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Seems like will be a smart player. David Reinbacher’s time in Laval will benefit his transition to Montreal in many ways - The Athletic "Rocket coach Jean-François Houle provided a lucid, straightforward assessment of what he saw from Reinbacher over 11 games. “I like his gap control a lot. I think his stick is really good,” Houle said. “He needs to get stronger. I think he can provide even more offence and I think he was maybe cautiously playing back a little bit, which is normal.” "As he adds muscle — something Kaiden Guhle also said he hopes to do this offseason despite having two years of NHL experience under his belt — Reinbacher’s aggressive nature in battle situations will become that much more effective."

Great to see Reinbacher get a dozen games in Laval under his belt, on smaller ice and intro to NA pro game. Laval Rocket eliminated from playoff contention with loss (habseyesontheprize.com) Luke Tuch stood out for me quite a bit among the forward group. He plays somewhat of a thankless game that probably won’t show up on the scoresheet a lot, but he back checks like his life depends on it, and is very capable in the dirty areas. If he keeps bringing that level of effort at both ends of the ice, he’ll eventually find himself getting a chance in the NHL. David Reinbacher is just so quietly effective. Outside of his assist, what really stood out for me was his puck distribution in his own zone. He seems to have an innate sense for where his teammates will be, and his first pass on the breakout is almost always right. He’s on the right track, and it will be interesting to see how he develops next season.

We need your A game tonight buddy. Habs can’t afford a win…

He did? He brought in Chiarot, Edmundson, and Savard on NHL deals and signed Xhekaj to his ELC. If anything, I think he was a little too enamoured with the big, physical defencemen you're describing; he certainly didn't move away from them.

I don’t see how you “protect” a player from what are basically clean hits. Especially in the playoffs, when an instigator penalty is very damaging. I agree with Alfredoh that Hutson, like Hughes, will have to protect himself. And Habs29 makes the point that Hughes has never been targeted like this. Next time around, he’ll probably be more ready for it. Remember in 2014 when the Bruins’s game plan involved hitting the crap out of Subban? I think it was Game 5…the announcer declared early in the game, after watching PK dodge a few attempts, that PK was simply too quick for them to hit. That was the moment when I really began to believe that the Habs would win that series (which we did). It’s not ALL on the D-man, though. One of the talking points in Van is that you ease the pressure on Hughes by having a more effective forecheck, which prevents Nashville from winding up and driving into the zone with the crushing speed that leads their captain to get splattered. The Canucks implemented this to better effect last game. So, a combo of smart, prepared player learning to adapt, and smart team play, can help a Hutson to survive. I still think an under-played theme in all this is that Hronek, who wants a huge payday this summer, has not stepped up to take some of the burden off Hughes. If other teams target Hutson and, say, Mailloux is able to raise his game short-term, that would also help mitigate the danger.

He had just as many chances when he played for the Habs. Difference is that he is actually scoring off of those chances now. I think the entire board liked Lehkonen very much and were really happy when he won that cup.

"My son weighs about 25 pounds and I struggled to hold him in my arms for more than a minute without discomfort," he said Tuesday morning during a lengthy interview with La Presse. Despite a "daily routine" that allows him to cope with pain, sitting or standing for a long time is now painful. Air travel, therefore, is "difficult". "I got to a point where I couldn't go on," he says. "I spoke with the medical staff of what my life after hockey could look like if I didn't stop. There was a lot of doubt about how it would affect me in the long run. When we started talking about it, it became real. Life is long after the end of a career."

The early signing sets it up that the Habs could issue him a qualifying offer to retain his rights, just in case something clicks over there and he becomes a bigger threat. Doesn't mean they will but it makes it easier to do so.

Indeedy. "TORONTO — Eight years and nine playoff series into their shared tenure as saviors of the Maple Leafs, three of the best individual performers in franchise history were reduced to sniping at one another on the bench after bumbling through an ineffective shift together. William Nylander appeared to direct pointed criticism at Mitch Marner. Auston Matthews looked to have some words for his teammate(s), too. Marner turned and tossed each of his gloves to the ground in frustration...." Johnston: This is the end of the Maple Leafs as we know them - The Athletic

The misery in Leafs Nation is warming my soul.

I won't say too much until the Bruins win one more game. Then I will just smile a bit on the inside and have a nice restful sleep.

LMAO at the HNIC crew looking dejected as if all their dogs just died. Poor leaf’s are losing you homers 👌

If Kotkaniemi teached us something, it's not to take too much from the results at this U18 tournament. Guessing the scouts go there to evaluate some specific skills and character aspect of players' game more than how they actually perform.

$8.5m for 7 years for a guy who doesn’t show up in more games than he does? No thanks. If he wasn’t French there wouldn’t Ben be a discussion about trading for him.

