Habs Pointless Weekend & Kirby Dach Hurt! Full Recap!

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The Montreal Canadiens fall 4-3 to the Anaheim Ducks in a tough loss at the Bell Centre, and Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico break it all down LIVE at 12PM ET.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook scored for the Canadiens, but a late goal from Cutter Gauthier sealed the win for Anaheim in the final minutes of the third period. Leo Carlsson also had a huge night with two goals and an assist as the Ducks edged Montreal in a tight game. 


We’ll discuss the key moments from the game, the play of Jacob Fowler in goal, the Canadiens’ defensive breakdowns late in the third period, and what this loss means for Montreal moving forward.

Join Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico for a full Habs postgame analysis, roster talk, lineup decisions, and your questions in the chat!

LIVE at 12PM ET.

#GoHabsGo #Canadiens #NHL

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

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SPEAKER_02 2:15

Good morning, everybody.

SPEAKER_00 2:17

Uh, so the Montreal Canadians, my good man, go 0 for 2 over the weekend. They fail to take advantage of a spot where the Red Wings have lost three in a row and a chance to build a nice little cushion. They're still in third place in the NHL's Atlantic Division with uh Detroit playing tonight against Calgary. Boston's on the road in New Jersey. It'll be the Habs and Bruins uh tomorrow at the Bell Center and losers of two in a row. Um, I I just want to go on the record. I'm not a believer that the sky is falling. I'm not here to push the panic button by any stretch, but obviously, Marco, your takeaway from the Canadians going winless and pointless in two games against the California teams this past weekend.

SPEAKER_02 2:56

Yeah, I mean, I wasn't overly impressed with the defensive structure over the weekend. I think, you know, we Saturday was, I felt, maybe a tighter overall game by their defensive unit. There was a couple of fluky goals, you know, from a distance that went in. So I don't necessarily fault the defensive side of the puck for that. But against against the ducks, I mean, I'm unfortunately, and I know we're gonna pick on them a lot, but I uh I it doesn't matter what pair he's on. I'm I'm having significant difficulties watching Caden Gooley play of late. Yeah, it's be it the lack of balance, be it the falling, be it the missed reads, be it uh you know the the the positioning and the the over course correction, there just seems to be something off with him. And especially like we you looked at the game, like there was a goal against the sharks where you know the shark player was against the boards, ghoulig tries to go and pin him up against the boards, loses balance and falls backwards, and then the puck goes around and they score, right? And you're like, okay, and then you know, again against the ducks on the first Leo Carlson goal where it's a straight two on two, he just lets Carlson go right by him, and like I understand if you want to let a player go by because you want to play the zone, which the Canadians don't, they play man to man, but then to let him go behind you and and not like figure out what's going on and have to force Lane Hudson, who's on the right side as a lefty, trying to just use his stick to be to to stop up an errand pass the other way. Like, that's not how it works. You have to tie up your man, you have to play them aggressive. You have to you don't have to lay a hit, that's interference, but you have to tie them up. You like it's what happens when the Canadians go into an offensive zone, they get tied up, they get pushed out. Right now, you walk into the Canadian zone, they play so passively that unfortunately they get burned because you play that passively, especially late in the game. That last goal, the fourth goal, was just like egregiously bad in terms of just how nonchalant they were, and that at this stage of the season is not acceptable. It is not acceptable, and so unfortunately, like I I I know I'm I'm trying to be constructive in what I'm saying here because I I don't want to just complain, but there are ways to fix this, and I don't know if it's a I don't know if it's a a personnel issue, I don't know if it's a strategy issue, but there's a reason why when I watch Noah Dobson play, I feel whoever plays with him plays a more structured game. Whenever I see someone playing with Caden Gooley, their game gets dragged down out of the play. Be it Mike Matheson two weeks ago, be it Lane Hudson lately, I just it it's really like I I don't know if it's the if it's the the the the abdominal injury that's caused this and you know has balancing issues and strength issues now, maybe, but there is a notable drop-off in play from Caden Gooley from what we are are used to seeing from him uh as of late.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

Uh from the Basso and Godet notebook, Arpin Basu was mentioning that he put he they wanted to talk to Caden Gooley after Sunday's loss to Anaheim, and uh you know he wasn't made available. Uh Lane Hudson, I think in his words, in Arpin Basu's words, was enraged following the Cutter Goate game winner. And basically, Marco, it was a short-handed goal. The Canadians had five sweaters on the ice, the ducks were in the middle of a line change, they had four sweaters there. Gooley falls down. And also, I mean, there's a couple of questions I want to pick your brain on. You know, there are 16 games left in the season. I mean, the next five opponents for the Montreal Canadians, I mean, buckle up, let's go. I mean, the three games this week, it's Boston, it's at Detroit. Uh, it's home to the Islanders. They play four of their next five on Bell Center Ice starting Tuesday, right? The one lone game will be Thursday from Detroit. But I mean, you know, as somebody pointed out here, um, Andre, look at Caulfield. I mean, it's not so much just like pinning it on just the two defensemen are on the ice. I mean, Nick Suzuki on Saturday. I mean, granted, it's Macklin Celebrini, it's Leo Carlson. I mean, the Troy Terry Kreider Carlson line had themselves uh uh had themselves a performance Sunday night, but it's it's it's a collective thing where there's missed assignments and allowing player to your point about passiveness, allowing big big name players, big talent players operating rather freely in areas where you're gonna get killed more often than not. And we saw it multiple times over the weekend. Is it not a it's a collective more so than it is an individual, right?

SPEAKER_02 7:58

Oh, it's definitely a collective. That's why I don't think it's one person, right? You know, I could say the same thing about Alex Carrier on the choose on the Saturday game, not being able to clear the net, right? The puck bounces off Colin Graf because Colin Graf could outmuscle Alex Carrier and is able to get inside positioning in front of Dob in front of Dobesh. This was Saturday night, pock bounces out of him and into the net. Well, if you had a more physical like strong defensive defenseman in that role, that goal doesn't happen. And I think that's the biggest thing for me is the Canadians. I do not I think the Canadians have the defense to be able to outscore their opponents, but I'm I'm not sure that they currently have the defense necessary to uh to box out, close out their opponents late in games.

