Montreal Canadiens Sign Sami Niku

Montreal Canadiens Sign Sami Niku 

Written by Fred Arshoff

On Friday September 24, 2021 the Montreal Canadiens announced they have signed Sami Niku to a one year two way contract.

This contract will pay Niku $750,000 at the NHL level. In the AHL (American Hockey League) $425,000 and he also has a guaranteed $475,000, thus if not called up to the Habs he will still get the $475,000. This is a small raise in pay for Niku, at the NHL level, as he made $700,000 with the Winnipeg Jets but he was on a one way contract so in the AHL he got the same pay. This will be a reduction of pay if he lands up playing for the Laval Rocket.

Niku, since joining the Winnipeg Jets has played in 54 NHL games and has two goals and eight assists for a total of ten points. He has 22 minutes of penalties and is a -5 overall. The salary and statistics are from https://www.capfriendly.com/players/sami-niku

Although, by a long shot, Niku doesn’t have good numbers but I have a few theories why Marc Bergevin signed him and I will explain them to you.

First, we all know that Josh Brook is injured and had knee surgery and no date has been announced for his return to play. The Laval Rocket will need defencemen, as well, and they will also have to send a couple to the Trois Rivieres Lions thus this makes sense.

Secondly we don’t know how Cody Goloubef is performing at training camp. If he isn’t playing up to the expectations they are going ahead with PLAN B.

Thirdly, and my last theory, is Bergevin is having trouble with Cody Goloubef’s agent to come to terms on a contract for the 2021-22 season. No word has been said on how contract talks are going or if it got to that stage yet. As I mentioned above it’s best to have a Plan B ready and in place. Even if Niku and Goloubef, both, play for the Laval Rocket it doesn’t affect the Canadiens salary cap.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries At Training Camp Revealed

Montreal Canadiens Injuries At Training Camp Revealed

Written by Fred Arshoff

This article was written on September 23, 2021

Many thanks, to Chad Martin, for the merging of the photos to make the cover photo for this article. Many thanks also to Matine McGuire for sending me the list of the injuries reported.

The following players will most likely miss all of training camp: Byron (hip), Hoffman (lower-body), Teasdale (knee), Brook (knee), and Price (knee).
Edmundson is listed day-to-day. He is skating with a trainer right now.

I’m not including Captain Shea Weber as it was announced way before training camp Weber would miss all of the 2021-22 season.

I will divide the article into two main parts, injuries to the Montreal Canadiens and then to the Laval Rocket players.

Montreal Canadiens Injuries

In the case of Paul Bryon it was to be expected to miss training camp and a good chunk of the regular season as when he had his hip surgery, during the off season, they said it would be a 4-6 month rehab time.

In the case of Carey Price after his knee surgery they said he would be ready for the start of the regular season. Nothing yet has been said that Price won’t be ready. If Price isn’t ready for the start of the season I see Cayden Primeau serving as Jake Allen’s backup. As Price is on the ice skating and doing some rehab with the training staff I don’t feel there is any setback. Right now head coach Dominique Ducharme says Price is on track to start the regular season and they have a special program to get him ready.

In the case of Mike Hoffman I had no clue he had a lower body injury. What type of lower body wasn’t announced so it can be an ankle, groin, calf, knee but we don’t know for sure. This injury happened the last day he skated alone at home. He did notify the team right away. They will be doing an MRI to see the extent of the injury. Right now they feel he will miss the start of the season.

As for Joel Edmundson they said it’s day to day and he was skating with a trainer so I feel he will be ready sooner rather than later.

Laval Rocket Injuries

In the cases of Josh Brook and Joel Teasdale I knew they both had knee surgery during the 2020-21 season but they never gave a timeline for their return, although for AHL players that rarely is done.

With Josh Brook’s injury it’s the first time I heard he had knee surgery. I also feel that is why Marc Bergevin signed Cody Goloubef to a PTO, so they would have an experienced defenceman for the Laval Rocket. As no timeline was ever announced for Josh Brook I won’t try and speculate when he will return. For more information on the Cody Goloubef PTO please see this article I wrote. https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/09/23/cody-goloubef-given-pto/

In the case of Joel Tealsdale I’m more concerned as this is the second time in three years he needed major knee surgery. I’m not sure if this is the same knee or not. I’m hoping with these knee surgeries Teasdale’s career won’t be over before it starts. Also Teasdale was undrafted and signed as a free agent.

