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JiC wants to keep Savard: “I would offer him a new deal for 2 or 3 years.”

David Savard’s contract will end in a few months.

If he has not signed a new agreement with the Canadiens by July 1st, the veteran will be able to test the free agent market.

There is also a chance to see him traded by Kent Hughes before the trade deadline on March 7th.

The idea of keeping him in Montreal is probably on Hughes’s table because we know that Savard can help the Canadiens.

We know the qualities of the defenseman.

At the same time, Savard is 34 years old… And he is no longer the defenseman he was five or seven years ago.

But that doesn’t stop Jean-Charles Lavoie from wanting to offer him a two or three-year contract. JiC wants the Quebecer to be at the heart of the rebuilding:

I would keep Savard with the team and offer him a new deal for 2 or 3 years at a lower salary, entrusting him with the mandate to carry out the organization’s revival project. – Jean-Charles Lajoie

JiC also believes that the CH could receive a 2nd round pick in return for the defenseman if he is traded:

Because Savard is 34 years old and is slowing down on the ice, offering him a three-year contract would be illogical in my view.

And it would be even more illogical to ask him to “carry out the organization’s revival project” because we know he can no longer give as much.

If I were Kent Hughes, I would go this way: do you want to stay in Montreal? I offer you a one-season contract… But I can’t guarantee you will play every game.

And if it works out, we will think about offering you a new agreement (for one season) in the summer of 2026.

Still: we know Savard has what it takes to help the Canadiens when needed.

But in the context where he has already started to slow down, what will it look like in two or three years?

I feel like the CH would be shooting itself in the foot because that contract – even if it’s not lucrative – could become negative on the Canadiens’ books. And you can’t have a bad contract on the salary cap when the goal is to compete for (at least) making the playoffs…

David Savard’s voice is important in the locker room, and it’s true that NHL teams need a guy like him within the organization.

But to think of offering him a three-year contract for what he is providing right now is, in my eyes, a bit far-fetched.

In Brief

– Well. Werenski is still injured…

– Celebrini. You?

– Too bad.

– I like this.

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More points for a U20 player in a season: Demidov broke Kaprizov’s record

There you go, it’s done!

Ivan Demidov has broken Kirill Kaprizov’s record for the most points scored in a season by a player under 20 years old in the KHL.

He recorded an assist on his team’s third goal during the game. The Canadiens’ prospect officially enters KHL history:

The difference is that Kaprizov managed to accumulate 42 points while playing 49 games.

Demidov, on the other hand, has now played his 51st game of the season (and he recorded his 43rd point of the season).

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a huge difference, having said that…

Seeing Demidov break the record of a talented player like Kirill Kaprizov is still interesting.

Kaprizov established himself as one of the best players in the NHL upon his arrival in North America… And when considering that Demidov has a similar production to that of Kaprizov at 19 years old in the KHL, it bodes well for the coming years.

That certainly stands out.

But what is really impressive about this news is the fact that Demidov managed to break Kaprizov’s record while playing (on average) a little less than 13 minutes per game.

Kaprizov, during his season with 42 points in 49 games, averaged 15 minutes and 30 seconds on the ice per game…

This emphasizes even more the season that the Canadiens’ prospect is having.

And that’s when we realize he has truly special talent!

Overtime

Note that the game did not go really well for SKA Saint Petersburg, who faced Ak Bars Kazan.

It was already 6-1 in favor of the opponent after the first period…

In the end, SKA lost 8-3. And despite the defeat, Roman Rotenberg still decided to trust Demidov.

The Canadiens’ prospect finished the game with a time on ice of 20:27, which is far from trivial.

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Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak: “they are both available”

What will the Canadiens do at the trade deadline?

It’s still too early to determine the CH’s strategy. Kent Hughes may wait a few more weeks (after the Four Nations Confrontation) to decide what he will do.

The standings will certainly affect his decisions.

But what should also be kept in mind is that the quality of the offers will help Kent Hughes decide whether or not he will trade some of his rental players before the deadline.

Obviously, right now, the names we are monitoring are as follows:

  • Jake Evans
  • David Savard
  • Joel Armia
  • Christian Dvorak

The case of Evans will depend heavily on salary negotiations. If Evans wants to accept an offer that meets the Canadiens’ expectations, we should expect to see him stay in town.

