September 13, 2025 We are on the cusp of a new NHL season with rookie camps underway and management groups getting the first look at this year’s version of their teams. The Montreal Canadiens are approaching the end of their build, but they are yet incomplete. GM Kent Hughes may still pull off a lateContinue reading “There are some experiments the Habs should try in training camp”
Tag Archives: Arber Xhekaj
The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful
July 30, 2025 On Monday, the Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with defenseman Jayden Struble when team and player came to terms on a two-year contract worth $2.825 million. There is little excitement to find in this deal. It’s a sensible deal. An obvious outcome. Mundane, run of the mill business. Struble was a restricted freeContinue reading “The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful”
In the Carrier deal, the Habs chose predictability over potential
December 19, 2024 The pending Christmas roster freeze for the 2024-25 season has felt a little like trade deadline, and the Montreal Canadiens got in on the action. On Wednesday night, the Habs traded Justin Barron to the Nashville Predators for Alexandre Carrier. Carrier is currently in year one of a three-year contract that carriesContinue reading “In the Carrier deal, the Habs chose predictability over potential”
After six weeks the Habs are finding their way
November 17, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens entered the sixth week of action in the 2024-25 season at the very bottom of the standings and in desperate need of some wins. Being “in the mix” was nowhere near as important as staying out of the gutter and lifting the spirits of a young team. The HabsContinue reading “After six weeks the Habs are finding their way”
Should the Habs be in the trade market this early in the season?
October 30, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens ended their third week of play in the 2024-25 NHL season with a 4-4-1 record, a .500 clip that has them tied with several other teams for third place in the Atlantic Division. But the third week also saw the Habs smack dab in the middle of trade rumourContinue reading “Should the Habs be in the trade market this early in the season?”
The third week of Habs action revealed some impatience
October 28, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens had three games on the docket for the third week of action in the 2024-25 season. On Tuesday night, they were hammered at home by the Rangers in a 7-2 loss. They recovered on Saturday with a 5-2 win over the Blues. Then on Sunday they were in PhiladelphiaContinue reading “The third week of Habs action revealed some impatience”
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”
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”
Three signings later, the Habs D group may be coming into focus
August 4, 2024 After striking out in free agency and dealing with the contract extension for Juraj Slafkovsky, the Montreal Canadiens were pretty quiet in July. Perhaps a vacation was in order for the management group before getting down to business again this week with three contracts signed with three young defenders. Arber Xhekaj hasContinue reading “Three signings later, the Habs D group may be coming into focus”
After 28 games, the Habs are growing
December 11, 2023 The Montreal Canadiens had a busy four-game week. On Monday, they won 4-2 over the visiting Seattle Kraken. The mighty Los Angeles Kings were in town on Thursday and the Habs were better than in their last encounter, but the result was the same in a 4-0 loss. The Canadiens were inContinue reading “After 28 games, the Habs are growing”
Hab At Her 