Joshua Roy Sent Back To Sherbrooke

Joshua Roy Sent Back To Sherbrooke

Written by Fred Arshoff

September 26, 2021 Roy did score two goals.I’m writing this article although I normally don’t write about the first cuts from training camp but several people were surprised as in today’s Red VS White scrimmage.

First of all Roy is only 18 years old born August 6, 2003. Due to his age he couldn’t be sent to any of the Montreal Canadien affiliates such as the Laval Rocket or the Trois Rivieres Lions. There is an agreement with the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) that consists of teams from the WHL (Western Hockey League) OHL (Ontario Hockey League) and the QMJHL (Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League) that any player aged 20 or younger has to be returned to their respective Junior team if not playing in the NHL.

The Agreement

There is an agreement in place between the NHL and the CHL (Canadian Hockey League, the overarching organization beneath which stand the OHL, the WHL, and the QMJHL) which exists primarily to protect the CHL. The rule is as follows:

Players drafted and playing for CHL teams are ineligible to play in the professional minor leagues (AHL, ECHL) until they are 20 years old (by December 31st of that year) or have completed four years in major juniors. A perfect example of this is Jared Knight. Knight won’t turn 20 until January 16, 2012. He’s already completed two years in juniors, playing his third in London this season. If things continue along their course, and Knight does not make the NHL Bruins for the 2011-2012 season, he’ll have to play that year in London as well, and will be eligible for AHL play in 2012-2013. Barring CHL involvement, players have to be 18 by September 15 to be eligible for the AHL at all.

The above taken from

https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2012/8/1/3213217/bruins-nhl-chl-ahl-agreement-CBA-talks-2012

Back To Joshua Roy

Roy was the Montreal Canadiens 5th round draft pick, in the 2021 NHL Entry draft, and was the 150th overall player to be selected.

Roy started playing Jr. Hockey with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2019-20 season. In that year he also played in the WHC-17 and in five games he had two goals and two assists with six penalty minutes and at the plus/minus category was even.

In the middle of the 2020-21 season Roy was traded to the Sherbrooke Phoenix. In their playoff run Roy, in three games, had one goal and three assists, and 2 minutes in penalties and was a -1.

These statistics are from https://www.capfriendly.com/players/joshua-roy

Roy is 6 feet and weighs 190 LBS.

As Roy is going back to Sherbrooke in the QMJHL he doesn’t count against the number of contracts but counts on the 90 person reserve list.

I can picture Roy, once he is 20 and can be sent to the Laval Rocket, will be sent there for development. Most forwards need one to two years in the AHL before going on to the NHL as a full time player and as Roy was a later pick I think he will more likely need a full two seasons of development.

I see Roy having a long good future with the Montreal Canadiens.

Below is a video of Roy

7 Goalies In Training Camp

7 Goalies In Training Camp

Written by Fred Arshoff

This article was written September 22, 2021

Many thanks, to John Wilson, for his observation on Alexis Gravel.

Yes that’s right there are 7 goalies this year for training camp, but like all other years they always have lots of goalies as no one goalie yet can play a full game. For a complete up to date list of players at the Montreal Canadiens training camp please see this, it’s the corrected version https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/326250238/binary-file/file.pdf

The 5 Goalies On The Red And White Squads

We also know full well that Carey Price and Jake Allen will be with the Canadiens to start the season and end the season barring injury.

Here is where it starts to get interesting. There is a rumour, and I admit I normally don’t comment on rumours, but this one makes sense, that the teams will be able to carry a 3rd goalie like they did last year with the taxi squad. If that is the case I can see Micheal McNiven being the 3rd goalie, the role that Charlie Lindgren had last season. The 3rd goalie would be considered playing in the AHL so the salary won’t count against the salary cap. That is one role they wouldn’t give Primeau as it would be much better for him to be with the Laval Rocket and play as many games as possible to continue his development. I’m very sure Sean Burke, head of goaltending operations, has told Jean Francois Houle, head coach of the Laval Rocket, how many games Primeau should play barring being called up to the Canadiens due to injury to Price or Allen, or if Primeau himself gets injured.

