Permanent Rumour Thread

[Dalhabs]

5 hours ago, Commandant said:

 

Except for the fact his big injuries happened when playing his natural side.

Ah ok. Then maybe his wrong side is actually his right side? 😁

[dlbalr]

On 6/14/2024 at 9:46 AM, DON said:

Habs rehiring a scout.

Atlantic Notes: Cooper, Senators, Seger, O’Connell (prohockeyrumors.com)

 

"Arizona State University associate coach Albie O’Connell is expected to leave the program to pursue an NHL opportunity, relays PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan (Twitter link). College Hockey News’ Mike McMahon adds (Twitter link) that O’Connell is expected to be hired by the Canadiens.  If that holds true, it will be his second stint with the organization after serving as a college scout for Montreal back in 2022-23 before returning behind an NCAA bench this past season."

 

Just to follow up on this, this is now official despite there being no announcement from the team.  When I posted that bit on PHR, it was simply a rumour.  He is now their Chief North American Scout.  He was simply a college scout in his first stint with the Habs.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I’m bored waiting for something to happen. Necas, McGroarty, Laine….

 

The longer we wait the more the rumour mill starts cranking up. I have read a whole bunch of allegations that McGroarty is demanding playing time guarantees and that’s why he hasn’t been traded yet. Hope that’s not true

 

I think it was Commandant that suggested there might be movement once Laine is cleared to play. 
 

Waiting for something to happen feels like:

 

 

[Commandant]

Yeah, Portzline gave an update yesterday and Laine is still in the program. 

[DON]

42 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

I have read a whole bunch of allegations that McGroarty is demanding playing time guarantees and that’s why he hasn’t been traded yet. Hope that’s not true

Yes i heard some team almost traded for him, but with roster/playing time demands, they backed out.

[GHT120]

57 minutes ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

II have read a whole bunch of allegations that McGroarty is demanding playing time guarantees and that’s why he hasn’t been traded yet. Hope that’s not true.

 

12 minutes ago, DON said:

Yes i heard some team almost traded for him, but with roster/playing time demands, they backed out.

 

I've heard/read that the issue when Winnipeg tried to sign him last spring was that they wouldn't promise an NHL game to burn a year of his ELC (his teammates Frank Nazar and Gavin Brindley signed with Chicago and Columbus, respectively — and played NHL games) and now expect him to start the 24/25 season in the AHL ... haven't read/heard that the issue is promises of TOI.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

2 hours ago, DON said:

Yes i heard some team almost traded for him, but with roster/playing time demands, they backed out.

I read the same thing but I hope it isn’t true. Haven’t seen any credible reporting on it at least. 

 

1 hour ago, GHT120 said:

 

 

I've heard/read that the issue when Winnipeg tried to sign him last spring was that they wouldn't promise an NHL game to burn a year of his ELC (his teammates Frank Nazar and Gavin Brindley signed with Chicago and Columbus, respectively — and played NHL games) and now expect him to start the 24/25 season in the AHL ... haven't read/heard that the issue is promises of TOI.

I remember this being an issue when the trade request was made. 
 

Can’t see it being an issue in Montreal though. If the guy has the skill there is a open spot on the second line 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

I wouldn’t believe anything that comes from Slovak rumours but it’s fun to speculate and I’m bored still. 
 

 

[TurdBurglar]

Would seem really early to give up on Mesar, especially with the Slafkovsky connection, unless the return was good.

[Commandant]

5 minutes ago, TurdBurglar said:

Would seem really early to give up on Mesar, especially with the Slafkovsky connection, unless the return was good.

 

I dont even think hes a top 10 prospect in the organization.  His OHL numbers are underwhelming.

 

Thats not giving up on him but it is saying hes expendable.

[dlbalr]

Here's the article to the Slovak article (which suggests Mesar, the CGY/FLA 1st, and a young D): https://hokejkaweb.sk/opusti-filip-mesar-montreal-canadiens-ponukaju-slovenskeho-utocnika/

 

It's citing overseas reports which in this case would be North America.  I haven't seen anything credible from a North American outlet reporting anything like that.

 

In the article, it also suggests that Mesar turned down Montreal's invitation to development camp.  Not sure he was actually invited as they told their international prospects to focus on training so keep that in mind when considering the possible credibility.  This reads like a bit of a hit piece more than anything else.

[tomh009]

The interesting bit from the article is that the (Slovak) writer thinks that Mesar has an attitude issue and that's why he might be traded.

 

FLA/CGY 1st+young D+Mesar for McGroarty? Maybe not unreasonable at this point in time. But whether it's a credible report is a whole different question.

[Prime Minister Koivu]

This pic is making the rounds as speculation or as a proposal. It just looks so wrong and unnatural. 
 

