Category: Uncategorized

Categories
Uncategorized

Michael Hage wants to gain muscle this summer

Michael Hage’s season in the NCAA is over and it’s now time for him to take stock.

Last week, we explained that he would like to improve his work in the face-off circle, but that’s not the only aspect he wants to work on.

The first-round pick of the Canadiens in 2024 wants to add a few pounds to his frame and improve his physical game. This is what he revealed in an interview with Marco D’Amico of RG.org.

Improving his efficiency in the face-off circle is something that can be done better in practice with teammates or during games. Getting into the best shape of his life and adding muscle can be done more easily during the summer in a gym.

According to him, being physically stronger will help him become a better two-way center.

Hage has received advice and help from the Canadiens organization to refine his game. Rob Ramage came to watch a few of his games to give him advice, and Adam Nicholas sent him many videos of his performances, telling him what to improve.

The Canadiens prospect is happy to receive this kind of attention to improve.

As for his future in the NHL, Hage would like to remain a center. He admires Nick Suzuki’s work and would even like to learn from his accomplishments. With the Canadiens looking for a number two center for the future, they would certainly like Hage’s wish to come true.

In any case, Hage seems to have understood his future role with the Canadiens. He even stated that it’s with a center like Suzuki that a team can aspire to great honors.

It sounds like a guy who would be very comfortable being a number two center in Montreal!

Hage also took the time to talk about his future teammate Ivan Demidov. He didn’t talk to him for long, but he thinks the Russian prospect of the Habs is a good person and very funny.

Michael Hage has all summer to improve physically, and he will be able to take advantage of another season in the NCAA to perfect his game. By taking a step forward in his development, he could help his team go far in the playoffs and get important games to play.

Overtime

– Hutson never rests.

– Hockey is growing in Utah.

– It would be a crazy story.

– Landeskog continues his rehabilitation.

Categories
Uncategorized

An $11 billion agreement between Rogers and the NHL for television rights in Canada

According to information reported by Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico, Rogers has agreed with the NHL on the terms of a new 12-year contract for television rights in Canada.

The total amount of the agreement would be $11 billion CAD, or $7.7 billion USD.

This amount is more than double what Rogers paid in the last 12-year agreement, which was signed in 2013.

This agreement will start at the end of the current one, which is in effect until the end of the 2025-26 season.

It only remains for the NHL owners to approve this agreement in the coming days.

This is good news for the NHL, which will have more money in its pockets. It’s also good news for general managers and players, who will certainly benefit from good increases in the salary cap due to increased revenue.

What we still don’t know is what this means for French-language television rights in Canada.

My colleague Maxime Truman has some theories that could be logical.

We should note that Sportsnet (Rogers) will retain the rights to NHL games, but those for games in French will be sold to RDS and/or TVA Sports (or maybe Amazon).

Truman believes it wouldn’t be crazy to see RDS retain the French regional rights to the Canadiens, but with fewer games than in the last agreement. He predicts a total of 50 games for RDS instead of the current 60.

As for TVA Sports, we have no idea what will happen. It would be surprising to see them continue at the same pace of games while paying double the price for the new agreement.

Maybe Amazon will enter the French-language scene. We know they already have the Canadian rights for Monday night games, but the broadcast is in English. Could a new French-language branch be considered at Amazon?

There are many questions to be asked, but we’ll have to wait a bit longer for answers.

Overtime

– We’re waiting for you, Jacob!

– Another Lane Hutson fan!

– He’s playing solid hockey.

– Wow.

Categories
Uncategorized

Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson are in the top-10 for assists in the NHL

Since the beginning of the season, Lane Hutson has been making headlines for good reasons.

Nick Suzuki also, by the way.

Both the Habs players are having good campaigns and they deserve to get attention. A lot of attention, even.

The captain is establishing himself as one of the best centers in the NHL and meanwhile, Hutson is doing the same at his defenseman position.

But it goes even further when we look at the best passers in the league. Why?

Because the two guys are in the top 10 (tied with Quinn Hughes, Sidney Crosby, and Martin Necas) for the most assists collected since the start of the season in the entire NHL.

And that’s not nothing:

(Credit: NHL.com)

I wonder what surprises me the most.

The fact that Lane Hutson is able to be among the best even though it’s his first season… Or the fact that Suzuki finds himself among the best while Juraj Slafkovsky took (a lot) of time to get started?

However, Suzuki and Hutson are having an extraordinary season and are – without any doubt – the two most useful players for the Habs this season.

They are one of the main reasons for the team’s success because when Suzuki and Hutson are on, they are capable of stealing a game by themselves.

