people are really wondering whether he needs another year in junior, given that he dominated the MHL last season with a total of 62 points (19 goals) in just 41 games.

The nice thing about Demidov is that he does everything on the ice. He’s like Michkov in that he has no trouble finding the back of the net… But it’s his vision that stands out.

Demidov has a disconcerting ease of finding his teammates on the ice and sometimes looks like he has eyes all the way around his head. Add that to the quality of his wrist shot…

And one might conclude that the main player has all the tools to become a super star in the NHL.

Ivan Demidov is under contract in the KHL until the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Will he make the jump to the NHL after that? Will he decide to continue his development in Russia, like his friend Matvei Michkov?

These are questions that will certainly be answered between now and June 2024, when the next NHL draft is scheduled to take place. Until then, his performance and progress will be something to watch in Russia.

Breaking news

– Good question. What’s your pick?

– Well done, Kyle Turris.

– Carl Soderberg says he’s happy with his NHL career.

– It takes what it takes!

– Yes, already. He needs to find some consistency in his game.

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Dans les coulisses

Cayden Pimeau is “NHL ready”, says Jean-François Houle

There’s been a lot of talk about the Canadiens’ goaltending situation in recent days. Actually… No. Let me start again.

There’s been a lot of talk about the Canadiens’ goaltending situation since the deal that brought Casey DeSmith (and Jeff Petry) to town.

Everyone’s wondering what the organization’s plan will be in the coming weeks, as the 2023-2024 season gets underway in a month’s time.

On October 11, the CH will be in Toronto for its first game of the campaign.

Which goaltenders will be in uniform against the Leafs? Will the Habs start the season with three goalies in their line-up? The scenario is on the table, but the idea isn’t necessarily popular:

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If there’s one person who can’t really be happy with this turn of events, it’s Cayden Primeau.

The young goalie, trying to make his way in the NHL, now finds himself even further down the CH’s organizational chart in the goaltending position. It’s all part of the game.

There’s starting to be some traffic in front of the net for the Habs, and that’s flat for Primeau. That said, no one really expected him to break into the CH lineup at the next training camp, and let’s not forget that he’ll have to pass the ballot if he’s sent back to the AHL, which is highly likely.

Cayden Primeau celebrates his 24th birthday today. He still has time to make the leap to the big leagues at his age… But it’s the same question that keeps coming up when we talk about him.

“Is he really ready, for the National League?”

It’s hard to answer the question from an amateur point of view, because we don’t really know what the progression curves are in his development. That said, his head coach in Laval, Jean-François Houle, has worked with him extensively in recent years to maintain that Primeau is indeed “NHL ready “.

The Rocket pilot believes that Primeau deserves a chance to shine… But we all know the problem at the moment.

There’s no room on the Habs. Primeau may be NHL-ready in his coach’s eyes… But Montreal isn’t where it’s at.

It’s just a perception, but I wouldn’t necessarily be surprised to see Cayden Primeau ask for a trade if he sees things stalling again in the next few months. He’d certainly like to play in the NHL, and if he thinks he’s got what it takes, it might be best for him to look elsewhere.

Because let’s not forget that he’s under contract for two more years (until the end of the 2024-2025 season). I don’t think the idea of spending the next two years in the American League really appeals to him…

In gossip

– That’s normal!

– All the better.

– A big coup for the Sherwood brand.

– I remember that game… Because I fell asleep before I saw Brayden Point’s goal.

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Dans les coulisses

Tomas Tatar: a lot of interest in him, he says

It’s been almost a month and a half since the NHL free-agent market opened. This means that, for the most part, the right players are under contract. In the MLB, this would mean that the whole thing may end up unlocking…. eventually.

Of course, there are still a few interesting names on the Bettman circuit.

Of the lot? Tomas Tatar. The former Montreal Canadien has been as free as a bird for over a month now, and one wonders why he hasn’t yet signed a contract for next season.

But as the former Habs player explained when he was named Slovak Player of the Year, it’s not for lack of interest that he’s still a free agent at the moment.

There have been several teams since the beginning. There were a lot of interested parties, which reassured me.

The problem is more in the agreement. – Tomas Tatar

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The former Canadian, who spent the last two seasons in New Jersey, is looking for a contract of more than a year with a good club. That makes it hard to find at his age. And with his playoff record…

His comment is very different from the previous one, which was that there was no interest in him.