Another goalie in camp is Kevin Poulin. He is signed to a Laval Rocket contract, so basically he is at the training camp as they need goalies for practices and scrimmages. I don’t anticipate him getting into any preseason games except perhaps in the teams own Red VS White game scheduled for Sunday September 26, 2021 at 3PM. For further information on Poulin please see this article I wrote https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/07/01/what-the-signing-of-kevin-poulin-means/

The 2 C Group Goalies

Next is Joe Vrbetic who is in the C group. He was the 7th round pick of the Canadiens, 214th overall pick at this year’s entry draft. Vrbetic didn’t play last season (2020-21) as the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) was shut down due to Covid. Vrbetic is big at 6’6” and weighs 190 pounds. I’m very sure he will be returned to his Jr. Team. He is only 18 years old. Vrbetic also participated in the Canadiens rookie camp.

Last, but not least, is Alexis Gravel who also attended the HABS rookie camp. Gravel is invited for a tryout. Gravel is also in the C group. Last season (2020-21) Gravel played for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League). Gravel is 20 years old. He also is big at 6’03” and weighs 219 pounds. What happens to him will depend on his play in training camp. I don’t expect Gravel to play in any preseason games. If he plays well they can give him a Laval Rocket contract. What might come into play is if the Canadiens, like all other NHL teams have to have 3 goalies with them. That makes a much better possibility for Gravel to be signed to a contract to have goalies for the Laval Rocket and the Trois Rivieres Lions.

This is from John Wilson, who was a professional athlete. “Was the No.1 goalie with the Mooseheads and was drafted 162nd overall by Chicago in 2018. I had not seen him play but not an NHL level type of goalie. He goes down before the shot. He will possibly be sent down to the AHL.”

Cody Goloubef Given PTO

Cody Goloubef Given PTO

Written by Fred Arshoff

Many thanks to Ellis Cooper for the cover photo,

On Monday September 20, 2021 Marc Bergevin announced the Montreal Canadiens are giving Cody Goloubef a PTO, and he will report to training camp on Wednesday September 22, 2021.

This article is being written on Tuesday September 21, 2021.

I feel this is a good signing. A PTO (Professional Try Out) doesn’t cost a thing, except that the team has to take out medical insurance on the player in case of injury, and I can’t blame the players for that at all, as treatment in a hospital can be very expensive.

Just before training camp for the 2020-21 season Marc Bergevin signed Corey Perry and Michael Frolik to a one year contract but both were told, at the time, it was to be on the taxi squad. Perry had a huge impact on the Canadiens, thus this isn’t the first time Bergevin signed a player just before training camp.

I’m not saying that Cody Goloubef will be another Corey Perry, but for free to see what he brings to the table it’s well worth it.

I admit if Goloubef shows a lot Bergevin will have to give him a contract and may have to make a roster move to fit it into the salary cap, if he makes the opening day roster and that is highly unlikely.

He is listed on the training camp roster in Group C and that is the group, when I look at it, all the players will be playing in the minor leagues such as the Laval Rocket or Trois Rivieres Lions.

Cody Goloubef didn’t get a massive salary by any means as an NHL player $700,000 at the NHL level and at the AHL (American hockey league) made $150,000. I’m sure he would accept a similar salary. Last season Goloubef played for the Bellville Senators, the Ottawa Senators AHL affiliate. This salary information is from https://www.capfriendly.com/players/cody-goloubef

Having Goloubef with the Laval Rocket would be a very good insurance move in case of injury on the Canadiens, instead of calling up Josh Brook and have him sit in the press-box as the 7th defenceman where he won’t develop. For more info on Brook please see my article https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/09/14/josh-brooks/

Also Bergevin likes to have veteran defenceman and with all the youngsters that will be with the Laval Rocket Goloubef will help provide veteran leadership there to go along with Xavier Ouellet.

As Goloubef, under AHL rules, would be considered a veteran it would make Laval Rocket head coach Jean Francois Houle have to watch who he dresses each and every game as you’re only allowed to dress a certain number of veteran players as the AHL considers itself a development league.