SPEAKER_00 8:56

I know it's a tough one. I mean, the chat they're not happy. I mean, the usual culprits, you know, kind of getting it, right? You know, the coach got to bench this guy, gotta bench that guy. To the Canadians' credit, you know, uh I'll go to bats for them for a second, right? Like, you know, as I led today's live off, I don't believe the sky is falling. When the Canadians lost back to back to San Jose and Anaheim, they came back, they won three in a row. Yes, now they've lost back to back. Um, when in in late January they lose to Buffalo and Boston, very similar score lines, 4-2-4-3, identical score lines to be accurate. They came back, they won three in a row. They beat the lakes of Vegas, Colorado, they beat the Buffalo Sabres, right? So collectively they seem to have the swagger. But I wonder about I mean, does does it seem also like psychological that they're uncertain of their decision making when teams are aggressive in their own end? That results in uh second guessing your own decisions. Um, certainly you look at the Cutter Goatsey goal, I think, as a prime example of just losing yourself positionally, Marco. Um, that cost you a hockey game with two and a half minutes left in regulation, and you leave with no points.

SPEAKER_02 10:00

Yeah, I just don't feel like when when I when I watch this team play, you see some players, you know, like I'm never gonna fault a winger for defensive positioning because they're supposed to be covering the high ends and playing more of a zone defense, right? You can't really play man-to-man high, right? Where the goals really come down to it is the how you play down low and how you cover the slot, and that's where I feel like the defensive structure really goes like to this to the wayside. And part of it is you know, that it be Ghoulie, that it be Strubble, that it be Jack Eye, that it be Carrier. It's this, it's the same kind of thing where when they come in, like I understand people are gonna be like, oh, Arbor Jack Eye is gonna come in and play physical. Sure, against the boards, no problem in front of the net. I can make a highlight reel of how many times the Canadian like Arbor Jack Eye has been beat in front of the net. Like it's it's I don't want to because that's not my job, but I don't buy this Arbor is this is the solution. He's not, he's absolutely not. They have a higher structural issue than their bottom pair. And when I look at Arbor play, like Arbor is a very serviceable bottom pair defenseman. I have no problem with that, but even with the way that he plays, he chases the game, right? And that's the problem, is they chase the game, be it from the fact that they play man to man, so they're just following guys around the zone, or if you're playing in front of the net, how many times have the Canadians' defensemen that I've just named been beaten one-on-one in front of the net? It doesn't matter who it is, so it's not how big you are, it's how tough you play and how much you battle. And I think that's what the Canadians are missing right now on the defense, and that's what the Canadians try to go and get at the trade deadline, but unfortunately that fell through. At least we have Hank.

SPEAKER_00 12:02

At least we have Hank. Uh, a valiant attempt and coming back from the 2-0 uh deficit they faced early. I mean, the confidence obviously oozes out of them uh when they have a chance to run and gun offensively with uh Newhook and Caulfield scoring goals 60 seconds apart. Nick Suzuki on a wonderful display of effort from Uri Slavkowski, who is what two weeks away from turning 22. I couldn't help but think numerous times, especially after you know, he basically like, get off my back, get off my back, and hooks up with Nick Suzuki to give the Canadians the lead in that second period. Um, what this kid is gonna look like, how he's gonna perform five years from now. Again, just 21, gonna turn 22 in a couple of weeks. I mean, just um unbelievable season from Uri Slavkowski. And yes, I want to talk about Kirby Doc, uh, who took the hit from Jeff Viel uh early, three and a half minutes into the first period. Um, not sure what was that. There was no update post-game on Kirby Doc. Obviously, did not finish the game. Look like, from my vantage point, had a hard time holding a stick, sat on the bench, and then a doctor followed him back into the tunnel with the with the with the trainer. So not great, not great news for uh a future restricted free agent. I want to get Marco's take on what we think Habs management does in this situation. But before we get to that, Marco, you talk about the defensive structure. Let's just finish off our thoughts and our takes on what's going on defensively with Jacob Fowler as a call-up. Um, are do you think there's a likeness that they're waiting for Engstrom to get healthy before they make a move there? Uh, how legitimate of an option is David Rheinbacker to perhaps provide more balance to the lefty-righty situation with the Canadians? What do you think about Engstrom and David Rheinbacker as a possible um helpful solution for this for this team maybe this week or when Engstrom gets back?

SPEAKER_02 13:53

I mean, I I made the prediction that they would be able to look at at least one of them before the end of the season.

SPEAKER_01 14:01

Right.

SPEAKER_02 14:01

Uh, as we talked on a recent video, as of today, the Canadians have enough cap space for them to call up David Ryanbacher without having to send down Jacob Fowler. The same applies to Adam Engstrom, it's just he's injured as of right now. So we'll see where that goes. But I think eventually, not because I think they're the solution, but because I think it'll have to happen one day or another, they're gonna have to call up David Ryanbacker to see where he's at in his game, just to see. Because if they're gonna make decisions on the future of their blue line, like I just finished talking about, then you're gonna need the most amount of information possible, and you're gonna need to see what he can do in the show, right? Given how well he's been playing in um in Laval of late, you want to see if it's transferable to the NHL. And if it isn't, then you can make uh you can make a call accordingly, right? And I think that's fair for a game or two. Um, I don't see what the problem is, even if it's 10 to 15 minutes a game, yeah. Okay, like it's 15 games. I prefer 15 10 to 15 minutes in the NHL than you know 2025 in the American Hockey League if it's just for one or two games. I don't I don't think it bothers me. You want to you want to see what you can do with that player and and how that player reacts to NHL speed and get how they get comfortable and how quick they adapt. That's that's basically what they would want to see. So I don't think that that's out of the question. Uh, I said it before, I think the three players the Canadians end up calling up are Fowler, Dunn, Orion Backer, and Engstrom before the end of the season. That's that's that was my prediction last week.