The proof?

Suzuki (one goal and two assists) and Hutson (three assists) were excellent against the Panthers yesterday afternoon.

And it’s no coincidence that the Habs were able to beat one of the best teams in the National League…

What’s pleasant, in all of this, is that Suzuki (25 years old) and Hutson (21 years old) are still super young.

What I mean here is that the Habs will have the luxury of counting on two of the best playmakers in the NHL for several more years… and that’s excellent news.

Overtime

– When is it Jacob Fowler’s turn?

– I love it.

– Wow!

– Bravo for the gesture.

Categories
Uncategorized

Florian Xhekaj : “I want to be like Tom Wilson”

Florian Xhekaj’s first season as a professional is not going unnoticed.

We’ve talked about him several times this season on DLC because the little brother of Arber is perfecting his role with the Rocket.

He hits, he’s frustrating, he’s a pest… and on top of that, he scores goals.

Anthony Martineau met with him and TVA Sports published an article about the interview.

The article can be found by clicking on the link here.

But in the text, there’s one sentence in particular that caught my attention. It’s this one:

When I was little, my brother came to see me and told me: “you have to find an NHL player to inspire you. A guy you’d like to resemble”. I told him: “OK. I want to be like Tom Wilson!” – Florian Xhekaj

The little brother of Arber models his game around Tom Wilson’s and that’s the type of player he aspires to become eventually.

If he’s able to reach Wilson’s level – who is excellent today – … the habs will have a very good hockey player on their hands.

In fact, Tom Wilson and Florian Xhekaj are two players who share some similar characteristics.

They’re tall (both are 6’4″), they’re able to frustrate their opponents when needed because they enjoy their pest role, they’ve had success in their last year of junior… and they’re capable of scoring goals.

In his last season in the OHL, Wilson scored 23 goals and added 35 assists (58 points) in just 48 games. He also finished the season with 104 penalty minutes.

Xhekaj, on the other hand, collected 65 points (34 goals) in 63 games and also finished his last season in the OHL with 81 penalty minutes.

The difference is that Tom Wilson didn’t need to spend time in the American League before reaching the NHL. He quickly found his role with the Capitals and is now one of the most important players in Washington.

But I have a feeling it won’t be long before Xhekaj is able to do the same. He has the qualities of an NHL player and his more robust side makes him an intriguing player for the upcoming years.

It’s no wonder, after all, that he’s being talked about as a unicorn.

And at the rate he’s progressing… he could – like Wilson – have an important role fairly quickly with the Canadiens.

Overtime

– The SKA won today.

– And Roman Rotenberg had fun in the locker room.

– Oh no.

– Some news in the MLB:

Categories
Uncategorized

The Kapanen season is over in Sweden: the Habs must think about bringing him back to Montreal

Oliver Kapanen and his club (Timrå IK) were facing elimination today.

And they lost with a score of 1-0.

Result? The prospect’s season with the Canadiens is officially over in Sweden.

This means Kapanen is now eligible to join the Rocket… or the Canadiens. And at that level, maybe the Habs have a better interest in bringing him to Montreal because there is no depth right now.

After all, Martin St-Louis is not able to trust Joshua Roy. Michael Pezzetta seems to have surpassed him… and the Habs’ head coach cannot use Pezz for 10 minutes per game because he often hurts the team.

The Canadiens’ coach even tried to play with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen in Carolina, last Friday. It didn’t work since his team lost 4-1 and Arber Xhekaj played less than four minutes in the game.

Bringing back Oliver Kapanen for some reinforcement… maybe it wouldn’t hurt.

Kapanen played 12 games with the Canadiens at the beginning of the season before returning to Europe.

And if it was more difficult for him in the NHL, he found a way to impress in Sweden since he had a very good season.

He collected 35 points in 36 regular season games and added three in six playoff games, but he was able to progress because he played in any situation.

The Habs’ prospect played on the first line of his club and was used on special units because his coach, Olli Jokinen, was able to trust him.

That being said, I really think Kapanen could be useful on an energy line in Montreal.

At least, more than Joshua Roy or Michael Pezzetta… who are not able to make their place in the Habs’ lineup.

A combination of Armia – Kapanen – Kapanen, it seems I like it… and it would also allow Heineman to stay on the second unit to give him a chance to prove himself.

But if he comes to Montreal, Oliver Kapanen must do one important thing: bring his confidence with him.

He’s coming from a great season and he can take advantage of that momentum to be successful.

On the other hand… The Rocket would make a major addition to their lineup by having him in their ranks for the end of the season.