What Is The AHL’s Development Rule?

In the AHL player development is a top priority. The American Hockey League and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association have the following development rule in place:
Of the 18 skaters (not counting two goaltenders) that teams may dress for a game, at least 13 must be qualified as “development players.” Of those 13, 12 must have played in 260 or fewer professional games (including AHL, NHL and European elite leagues), and one must have played in 320 or fewer professional games. All calculations for development status are based on regular-season totals as of the start of the season.
The above is taken from https://theahl.com/faq

Things I Would Do In The Montreal Canadiens Main Training Camp

Things I Would Do In The Montreal Canadiens Main Training Camp

Written by Fred Arshoff

feel the Montreal Canadiens, this season 2021-22, have to do things differently in training camp and in the preseason exhibition games than they did under head coach Claude Julien and I will state what they are and why.

Under former head coach Claude Julien, in training camp and preseason games, the Canadiens never worked on their special teams (power play and penalty kill). Julien always said with so many players in camp it would be too hard.

I feel this year at a minimum they have to work on the power play. It didn’t do well in the 2020-21 season and this year with a new coach and Alex Burrows in charge of the power play I can picture him bringing in a new system and the players will have to adjust to it. Also players who were on the power play aren’t on the team now such as Corey Perry and Shea Weber. Weber is due to injury but expected to be out the entire season. Without Weber we all know it won’t be back to the point to Shea for the bomb. I would like to see Romanov at the point to replace him although they can move Petry to the number 1 unit and play Romanov on the second. To replace Perry I would use Hoffman.

As there are normally two power play units I would use one unit in one game and in the following game the other unit, so that you can also play the prospects so we can see, against other NHL teams, what they bring to the table.

I would also work on the penalty kill, as well, as again players who did that aren’t playing like Phil Danault and again Weber due to injury. To replace Weber on the penalty kill I would go with Savard paired up with Chiarot who was paired up with Weber.

For the special team work they can work with the players needed before or after the regular team practice so Ducharme can get a full practice in and evaluate all the players.

Also as the 3 VS 3 play wasn’t very good at all and that has to be addressed at training camp.

I would play Mattias Norlinder in 3 or 4 preseason games to get a good evaluation of how his play is against NHL players. It would be a good battle to see who is 6th to 8th defenceman as Chris Wideman may clear waivers or they can trade a defenceman for a draft pick or for a prospect.

Who Wore 2 Best For The Montreal Canadiens

Who Wore 2 Best For The Montreal Canadiens

Written by Fred Arshoff and Marlene Wall

First of all I would like to thank Chad Martin for the merging of the photos of Doug Harvey and Jacques Laperriere to make the cover photo of this article.

I’d also like to thank Marlene Wall for her input on this article.

Thirdly I am a bit biased on this topic as my late dad was Doug Harvey’s partner on defence in Jr. Hockey in Montreal. I will try my best to use what I saw of Doug Harvey’s play at the tail end of his career, and books and articles I read about him, to form my conclusion. I also saw Jacques Laperriere play his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens. Both were excellent defencemen, but played at different times. I do recall my late dad telling me that the Canadiens never gave anyone number 2 until Laperriere came up as they felt only he was worthy of wearing that number. It’s also very hard to go by statistics only as when Harvey played they didn’t keep the plus and minus statistics. Also back when Harvey played for the All Star game it was the Stanley Cup winning team VS the All Stars from the other five NHL teams, so counting all star games appearances wouldn’t be a fair measure either.

The reason for this article is I heard many people debating who wore the number 2 better for the Canadiens and I felt it would be a very interesting topic to write on.

Marlene Wall’s Thoughts

I would have to say Doug Harvey was an all-around athlete, as he also played football and baseball, though he gave up on both sports to concentrate on hockey. He was a defenceman who was a cornerstone of the Canadiens during the dynastic years of 1950’s, a run that not only included 6 Stanley Cup titles but almost unprecedented two-way dominance as his skillful puck carrying and surgical attacks made him a dynamic force. He was the most mobile defender to ever play the game. Winner of 7 Norris Trophies also put him into some elite company. Although, he had a bit of a rebellious streak, he was a great teammate.