SPEAKER_00 15:38

How much more complicated did the Kirby Doc offseason plan just become? It's his seventh season, Marco, in the National Hockey League. He has yet to play a full 82-game slate, and as I mentioned moments ago, took that hit, left the game, sat on the bench, and then ultimately went behind the curtain, and we didn't see him again for the rest of Sunday night's loss to Anaheim. Uh, no update as of yet. In my view, it seems rather complicated now. Um, again, just to I guess re-educate the audience for a second, uh, his qualifying offer, it's a it's a hefty price tag. I'm curious what you think about. Yeah, he's holding up the four number. Uh, I'm curious what you think about what might be a complicated um issue to tackle now that Kirby Doc, and we don't know the extent of it, so I guess we'll we'll tread carefully here. But your reaction to Doc and perhaps what the future has in store here.

SPEAKER_02 16:34

Yeah, well, I don't think the Canadians are going to be signing Kirby Doc to a four million dollar qualifying offer. Like, I just don't. And I don't think he's deserved it, and that's okay because I don't think it's a qu it's a lack of his skill. It's more he's not all he's not available, right? And so for me, when you see him play, like I enjoy the way that he plays, but he's not a four million dollar player. Like right now, he's what he is, he's you know, three million dollar oft-injured, skilled top nine winger. It is what it is. I like him, but the only way I can see it happening is if the Canadians either don't qualify him and then sign him to a cheaper deal, or outright sign a uh like a two or three year extension at a more team friendly rate, then I could see it. But if we're gonna go down to the wire and wait for him to be qualified before uh July 1st, I don't think the Canadians are gonna do that. I really, really don't. And you know, if you're Kirby Doc, you take you know, you get to a point where it's whether you're qualifying offer, you take the four million dollar qualifying offer and you don't even ask questions. So I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to stick around. I could see him agreeing to uh with the Canadians to not get qualified, and then as a free agent the next day, sign with the Canadians on a team-friendly deal.

SPEAKER_00 18:00

I could definitely see that. But isn't it? I mean, it's uh but Marco, I mean, the team, the management, they're they're planning for something, are they not? They're planning for next year, the year beyond that. Michael Hage is knocking on the door, Alexander Zorofsky's, you know, on the on the other block, making his way towards Montreal eventually, right? I mean, the timeline a little bit longer.

SPEAKER_02 18:19

Not anytime soon.

SPEAKER_00 18:20

Well, and that's it. And and that's I guess that's the point I'm trying to make with with Kirby Doc is you know, that old cliche in sports talk of your best ability is your availability, and that clearly isn't the case. This is very much an injury-prone player, no hurt feelings. I I hope he can come back and and and be a helpful contributor, but you you just can't expect that. You you can't rely on that. And that's why I wonder about how do you plan for something? How do you take up a roster spot when you have guys on the come up? Um, and how do you factor them into your plans? I just I think it's a I think it's a complicated issue for this management to to deal with and do so correctly without doing a misstep.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

Yeah, I mean, this is this is where things get complicated, right? They have that trade that they want to revisit this summer, so that's probably going to impact the future in some way, right? Um, they've addressed the need to improve the right side of their defense. We want to see what David Reinbacker is going to do. Um, David Ryanbacher recent uh agent change as well. So, you know, you that generally indicates, especially the fact that it's a it's a it's a familiar agent to the rest of the team. That probably indicates that the Canadians aren't in a rush to trade him just just yet. Uh, so he'll factor in as well into that future as does Ryan Packer. So it'll be interesting to me to see how they go about this. You know, I haven't heard anything specific to it, but I would be very interested to see if they sacrifice one of those left shot defensemen and who's a good boy, and then and then bring in probably you know a right shot, yeah, in in a trade like that, and then you know, kind of move move ahead so that the balance is better. Then eventually, with respect to the player, you know, I think David Reinbacker eventually takes the spot currently occupied by Alex Carey.

SPEAKER_00 20:12

Uh, lots of talk, lots of talk around the the Canadians. Uh you know, they try to make a move on Friday's deadline. Uh, looking at a defenseman again, some of the speculation that there was a defenseman maybe that wasn't publicly available that they were trying to pry away. And obviously that didn't it didn't happen so clearly. I mean, if if if that's true, um, you know, they've been they're they're trying to fix they uh at least at the very least they understand that a major problem they tried to fix it.

SPEAKER_02 20:39

I find it funny. I find this comment hilarious when Engstrom is back to call up Engstrom and Rhinebacker to have an experienced pair. Okay, yeah, well, I mean Engstrom has like what 10 games of NHL experience, and it would be Ryan backers.

SPEAKER_00 20:51

How many Rhinebackers had what zero?

SPEAKER_02 20:53

Yeah, I think I think you meant like experience together, together, and I think that makes more sense.

SPEAKER_00 20:59

Yeah, I don't disagree. But you just to finish up on Doc for a second, um do you do you believe do you believe that speaking hypothetically here, obviously, um that there are teams in the league that would find doc appealing based on again his age, his size, and that he could a team could be sold on the belief that if this guy stays healthy, if this guy stays healthy, I wonder about that value.

SPEAKER_02 21:27

Yeah, yeah, I don't know. I can't really speak to that. I really cannot speak to that. Um, the only thing I could really tell you about Kirby Doc's value is the Canadians, yeah. I've heard his name out there before.

SPEAKER_01 21:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 21:42

In trade talks, I don't know if the Canadians were outright shopping him, but I heard his name out there before. Is there value? I don't know. I don't know, especially with two injuries in the same season.