If I was convinced Mailloux would be an all star then perhaps I would not make this trade. I am not as convinced as you are. If you make this trade a) you are almost guaranteed to end up with a stud forward at #3 (Demidov or Lindstrom) b) you have more choices at #5, a stud defensemen or maybe Iginla, Helenius c) plus you have Zegras who might be really motivated to prove himself with a new team It hurts to give up CC but overall this might be a better team. Trades like this are fun to talk about. In any event I do see possibilities of an Anaheim/Montreal trade as they do have pieces that compliment each other.

I'm not rooting for Roy. While he was a superb player for the Habs, ultimately he put himself ahead of the team and left. It wasn't all him, but the decision was his. Had he stayed, we might have won another Cup. I understand the situation, so I'm not holding a grudge, but neither am I going to root for him.

It may have taken me 18 attempts but I am glad I was able to finally pull it off. It didn’t look promising after the second to last game because the Habs needed only 1 point but Detroit’s miraculous comeback with 3 seconds left, followed by the the Habs’ overtime/shootout loss in the final game sealed the deal. Thank you @alfredoh2009 for the congrats and @Peter Puck for hosting, as always. GHG

Go Bruins, Sweep it up.

I heartily endorse the general sentiment. The Bruins are an authentic rival, and a truly great (and duly hated) opponent over the years; the Leafs are a creation of the TO hype machine. No amount of suffering is too much for them. And I know that if they win, we will NEVER hear the end of it - celebrated over and over on HNIC and the national media as the Greatest Day in Hockey History, universally beloved, blablablablah. Over and over, year after year, until we die. No thanks. The two worst things that could possibly happen to me as a hockey fan are these: 1. The Habs fold and leave town. 2. The Leafs win the Cup. I'm pulling for the Bruins 100% in this series. I'll cheer against them thereafter.

No it's not. It's an easy decision. I find it easy to cheer for the Bruins in this series.

Keep in mind any comparison is a stylistic comparison, not a talent one.... so just cause someone is compared to Aho doesn't mean that the point totals is what we are comparing. He's a centre IMO. Yes, I see him in the NHL in 25-26, but I wouldn't say regardless of who takes him. Every team has different philosophies on what they do for development, but I'd think barring injury and lost development time in 2024-25, he'd be in the NHL by then. Some teams might even put him in the NHL 2024-25. What are people missing? I think he has almost no weaknesses. He does everything you need a player to do at an above average level, while still being elite in a few areas

Arizona should celebrate with winning their last two games 🎉

WHY in the world would the Habs want to "ice their best lineup"? Wins only have the potential to worsen their draft position. Hutson is getting at least one game because that burns a year of his ELC ... THAT and getting some $$$ in his pocket immediately is why he signed now ... there was always the "possibility" of his waiting and ultimately deciding to play another NCAA season. Struble is with the Habs because they only have 7 healthy defencemen and one of them could be injured/get sick before the game roster is submitted. @dlbalr made it clear that Baby Xhekaj is playing because Stephens can't, not to "give him a game". So, not the management screw-up you seem to so often hope for.

Boy, look at Morgan Reilly's numbers. I always liked his game - my kind of defenceman. For a guy in TO, where they pump the tires of every bum who cycles through the lineup, he seems almost underrated. And that's the only nice thing I'm gonna say for the next 12 hours. F**k off, Leafs. I hope Boston or whoever takes a leaf-blower to you and sweeps you in 4.

I guess I could have been clearer as there have been a few Big Bad Bruin teams. I will go back to the Wayne Cashman, Ken Hodge and Johnny Mckenzie teams. Orr and Espo also played on those teams.

Sportsnet leaf Homer panel is ridiculous. Leafs gotta get bounced tonight

Does your significant other know about Owen Beck? 😉

Pk's reputation was bullshit. Evander Kane has earned his though with a number of run-ins with the law and off ice issues.

With everyone with a $5M+ AAV under NMC/NTCs any changes will likely be in how he spends his $18M of cap space .. he needs a legit starting goalie (and backup), 3 legit Top 4 defencemen and forward depth.

Nothing makes me happier than watching the maple leafs disintegrate.

Different time, when a grad student working part-time could afford a standing-room ticket. I would have driven a bus through the doors to see that game, though. Nothing was going to stop me. As cherished as that memory is - I can still see Roy looking right at us and raising the Cup, roaring in triumph - I was also there for Game 2 of that series. The McSorely stick/Desjardins game. No single moment has ever been more ecstatic for me as a hockey fan than to be in the building when Desjardins blasted it past Hrudey to tie it up with a minute left. It was INSANE.

Right. You wouldn't pick Aatos Koivu because you expect him to be a clone of Saku. He is his own player, and he'll be picked on his own merits. The only significant thing you get from that relationship is that you might have a better idea of the player's attitude or mental processes, based on how well you know his family members. But that's just another data point, not anything more.