Fred’s Thoughts

I will start with Doug Harvey as he is the elder of the two.

Doug Harvey

recall Doug Harvey as the first defenceman I ever saw rushing into the offensive zone but if an opponent did get the puck Harvey would get back in time, in his defensive end of the ice, to try and break up the play and take away the scoring chance. It’s due to Harvey being such an offensive minded defenceman that we later got the likes of Bobby Orr, Brad Park and so many others.

Don’t forget when Harvey played they didn’t have the same equipment as when Laperriere played, nor did they have helmets to protect their heads. Also back then they travelled by train not by plane so a trip to New York would take 8+ hours while by plane it would take like one hour. Also Doug Harvey gave up being captain of the Montreal Canadiens, in the 1960-61 season, so that Jean Beliveau could be captain of the team. I don’t think many players would give up the honour to allow someone else to be captain.

Jacques Laperriere

Laperriere was probably the best two way defenceman I ever saw and he played his entire career with the Canadiens. After Harvey left they saved the number for Jacques showing how much they thought of him. He did have a great slap shot. Midway through his career we had the first NHL expansion so the league was doubled from when Harvey played with only the six original teams.

Who Is Better

If I had to pick just one of them in the prime of their career I would go with Harvey. Saying that, they both deserve to have number 2 retired in honour of them.

Mattias Norlinder

Mattias Norlinder

Written by Fred Arshoff

This article is being written after the Montreal VS Ottawa Senators rookie game on September 18, 2021.

In his first game, for the most part, Norlinder looked very good. He scored a goal but also took a penalty that was caused by not skating. That may have been due to the smaller ice surface in North America.

Norlinder looks very good in the offensive zone but I feel he needs work on his defensive game. It did show that he was in good shape as he played in Europe before coming to the Montreal Canadiens rookie camp. Also when playing in Europe the team he plays for is like an NHL league team so that really does help.

After two practices Laval Rocket head coach was impressed with Norlinder and said he was adjusting to the North American smaller ice surface.

I feel what is best for Norlinder, long term, is to start the season off with the Laval Rocket but he does have final say on that as he has an OPT OUT CLAUSE in his contract. If not with the Canadiens he can return to play in Europe. Hopefully Marc Bergevin can convince him the best option for him, to make it to the NHL, is starting off with the Laval Rocket and on the North American ice surface.

Alexander Romanov had an OPT OUT CLAUSE in his contract but he did say if he didn’t make the Canadiens he preferred to play in Laval and learn the North American game. Let’s hope Norlinder has the same attitude.

I feel in the 2022-23 season Norlinder will be fully ready to play with the Montreal Canadiens, as long as he improves his defensive game. I do feel if he plays with the Laval Rocket Jean Francois Houle and his assistants will easily be able to help him with that aspect of his game. If he goes back to play in Europe I have no clue if he will improve or not, but with the bigger ice surface in Europe that transition won’t be done.

Video of Mattias Norlinder

The Ryan Poehling Situation

The Ryan Poehling Situation

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’m writing this article as several people aren’t happy that Vincent Damphousse, in his prediction of the Montreal Canadiens opening day roster, doesn’t include Poehling. For Damphousse’s prediction please see the photo at the bottom of the article. To avoid any conflict I won’t go into language being a factor if Poehling makes the Habs out of training camp.

I’m sure we all can agree Damphousse was a former NHL player but presently, nor was he ever, a member of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Operations department. So he wouldn’t know what is being discussed. There is a possibility that Poehling has an outstanding training camp and preseason games and forces the Canadiens to keep him on the opening day roster instead of being returned to the Laval Rocket. Several players due to an excellent training camp and preseason games have played their way onto the team. One such is Victor Mete. If it comes down to being no room on the salary cap Poehling could stay as his salary is less than any other forward on the team. The only forward making the same salary as Ryan Poehling is Jake Evans.

Why Damphousse Might Be Right

First of all let’s all remember Poehling had season ending surgery and he still may not have had enough rehab for it. Medical testing will tell us that. Has it recovered enough to play game after game. To play one game then sit out one isn’t good at all and would make it very hard on the coaching staff.