SPEAKER_01 21:53

Like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 21:55

Um where what I will say though, in regard. To doc is if this is a long-term injury, with the amount of players the Canadians have signed for next year, and as you pointed out, Michael Hage coming in, I just don't see where Kirby fits. Yeah, I feel you. And I feel like they have enough passers, they need more jam. If you're gonna play a third and fourth line, you need to be physical, you need to hit, you need to push the pace. And right now they have so many, you know, like the Canadians' bottom six, let's call a spade a spade here. The Canadian's bottom six has been an anchor for them since the start of this rebuild, and not in a good way. They've had one of the most expensive and one of the least performant bottom sixes since Kent Hughes took over. And this is not a Kent Hughes fault. These are some of these are contracts that he inherited. There's not much you can do. But when the most performant bottom sixer right now is Phil Deneau from a points perspective, right? You have a problem. And so that that's where I kind of bring this full circle. And I say, well, you're gonna need to start funneling in high quality and in some cases low cost depth. And I think the Canadians have to start making room for that because they made room for all of their top, you know, like skillful prospects, yes, but they're gonna have to start funneling funneling in some of the bruisers that they went out and got as well that play with a little bit more jump. Because when the third or fourth line comes out, depending on who's on that line, because obviously yesterday they were they were mixing and matching, the speed is not there. There needs to be more speed, more jump, and that's where I feel like uh an Owen Beck, for example, would be better suited for some of these games down the stretch, even if he's not gonna blow your socks off offensively. Physically there, speed is there, covers the ice well, really good in the face-off circle. Like it really kind of gets you going. And I think you know, Jake Evans has done a good job of late of kind of salvaging his season because prior to the Olympic break, it was it was a little difficult, but I think of late he's played much better. I think they need more of that, they need more of that competitiveness in there to properly support you know the top two lines. Because if if the top line's not going, then you gotta hope that the Demidov line is gonna is gonna you know take over. If not, not very uh not you're not getting much value from that. There's one question I just wanted to get answered here because I keep seeing his name come up, and I just want to make sure I get to it. Um oh my god, my eyes hurt. I can't even read my retina, my retina. Yeah, I can't even read. There was a question in regards to uh David Savard. Well, coming out of retirement, yeah. Well, so the thing is is that any player that signs a contract after the trade deadline is ineligible for the playoffs. So you want to bring in a guy cold who hasn't played at all this year, to and and and with respect. If y'all's memory is that short term that you don't remember what David Savard looked like at this time last year, that's on y'all. Yeah. But that man is retired, and I you know, I hope that he is enjoying his time with his family because he more than well earned it, and that's all I gotta say about that.

SPEAKER_00 25:41

I want to talk about Michael Hage in in a few minutes. Uh, they beat the Nittany Lions. Michael Hage had a goal, they're off to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the championship game.

SPEAKER_02 25:50

Um this is uh this is a funny comment. Someone do you I don't know if GB8814 watches Laval, but if you're gonna play, you don't need to be a top end scorer in the AHL to be a fourth liner in the NHL. Just just saying 100%.

SPEAKER_00 26:06

Um fuck that distracted me. Um hey, watch your language. I I had somewhere where I was going there. Um uh with Michael Hage and the Buckeyes coming up next weekend. Um I want to talk about Michael Hage and what's coming up there. Um, but in the meantime, the power play, that's it. I want to talk about the power play. Uh the Canadians go a combined 0 for 7 in two games. Um, I mean, they were pressing, they were pressing last night against Anaheim. Uh, is this just a a lack of of of of what? Uh what what's kept this? I mean, they went into the game last night, six best power play unit and leave of the weekend with zero power play goals on seven opportunities. Is there anything that kind of stood out uh in in the frustrating weekend for Habs fans?

SPEAKER_02 26:51

Yeah, I'm I keep seeing individuals say use line. Yeah, yeah. And I'm I just feel like I man, like I feel like we need to start playing reels of what the games looked like last year so that people could remember when Patrick Liney was on the first power play wave, it didn't move, yeah, it didn't move at all. No, you had one guy that stayed there, it was predictable, and then and it was so predictable by the end of it that the Canadians went from a top five power play to a bottom 20 because everybody knew where the puck was. When you put Patrick Laney on a power play, everyone knows that's where it's going. It may have worked out at the very beginning, the first 15 games that he was on. But if you're gonna play a possession style speed-oriented power play, I don't I don't see how that works. I don't I don't see how that works. I I I it's way too easy, it's way too predictable. And with the current Canadians power play, my my thing is they're too cute about it. They're too they keep trying for the perfect pass, perfect play, and ironically enough, you look at some of their goal, like you look at the goal that um Slavkovsky scored, wasn't this weekend? I think it was Thursday. Where Demidov, like Suzuki does like a backhand pass that goes right across the zone. Demidov gets it, quick pass over to Slavkovsky, Slavkovsky puts it in. Notice how they didn't have to do the crazy amount of passes, it was just taking advantage of open space and being decisive. That's what it is with the Canadians, is they're not decisive enough. And when it comes time, that's where you need to really kind of get things going. And you know, I see comments like this. So, what is the difference with the caps with Ovi in that same spot? It works that much. Yes, we're talking about a goddamn generational scorer. Yes, that's probably the full score in the history of the NHL. That's that's probably it. I don't know, and then maybe maybe the most point, the highest point getting defenseman in the history of the Washington Capitals, John Carlson feeding him from the point. Oh, and playing with Nick Baxstrom, who is a surefire Hall of Famer. I mean, I could I could keep going down the list on why it worked in in Washington, it's not the same thing. And the Canadians, like that's the thing is that unlike Ovechkin, Lione cannot move. Ovi can, like, obviously, now he's at the end of his career. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, yeah. But but at the same age as Liney, Ovi was like, we in the offensive zone. Like, yes, he would stay parked there, but he would also move with the puck. Like, if he got the puck at the point, he wouldn't try a dipsydoodle backhand to try and get it to the other point to John Carlson at the time. No, he would out-muscle his coverage, make space, get the puck to another player, and they would be positioned. Well, I mean, Jesus. Like, people think that Patrick Line is the magical solution to a power play. No, the magical solution to the Canadian's power play is stop making the extra pass, just go to the net. Look at their power plays. There's nobody in front of the net screening a goalie. But hold on, Athletics.

SPEAKER_00 30:17

Bro, there's they're the sixth best power play team in the NHL without Patrick Line. They didn't get there by accident.