But hey. The main interested party says that in recent days, the options have become increasingly clear in his case. The player is talking directly to certain coaches about the role he would have at the club in question.

Are the Penguins, whose name has been bandied about, interested? Who knows.

We know the Devils aren’t an option (as he said), and don’t think the Habs will be – even “if therewas news last week”, according to some sites.

The fact that no one is interested according to the rumours of the moment doesn’t mean he’ll want to come back to Montreal or that Kent Hughes has room for him among all the forwards already in town, you know.

Anyway. All this to say that the payroll situation may possibly have a role to play. If a team makes room for the player soon, maybe that could speed up the process.

To be continued.

In Brief

– Interesting.

– He wanted to go to Texas.

– Really?

– I would imagine so.

– Happy birthday, Cayden.

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Dans les coulisses

Dominique Ducharme shows class when talking about Jeff Petry

His time at La Poche Bleue was a chance to discover the person he is.

Dominique Ducharme was head coach of the Canadiens for less than a year. So much happened in that year that it may seem like more than that. But no: it lasted more than 11 months.

Ducharme has his faults (and I’m sure he did some soul-searching after being fired by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton), but if there’s one thing you can’t fault him for, it’s his class.

Publicly speaking out against others and airing his dirty laundry doesn’t exist for him. He explained his point of view on certain situations, but without taking shots at others.

That’s the case for all his former players. And obviously, that includes Jeff Petry, who has never been shy about making it clear that he doesn’t like his coach – or, in February 2022, his former coach.

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But even if Dominique Ducharme and Jeff Petry didn’t exactly hit it off, that doesn’t mean the former Canadiens driver is going to speak out against his former protégé.

Quite the contrary, in fact.

Yesterday, as part of an interview on BPM Sports with Greg Lanctot, Dominique Ducharme was asked to comment on the transaction that brought Petry back to Montreal.

And Ducharme, now an assistant with the Vegas Golden Knights, was a class act when talking about Petry.

And why? Simply because he left the old stories in the past and, without saying anything noteworthy about the defenseman, spoke well of what he brought to the Habs back in the day. He didn’t have to.

Ducharme was keen to point out that in his final months in Montreal, Petry was affected by the fact that the defenseman was alone. His family, it will be recalled, was back in the States. #Pandemic

With his family far away, it’s not easy. He’s a good father who’s very close to his family.

So for him, having them far away like that was certainly a major challenge. It affected him both personally and on the ice. – Dominique Ducharme on Jeff Petry

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Obviously, the Quebecer doesn’t know if Petry is in town to stay, but he is aware that the situation has changed with the Habs. He reminded us that Petry had nothing against Montreal per se, but that the pandemic has changed things.

He finally added this:

I wish him the best because he’s a good guy and he’s someone who can help a team. – Dominique Ducharme on Jeff Petry

I think it’s to the coach’s credit that he looks forward. He looks good in it because it’s ancient history. Instead, he’s concentrating on his next challenge in Vegas.

He’ll be leaving in a few weeks’ time for the Knights’ camp.

Meanwhile, on the Canadiens’ side, the club is obviously still considering its options in the Petry (and Casey DeSmith) files. Will he be traded soon?

The question remains.

In bursts

– Oh yeah?

– Good question: which transaction move from Kyle Dubas to Pittsurgh is the most intriguing?

– Will the Alouettes win tonight?

– Offense to be expected in the NHL.

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Dans les coulisses

Pro-Am Gagné-Bergeron: David Savard was captain of the Canadian team

Last night in Quebec City, Patrice Bergeron jumped on an NHL rink (the Centre Vidéotron is indeed NHL-calibre) for one last lap around the ice for his team. It was part of the Gagné-Bergeron Pro-Am.

A chorus of praise was to be expected, and that’s exactly what happened.

Clearly, both the people of Quebec City and the guests on the ice took the opportunity to celebrate the career of the man who was described on the spot as the ” ideal son-in-law “.

The crowd obviously showed their love for him. It took so long that it made the former Bruins captain uncomfortable. ” I’m the one who should be thanking them,” Bergeron added. Bergeron added in a comment that surprised no one.

This is the last year that Bergeron and Gagné will give their names to the Pro-Am. After that, it will be the Sun Life Pro-Am, and honorary captains will be appointed.

I hope people will still turn out, even without Bergeron. Because yes, a lot of people came for Bergeron. Of the lot? Jordan Harris, an American who grew up watching Bergeron play in Boston.