The only forward on the Habs roster, beside Ryan Poehling, who can be sent down to the Laval Rocket without first having to clear NHL waivers is Cole Caufield. A player placed on waivers can be claimed by another NHL team. Although there is a rumour that there is a gentleman’s agreement, between all the general managers, that a player placed on waivers to be sent to the AHL won’t be claimed it always doesn’t work that way. A recent one was Noah Juulsen claimed off waivers at the end of last season’s training camp by the Florida Panthers.

Also Poehling, for this season, has a two way contract thus if playing for Laval he will get a lot less in pay. To the best of my knowledge no other Canadien forward is on a two way contract. Next season Poehling is on a one way contract.

If Poehling doesn’t make the Canadiens out of training camp if there are injuries I would think he would be one of the first call ups. I will admit though I’d like the Canadiens to stay healthy for the entire season but that rarely happens.

Video of Poehling goals in his first NHL game

Rob Ramage Player Development Doing The Right Things

Rob Ramage Player Development Doing The Right Things
Written by Fred Arshoff

First of all I’d like to thank not one but two people, for their help with the photos in this article, Ellis Cooper for the photo of Rob Ramage on the ice coaching, and Marlene Wall for the photo of Rob Ramage in a suit.

As some of you may or may not know Rob Ramage had a press conference on September 15, 2021 discussing player development and I like very much what he had to say and I will explain why.

Brief History Of The Player Development Department

Just so we’re all on the same track Rob Ramage is the head of player development for the Montreal Canadiens. Ramage was hired July 30, 2014 as a player development coach. Ramage at that time was working under Martin Lapointe. On July 5, 2017 changes were made to the hockey operations and people were moved to different positions. Martin Lapointe was promoted to be in charge of player personnel, Rob Ramage became head of player development and Francis Bouillon was named as player development coach.

Moving Forward To September 15, 2021

At the press conformance Ramage announced that as there is a complete new coaching staff, for the Laval Rocket, the player development department for the start of the 2021-22 season won’t be going on the ice to work with the players so that new Laval Rocket head coach Jean Francois Houle can implant his system to all the players, and make the transition easier for the veterans as well who were used to former Laval Rocket head Coach Joel Bouchard’s system and the way things were done. I have to agree with this 120% as every coach will do things differently and they don’t wish to confuse the players. The player development team of Ramage and Bouillon will also work the way Houle does as to not cause confusion. This is way better so everyone will be on the same page.

He also announced that before the start of training camp Ramage and Bouillon met with new head coach Houle to give him all the information they had on the veteran players returning to Laval and the information they had on the newer players, some who haven’t played in a game for 18 months due to COVID. That also I see as a positive so the coaching staff will have an idea of the player’s strengths and weaknesses. They also used video to show points to Houle.

He also mentioned that some players in the first days of training, rookie or main camp, may be in better playing shape than others as some played in Europe already this year. The season, in Europe, starts earlier than North America.

When asked if Mattias Norlinder will make the Canadiens this season Ramage said it will depend on his play at the rookie and main camp as well as how long it takes for him to adapt to the different ice size here. He also said Norlinder has an OPT OUT clause in his contract that if he doesn’t make the Canadiens he can OPT OUT of his contract and return to play in Europe. Ramage said it would be in his best interest to play in Laval, rather than return to Europe, to learn to play on the smaller size ice surface. Last year Alexander Romanov said if he didn’t make the Canadiens he would play for Laval to learn to adapt to the North American game. Of course each player is different and we will have to see what Norlinder decides. I would think Bergevin will speak to him and explain why it would be better for him to play in Laval.

When asked about Jesperi Kotkaniemi Ramage said it was a decision by the entire organization, at the time, to have him stay with the Canadiens instead of starting off in Laval. Added was that if the same situation came up again they will look at what happened with KK. Personally I feel all European players, with the possibility of one or two exceptions, should play one year at the AHL level to get adjusted to the North American game. I will admit many players from Europe have the OPT OUT clause in their contract that makes it very hard for any team to send the player to their AHL affiliate.

When asked about Logan Mailloux Ramage replied he has spoken to him every day and he is making progress and going for counselling but won’t go into details as it’s a private matter. I do have to agree 120% that it is a very private matter and if Mailloux is getting the help and support he needs that’s the main thing.