SPEAKER_02 30:23

I mean, they had numerous opportunities on Dostal last night, but the whole like I think I think people need to understand that teams adapt. Of course, like you could have been the top power play team in the NHL. But when teams have enough video and know your habits and know exactly what you're going to do, then you need to adapt. And when you get to this stage of the season, you cannot be a perimeter power play. You have to be able to attack the slot. They don't. It just goes from Suzuki to Caulfield, Caulfield, Suzuki, Suzuki, Hudson, Hudson, Demidoff. Demidoff tries a one-timer, it gets stopped, goes out the other way. And then sometimes it doesn't even get to to Hudson. So I don't feel like I don't feel like it necessarily works. Line would be a player that you could put on a power play on a team that has the established superstars that just need to get him the puck and that could cover for his lack of mobility. So you look at an Edmonton, you look at you know uh Colorado, you look at you know Florida, those are the teams that would make more sense. Montreal, Montreal doesn't work that way because if you put Line on the power play, Caulfield, like we saw last year, absolutely gets completely neutered off the power play. And then you got to probably take off Demidov to fit Line there, which is probably gonna piss off half the half the fan base as well. So there is no solution. There is there is no outside solution, there is internal solution. They need to change their habits on that power play. They have the talent, we know it. They're sixth, you just said it. Very capable of doing it, and they have all year and it's the but it's it's the extra passing. It's always trying to find the the the perfect play, and that may work in the regular season when when systems are wide open, but we're in the last 15 games of the season. Like, we're gonna start seeing 2-1 and 1-0 games here. Well, I mean, if if the Canadians defense holds up, but you're gonna start seeing tighter games. And if you want playoff hockey, well, then you gotta like look at playoff power plays. Hell, look at the Canadians' power plays from last year against Washington. What made it different? Net front, people around the net moving the puck, right? And that made the world of a difference.

SPEAKER_00 32:44

And I think they've been good in the bumper too. They you got Slav Texia in the bumper. I mean, they've they've tried those.

SPEAKER_02 32:49

That's my big that's my biggest problem. Is now Slav is playing too high in the bumper, right? For my liking. Like, this is the thing if he plays high on the bumper and you're looking for like the triangle pass where it goes from Suzuki to Caulfield to to to Slav, that's no problem. Push, sorry, I'm gonna back up from the mic, but push off, right? Push off from the slot so you can get higher in the slot and take the one timer, no problem. But if Demidov or Hudson, uh sorry, Demidov, Hudson, or Caulfield are taking one timers. Your job is to shield the goalie. Right? How many tips has Slavkowski had in his career? I don't understand why we've moved away from this. You can do both on a power play, and I feel like they've only done one. So again, like I I'm I it's not to complain. It's really like it's not to complain, it's very fixable, but I just don't feel like the fix is another player, it's strategic in general. I'll give you one, I'll give you one better. The second wave of the Canadian's power play looks more conducive to success on the power play than this than the first one does, not because of their talent, but because they always drive pucks to the net.

SPEAKER_00 34:03

Well, for sure. And it and it makes sense. It may especially if the first wave of the power play is gonna get 80% of the minutes, the second wave's gonna come out there and they're gonna go balls to the wall, they're gonna try to make something happen. I find they come with a more simplified, more energetic because they're trying to maximize the few minutes, if not seconds, that they have there. Um, let's get to some questions, some super chats. Thank you, everybody. Uh, this from Half Horse Haves fan. The coach said the structure ain't at fault. The mistakes in the structure are the issue that any structure ends up making mistakes. Thoughts on that?

SPEAKER_02 34:39

Well, I mean, like any structure, if you don't follow it, then it'll fall apart, right? Like, I mean, that's a building metaphor, that's a life metaphor, that's a metaphor for everything. Well, that's right.

SPEAKER_00 34:51

MSL sounded so disappointed after that game. Like, you know, just how can't you?

SPEAKER_02 34:56

How can you like there's no way he walks in and goes, Yeah, we were okay. Correct. Yeah, and again, we talk about that structure, right? But like, why was Gautier so alone?

SPEAKER_01 35:07

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_02 35:09

It's a great play by Veil, but like again, why is he so alone? Yeah, and I think that's structured when you get into a when you get into a playoff situation. Like, remember back against Washington, people will say, Oh, the reason why the Canadians lost against Washington is they got you know bullied. No, it's what it's what we remember the most because that those plays stick out. The reasons why the Canadians lost against the Washington Capitals is because they left the slot so open you thought it was a depinner. So again, yesterday, same concept. Caden Gooley gets walked on the first goal by by Carlson, just waltz is right by his left. Great goal, though.

SPEAKER_00 35:48

Great goal, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 35:48

Yeah, but again, you it's because they're they're taking advantage of blips in defensive systems that the Canadians themselves are not. They have to score the craziest, most beautiful goals to score on the opponent, and then they hit like you know half a dozen posts. But um, I just want like I just when it when it comes to the way that they play, it's very much strategic, it's very much applying a certain vision of the team. I just don't know that they have that vision or they have the players necessarily that can that can execute that vision fully at this stage. Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_00 36:27

Well, we're almost there. I I think there's a a laundry list of the reasons just not reacting, not reading the situation. And then if you don't read the situation, you don't react. And when you do, it's too you're you're just too slow. And to me, that was so defined by the cutter goatse goal with Gooley and then Hudson and then Caulfield. Uh again, there were five Canadian sweaters on the ice. The the ducks were in the middle of a line change and they scored a goal uh with two and a half minutes left. Mr. Niles, Mr. Niles wants to see lining in front of the net because Todd Bertuzzi did it, and he'd also like to see Alex Tuck, Jared Davidson, Owen Beck, Adam Engstrom, David Rheinbacker for anywhere from three to four games before the playoffs begin. Laval, he says, Unfortunately, give it away. Unfortunately, not how are you gonna afford that?

SPEAKER_02 37:12

A, the Canadians can't afford it from a salary cap perspective. Yeah, B, they only have four call-ups left because of Jacob Fowler. You have a maximum of five after the trade deadline, yeah. And there is no way that the Canadians uh I'm just gonna point this out. Um, I don't know if you watch Philadelphia Flyers games, yeah, yeah. But I I I don't think this is it. I really don't think that missing out on Rista Linen is what is gonna cost the Canadians making the playoffs. I really, really, really, really do not. Um they're not gonna play offs. Don't worry, don't worry. They're not gonna play. I like Rista Linan. Um, but I I don't even think David Rybacker's that far off from being as good as Rista Linen. Like I think, I think it's just because he's big, he's strong, he can play that that kind of game, but at 5.1 million dollars, it's a little bit of an overpay. So, you know, again, missing out on on a on getting a right shot defenseman does hurt the Canadians because you know, when it eventually does come out what the Canadians try to do, y'all are y'all gonna lose your minds. Y'all are gonna lose your minds.

SPEAKER_00 38:25

Well, I wonder who that defenseman was. Everyone's speculating. I wonder who that defenseman was that they were that they were speculating on. I mean, they're tried to do something, apparently they tried.

