DON

Where do you put him? Who do you waive and scratch for him to play?

When does Laine come back, or does he never dress for Habs again and is gone before trade freeze? His value cant get much lower though, can it.

Ya, not alot details or tipping his hand obviously with Olympic trade freeze and trade deadline upcoming, but just general spin on stuff.

Ya, no thanks on Wright. A young proven winger would seem a better fit and is no big hurry.

4-2 Vegas over Leafs late 2nd period. Marner in grand return, 0pts 0shots 10:31 4-3 6 minutes left in 3rd, leaf PP.

Hughes interview. Prudent is theme.

10 Thoughts – More Than A Broken Stick – HabsWorld.net 1st Star – Zachary Bolduc Bolduc had his jump tonight, a welcome sight for Canadiens fans waiting for the full arrival of a big offseason move. Bolduc had started the season off strong, especially on the road, but was unable to maintain the momentum once lines were jumbled from injury. He looked to play with a pace missing from his game since Newhook was lost, and threw his weight around in the corners. The coaching staff is surely hoping his game tonight will spark another streak of offence. Marty gave Bolduc a shot on 1st line again. Zack Bolduc’s fat lip is reminder of what Canadiens season is really all about - The Athletic “He’s played better, I would say, the last two weeks than earlier in the season when he was scoring,” St. Louis said. “But it’s easy to measure that (scoring). If you understand the way the game should be played and where you should be on the ice and the actions, regardless of the actual scoresheet, he’s a way better player right now. And I’m excited about that. “I’m glad he gets rewarded with something because I feel he’s been in the right spots; it was just a matter of time. It’s a process; he’s still a very young player. But I’m happy to see the growth.”

Seems like Matheson-Dobson must of played well. How did Guhle look? 3g on 16 shots, .813% looks bad.

Nice to see eh.

Seems like Summer is likely better time for big deal like this. Isnt any sensible long-term looking deal that will make the Habs a contender this season is there?

You asked. No, not a hope in hell.

Another fun game with young guys shining. Canadiens’ Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov find inspiration on the way to a win - The Athletic ... He was coming off a 6-5 overtime win in Ottawa Saturday night in which, despite the Canadiens being completely outclassed, he had three assists but was not happy with the way he played. “I feel like I played a weird game, I was in weird spots in weird times,” Hutson said. “It happens, my execution was a little off.” Still, three assists is nothing to sneeze at, no? “Sometimes the puck rolls in your favour, and it did,” he responded. “But definitely not my best, and what’s great is you get another chance tonight to be better.” ... Despite Demidov’s eyes suggesting differently, Hutson was ready for that pass. “I knew he saw me,” Hutson said. “I’m not surprised by the plays he makes anymore. It’s second nature to him to make those really nice highlight plays, but he also does so many of the right things when he’s pressuring pucks, winning puck battles. He earns the opportunity to do those really nice plays.”

4-3 win Laval Rocket @ Abbotsford Canucks Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League Farrell 2g1a Fowler 3g 30 shots Xhekaj 1g 2 shots Reinbacher 1a 2 shots Engstrom 0pts 2 shots

Carrier 1g 4 shots.

Good 1st period. 15 shots

Engstrom showed big offensive improvement; 2024/25- 26 pts 66gms 2025/26- 20pts 25gms

If you havent watched this game replay, Engstrom really stands out to me anyways, as looking 'too good' for AHL. (i think it was this game he easily goes end to end several times) Adam Engstrom With Strong Game/Florian Xhekaj 1A In Tight Checking Match - Laval Highlights 1-16-26

Doing well. #97 in green. Alexander Zharovsky So Close to Huge 3 PT GM/Now 1 PT Away From U-19 PTS Record - Highlights 1-20-26

Than Xhekaj, Carrier or Struble i think so. Maybe given that his 11 game NHL experience went fine, with his all-star play in AHL, maybe he even has similar value as Reinbacher (who has looked 'fine' in Laval)?

Everyones favourite subject, biased Refs! Habs Penalty Troubles: Atlantic Context Notes I thought the Habs took and drew a lot of roughing calls (62 total) until I tracked the Lightning (103) and Panthers (84). Tampa has taken almost as many roughing calls (57) as the Habs have seen for both teams in their games. The most common penalty in the Atlantic this year is tripping with 587 infractions. Montreal has the best penalty differential in tripping calls specifically at 64% in their favour. Toronto is the worst at 38%. Removing coincidental roughs, Buffalo has drawn a whopping 67% of the power plays among roughing calls specifically, drawing 14 and taking just 5. Boston and Florida appear to be the worst for running interference, tied with 24 calls against each, about double the division average. Montreal leads the division in hooking penalties with 28, something to keep an eye on.

Rocket Weekly: A Week at Home to Forget – HabsWorld.net Final Thought Considering that Laval is in first place in the North Division (well, tied with Syracuse with a game in hand), it’s hard to sit here and be too upset about the first half of the season. On the other hand, I don’t like how the Rocket have played for a few weeks now. ...

Hughes vs Hutson. Or a russian rookie vs the $17,000,000 russian.

Got that, i just think let goalies play puck anywhere works for me. Help save d-men getting stapled to boards from behind as much. Also dont see any reason for the blue paint in crease anymore, seems meaningless to goals counting or not.