DON

Likely why they traded for Bolduc and had no interest in trading the likes of a Guhle or maybe Reinbacher for Kyrou?

What Gavin McKenna’s commitment means for the NCAA, CHL, Penn State, NIL and more - The Athletic "... That’s true in both the NCAA and CHL, where the developments of the last year are only positive for what they mean for the pockets of the players and the amenities and paths they’ll have available to them on either side of the border. There’s fear within the CHL and the NCAA that the rich will get richer and smaller markets and schools will have an even tougher time competing with the likes of London in the CHL and the powerhouses in the Big Ten or Hockey East than they already do, but smart hockey and business minds will find niches and avenues forward.

I was thinking they might want Guhle?

What Gavin McKenna’s commitment means for the NCAA, CHL, Penn State, NIL and more - The Athletic "... Not that long ago, top NHL prospects were telling me they were getting branded sweaters and free meals at local restaurants as their NIL packages. McKenna’s package, all in all, is rumored to be upwards of $700,000 USD — or in and around a million CAD. (I haven’t been able to verify that number with people connected to McKenna, but it’s the biggest package ever given to a college hockey player.)

Hear Habs interested in Jordan Kyrou, just cant see Habs adding another winger. But, what would St Louis want in return, or what could Habs offer that St Louis looking for?

Jeff Gorton feels Canadiens added talent to their core, but more could be coming - The Athletic You’re trying to manage all these things, and you don’t want a lesser player that is not as good as somebody else walking in making way more money than another guy. Because it’s real, right? So those things, when agents argue for percentage of the cap, percentage of the cap, percentage of the cap, it can be a little too much for me. Generally speaking, that’s an argument for the better players.” ... you don’t generally see a lot of movement for the first 20 games. People want to see what they have. I don’t see that changing. I could be crazy, but the curious part is probably the next few weeks to see if there’s a secondary market that evolves. People didn’t get what they wanted,...

I heard one person note Zharovsky is so thin he looked like a 12 yr old at the Florida event, so he has some filling out to do. Bryce Pickford, watching youtube montage of this year goals, really impressive shot, wrister and one-timer. I heard Andrew MacNiel referred as a Protz-type d-man. 10 Thoughts: Assessing Montreal’s 2025 Draft Class – HabsWorld.net "...This isn’t the same situation as Ivan Demidov who was way too dominant for the MHL so I’m hopeful that if Zharovsky isn’t ready to take a regular shift for Ufa, he’s sent back to either a stronger MHL team or even a VHL squad." All in all, it was a solid draft weekend for Montreal."

If possibly trading Matheson before contract runs out, would adding some more experience be needed (or just be done mid-season also?), with very young defense maybe adding an old LH-d? "At 38, Vlasic is no longer the shutdown beast he was in his prime. You’d have to go back to pre-pandemic times to find the last evidence of him playing competent top-four minutes. Making matters worse is that he’s dealt with injuries over the last couple of years. With that said, perhaps there’s still a world where Vlasic can be a depth No. 7 defender. A fresh start on a non-lottery team could rejuvenate his game. He can still kill penalties and could also be a valuable leader and mentor for younger defensemen. And his next contract will likely be so cheap that if it doesn’t work out, you can always bury him in the minors without any salary-cap implications." Depth NHL free-agency targets: The 12 best players on the secondary market - The Athletic

Someone think Hage added 10lbs of fat since season ended, is that the idea?

He also was injured in junior. Sort of other end of spectrum from a Suzuki, who hasnt missed a hockey game (pro & junior) in many years now.

I think will be dangerous team this year, but lack quality depth if a key injury or two happens.

WELL, i would go with somewhere between those 2 results, but like your optimism.

He seems so fragile and reckless, so doubt he will play 82 games. But, maybe he will be in better conditioning this fall and that will make a difference?

