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”
Tag Archives: Juraj Slafkovsky
Can the young Habs keep the magic coming?
April 19, 2025 It took them the full 82 games to do it, but the Montreal Canadiens have clinched a berth in the 2024-25 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their goal was to be in the mix, but now they’re in the show, and on Monday night they will face off against the Capitals in Washington inContinue reading “Can the young Habs keep the magic coming?”
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”
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”
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?”
After 69 games, the Habs have formed an identity
March 23, 2024 Life is busy and it’s been a couple of weeks since we’ve reviewed where the Montreal Canadiens are at in a rebuild season. They posted a shutout 3-0 win against Columbus on Tuesday, March 12th and suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins the following Thursday. Then the Habs headed toContinue reading “After 69 games, the Habs have formed an identity”
After 55 games, the Habs are separating the sheep from the goats
February 18, 2024 This past week for the Montreal Canadiens featured three games. On Tuesday the Anaheim Ducks were in town and the Habs won in convincing fashion, with a final result of 5-0. The Habs were in New York to face the Rangers on Thursday and suffered a 7-4 loss. Then on Saturday, theContinue reading “After 55 games, the Habs are separating the sheep from the goats”
Hab At Her 