However, until then, as highlighted by The Fourth Period, the CH is keeping its options open. The price would have to be outrageous to let him go in a month’s time.

The same goes for David Savard… although we should expect, given Kaiden Guhle’s injury, to see the Quebecer stay in town.

But if a team offers a good price due to the fact that defensemen on the market are becoming increasingly scarce? We’ll see… but I don’t expect to see him leave.

And this brings us to Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia.

We know that the CH could more easily part ways with these guys – without saying they will give them away – and in the eyes of David Pagnotta, it is very possible to see them leave. In a video on the subject, he clearly mentioned that both players were available.

Again, this does not mean they will leave because the price and circumstances must be right for the CH.

We must also remember that the Canadiens are open to anything. The idea of trading players for picks is on the table, but the idea of taking picks to add a player like Kirby Dach / Alex Newhook / Patrik Laine / Alexandre Carrier is also possible. Everything is possible…

In Brief

– Donald Trump will be at the Super Bowl.

– Mathew Barzal: Patrick Roy cannot say if his season is over or not.

– Matthew Tkachuk does not want to leave Florida. [RG Media]

– Big suspension.

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Trump will be at the Super Bowl

A notable guest is joining the long list of celebrities expected at Super Bowl LIX, namely American President Donald Trump.

This was confirmed by the White House to CNN.

This will be a first in American history, as no sitting president has attended a Super Bowl in the past.

What will fans’ reactions be in the presence of Trump?

As the presence of Taylor Swift is also certain, it will be interesting to see the contrast between the attendance of the world’s most popular singer, who is fiercely opposed to Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance, and that of the current American president.

The 2025 edition of the Super Bowl is set to feature the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday (February 9) live from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

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Alexander Romanov becomes the player that Marc Bergevin saw in his dreams

Let’s transport ourselves to 2020.

The Canadiens managed to qualify for the playoffs due to the pandemic and the desire to add eight more teams to the playoff picture. The team, known as La Flanelle, was heading to Toronto, to the bubble.

And even though Alexander Romanov couldn’t play and the Canadiens’ spots in the bubble were limited, the Russian was invited by Marc Bergevin to join the team and get to know the guys.

The following year, even though he didn’t play much in the playoffs, Romanov was a good piece of the team. He was becoming increasingly important, and it was the same in 2021-2022.

But just a few months after he took over, Kent Hughes sent him to the Islanders. In return, the Canadiens received a pick that allowed them to acquire Kirby Dach from Chicago.

The Canadiens had several defensemen in the mold of Romanov, and choices had to be made.

However, in recent weeks, in his fifth year in the league, Romanov is becoming the defenseman that Marc Bergevin envisioned… but he is becoming that for the Islanders.

As can be read in the New York Post, right now, Romanov is seen as a stud who is stabilizing Patrick Roy’s defensive unit. He is playing solid hockey (not offensively, obviously) and he is very useful during the Islanders’ injury wave.

He is playing better than Kirby Dach, let’s say. The trade isn’t a mistake for the Canadiens because it was the right thing to do, but the irony stands out. Right?

At the end of the season, Romanov will have to renegotiate his contract. Will he be entitled to a big contract compared to his current annual salary ($2.5M)? Will Lou Lamoriello recognize his importance in the city?

If he helps the Islanders make the playoffs (the team is four points behind the Blue Jackets), it will certainly help his case.

In brief

— Will he end up leaving?

— Ivan Demidov is on the second line of SKA.

— Normal.

— To note in view of the Four Nations Confrontation.

— The Rangers are worth watching.

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Advanced stats: Martin St-Louis talks about four wins in five games

For five games, the Canadiens have been collecting losses. They are gradually falling out of the playoff race.

Of course, for those who want to believe in the playoffs, it’s not necessarily too late. But… let’s just say they will need to string together wins with a series of five games instead of the opposite.

The CH will have been #InTheMix for a few weeks, at least.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

Obviously, Martin St-Louis cannot see it that way. He has to manage each game to win, which means he needs to find solutions. After all, if the CH loses a sixth in a row tonight against the Sharks (18 losses in their last 22 games), it won’t look good.

I have two solutions to help the Canadiens win games:

  • Martin St-Louis could shave his beard to reverse the bad luck (I don’t wish for him to go that far)
  • The Canadiens could play in a parallel universe: that of advanced stats

I’m saying this because Martin St-Louis, to put the last five games into perspective, explained that the CH hasn’t played as poorly as their record indicates. Why does he say that?