Already, the Rocket has a very good team on paper…

This is why the decision of the Canadiens’ management will be worth watching in the next hours or days.

Overtime

– I’m looking forward to seeing him progress.

– Hello, boys.

– Notice to interested parties:

– I like it.

Categories
Uncategorized

Elliotte Friedman and the Calder: “I don’t see how someone wouldn’t vote for Hutson”

Lane Hutson put on quite a show yesterday afternoon in Florida.

He accumulated three assists in the Canadiens’ win over the Panthers and was electrifying in the offensive zone. He now has 59 points this season and the more it goes, the more it makes sense to believe he has an edge in the Calder Trophy race.

In Jason Demers’ eyes, it’s clear: the trophy belongs to the Canadiens player.

Elliotte Friedman also agrees with this.

In the recent episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, he mentions that he doesn’t see how someone could not vote for Hutson, especially if the Canadiens make the playoffs.

It’s understandable: without Hutson, the Canadiens probably wouldn’t be in a playoff spot today, on March 31.

The defenseman plays a huge part in the team’s successes. And everyone knows it.

Because the Canadiens are in a playoff spot and Macklin Celebrini, Dustin Wolf, or even Matvei Michkov are not, Hutson seems to be the clear favorite right now.

Add to that the fact that he leads all rookies in points (59) as a defenseman… and that he’s been excellent since the beginning of March, when the Canadiens started playing more important games.

If the trophy were awarded today, it’s really hard to believe he wouldn’t win it.

Canadiens fans are lucky because it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a player like him in Montreal.

Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Cole Caufield are good, but… it seems like Lane Hutson has an extra something.

And he’s only 21 years old!

We’ve seen it since the beginning of the season: Hutson has what it takes to really establish himself as one of the best in his position. He has the work ethic – he hasn’t missed a single optional practice this season – for it to happen, and he has the talent for it to happen too.

All the better, then, if he’s able to win the Calder Trophy this season.

And even if Hutson gets edged out by Dustin Wolf (that’s the only scenario I can see), it won’t take away from his exceptional rookie season.

Overtime

– Speaking of Lane…

– Well done.

– Good answer!

– I have my doubts

Categories
Uncategorized

Sacha Boisvert wants to change universities: he could replace Ryan Leonard in Boston

At the moment, the Boston College Eagles are holding attention.

Now that the team is eliminated, the trio of stars (Ryan Leonard, Gabriel Perreault, and Jacob Fowler) is eligible to sign with Washington, New York, and Montreal.

In the case of Leonard, it’s official. In the case of Perreault, it’s imminent. And in the case of Fowler, it’s coming.

So, there will be big changes in Boston, which will undoubtedly lose three huge pieces. And who knows if James Hagens will make his place in the National League this fall…

We suspect that the university will not remain idle.

And at the moment, a name to watch is Sacha Boisvert. The Québécois has been linked to Boston’s formation by BC Hockey Blog, and Nicolas Cloutier retweeted it.

He has been linked to the Eagles and it’s possible because he has entered the NCAA transfer portal. At the moment, Boston College is the NCAA club that is making the most noise.

It is important to mention that the first to have spoken about the possibility of seeing Sacha Boisvert leave the University of North Dakota is Marc-Olivier Beaudoin. And he was right, apparently.

After his great year as a rookie in college, Boisvert will obviously have another challenge in 2025-2026. Did he not like his experience in North Dakota? Who knows.

Let’s recall that Boisvert was linked to the Canadiens during the last draft. He was finally chosen 18th overall by the Blackhawks, three places before Michael Hage.

Both players will be back in the NCAA next year, except that Hage will not change clubs.

Overtime

– A pass for Ivan Demidov.

– Is his return approaching?

– Yes, he’s Cale’s brother.

– Tough blow.

Categories
Uncategorized

Niko Mikkola: $5,000 fine for his actions against the Canadiens

Yesterday’s game had people talking about the Canadiens.

Why. Because Niko Mikkola, at the end of the game, made an unnecessary shot at the end of the game. He clearly had frustration in his body and he wanted to hurt people.

Here’s what happened. We see that David Savard was almost hit by the puck.

And now the league has decided to act. The player was fined $5,000, which is obviously the maximum allowed by the collective agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct towards the Panthers player.

This has just been announced.

We can see that the NHL did not appreciate what happened and it’s the same for the Canadiens players, who let him know what they thought after the game.

The league’s response is a first step.

The second will take place tomorrow night. Because yes, as the two teams will face each other at the Bell Centre tomorrow, we should expect it to be intense and for the code to be applied. Let’s hope for many confrontations between two division rivals for that…

Arber Xhekaj is the perfect man to apply the code, we agree.