When Patrice calls, you listen. – Jordan Harris

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In fact, five Canadiens players showed up at the Pro-Am, including three Quebecers. Jordan Harris, Kaiden Guhle, Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Samuel Montembeault and David Savard were there.

And they delighted the fans by signing autographs.

And what’s interesting is that even though members of teams other than the Bruins and Canadiens were present (including Alex Belzile, the new Rangers member who was still seen close to RHP), it was still a Canadiens/Bruins duel.

I like that.

And since Nick Suzuki wasn’t present for the event, the Habs needed a captain to face the Bruins’ captain… who was, of course, Bergeron.

So it was David Savard’s turn yesterday.

In reality, it wasn’t really a complicated choice. Aside from Montembeault, who is a goalie(and in Montreal to stay, obviously), the other three guys are young.

Savard is clearly the most experienced of the five. Seeing him wear a “C” was therefore logical under the circumstances.

But that’s all there is to it. Nick Suzuki’s position is obviously not in danger: it’s just that they needed a captain yesterday. We can confirm that.

That said, I don’t hate it. You sometimes see him with an “A” on his sweater, and maybe if Suzuki hadn’t been there, he’d have been a candidate. After all, he brings a lot of leadership to the club.

In short

– To your questions.

– Neymar in Barcelona? [BPM Sports]

– Interesting.

– Will he stay?

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Dans les coulisses

Former IndyCar driver claims Daniel Sprong attacked him

Daniel Sprong is a talented field hockey player who just can’t seem to establish himself with a club. After breaking into the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup at age 18, he traveled extensively.

Between transfers to the AHL, the QMJHL and the times his teams have said goodbye to him (Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Washington and Seattle), he’s never found the stability to let his talent shine.

One wonders why teams give up on him so quickly, and Zach Claman DeMelo, a Montrealer renowned for his former work as an IndyCar driver, may have the answer.

According to what DeMelo claims on Instagram, Daniel Sprong attacked him as part of the Grand Prix weekend. He also posted pictures to show how disfigured he is by what happened.

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Still according to DeMelo, the new member of the Detroit Red Wings (he signed a one-year, $2 million contract last month) allegedly grabbed him by the neck and pinned him to the wall.

The two men were separated, but just when the pilot thought it was all over, Sprongsucker-punched the defenseless Montrealer.

DeMelo says the dentist’s job was intense and that he’s still living with the effects of a concussion.

Finally, he says he wanted to highlight the fact that no one can act like that, not even an NHL player. He also adds that he can’t say any more because of legal issues.

(Credit: Instagram)

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Obviously, when you see the images, you might think that if the pilot is telling the truth (it’s not for me to judge that: to each his own) about Sprong, the latter will be in trouble. One wonders whether Steve Yzerman will want to keep him in his organization.

And if Sprong really did attack DeMelo like that (we only have one side to the story, after all), there will be consequences, and they’ll be deserved. We agree on that.

I have a few questions about all this, though. First, he talks about the Grand Prix weekend. I assume he’s talking about the one in Montreal (in mid-June) because he’s from here and he’s talking about the fact that he’s been living with a concussion for weeks.

If that’s the case, why come out weeks later on Instagram when, by his own admission, legal proceedings are underway? Does he want to control his story publicly?

Has he tried to settle it amicably before? Is he talking about it to better heal by opening up to others, something he was unable to do a few weeks ago? I don’t know.

But anyway. Clearly, in light of the images published, DeMelo seems to be in bad shape. Whatever happened, we’ll be wishing him a speedy recovery since this looks pretty painful.

In bursts

– Logical.

– Keith Tkachuk still likes to party. [JdeM]

– Jeff Petry or John Klingberg? [TSN 690]

– Jesse Puljujarvi is available for cheap.[H&L]

– Too bad.

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Dans les coulisses

Kyle Dubas wanted to acquire Erik Karlsson in Toronto (before leaving the Leafs)

Kyle Dubas spoke to the media this week following the acquisition of Erik Karlsson. It didn’t take long for the Penguins’ new GM to put his stamp on the club, acquiring a defensive star who is probably the best player to join forces with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kristopher Letang.

Erik Karlsson’s case was not young, however, as the Sharks had been trying to trade the Swedish defenseman for quite some time.

Dubas got a bit carried away at his press conference. The former Maple Leafs GM, who was on the job as recently as two months ago, said that the process of acquiring Karlsson began before he joined the Penguins as president.

