October 8, 2025 Game 1 of the 2025-26 season for the Montreal Canadiens is in the books and the event was not as lopsided as the 5-2 score would suggest. Several things caught my eye in the road loss. The Dobson-Matheson pair looked great. It’s one game, but the coach’s theory might have legs. TheContinue reading “In the Habs opener, the newbies looked good”
Tag Archives: Alex Newhook
Two quick notes from the Habs final preseason game
October 5, 2025 Last night the 2025-26 preseason for the Montreal Canadiens wrapped up. The result was a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Two things caught my eye. Joe Veleno will be a serious upgrade on Michael Pezzetta in the 13th forward spot. With the ability to play both centre and wing, AND theContinue reading “Two quick notes from the Habs final preseason game”
Habs Notes from Preseason Game 4
September 28, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens were in Toronto on Saturday night for another preseason game. The young Habs came to play and the result was a 4-2 win, Here’s what caught my attention. Newhook intends to carve himself a role on this Habs team. Since GM Kent Hughes acquired centreman Alex Newhook, we’ve beenContinue reading “Habs Notes from Preseason Game 4”
Habs Preseason Game 3 Notes
September 26, 2025 On Thursday evening the Montreal Canadiens had their third preseason game for 2025-26. The Toronto Maple Leafs were in town and the result was a stinking 7-2 loss. Here’s what caught my attention. The coach is committed to the two top lines. Marty confirmed it to the media that Kirby Dach wouldContinue reading “Habs Preseason Game 3 Notes”
The Habs have some battles and bottom lines in training camp
September 21, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens kicked off training camp this week along with 31 other NHL teams. Camp has a different feel this year following a surprise appearance in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. The Habs have shifted into a different phase of the build. Early in camp, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels posted a photoContinue reading “The Habs have some battles and bottom lines in training camp”
Three moves to help the Habs
June 26, 2025 This is a segue from this week’s Basu & Godin Notebook podcast where the guys – Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin – played a little game where they took turns being the Habs GM. Each of them identified three off-season moves to improve the Montreal Canadiens for next season. I wantContinue reading “Three moves to help the Habs”
With the crazy preseason done, HuGo shouldn’t pull any punches
October 7, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens played their last preseason game on Saturday night, and not a minute too soon. From losing off-season acquisition Patrik Laine to injury, to the coach refusing to play his top line in the final preparation match fearing the same outcome, the preseason was a bit of a shit show.Continue reading “With the crazy preseason done, HuGo shouldn’t pull any punches”
Critical storylines as we transition to the Habs main training camp
September 17, 2024 The annual golf tournament is a sure sign that a new season for the Montreal Canadiens is about to kick off. On Monday, players, coaching staff and management teed off in Laval, and we can almost smell the rink. The rookie tournament is done and there were no major surprises. Lane HutsonContinue reading “Critical storylines as we transition to the Habs main training camp”
Checking in on the Habs progress against the McGuire Profile
August 24, 2024 On April 20, 2023 I wrote an article assessing where the Montreal Canadiens were in their development against what I named the McGuire Profile. The McGuire Profile is a 7-player profile which hockey analyst Pierre McGuire says was developed based on conversations with Scotty Bowman. The profile identifies seven essential pieces toContinue reading “Checking in on the Habs progress against the McGuire Profile”
The Habs have placeholder options to complete the top six
August 17, 2024 The 2023-24 season for the Montreal Canadiens ended with a definitive top line. The Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky line was strong down the stretch, and there is no reason to expect they won’t be set up to continue growing together this coming season. With Alex Newhook having a strong year despite injuries, and with KirbyContinue reading “The Habs have placeholder options to complete the top six”
Hab At Her 