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”

The plan for the Habs D is entangled with the plan for Mike Matheson

July 14, 2025 The Montreal Canadiens went into the off-season with some obvious questions about their defense group. David Savard had announced his retirement and, with him being one of two right shots on defense, the hole he was leaving was real. The questions were obvious. Would David Reinbacher and/or Logan Mailloux be ready toContinue reading “The plan for the Habs D is entangled with the plan for Mike Matheson”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Three reasons to be hopeful after five weeks of Habs action

November 10, 2024 The fifth week of action for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024-25 season featured three games. Tuesday’s game was a 3-2 overtime loss at home to the Calgary Flames. On Thursday, they lost 5-3 in New Jersey. Saturday night’s game was in Toronto, and the Habs left with a 4-1 loss. AfterContinue reading “Three reasons to be hopeful after five weeks of Habs action”

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”

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?”