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”

Kent Hughes is an August fiend, and Patrik Laine is a Hab

August 19, 2024 There it is, right when you least expected it. On a sleepy Monday afternoon in the third week of August, the casual tweet from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Minutes later, the full deal was confirmed. The Montreal Canadiens sent Jordan Harris to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Patrik Laine and a second roundContinue reading “Kent Hughes is an August fiend, and Patrik Laine is a Hab”

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”

Three Leaf Errors the Habs Won’t Make

May 5, 2024 On April 11, 2014 Brendan Shanahan was announced as President and Alternate Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A decade later, the Leafs have won exactly one playoff round under the Shanaplan. Volumes will be written about what needs to happen next in Toronto. As a Habs fan living in Toronto, andContinue reading “Three Leaf Errors the Habs Won’t Make”

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 61 games, the kids own the Habs

March 3, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens had three games on the schedule this week. On Tuesday, they defeated the Arizona Coyotes with a score of 4-2. They were in Florida on Thursday night, and held their own against the Panthers in a 4-3 shootout loss. Then on Saturday night they were in Tampa Bay toContinue reading “After 61 games, the kids own the Habs”

After 58 games, the Habs are free falling

February 24, 2024 The Montreal Canadiens had three games on the docket this week. On Wednesday, the Buffalo Sabres were in town and they left having handed the hometown team a 3-2 loss. The Habs headed to Pittsburgh for a game on Thursday where they suffered a 4-1 loss. Then on Saturday the Canadiens wereContinue reading “After 58 games, the Habs are free falling”

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”