SPEAKER_02 38:33

Um yeah, on D and at Ford for sure. Uh one bigger than the other. But yeah, you know, when it does come out and when the Canadians do circle back, hold on to your pants. Um, the other thing I will say though, you know, like I'll give you an example. You look at this question. Did they ask about Dougie Hamilton? The last thing the Canadians need is another nine million dollar offensive defenseman. Yeah, all day. Dougie Hamilton does not play physical, or else the very physical, the very unphysical New Jersey Devils wouldn't be shopping him, right? That's something to consider. I don't think you need to go and get a big name player in this case. I think you simply just need to revamp your bot your bottom pair, yeah, with experienced physical defensemen.

SPEAKER_01 39:18

Yep.

SPEAKER_02 39:19

And then either David Reinbacker takes the two the the the second pair right D slot, or you make a trade for a top end right shot defenseman that plays a grounded defensive play. You don't need the superstar. What you need is a right shot Jacob Slavin at this point, like that that's basically what it is, and those are few and far between. Teams that have them don't trade them. So the Canadians either have to hope that David Ryanbacher can develop into that, or we'll see where the market opens up this summer. But I don't think that that's what's going to make or break the Canadians making the playoffs. You know, the Canadians last week, this time were second in the Atlantic. Right? They got there on them, they got there on their own. It's not like they were gifted it, they did it on their own. You have one bad week, and yeah, I understand that the sky is falling for some, but at the same time, I'm gonna I'm gonna turn it around. If the Canadians come out of this week with uh 75% win rate in their four games, yeah, ain't nobody gonna be worried about it. And to be completely honest with you, they'll probably if they do that, they'll probably be at like a 95% chance of making the playoffs. But I get it. Reacting in the moment and the emotion of it, I get it.

SPEAKER_00 40:32

Well, that's it. And I at least, you know, I feel from a selfish perspective, I feel I feel justified um for talking about how the Canadians were so missing that defenseman back in October. I've been on this topic with you since October about the texture of the defense here.

SPEAKER_02 40:47

Um, yeah, I you know, I see people bringing up like Jonathan Kovacevic um or Kovasevich.

SPEAKER_00 40:53

That's a mispronunciation. I've never heard that well.

SPEAKER_02 40:55

That's actually how you pronounce his name, but he says Kovasevich so that people don't get all shot.

SPEAKER_00 41:00

When Alex Kovalov is here, I used to go interview Alex Kovalev and uh don't don't call me Alexi, call me Alex Kovalia. No, call me Koval. Yeah, like they've given up on like just just North Americanize my name. I don't care anymore, you know.

SPEAKER_02 41:13

Yeah, yeah. Well, that's what they do, right? So, um, when it comes to the way that he plays, I like I I really do like Jonathan. I really I liked him when he was in Montreal, but not at his current price tag. And there's a reason a team like the New Jersey Devils, who just signed him to an extension, would consider trading him at this deadline, and it's because the injuries are gonna start piling up now, and we're seeing it with with Johnny. So I don't know that that's the play here. OEL makes a little bit more sense because he's more versatile, can play both ends, and has that championship winning pedigree. Um, where is he here? Uh a lot of people brought up White Cloud. The Flames did not want to move White Cloud for anything less than like a first round pick plus, which is nuts for a bottom pair right shot defenseman. And also with the fact that they traded uh both Rasmus Anderson and McKenzie Weager, they absolutely needed a veteran on their right side because you can't just have Perek, you know, uh Brutowitz and you name it, you can't just have rookies, you need a vet there. So they have Kevin Ball and Zach Whitecloud as their top pair, which is hilarious, in my opinion. So I don't necessarily think that would be uh that would be the play, but we'll see what happens this summer.

SPEAKER_00 42:36

Uh, from Paul, um, this always seems to be a Jackai beatdown. I'd like to hear Marco talk about Hudson, he hasn't been good in his own end. Jack eye is a low-hanging fruit. I I strongly, strongly disagree. And and you know, wait, I mean, hold on.

SPEAKER_02 42:51

When the hell did we talk about when did we talk about? I just spoke about Jack Eye.

SPEAKER_00 42:59

And the splits of Lane Hudson this year, left versus right side. I mean, it's it's unbelievable. Um, the difference in the two from a 60-point, you know, pace to a hundred-point pace playing on a strong side. I understand he won the Calder playing on the other side, but uh this is like comparing a hot dog to a Cadillac. It did it, it makes no sense to me whatsoever. But this is not a Jackey beatdown. Like sometimes it's just it gets to me like it's never personal. We're talking about the Canadians, it's just never personal. Like, no, I don't have an agenda. I hope I don't come across it, but maybe I do. I don't have an anti-Jacke agenda. I'm trying to talk the Stanley Cup. That's that's what I'm trying to do.

SPEAKER_02 43:41

Yeah, I'm actually talking to TJ tonight. Uh, for fans that are interested. But TJ Hughes is a uh top collegiate free agent playing for University of Michigan with Michael Hage. Yeah, um he's going to sign this spring, never mind this summer. Uh mildly fun vids. Uh, he he will he will. Be signing as soon as Michigan season ends, he will be signing an entry-level contract with an interested team. Um, I have no information on whether Montreal is one of those, but I wouldn't uh I wouldn't hold my breath considering the amount of depth that Montreal has at forward. So I don't think that that's something you necessarily need to worry about. Um, the other question we have here is could you help me here? If Hage is to be added, where does he go? First line and Slav goes second, second and Newhook goes third. Uh, the answer is it doesn't matter because he's not gonna start in the playoffs. If he plays a game or two, it'll be at the end of the regular season, probably on the road, because it'll be the Islanders and the and the uh and the uh Flyers. Uh and he'll you know at that point they'll just probably be resting some of their veterans, and that's where you're gonna slot Michael Hage in. I wouldn't expect Michael Hage to be a starter for the Montreal Canadians, especially not at center, uh, you know, to start in the playoffs, unless there's another major injury. Because like let's see what happens with Kirby Doc. If all players are healthy, I don't think Michael Hage starts in the playoffs.

SPEAKER_00 45:08

See how many games he gets. See what see what that looks like.

