Have the Habs found secondary scoring?

October 9, 2025 After a loss in their opener, the Montreal Canadiens were right back at it on Thursday in the second game of their first back-to-back of the season. The Detroit Red Wings were the opponent and the result was a 5-1 win. Here’s what caught my eye. The Newhook – Kapanen – DemidovContinue reading “Have the Habs found secondary scoring?”

5 quick notes from Preseason Game 5

October 1, 2025 On Tuesday night the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators faced off in Quebec for a preseason match. It was a bloody affair and the result was a 5-0 win for the Habs. Here are five quick notes from that one. Oliver Kapanen has made this team. It seems clear to me that’sContinue reading “5 quick notes from Preseason Game 5”

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”

Options A-E to Resolve the Habs 2C Issue

September 8, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens need a second line centreman. It’s been the obsession of fans and pundits for the entire off-season, and no doubt the focus of many management discussions. Now the summer is winding down, and the hole at 2C remains. Having traded away Carey Price’s contract, HuGo is currently positioned toContinue reading “Options A-E to Resolve the Habs 2C Issue”

For the next Habs window to truly open, another had to close

September 6, 2025 Yesterday, an era came to an end in Montreal. The Canadiens traded Carey Price’s contract and a fifth round pick to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Habs also took on the contract of minor leaguer Gannon Laroque. The move marks the closing of one window and supports the opening ofContinue reading “For the next Habs window to truly open, another had to close”

What’s in store for the Habs this August?

August 1, 2025 The silence is deafening in the NHL right now. Deep in the off-season, management groups are enjoying the last weeks of a break before getting back to refining their team. Fans of the Montreal Canadiens are acutely aware of two things. The first is that following the early days of free agency,Continue reading “What’s in store for the Habs this August?”

Joe Veleno gives the Habs another patch while they wait to fill a hole

July 19, 2025 On Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced they had signed a one-year one-way contract with forward Joe Veleno. The contract comes with a $900K annual average value, which is a nice price for a depth forward. The Habs needed to replace some depth. Several bottom six forwards have left Montreal. Michael Pezzetta didContinue reading “Joe Veleno gives the Habs another patch while they wait to fill a hole”

Early in free agency, there are things we can surmise about the Habs

July 4, 2025 With the first wave of a fairly flat free agency already in the books, General Manager Kent Hughes has approached the 2025 free agency window of change much like he approached his first three at the helm of the Montreal Canadiens. Like years past, Hughes has not yet overpaid on one freeContinue reading “Early in free agency, there are things we can surmise about the Habs”

In this draft window, the Habs accelerated their ascent to a contention window

June. 29, 2025 We should not be surprised. HuGo has been active in every draft window since their arrival, beyond simply drafting at their designated spots, to improve the Montreal Canadiens. But their Friday trade to acquire Noah Dobson, and then sign him to a contract that covers his entire prime years, was a stepContinue reading “In this draft window, the Habs accelerated their ascent to a contention window”

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”