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”

The second week of action for the Habs was a disorganized mess

October 20, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens played three games in the second week of action for the 2024-25 season, and it was a disorganized mess. On Monday they lost 6-3 to Pittsburgh, on Thursday it was a 4-1 loss to Los Angeles, and on Saturday night they finally salvaged one point from the week inContinue reading “The second week of action for the Habs was a disorganized mess”

Opening week featured stellar performances from three Habs

October 13, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens opened the 2024-25 season with three games. On Wednesday, they battled out a 1-0 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. In Boston on Thursday the Habs fell 6-4 to the Bruins. Then on Saturday night, the Canadiens toppled the Ottawa Senators with a 4-1 win. The story ofContinue reading “Opening week featured stellar performances from three 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”

Three players who’ll want to shift the narrative at Habs rookie camp

September 7, 2024 On Friday, the Montreal Canadiens announced the roster of players that are due to participate in this year’s rookie camp, which is set to get underway on September 11th. Some familiar faces are returning under the weight of expectation while others are getting their first real glimpse at life in the NHL.Continue reading “Three players who’ll want to shift the narrative at Habs rookie camp”

Is a “cherry on top” trade possible to end this Habs off-season?

August 31, 2024 It’s been one helluva summer for the Montreal Canadiens. Since the Habs finished at the bottom of the standings, and secured the fifth overall pick following the draft lottery, GM Kent Hughes has been a busy man. It began at the draft. After packaging picks to improve on their second pick inContinue reading “Is a “cherry on top” trade possible to end this Habs off-season?”

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”

Kent Hughes is an August fiend, and Patrik Laine is a Hab

August 19, 2024 There it is, right when you least expected it. On a sleepy Monday afternoon in the third week of August, the casual tweet from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Minutes later, the full deal was confirmed. The Montreal Canadiens sent Jordan Harris to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Patrik Laine and a second roundContinue reading “Kent Hughes is an August fiend, and Patrik Laine is a Hab”

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”