Because as reported this morning by Anthony Marcotte on BPM Sports, St-Louis argued yesterday that based solely on advanced stats, the CH would have won four of their last five games.

The game he would have lost? The one against the Devils, the only one where the team pushed the game into overtime.

Of course, St-Louis is not saying that the CH is the best team in the league. What he is saying is that the CH has shot themselves in the foot in games where they had chances… and that they are not as bad as a team that loses five straight.

It’s hard to contradict him with facts because no one has access to the advanced stats of the CH as such… but the eye test makes me say that even if the CH made some sacred “actions to help the other team” during the games, they were not in the driver’s seat during those games.

The game against the Wild, well… I don’t see in what aspect the CH deserved to win.

St-Louis is not afraid to explain things as he sees them, even if he knows it will not go over well publicly. He understands that advanced stats don’t provide the complete picture of the team, but it’s clear that I was taken aback listening to the coach.

And I’m not the only one. Anthony Marcotte, reiterating the coach’s words (who said that sequences of four potential wins in five games via advanced stats are rare in a season), stated:

It’s a bit special to hear that, because it means that during the Canadiens’ success streak, we should have lost.

So, in other words, we have a pretty ordinary team. – Anthony Marcotte

St-Louis’s point is that the CH needs to do as they did before, which is to find ways to win regardless. But the use of advanced stats should not become an excuse in the locker room.

Because the real wins are in the standings.

With our lack of focus and details, we find ways to lose.

But it’s not like we are too far from what it takes to win. But it’s not enough at present. – Martin St-Louis on his team

Tonight, against the San Jose Sharks (the worst team in the league), the CH cannot afford to lose (in real life or in the land of advanced stats): it would be a defeat too painful for the group.

Losing tonight would be fatal.

Overtime

We will see if Josh Anderson, who missed practice yesterday, will be present for today’s game. We won’t know during training since there will be none. And as long as Owen Beck is not officially recalled, we must remember that the CH cannot really leave Anderson aside.

Let’s recall that Samuel Montembeault will play tonight.

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Jacob Fowler is back in good health (and he is heading to the Beanpot final)

Because the Montreal Canadiens have several prospects playing in Boston for a few years now, the Beanpot tournament is becoming increasingly well-known in Quebec.

For those who do not know what the Beanpot is, it is a small express tournament (during the season) between the four NCAA hockey teams in the Boston area.

There are two matchups, and the winner of each matchup goes to the finals. Therefore, it takes two victories to win the Beanpot, an important tournament (held at the Bruins’ home) for the people of Boston.

Yesterday, Jacob Fowler’s team played a match against Northeastern, with a spot in the tournament finals at stake. And Fowler (who is back healthy after missing Friday’s game) was excellent.

In an 8-2 win, he stopped 26 of the 28 shots directed at him.

Yes, the goaltender plays for a powerhouse, but there is a reason why Boston College has such a good team. Fowler is a top-tier goalie who performs to expectations.

And that’s a good thing.

Let’s also note that other Canadiens prospects were to watch yesterday. We are talking about Logan Mailloux and Owen Beck, who were at the American Hockey League All-Star Game.

And let’s just say Beck stole the show.

In three matches of about ten minutes each (the four divisions formed a team, and each division faced off before the finals), Beck did not manage to take his team to the finals, but he scored three times.

He notably scored two goals in the first match, where his team lost 4-2.

On his side, Logan Mailloux did not score in three matches. However, he found a way to earn an assist on Beck’s very first goal, against the Pacific division.

The two guys should be back in the CH environment in California soon.

In brief

– Interesting.

– Russia will not be able to play hockey in international competitions in 2025-2026.

– Oh really?

– Travis Kelce: retirement can wait. [RDS]

– What do you think?

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The Canadian national anthem was booed in Nashville

Last night, there was only one game in the NHL. It pitted the Ottawa Senators against the Nashville Predators. Ottawa won 5-2.

During the match, once again, there was a national anthem that was jeered – as has been the case for a few days. But this time, the difference is that the game took place in the United States.

Nashville fans, seeing that Canadian sports fans have been booing the American national anthem for a few days, decided to express their discontent during the Canadian national anthem.

