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Trading Rantanen: “It doesn’t make any sense”, claims Pierre LeBrun

The Mikko Rantanen file continues to spark conversations.

And the reason is simple: when a player of his caliber is traded in the middle of the season… You don’t expect him to be in trade rumors a few weeks after being traded.

But that’s the case with Rantanen. And let’s say that time is starting to run out for the Hurricanes…

The trade deadline (March 7) is approaching and the Hurricanes’ management has to make a decision.

Do we keep Rantanen or send him somewhere else without taking the risk of seeing him leave on the free agent market this summer?

If Pierre LeBrun were in Eric Tulsky’s shoes, he wouldn’t even think of trading the talented player.

Because the Hurricanes’ goal, after all, is to win the Stanley Cup while the window is open:

If he leaves on July 1 and you win a Cup… Who cares? – Pierre LeBrun

In that context, it’s true that Pierre LeBrun’s comments make sense.

Because the Hurricanes will probably not get the desired price for Rantanen if they decide to trade the player.

The Canes want a player who can help now… And there is no Cup contender team that will be willing to sacrifice its core to bring him in.

At least, it would be illogical to do so.

The Carolina team can already count on the services of one of the best players in the world. Why not take advantage of it to try to do what they’ve been trying to do for a few years, which is to go all the way and lift the precious trophy?

Ultimately, it may be the way to go for them to win quickly.

Because if the Canes trade Rantanen and it leads to nothing… We can call it a real catastrophe.

In rafale

— The Quebec accent of Mathieu Olivier’s mother, :

— That’s the right way to look at things.

— News from the MLB:

— Ugh… No thanks!

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Card of the CH: It’s crazy how different it is when Heineman plays

The importance of Emil Heineman in the formation of the Montreal Canadiens often goes unspoken.

We’ve been talking about him for good reasons since the beginning of the season (and that’s totally normal), but we may not realize how much of an impact he has on the CH.

The Canadiens’ record with and without Heineman says a lot about that.

Since December 17, Heineman has participated in 14 games.

And in those 14 games, the Canadiens have a record of 11-2-1. That’s excellent.

But Heineman – as we know – was hit by a car and had to miss several games (14).

In the 14 games where Heineman was absent since December 17, the Canadiens have a record of 5-8-1.

It’s far from being the same:

But we can take it even further.

As Anthony Marcotte stated yesterday on BPM Sports, the Canadiens have a record of 22-17-4 when Heineman plays since the beginning of the season.

And the CH has a record of 5-9-1 when the Swedish forward is not in uniform.

Of course, Emil Heineman is not the savior of the Montreal Canadiens – and nobody is saying that either.

However, we can really see that the Canadiens are better when the player is in the lineup. We realize that Heineman plays his role as he should on the 4th line because he plays intense hockey to give energy to his teammates and that yields good results.

Martin Leclerc (BPM Sports) explained it well yesterday: Heineman’s return helped the 4th line get back on track.

Heineman is in his first full season in the NHL and he’s exceeding expectations.

His 17 points in 43 games make him a versatile player. Especially when you consider that he plays mainly on the club’s fourth offensive unit.

I really tend to believe that he’s destined for a great future in the National League.

Rapid Fire

– Yes !

– Not bad.

– Cha-ching !

– Ah yes?

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Brad Marchand : two new teams in the mix

Brad Marchand – who will be 37 years old in May – has slowed down a bit.

We witnessed it particularly at the 4 Nations Confrontation.

But despite his age, we’re still talking about a player who can help on the ice. Proof of this? He collected 47 points in 59 games this season in Boston.

The Bruins are in a tricky situation, for example, since their captain’s contract (6.125 million per year) ends at the end of the season.

And in the context where the team is currently two points away from the Blue Jackets and a playoff spot, and their spot in the playoffs is far from guaranteed… There are questions to be asked within the management.

Do we keep Marchand to offer him a new contract… Or do we move on to something else by sending him elsewhere to get elements to secure the team’s future?

Don Sweeney’s goal, as mentioned by Pierre LeBrun (TSN), is to offer a new contract to his player.

But according to information from RG Media, Sweeney is also willing to listen to offers for his captain… And there are teams that are linked to the main interested party.

