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?”
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The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful
July 30, 2025 On Monday, the Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with defenseman Jayden Struble when team and player came to terms on a two-year contract worth $2.825 million. There is little excitement to find in this deal. It’s a sensible deal. An obvious outcome. Mundane, run of the mill business. Struble was a restricted freeContinue reading “The Struble contract is both mundane and meaningful”
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”