SPEAKER_02 45:11

That'll that'll depend on when his season ends. Yeah, exactly. When the season ends, because with Michael Hage, his season either ends on the 26 uh 28th or 29th of March or the 9th or 11th of April. So that's because of the national NCAA championship. You have like the quarters, and then you have the frozen four. If if Michigan, who is ranked either one or two, I didn't check the pairwise lately. If Michigan gets to the frozen four, he likely only suits up, my opinion, probably for the last game of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers.

SPEAKER_00 45:43

He's having a nice Big Ten, though, eh? He scored the goal on the weekend uh to beat uh Gavin McKinnon and the Nittany Lions, and now they got Ohio State.

SPEAKER_02 45:50

A lot of people are like, a lot of people like, and again, I'm not gonna speak ill of young players, okay? But a lot of people need to temper their expectations. Michael Hage has one even strength goal since jump since January.

SPEAKER_01 46:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 46:02

Like everybody chill with Michael Hage. He's gonna take the time that he takes. I don't think he's gonna come in and be the difference maker that Cole Caulfield was in 2021. But the other thing I'm gonna say is, you know, with the way that he plays in Michigan, he's constantly the playmaker. He's the one that will make things happen. What I want to see from Michael at the NHL level when he gets there is the same problem I have with Demidov. I need him to be more selfish, take more shots, go to the net. We're seeing it from Demidov a little bit more since the since the uh Olympic break. The same thing is that's the same concern I have with Michael Hage in general. Never mind, you know, face-offs or whatnot.

SPEAKER_00 46:44

Uh Demidov had the jump in his game uh last night, certainly. Uh nice moves, just obviously lacked like the Canadians just lacked the finishing. But you know, who hasn't lacked the finishing? Only one guy has more goals than him in the NHL, and that's Nathan McKinnon. Cole Caulfield Marco scored his 39th of the season. Max Patrietti, the last 39 goal scorer for the Canadians, one goal away from the magical number of 40. Got to go back to the Vinnie Dan Foos era. Uh, the last time a Habs Ford did that. But I mean, we're watching a guy possessed, um, scoring from different scoring different ways, scoring from different spots, and uh again, still all projected for a 48 goal season. What an unbelievable year Cole Caulfield is having. Love to watch it, love to see it. Well, he's been hot against the Bruins too. He's a Bruins killer, too.

SPEAKER_02 47:30

I like him. I I I honestly I think it's a hot take, but I like Cole Caulfield. Hey, Sizzling, Sizzling. I think I think Cole Caulfield, you know, I remember people complaining at the when he signed his contract. I remember seeing some of the armature general managers on social media saying that the Canadians should should trade him. Uh you know, it is it is what it is. Yeah, um, you had uh you have some colorful folks online, but uh what I would say is Cole Caulfield is and will forever be for me, probably one of the greatest goal scorers of his era when it's all said and done. Yeah, and I think he's great in what he does. And what I like about Cole Caulfield is little but little by little he's become more of a complete player, and it kind of helps him in his offense as well, and that's why I believe he's gonna be between 45 and 50 goals between the end of the season. And I think that is an exceptional uh outcome for for Montreal because they haven't had one in 30 years, 30 to 29 years. Nuts. And then you're gonna probably have what a 90 plus point center in Nick Suzuki, which also hasn't happened since like 97 or 98. Absolutely bonkers, guys. So uh again, consistency, they're great. I really like them. Cole's 200-foot game continues to improve. Uh, and again, he's a gamer when the puck is on the line. So I look forward to seeing him in the playoffs to see if he can continue that.

SPEAKER_00 48:57

I mean, Marco, they're probably gonna have six guys that hit 50 points. I mean, there's five already that are 50 or more. No Dobson's on 45 points, like scoring goals is not the issue here.

SPEAKER_02 49:05

And Dobby Dobson's got like what four points in his last like four games or five games, so he's almost there, man. Like, he's close.

SPEAKER_00 49:13

I know.

SPEAKER_02 49:14

Um, so I I've I've said it before. I think that you're gonna see six players get to 50 points. Yeah, and it's gonna be very tight. I think maybe Demidov might not make it there, but I think Slavkowski has a good chance of maybe getting close. Canadians may have four players with 70 points. That could be very interesting.

SPEAKER_00 49:32

That's wild. Um, Demidov is on I think 66 point pace, Suzuki 97 point pace, Caulfield 48 goal pace.

SPEAKER_02 49:42

Slavkowski has 55 points in 66 games, right? That's that's nothing to laugh at. That's a lot, and it he'll probably I think he'll probably fall somewhere between 65 and 70 points, which I think if you had told folks at the beginning of the season that would be the outcome, everybody would have taken that.

SPEAKER_00 49:57

I you know, I mean, again, I hate to repeat myself, but I'm going to. I mean, he's 21 years old, man. Like, I mean, Tate Tage Thompson has 34 goals and 70 points, 70 points for the Sabres, and he's 28 years old. I mean, is that how far-fetched is that that when we five years from now, those are the numbers that maybe Uri Slavkowski is probably looking at. Is that far-fetched or is that grounded?

SPEAKER_02 50:24

I think at the same age, Uri Slavkovsky is better than what Tage Thompson was at 21. Hot take, right? Yeah, and then after that, it's all about development. Like, you, I don't think anybody thought that Tage would be that good.

SPEAKER_00 50:38

Right. It took him a while to become who he became, right?

SPEAKER_02 50:41

Yeah, those are bigger players. That's what happens. It's yeah, it'll be interesting. But I like the way he plays, does your eye? Um, sometimes just a little bit of inconsistency in his vision in the way of his execution. But I think with maturity, um, the more he plays in the playoffs, man, oh man, he's gonna be a dangerous, dangerous player. And again, he signed for what another seven years, yeah. Or no, his contract started this year, did it not?

SPEAKER_00 51:12

This year, this is the first year, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 51:13

Another seven, another seven years after this one, just absolutely insane. So, I really again, I think the sky's the limit for him. I've always said it. If he can become a 70-point winger with the way that he plays, wow, you know, check that off as uh job well done for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gordon, because the Canadians rarely get it right at the top of the draft.