Pronman has Habs picking 8th next year. I dont think they will be that bad. 2026 NHL Mock Draft: Gavin McKenna is No. 1 in Corey Pronman’s way-too-early projection - The Athletic 8. Montreal: Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) Villeneuve was one of the best defensemen in the QMJHL this season. He’s a dynamic offensive player. He’s an elite skater with the clear edge work and foot speed of a top NHL defender. He’s also a super creative and intelligent puck-mover who makes a lot of plays. He can beat opponents one-on-one off the rush and make creative plays with pace. He’s also an excellent, patient passer who can create a lot off the blue line. Scouts’ main concerns with Villeneuve will be without the puck. He’s a small defenseman who doesn’t play very hard at times.

Evaluating the prospects at Montreal Canadiens development camp Will gives his three stars for the NA side; * Thorpe ** Mooney *** Hage HM – Mathew Wang Will’s three stars on the EU side of development camp as follows: * Radkov ** Koivu *** Eriksson

What are odds Reinbacher makes opening day roster?

Still question Mailloux's hockey IQ, in his own zone anyways. Will be interesting to see how it plays out for him; is his offense good enough to offset his defensive weakness? St Louis GM already said that has a spot to lose.

I hear faceoffs not important, so does handedness matter much? Scout’s opinion: The Montreal Canadiens’ 2025 NHL Draft haul Hayden Paupanekis One of the steals of the draft Once again trading up for the 69th overall pick, the Canadiens opted for a 6’4″ right-shot centre in Hayden Paupanekis, and I was elated. The consensus among the staff at Elite Prospects is that Paupanekis is a better prospect than Jack Nesbitt, whom the Flyers selected 12th overall. One scout I spoke to outright said that Paupanekis could end up being a first-rounder in a redraft one day. There is still a glaring need in the organization for a left-shot centre. With Christian Dvorak gone, the Canadiens now only have Jared Davidson, Florian Xhekaj, and Filip Eriksson as natural left-handed pivots in the entire organizational system.

2020 5th rounder. Habs re-sign Jakub Dobes to two-year deal – HabsWorld.net "As things stand, Dobes should be viewed as the favourite for the backup position behind Montembeault for next season with recently signed veteran Kaapo Kahkonen also in the mix. Notably, Dobes has one more year of waiver exemption and if he’s sent down at any point (be it losing the backup battle or some short-term demotions to get spot starts in Laval), his cap hit will come off the books entirely."

These 2 are bonding already.

Writers Weigh In: Mulling the Mailloux Move – HabsWorld.net "... But assuming Bolduc pans out, he’ll join a core group of Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, and Demidov who are all 25 or younger with at least five years of club control remaining. That’s a solid foundation for forwards while Dach and Newhook are also in that age bracket with less team control. ..."

I just hope Laine has awesome summer training and is quicker this coming season. We all know his give-a-f**k to defend, take a hit to make a play or win a puckrace to an iced puck is; but he is what he is at this point. However a 35g season and him clicking with a healthy Dach and Demidov would really be sweet to see though.

Roy=Charles Hudon 2.0?

Canadiens development camp notebook: The shifting priorities of player growth - The Athletic The latest overage bet In addition to Konyushkov and Mittelstadt, the Canadiens drafted Jared Davidson as an overager in 2022, Florian Xhekaj as an overager in 2023 and Tyler Thorpe as an overager in 2024. All three of them have NHL contracts today. ... Pickford took the 2024 draft snub as motivation entering this season and put up 33 goals and 38 assists in 66 regular-season and playoff games for the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. “It was motivation for sure,” Pickford said. “It kind of sucks not getting your name called for your first year, but you kind of just use it in the gym and on the ice. You use it for fuel. “I’m thankful that the Canadiens took a chance on me and I won’t let them down.” Hage no surprise, but Protz? "...Still, when hammering guys is part of your identity, and part of the reason the Canadiens drafted you to begin with, finding the balance between the two is of vital importance. It is not dissimilar to the process Arber Xhekaj is going through in Montreal today. Bouillon is just hoping to get a head start on it with Protz." Mittelstadt, Paupanekis & Protz address the media at development camp | FULL PRESS CONFERENCE