“It’s been a very long process dating back to my last job.”

-Kyle Dubas

Understandably, while at the helm of the Leafs, Kyle Dubas was already dreaming of adding the eventual Norris Trophy winner to his roster.

How did he do it? Would we have talked about a deal involving William Nylander, in order to free up salary, with additional compensation from the Sharks? Could the Toronto core have featured Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Erik Karlsson?

Considering the club’s salary situation, even before the departure of Dubas and the arrival of Brad Treliving, it’s intriguing to wonder about the logistics of a potential transaction between the Maple Leafs and the Sharks. We’re swimming in “what ifs”, but that’s usually the recipe for a good debate.

What’s most interesting in this case is that Dubas’ successor, Treliving, was also rumoured to be interested in acquiring the Swede’s services. The Penguins GM would probably have bitten his fingers if his former club had stolen the services of an impact defenseman he’d been targeting for a long time.

In a gust

– Absolutely incredible.

– Beautiful in red.

– Oh, Papa Newhook is excited!

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Dans les coulisses

Kent Hughes reassures Samuel Montembeault after acquiring Casey DeSmith

We learned 3 days ago that, like Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith had yet to hear from Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, following his arrival in Montreal in the Erik Karlsson deal.

Nor has the CH welcomed him to the organization on social networks.

If there are still any who doubt the Habs’ plans to trade Casey DeSmith, here’s a good one for you.

According to Simon Baillargeon of Le Journal de Montréal, Kent Hughes immediately contacted Samuel Montembeault’s agent after the deal that brought Casey DeSmith to Montreal, to reassure him of the team’s intentions regarding his client.

Here’s what the Quebec goaltender had to say, in an interview with the media:

“Kent has been great. Practically as soon as the trade was completed, he spoke with my agent to tell him not to worry. It’s great that he took the time to do that.”

-Samuel Montembeault

Let’s see things as they are. The Canadiens complete a transaction and acquire a goaltender. No one contacts this new goalie, and the GM himself contacts the agent of his current goalie to tell him not to worry.

Kent Hughes managed his staff, reassured Samuel Montembeault, and went back to work.

It’s more than likely that the CH is currently in talks with other clubs to get DeSmith. One wonders, however, whether the Jeff Petry file will be treated as a priority, or whether the club will manage both cases in parallel.

In short, Samuel Montembeault is in good hands, and has nothing to worry about. The Canadiens’ goaltending duo at the start of the season will obviously be Montembeault and Jake Allen.

On a roll

– The future looks bright for Owen Power.

– Michkov continues his good work.

– A very dark sequence for FAA.

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Lane Hutson could score 60 points this year (in the NCAA), thinks an expert

Lane Hutson is truly one of the most electrifying prospects on the CH right now. The little defenseman is a highlight machine, and it seems like every time he jumps on the ice, he steals the show in a different way.

It’s not for nothing that he’s considered one of the most exciting prospects on the circuit, as Tony Ferrari recently stated.

After a stellar first season in the NCAA with 48 points in 39 games, one has to wonder what the defenseman will be able to accomplish this year.

And according to prospect expert Chris Peters, we can’t rule out the possibility of him scoring as many as 60 points in the NCAA this season.

In doing so, he would be the first defenseman to reach that mark in the 21st century (Matt Carle currently holds the “record” with 54 points).

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As Peters notes, we agree that such a high point total should give Hutson a good chance of winning the Hobey Baker. We know he looked like a serious contender last year, but in the end, he didn’t even make the final three.

A decision that didn’t go down too well, and not just in Montreal.

And in fact, it’s not ridiculous to think that the little defender could once again make it to the next level. He’s just had a monster summer camp with the U.S. national team, and he’s likely to have even more responsibilities with the Terriers this season.

And when you add in the fact that he’ll be playing with the very promising Macklin Celebrini (one of the top prospects for the upcoming draft) as well as Kent Hughes’ son (and Jeff Gorton’s son, who may not be on the same level as the other two, though), you know he’ll have plenty of resources around him to put up points.

If Hutson really does manage to score 60 points in the NCAA this year, he’ll continue to solidify his place as a top NHL prospect. He’ll need to improve his defensive game, sure, but a point haul like that would be far too historic to ignore.

And frankly, I really believe he can do it. He’s got the talent, and with a little luck, he just might pull it off.

Highlights

– A touching moment at the Centre Vidéotron.

– I would never bet against McDavid.

– Attention tennis fans.