Whether you are for or against seeing Canadians boo the American anthem, you understand the reasons behind the gesture.

But seeing Americans boo the Canadian national anthem is another story. After all, it’s not Justin Trudeau who decided, out of nowhere, to change the customs tariffs.

Clearly, Americans booed the Canadian national anthem – it’s their right to do so – mainly because Canadians began booing their anthem. Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth like children?

This is going to be fun at the Four Nations Confrontation… both during the games in Montreal and in Boston.

But as for the game itself, it is noted that the Senators have won a fifth game in a row. The club is in third place in its division, two points behind the Maple Leafs.

Has the Ottawa team finally turned the corner in its rebuilding?

The Sens will be worth watching until the end of the season. The cake seems to be rising and clearly, Travis Green’s men have the playoffs in sight. A series against Toronto (which would be the case if the season ended today), wouldn’t be too bad. Right?

To be continued, then.

Overtime

– Five players had at least two points yesterday in the NHL.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Here is the current standings in the East.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

– Big night in the NHL tonight.

(Credit: Sportsnet)
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Ryan Hartman is suspended for 10 games for his hit on Tim Stützle

As if Kirill Kaprizov’s injury wasn’t enough, the Minnesota Wild will now have to manage without the services of Ryan Hartman for the next 10 games.

The NHL Player Safety Department announced Monday night that the Wild forward has been suspended for 10 games due to his hit on Tim Stützle.

He was met in person following the incident, allowing the NHL to impose a suspension of more than five games.

Hartman was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Senators for a “reckless injury attempt.” During a face-off, he fell onto Tim Stützle, pressing his head with his glove.

Stützle lost his helmet and even needed attention from trainers due to a cut near his eye.

Here’s the sequence in question:

According to the NHL Player Safety Department, Hartman attempted to defend his actions, explaining that it was an accident and that he was off balance, thus leaning on Stützle to avoid falling.

The 10-game suspension is also due to the fact that Hartman has already been suspended four times during his career. His last suspension was on April 1, 2024.

This is the largest suspension in the NHL since Tom Wilson’s in 2018. He was initially suspended for 20 games but managed to reduce it to 14.

Hartman has 48 hours to decide if he wants to appeal the decision. The initial appeal will be evaluated by Gary Bettman. If Bettman refuses to change the suspension, Hartman will have the right to appeal to an independent arbitrator.

Due to the suspension, Hartman will lose $487,804.88 in salary.

In Brief

– Wow!

– That’s a good plan.

– The Canadiens struggle when Kaiden Guhle or Alexandre Carrier is absent [Toutsurlehockey]

– He is excellent offensively.

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Georges Laraque wants the Canadiens to sign Sam Bennett for 7 years / $49M

The season for Kirby Dach is not going at all as planned. He’s struggling and doesn’t seem to have the right attitude during games. It’s not uncommon to see him dragging his feet.

Georges Laraque has had enough. He wants to move on to other options in the search for a second center.

During his show on BPM Sports on Monday, Laraque suggested filling the second center position for the coming years. He wants to sign Sam Bennett.

On paper, it seems like a good idea. The only problem is that Laraque would give him a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million!

Sam Bennett would be excellent as the second center for the Canadiens. He is a player who plays with grit and can add his touch to the physical game, while also being capable of scoring when necessary.

However, giving a seven-year contract to a fragile player like Bennett is completely crazy! He will be 29 during the summer, which means he would finish this supposed contract at the age of 35.

Some players are capable of maintaining a good level of play until they are 35, but Bennett hasn’t played a full season in seven years!

He is already labeled as an injury-prone player.

The salary cap is going to increase, but that’s not a reason to throw money out the window. It will be nice when the contracts of Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson expire. It would be good not to add another one like those!

The worst part is that if Bennett decides to test the free-agent market, he could very well get that kind of contract. The bidding on July 1st often forces teams to give out too big contracts to persuade players.

Georges Laraque’s idea is still good. It’s true that, for now, Kirby Dach doesn’t have the makings of a second center and that it could hinder the development of Ivan Demidov upon his arrival in the NHL.

However, we should consider a more realistic solution to address the issue. I would be willing to offer a $7 million per season contract to Bennett, but the number of seasons should be greatly reduced.

In Brief

– Happy Birthday!

– What a feat!

– The Raptors are still rebuilding.

– It gives us some very nice goals.