June 21, 2025 This past week, the Stanley Cup for the 2024-25 NHL season was hoisted by the Florida Panthers. As is tradition, the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable playoff performer was also awarded. Unsurprisingly, Sam Bennett was the guy. Bennett is in the last year of his current contract and can becomeContinue reading “Can the Habs find the next Sam Bennett?”
Tag Archives: HuGo
Big questions drive the Habs attack for the next two windows of change
June 16, 2025 It’s mid-June and it looks like the Stanley Cup will finally be hoisted this coming week. Teams have already begun their off-season work, with contracts being signed and some small trades already unfolding. The NHL amateur draft takes place on June 27 and 28, and free agency opens on July 1. TheContinue reading “Big questions drive the Habs attack for the next two windows of change”
After 34 games, the Habs delivered some gifts before taking their Christmas break
December 24, 2024 On Monday night, the Montreal Canadiens played their last game before a short Christmas break. It was a heartbreaking 5-4 regulation loss that snapped their win streak at three games. The record is still a humbling 14-17-3, but in the last 10 games the Habs have shown signs of growth and areContinue reading “After 34 games, the Habs delivered some gifts before taking their Christmas break”
Eight weeks and American Thanksgiving are past, and the Habs face decisions
December 2, 2024 After playing Jekyl and Hyde in week seven, with a strong win against Edmonton, and an ugly loss against Vegas, the Habs had four games on tap for week eight. Back-to-backs on Tuesday and Wednesday resulted in three of four points claimed, with an overtime loss to Utah and an overtime winContinue reading “Eight weeks and American Thanksgiving are past, and the Habs face decisions”
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”
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”
Are we there yet? How close is the end of the Habs rebuild?
August 10, 2024 Are we there yet? That’s the question that inevitably surfaces deep into a long journey, and Habs fans have begun asking with respect to the status of rebuild. On November 28, 2021, the Montreal Canadiens fired General Manager Marc Bergevin and hired Jeff Gorton as the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations,Continue reading “Are we there yet? How close is the end of the Habs rebuild?”
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”
Can HuGo exceed expectations for the 2024 draft window?
June 26, 2024 It’s been two years since the management duo of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton entered their first amateur draft for the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal was the host and the Canadiens held the first overall pick. Shane Wright was projected to go first overall, but Hughes took to the microphone and made jawsContinue reading “Can HuGo exceed expectations for the 2024 draft window?”
Hab At Her 