SPEAKER_00 51:32

No kidding, man. Um, and again, on on on pace for a 68-point season this year. So if he stays on track and produces at the clip he's been producing at, um, might be surprised, might get there earlier than some think. Um, the star D'Amico show right here on YouTube.com or wherever you get your audio podcast. Um from uh has this this this name always gets me. It's like a tongue twister. Half horse Habs fan. Who do you like in Laval now or coming up that would be a good piece for the Habs bottom six when Gallagher and uh Josh Anderson's contract expire?

SPEAKER_02 52:05

Well, I spoke about Beck. I spoke about Florian Jacky, those are guys I really like. Um gonna have to see what ends up happening uh with uh Logan Sawyer as well. I know his point totals aren't sexy in Providence. Nobody's are, to be honest with you. Providence is one of the lowest scoring teams in all of the NCAA, but at nearly 6'3 and almost 200 pounds, he's got the power forward build and he's got the skills to go with it. So just an interesting player for me to keep an eye on as well. Um, we'll see what happens with uh Vincent's Rohrer when he makes the jump to the uh to North America, hasn't had a really good season in in Switzerland this year. Um, and then like I said, you you know, I think there's gonna be a mix of those younger players, but also you're gonna start to see the Canadians, you know, maybe be a little bit more aggressive during the trade, uh, during trade deadline or even during you know free agency to try and go and pick up some of these premier bottom six guys.

SPEAKER_00 52:59

And who is it? Was it who who was it that just signed with the Laval Rocket?

SPEAKER_02 53:04

Uh Bentley? Middlestat. Oh well, yeah. Well, there was there was Luke Middlestat that signed out of the University of Michigan. That's it. He was a Canadian seventh round pick. They also signed um uh uh Quillin Bentley out of uh UMass Lowell. He's a six foot four, two hundred-pound forward, but he'll mostly play the wing. Um, I thought those those were good ads. You know, the the the Canadians are gonna need some depth in in that regard. Um, I think that the you know William Trudeau will probably move on after this year. We'll see what happens, but that's not the feeling I have. And then next year you'll have Middlestat, you'll have uh Owen Pratt, and you'll have uh Bryce Pickford making the jump to to Laval. So I you know, I think it makes a little bit more sense. Yes, they did trade kidney, and thankfully you have two.

SPEAKER_00 54:00

How sick can you be when your brain's working that fast? Come on.

SPEAKER_02 54:04

Uh, with Marco, with what Demedov is showing in his first full season, do you see the Habs signing him to a similar contract to Lane Hudson? Listen, I saw a couple of my colleagues at Bipayam Sport say that they they they think that Ivan Demidov is gonna sign over 10 million. And this is all I gotta say. If you think anybody on the Montreal Canadians roster is signing for$10 million prior to Nick Suzuki's contract expiring, you're not paying attention. You're not paying attention. Like if if if Demidov gets 65-66 points here, he's on the exact same level offensively as a defenseman in the name of Lane Hudson, who won the Calder. They both are the same status of RFA, 10-2C RFA, ineligible for offer sheets, ineligible for for um for uh arbitration. We'll probably have something a little bit more in-depth in the summer, but I would be shocked if it were over 10 million. Heck, I'd be shocked if it were over 9.5 because I believe signing Demidoff is the last major thing for the organization. If they can get Demidoff signed, they're they're good to go. And a lot of people will say stuff like inflation is a thing, though. Not here, buddy, not here, not with Kent Hughes. The best thing that I could tell you when it comes to inflation is if you look at other players that broke bank, they had two or three years of experience under their belt before they extended their contract. Demidov will have one. And a lot of people have also mentioned to me that the fact that Demidov has all these, like he's basically open for business and has all these, you know, uh sponsors, and it's all about the money. Demidoff's best friend with the Montreal Canadians is Lane Hudson. What did Lane Hudson do this year? He took less to stay in Montreal. You don't think that that's gonna have an effect on on Ivan? I 100% do, because then you try to go and break bank, you try to push for 11 million dollars, you go back to that room. What does that what does that look like?

SPEAKER_00 56:33

Well, for sure. I mean, that you're such an outlier, and it's more, it's it's Hudson and it's more. I mean, it's the whole culture, everything they've been building. I mean, they they all publicly speak about um building something here and that not everyone's in it. I mean, the money is the money, you're gonna be a multimillionaire no matter what, right? But um, they've definitely built and established this culture that money doesn't rule the day for the players inside this organization, and you know, the expectation you would think the reasonable one is he kind of falls in line and becomes a key spoke in the wheel for the Canadians moving forward.

SPEAKER_02 57:02

I just I don't I the Canadians don't want a$10 million player. That's why I'm almost like I like we're gonna hear a lot about him this summer, Jason Robertson. That's why I almost bel like 100% believe they wouldn't go for a guy like Jason Robertson because that would blow up their entire yes salary structure. He'd probably ask for 14 million, right? I don't think that they would go that way. So I think I think 8.5 is low, but I think anywhere between 8.5 and 9.5 is the sweet spot at eight years. And you also have to factor something in, ladies and gentlemen. The Canadians are one of the few organizations in the NHL that could front load contracts still, because you could do that up until the 16th of September. So, like Lane Hudson, completely front load it so that these kids can get their money sooner and invest it right away so that they can have more money in their pocket in real dollars by the end of their deal because they can invest it and make it grow during the length of that contract. A, and B, when it comes to the Canadians as well, when you sign a contract with them and you sign long term, all of a sudden the sponsorship check, like the sponsorship address book opens, and all of the Canadians' partners become available to you as potential sponsors as well. So it's not just the contract, it's the opportunity. And I think that's something you have to factor in because I know on good, I know on on good term, good quality terms, that it's been a factor in negotiations with some of these players over the last couple of years.

SPEAKER_00 58:37

Uh, you have good fortune to what's that?

SPEAKER_02 58:40

Go ahead. I was gonna say, and that and that's why Kent has been able to keep things in check when it comes to their salary structure.

SPEAKER_00 58:48

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SPEAKER_02 1:00:21

Yes, very well. And we thank you for continuing to stay with us. We'll have more content for you during the week, and of course, as we get into the later stages of the season and well into the draft and free agency. So make sure to like, subscribe, uh, and we'll be back to you uh probably tomorrow with something new.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:36

Enjoy the rest of your Monday, everybody. See ya.