In the article from RG Media, it is written that the Avalanche, the Wild, the Stars, and the Oilers “all seemed interested in Marchand” and that the Devils and the Capitals would also be in the mix.

Interesting:

Brad Marchand will certainly be a targeted player if the Bruins say he’s available.

Because even then: even if he’s not as offensive as he used to be, he has what it takes to make an impact. We know his character, after all… And everyone knows he’s capable of bothering the opponent when needed.

We’re talking about a guy who has some leadership too. He won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011, and that comes with experience.

We may hate him in Montreal, but he doesn’t wear the “C” on his jersey in Boston for nothing…

Seeing Brad Marchand wear a jersey other than the Bruins’, it would seem weird.

But with his contract situation and the current state of the team, it might be logical to see the Bruins move on to another call. At some point, they won’t have a choice but to rebuild because they’re not blessed with a beautiful bank of prospects for the future.

Has the time come, then? We’ll have the answer to that question in the coming days.

In a hurry

– I agree.

– It smells like the end for him.

– I like it.

– Notice to interested parties:

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No seconds on the ice: Ivan Demidov nailed to the bench by his coach

Ivan Demidov, as we learned this morning, was the 13th forward for today’s SKA match. Barring a major change during the game, this meant very limited playing time.

And that’s not a bad thing – and even worse.

In fact, Demidov did not play in the game. He was left on the bench by his coach and never had the chance to make a difference in a very tight game. It ended 1-0 for the other team, Dynamo.

Did Demidov give Roman Rotenberg a dirty look before the game started? Who knows, at this point.

Is Demidov injured? That’s a question that arises, given the circumstances. But he was dressed for the game, so we can still doubt it.

I imagine that for the pride of a young player like him, it’s not easy to accept. After all, he’s there to play hockey, not to warm the bench.

And with the talent he has…

We clearly see the same dynamic as at the beginning of the season, when Demidov didn’t have the trust of his coach and couldn’t get quality playtime.

But the difference is that recently, Demidov has shown that with his coach’s trust, he can produce.

There are eight games left in the SKA season, which is in a position to make the playoffs at the time of writing. Will Demidov play much once in the playoffs?

The question arises.

In a hurry

– To consult.

– No hockey players in the top 10.

– Tyler Toffoli is in town.

– Same here.

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Less than two games in February: Jakub Dobes must play

Tonight, the Canadian will have Samuel Montembeault play against the Sharks.

What this tells me is that Martin St-Louis wants to win. After all, if he puts his #1 goalie against one of the worst teams in the NHL, it’s to go get the two points.

A few days before the deadline, the coach wants to get closer to the series.

(Credit: NHL.com)

Result? Goalie Jakub Dobes, who some saw as the club’s #1 goalie after four starts in the NHL, is still on the bench for tonight’s game.

Overall, he has played barely over 80 minutes in February. That’s not much… and he hasn’t exactly dominated.

(Credit: ESPN)

We understand that the Canadian wants to use Monty. We understand that February is the shortest month of the year. We also understand that the Four Nations Tournament changes things in terms of games in February.

But… 1.3 games, that’s really not much.

Last year, Dobes played 51 games in Laval. He often had a net and it allowed him to progress. You know as well as I do that a young goalie, to get mileage, has to play.

But this year, he has only played 23 games: nine in Montreal and 14 in the lower leagues.

Right now, there’s a dilemma surrounding him: should the CH keep him up top because he gives the best chances of winning as the club’s #2 goalie… or should the CH send him back down so he can progress?

The question is important.

Cayden Primeau, who is rolling in the lower leagues right now, saw his development take a hit when the CH had him go back and forth between Laval and Montreal a few years ago. That’s not what the CH wants for Dobes. #PrioritizeDevelopment

What also needs to be noted is that the CH will have a decision to make soon.

On March 7, Dobes will be sent back to Laval to be a member of the Rocket at the deadline. Thus, he will be eligible to participate in the playoffs with the Rocket, which is the right thing to do.

Logic dictates that he should be called back up right after.

But I wonder if the Canadian couldn’t call up Primeau instead. That way, Dobes would get playing time in the lower leagues – which he desperately needs, no matter the place.