Overtime

– Brendan Gallagher’s sister is raising funds in honor of their mother.

– To read.

– Oh dear.

Categories
Uncategorized

In the background, Joshua Roy was surpassed by Michael Pezzetta

Yesterday, Joshua Roy did not play. Michael Pezzetta took the place of Arber Xhekaj.

This has been talked about a lot because Roy had already skipped his turn during Friday night’s game and because the fact of taking out Xhekaj and rolling with six defensemen was a more notable change.

But yesterday, Pezzetta surpassed Roy for Martin St-Louis. And if it’s due to an injury, the habs are hiding it from us.

Will it be just for one game? I don’t know. Was it simply because the coach wanted his depth forward to get some playing time? Maybe.

However, this year, there have been few moments where Pezzetta played in place of someone. Often, the Ontarian played because the Canadiens had no other choice.

Obviously, Roy must understand the message. After all, nobody was comfortable seeing Pezz play (even if his playing time was minimal), but he still played when there was another option at forward. This means something.

Roy is lucky to have less attention on him since the topic of the day is Xhekaj. My colleague Maxime Truman wrote an excellent summary of the Sheriff’s situation this morning… even if I think it’s too late in the season to try him at forward. #NePasLeMélanger

Right now, we feel the inaction of Kent Hughes at the trade deadline more than ever, since the Canadiens are missing a forward to do things right.

But if the prices weren’t good, it was possibly just as good not to make a move. The habs are not aiming for the Cup in 2025, after all.

With Roy clearly not being the solution (and not helping the Rocket right now), we have to wonder if help won’t come from outside for the Canadiens in the future.

We’re all expecting Oliver Kapanen to head to Laval once his season is over (maybe it’ll be today) in Europe, but Anthony Marcotte tweeted – and said on the radio this morning – that he wouldn’t be completely surprised to see Kapanen in Montreal.

This isn’t crazy. It wasn’t the plan at the trade deadline… but plans can change.

Let’s remember that Kapanen started the season in the NHL, but he wasn’t keeping up. Could his great season in Sweden change things? We’ll see.

Overtime

– News from CF Montreal.

– Ryan Leonard in uniform tomorrow night for the Capitals? Gabriel Perreault signed with the Rangers?

– To follow.

– To read.

– Oh yeah?

– Ivan Demidov on the first line.

Categories
Uncategorized

If they were playing in the West, the Canadiens would be 10 points away from the playoffs

In recent weeks, when I was asked if I believed in the Canadiens’ chances of making the playoffs, I always replied that it was going to be really difficult.

I’m a numbers guy and having a 20% chance of qualifying showed that it was going to be tough.

But since then, the Habs have given themselves a chance. And it’s not because they’re better than I thought: it’s because the other teams in the race are also losing very often. Too often.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

Right now, the Habs have their chances. Apart from the fact that the team has only 25 regular-season wins, the other aspects are currently in favor of the Habs. My colleague Maxime Truman talked about it this morning.

Catching up to the Senators might be too great a challenge for the Habs, who would likely face the Capitals if they qualified as the eighth team in the East. We’ll see how it goes.

But analyzing the standings, we have to say this: one chance the Habs have is that they’re not in the West.

Out there, there are really big clubs fighting. And a team with 74 points (like the Islanders) can’t exactly aspire to qualify for the spring dance.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

When we look at it, the Blues, who have 10 more points than the Habs, are in the same position as the Habs, which is the last rank giving access to the playoffs in their conference. The Habs, if they make the playoffs, would be the worst of the 16 teams. And by far.

The Canucks, Flames, and Utah HC all have more points than the Canadiens and they will all, unless there’s a huge surprise, miss the playoffs.

The Blues have 87 points (in two more games played than the Canadiens, but still) and it’s the same for the Wild, who have one game in hand over the Montreal Canadiens.

And these two teams have more points than the… Devils, who are likely to finish in the top 3 of their division.

We also notice, while talking about standings, that the West is really stronger than the East this season. It’s really merciless… and that explains why four of the five worst teams in the NHL are in the West.

The Sabres and the Kraken have the same number of points, but the Predators, Blackhawks, and Sharks are struggling.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

The advantage for the Habs? If they miss the playoffs, they will probably not be the “best” team in the draft lottery, and some Western teams will have to draft after Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton in the no man’s land.

Of course, the players don’t care about that… but we can talk about it.

Overtime

– It’s not over yet.

– Good question.

– Still.

– Contract in Hershey.