Great player that doesn’t fit with the Habs mostly due to salary and future salary demands 

 

 

 

[Prime Minister Koivu]

Yeah so turns out the Slovak reporter who said the Habs offered Mesar, Harris/Struble +1st for McGroarty just translated an original article from Hockey30 
 

LMAO rumours are fun

[Plutarch]

4 hours ago, Prime Minister Koivu said:

Yeah so turns out the Slovak reporter who said the Habs offered Mesar, Harris/Struble +1st for McGroarty just translated an original article from Hockey30 
 

LMAO rumours are fun

Hilarious 

[Commandant]

One thing that I just thought of.  If the Habs are interested in Laine, they now have inside information (Vincent) on pretty much everything that has gone down in Columbus and if he's salvageable or not. 

[Habs Fan in Edmonton]

1 hour ago, Commandant said:

One thing that I just thought of.  If the Habs are interested in Laine, they now have inside information (Vincent) on pretty much everything that has gone down in Columbus and if he's salvageable or not. 

 

Great point. 

[hab29RETIRED]

4 hours ago, Commandant said:

One thing that I just thought of.  If the Habs are interested in Laine, they now have inside information (Vincent) on pretty much everything that has gone down in Columbus and if he's salvageable or not. 

Or he could have been part of the problem and be biased against him. Most Columbus media are very disparaging in their comments about Vincent.

[Commandant]

Regardless of what the media say, you just hired the guy to coach your prospects.  Id think they are going to take his account of what happened.  

 

He isnt going to work with Laine, but hes going to know exactly what the issue is that got him into the player assistance program and whether a team should take a chance on him or not.  

 

As for "he could have been part of the problem", I highly doubt that the coach is the reason Laine had to go to the player assistance program.

[DON]

15 hours ago, hab29RETIRED said:

Or he could have been part of the problem and be biased against him. Most Columbus media are very disparaging in their comments about Vincent.

He was thrust into position at last minute replacement for Babcock and new GM simply didnt see him as the coach he wants i assume.

With a crappy record they had again, imagine folks not high on much about that franchise.

[hab29RETIRED]

1 hour ago, DON said:

He was thrust into position at last minute replacement for Babcock and new GM simply didnt see him as the coach he wants i assume.

With a crappy record they had again, imagine folks not high on much about that franchise.

Oh, I agree he walked into a tough position, but pretty much all the skilled guys struggled under him. I actually went to a game in Columbus last Fall (beautiful arena!), and that was a team that had zero structure and the only guy who looked good was as Werenski.

[hab29RETIRED]

15 hours ago, Commandant said:

Regardless of what the media say, you just hired the guy to coach your prospects.  Id think they are going to take his account of what happened.  

 

He isnt going to work with Laine, but hes going to know exactly what the issue is that got him into the player assistance program and whether a team should take a chance on him or not.  

 

As for "he could have been part of the problem", I highly doubt that the coach is the reason Laine had to go to the player assistance program.

We don't know what he went into the player assistance program for - but I imagine frustration over his performance and play probably played into it. Most of the Columbus media are very negative on how he treated/handled his players - Handling of Laine is one of them. So if he's asked I pretty sure he would have a negative view of Laine.

[Commandant]

"I imagine frustration over his performance and play probably played into it."

 

Meh, those are just excuses.  Whatever the reason he went to player assistance, blaming the coach is some kinda bullshit. 

 

Especially since Laine has been having issues long before Vincent was the head coach. 

[hab29RETIRED]

21 minutes ago, Commandant said:

"I imagine frustration over his performance and play probably played into it."

 

Meh, those are just excuses.  Whatever the reason he went to player assistance, blaming the coach is some kinda bullshit. 

 

Especially since Laine has been having issues long before Vincent was the head coach. 

The year before he was injured, but still scored 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games. The year before that, he was also injured, but still scored 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games. Those are the numbers I'd expect from him. So I would say that Vincent MAY have been an issue the same way DD was an issue with Caufield.

 

Gaudreau also had a significant decline under Vincent. Kent Johnson and Bouquist also regressed. 
 

so no, I don't think it was bullshit. Read and listen to some Terry Ryan interviews on what he said it was like playing for Therrien and how it affected his mental health.

[GHT120]

1 minute ago, hab29RETIRED said:

The year before he was injured, but still scored 22 goals and 52 points in 55 games. The year before that, he was also injured, but still scored 26 goals and 56 points in 56 games. Those are the numbers I'd expect from him. So I would say that Vincent MAY have been an issue the same way DD was an issue with Caufield.

 

Gaudreau also had a significant decline under Vincent. Kent Johnson and Bouquist also regressed. 
 

so no, I don't think it was bullshit. Read and listen to some Terry Ryan interviews on what he said it was like playing for Therrien and how it affected his mental health.

It's possible ... but I wonder how much the "well was poisoned" for the CBJs last season, and for Vincent as a HC, by the Babcock fiasco.