I’m targeting that moment (and it’s just me talking here) because after the deadline, every call-up that’s not related to an injury is counted. If nothing changes, they’ll have to take one for Owen Beck (who will be sent to Laval on paper on March 7 if he’s still in Montreal) and one for a goalie.

There will only be two call-ups left until the end of the season. And I don’t think the CH would want to waste one at the end of the season just to change goalies. That forces the CH to have an idea of its plan by March 7.

So behind Montembeault, who is delivering this season, who will be there? Will it depend on the CH’s plan for winning or development? Possibly, yes.

No matter what happens, the Canadian has to play Dobes. Whether it’s in the NHL or in the playoff run in Laval, the European deserves to play.

The answer will come soon.

In a hurry

— Macklin Celebrini at the World Championship: he’d say yes. He wants to get his feet wet with Team Canada, does he? #Olympics2026

— Indeed.

— News from CF Montreal.

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Josh Anderson in uniform tonight | Update on Kirby Dach tomorrow

Will Josh Anderson play tonight? That’s the question everyone has been asking since this morning.

This morning, he didn’t skate with the group. But that’s nothing unusual, since for weeks, he’s been too banged up to participate in practices.

But Martin St-Louis has confirmed that the veteran will play tonight.

Note that the Canadiens did not make any recalls. I know Michael Pezzetta practiced with a regular jersey, suggesting he’s approaching a return to play and could have been an option…

But there was no recall, which was a clue.

What this means is that there will be no changes to the Canadiens’ attack. And since the team only has six healthy defensemen, there will be no changes to the blue line either.

Note that Samuel Montembeault will start by default. Clearly, the CH wants to go for the win tonight against San Jose.

We also learned that the Canadiens will give an update on Kirby Dach in 24 hours. But let’s say that the fact that he’s not playing and the team needs time to announce something…

It doesn’t bode well, at the moment.

More details to come…

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Ivan Demidov out of SKA’s top 12 today

Chase nature and it will return at a gallop.

Roman Rotenberg has chosen to place, in view of today’s game, Ivan Demidov in the 13th attacker’s chair. Because yes, in Russia, KHL teams play with 22 skaters.

The CH’s hope should therefore have little playing time if nothing changes.

Maybe at some point, the coach will want to shake things up and give Demidov more playing time. But don’t necessarily count on that scenario right now.

Really not, even.

In recent weeks, Demidov had often had good playing time. But you never know when the club’s coach might decide to change things up.

And that’s what we see.

With the season ending, don’t expect to see Kent Hughes take a plane to go see SKA to do as he did this winter, that is, to talk to SKA’s management.

It had worked, though…

I wonder, however, if the Canadiens won’t call Russia simply to understand what’s going on – for what it’s worth. After all, seeing him used as a 13th forward isn’t fun.

But we’ll agree that it should make Demidov want to arrive in North America, where he’ll be able to play for a team that wants to put him in a winning position.

in a burst

– Ouch.

– Yeah.

– A long absence is to be expected.

– It’s going well for the CH’s prospect.

– A strong stance.

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The mother of Johnny Gaudreau invited to the mothers trip of the Blue Jackets

You want to hear about a beautiful gesture?

The Blue Jackets have their traditional mothers’ trip of the players these days. And we find the mother of a guy who is not a player on the Columbus team this year.

Who? The mother of Johnny Gaudreau.

Following the death of the Gaudreau brothers last summer, the Blue Jackets (Johnny’s team for a few years) have really taken care of their former star player’s family.

The father (Guy) has often been invited to the team’s practices and the family is often around the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets management has not spared any effort to include the Gaudreaus this season and it has not gone unnoticed in the hockey world. Let’s remember that Gaudreau’s #13 is still hanging in the club’s locker room this season.

I imagine the members of the Jackets and the other mothers will make Jane Gaudreau feel at ease during the trip, therefore.

It should be noted that it’s not just the Blue Jackets who are making an effort to highlight Johnny’s career, who was hit by a car the day before his sister’s wedding.

His father is repeatedly invited to participate in training sessions. Most recently, the American team reached out to him.

The Flames, Johnny Hockey’s first NHL team, have also honored the Gaudreau family since the announcement of the two brothers’ death last summer. It’s been a theme this season.

The hockey world knows how to do things right.