It's a lot more than Caufield for Zegras. If you break this trade down into 2 components. a) Caulfield for Zegras b) Mailloux and Winnipeg's pick for the #3 pick I think you would do part b) all day long. But you would probably not do part a) Overall I think it's a fair deal. I know everyone on this board would like to give up a couple tugboats for a battleship but that's not how it works.

That is an interesting trade proposal. It certainly gives Anaheim something they are looking for. To get something you have to give something up and CC is certainly a very good piece. This is actually one of the better trade proposals I have seen as it made me think a lot about who is getting the better deal. I think it's pretty fair. Well thought out. I would think both teams want to see how the ping pong balls fall before entertaining something like this.

They have him at 81st, so a NHL long shot depth player am assuming. 81. Aatos Koivu, C — TPS (U20 SM-Sarja) Anni Karvinen – Aatos Koivu is a strong-skating center that has had a steep development curve during the season. He is physically quite raw which partly explains why he flew under the radar for so long. Koivu possesses a plus tool in his shot that he likes to fire frequently, especially from the half-wall. He also has a quite good hockey sense especially in the offensive zone where he is good at making himself available as an option to pass the puck to. He can play responsible two-way hockey and he’s already developed some mature habits like good scanning.

Exactly. I like Dach but to say there is no room for a top 6 centre... hogwash. Imagine we win the lottery? Are we passing on Celebrini cause he's a centre? Kidney, Mesar, Beck, Kapanen are all maybes... and the fact is Beck and Kapanen are most likely to make it but are also unlikely to be top six centres. And its not Newhook can play wing. Its hes better at wing than at centre. There is a difference. So all of this means, if you think our top 6 centre spots are set... that means you are counting on both Suzuki and Dach to be in those spots. And if you add one more and those two are healthy and productive, great... you can have the equivalent of the Oilers having RNH, or you can put one on wing. You cant have too many good centers. No such thing.

I suspect Kovacevic will be worth more to the Habs than in a trade.

Sometimes, it's not just the coach who decides who plays. Management will want the prospects in, not the veterans as that's what's best for the organization.

I'm thinking that Beck might be a better fit for an Armia-type role, although he might ende up playing centre. I expect we'll know much more for both Beck and Tuch a year from now.

Mailloux has a new number. I hope he scores and looks good in a losing effort.

And may be the smallest Hab d-man. Another fun game with lots of positives. Hutson 23:32; Mailloux 21:11 Matheson 27:32 5 shots, nice finish and I saw he recently said he knows his defense is an area for him to work on. Be nice to see him paired with a bonafide top pairing RHer at some point.

I think it's just a case of alternating the goalies like they have been doing and it's Primeau's turn.

Nice to see Gallagher score, maybe he will get a hatty tonight. Just awesome! Why draft 5th when you have a chance at 7th? Don't mind me, just rambling, I don't expect the players to quit. Actually 14 goals is not a terrible year for Gallagher, still obviously vastly overpaid but he is out there working.

The emergence of 1. Slaf (by a bullet) 2. Suzuki as a legitimate #1C 3. Newhook as a speedy, dangerous 2nd line type 4. Primeau are really the good news stories of this season. They're kind of 2024's equivalent to last season's realization that we had legit young players on D. And 5. the second-half surge by Caufield offers some reassurance that maybe his shoulder surgery really did deflate his production, such that he is closer to a 40-goal guy than a 30-goal guy. (Not that there's anything wrong with being a 30-goal guy, but safe to say most of us harboured hopes that he might be an elite goal scorer. That hope remains credible, and next season will tell the tale). You know me, though - I'm a fretful sort. One thing that worries me a bit about all this is that much of the good news has occurred during "garbage time," with the Habs safely out of the playoffs and all pressure off. The Galchenyuk precedent reminds us to be cautious about reading too much into second-half surges by young players on terrible teams. I think, though, that our hopes in these five factors are well-founded.

Andersson and Heineman score in the 3rd as Laval takes it 5-1. https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1026269 Laval is now two points behind Belleville. The Sens have a game in hand still but Laval has the tiebreaker.

Yup ... and just because he is evil doesn't mean he isn't sometimes right.

End of season is finally coming. Sorry boys but it best if we lose. Wouldn’t mind if Suzuki or Caufield or Slafkovsky fills the net though.

I have this theory that it's going to be a trickle of small improvements that will suddenly burst the dam at some point - probably surprising 'expert' commentators when it does happen.

Dvorak and Anderson and Gallagher all scoring in the same game? I think philly has to be relegated to the AHL now since that happened. Im pretth sure its a rule. They have totally quit on Torts. This is the 8th straight loss... only 1 win since healthy scratching Couturier. This is full rebellion against the coach.

They wouldn't need to burn a year on Xhekaj by signing him for this season. They'd just sign him to a future contract that begins in 24-25, then give him an ATO for Laval for the stretch run. I see no reason why he wouldn't be in Laval over the next few days unless he's been playing through an injury that needs to be addressed.