In rafale

– It won’t happen.

– It’s good for the Canadiens.

– Good listening.

– Mike Matheson is 31 years old.

– I agree.

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Owen Beck at the center of the second trio: that seems to be working better than Kirby Dach

I know it and I repeat it often; we must avoid making hasty conclusions based on a few games or, worse, our feeling.

A new acquired player…

A rookie…

A transaction that has just been completed…

A selection in this year’s amateur draft…

So I won’t do the opposite of what I preach.

I will stick to the facts. And here they are:

1. Kirby Dach is having a difficult season. He has only 22 points in 57 games, even though he plays on the top six and the power play. His lack of involvement – especially at the beginning of the campaign – has disturbed several people.

He hasn’t found the back of the net in his last nine games (only three assists)… and he has the second-worst differential in the entire Bettman circuit (minus-29). Only Tyler Bertuzzi, who plays for the poor Blackhawks, is worse in this chapter (minus-30).

Kirby Dach is having another disappointing season.
(Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Add to all this the fact that his attitude is not the best…

And that he is still injured (right knee, the one that was operated on 18 months ago).

Bastard!

2. On Tuesday evening against the Hurricanes, Martin St-Louis used Owen Beck at the center of his “second” line and it worked.

Beck didn’t get any points, but he finished the evening at plus-1.

Patrik Laine got three points, including a rare goal at 5 on 5, while Alex Newhook got an assist, his fifth in seven games. It’s going well for Newhook lately…

Beck is more feisty than Dach, even if he doesn’t have his size, and he plays a better game over 200 feet. He also brings more speed to his overall game.

3. Owen Beck didn’t take face-offs: it was Alex Newhook who did. Except that Newhook only won three out of eight, while Beck won the only one he took.

Conclusion: I hope Kirby Dach is not seriously injured, but that the team’s doctors will play it safe today. Why rush the return of a guy who is struggling and who got injured in the same knee that was operated on a year and a half ago?

Especially since his replacement makes his two wingers happy (and productive).

In the medium term, Beck could become a reliable third center and Kirby Dach, a winger who could play on the second or third line. If he’s not traded…

prolongation

So I suggest we continue to use Beck at the center of Laine and Newhook, while evaluating the option of bringing Dach (when he’s healthy) to the wing, and not to the center.

The Kirby Dach at center experience is not the most conclusive.

I look forward to the Owen Beck at center experience, then Kirby Dach on the wing.

Whatever the possible departures of Christian Dvorak and/or Jake Evans in the coming days may complicate things.

At this point, let’s keep Beck on the top six and demote Dach, if we’re forced to keep him at center…

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Kaiden Guhle : you must not say that his season is over

Jason’s a little like Kaiden Guhle.
The injury Kaiden Guhle suffered in recent weeks is intense. The Canadian defenseman was cut and it really looked like it hurt on the ice.
We also remember Martin St-Louis’ reaction when, during the game, he learned what had really happened. His eyes spoke volumes for those who remember.
Since then, the Canadiens’ defense has been less stable. It’s tougher on the ice because the young Albertan’s injury means that everyone is on edge.
But the main thing, in his case, is his health. After all, he was lucky.
Because his health was a priority and he needed time to recover, no one was talking about a return to play – and everyone had kind of assumed he wouldn’t be back in the game this season.
But as time passes, things could change, and this morning, at the end of his daily column on BPM Sports, Renaud Lavoie mentioned that we shouldn’t say his season is over.

There is a nuance between saying his season may not be over and saying he will absolutely play. It’s still too early to say, since we don’t know how he’ll heal.
But for now, we shouldn’t rule out a return. That would change everything, since everyone would be on edge.
Even if Kent Hughes had to sell off some pieces at the deadline and even if the Canadiens were to fall out of the playoff race, seeing him return to the game would be a good thing for him.
Why? Because he could regain confidence heading into the offseason. And that’s important for a player.
Note that, regarding the deadline and defense, even if Kaiden Guhle returns to the game at the end of the season, the Canadiens will need David Savard to support the young players for the next two months.
Unless there’s a really interesting return on the trade market, David Savard’s place is in Montreal, in my opinion.

in rafale

– Not to be missed.

– Ah yes?

– Note.

– News from Charles Hudon.