Devante Smith-Pelly Signs PTO With Laval Rocket

Devante Smith-Pelly Signs PTO With Laval Rocket

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’m writing this article as Martine McGuire was taken by surprise about this PTO signing by the Laval Rocket, as Smith-Pelly previously played for the Montreal Canadiens. As I always do I like to reply in an article so everyone gets my thoughts.

Yes this is the same Devante Smith-Pelly who played for the Montreal Canadiens for parts of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season and in his 66 games he had 7 goals and 8 assists and had 35 penalty minutes. In the 2014-15 season with the Canadiens in the 12 playoff games he played he had 1 goal and 2 assists.

Smith-Pelly last played in the NHL in the 2018-19 season with the Washington Capitals. In the 2019-20 season he played in the KHL where in 36 games he scored 8 goals and had 3 three assists.

In the 2020-21 season he played in the AHL where in 14 games had no goals and one assist. To the best of my knowledge he wasn’t playing professional hockey this 2021-22 season. All the statistics for this article are from https://www.capfriendly.com/players/devante-smith-pelly.

The Laval Rocket signed Devante to a PTO contract as the Montreal Canadiens have called up, to their 23 man roster and their taxi squad, 14 players thus they need players and they have also called up players from the Trois Rivieres Lions who are under Laval Rocket contracts. Also this signing does not affect the Canadiens salary cap as it’s an AHL contract.

Among the players with the Canadiens are mostly their veteran forward players such as Belzile, Dauphin and upcoming young players such as Ryan Poehling and Rafael Harvey-Pinard.

Depending on how many players are injured and on the COVID 19 list the Laval Rocket may extend the PTO and if he plays well offer him a Laval Rocket Contract.

What Is A PTO

PTO = Professional Try-Out contract

PTO’s are for 25 games, but the player can be released before that. He can also be signed to a second PTO, but after two PTO’s he either becomes a free agent or is signed to a SPC – Standard Player’s Contract (also just called an “AHL contract”)
Any player on an AHL SPC, PTO or ATO must be released from his contract before he can sign in the NHL. Occasionally you’ll hear people say an NHL team “picked up his contract”, but he’s really signing a different kind of contract, it’s not directly transferable. The player is not eligible to play in the NHL on a PTO or even a SPC. To play in the NHL you must be signed to an NHL contract, which are full-year, guaranteed contracts (with exceptions for goaltenders in emergencies and players sent back to junior).

So a way to think about it is that the PTO is sort of an intermediate step between the rigidity of NHL or standard AHL contracts, and the complete job insecurity of ECHL contracts, which can be terminated at any time (though the player does first go through waivers).

This PTO information from https://thrashersprospectsannex.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-is-pto-in-ahl.html

Why Corey Schueneman Is On The Active Roster And Not Gianni Fairbrother

Why Corey Schueneman Is On The Active Roster And Not Gianni Fairbrother

Written by Fred Arshoff

Before diving into this article I would, once again, like to thank Marlene Wall very much for the merging of the two photos to make the cover photo for this article.

I wrote this article to help explain to those who don’t know why Schueneman is on the Canadiens 23 man roster while Fairbrother is on the newly created taxi squad.

will admit some will say as on the Canadiens 23 man roster Fairbrother is making more money on the salary cap, $848,333 while Schueneman’s cap hit is $750,000. These figures are from https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/canadiens. With all the players who have COVID, and not listed yet on the website, the Canadiens don’t have a salary cap issue if choosing between these two defenceman.

First of all Schueneman was called up earlier this season by the Canadiens, although he didn’t play he did get to practice with the big club.

Schueneman started playing professional hockey in the 2018-19 season, while Fairbrother started to play professionally this season, so he is still developing. Also if you look at the plus/minus stats Schueneman does have the better and that probably is due to him having more experience.

I’m very sure once Petry, Chiarot or Wideman come off the COVID list that Fairbrother will be reassigned to the Laval Rocket to get more playing time and further his development. Schueneman then will be added to the taxi squad.

For those wondering why Xavier Ouellet wasn’t called up, or put on the taxi squad, he has an ankle injury and has missed several games already with the Laval Rocket. As it’s the AHL they don’t give a time line for a players return as there is no roster limit. Also Josh Brooks is still recovering from his knee surgery last season.

Cedric Paquette’s Lack Of Production

Cedric Paquette’s Lack Of Production

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’m writing this article as someone who wishes to remain anonymous asked me about this and as I always do I answer in the form of an article.

In the 2021-22 season, after 16 games played, he hasn’t recorded a single point while playing for the Montreal Canadiens. Then on top of that he has 23 penalty minutes and is a -3.

As most of you most likely know the Habs play a system where even the forwards have to be defensively responsible. How many of those minuses are from when he just came out of the penalty box and didn’t have time to get into the play, or the same applies if he just jumped on the ice from a line change.

Production From Players Called Up

I’m not going to count Cole Caufield as a call up as he started the season on the Canadiens 23 man roster. I’m also not counting Rafael Harvey-Pinard as he hasn’t played in any games.

Where this lack of production is even more striking is that the players the Canadiens have called up from the Laval Rocket, their AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate, have points while playing for the Canadiens this season with a couple of exceptions and those were to be expected. Like Primeau has no points but as a goalie he truthfully isn’t paid to get points but stop the opposition from scoring goals and then there is Mattias Norlinder who only played in 6 games and picked up an assist.and picked up an assis

t.Now let’s look at some of the forwards called up starting with Ryan Poehling. In 17 games he has 4 goals and 1 assist but will admit his plus/minus has to improve as he is a – 4. In the way of penalties he only has two minutes.

Then there is Michael Pezzetta, who wasn’t even on the radar to be playing for the Canadians, this season, but to develop with the Laval Rocket. In 18 games he has one goal and one assist and again his plus/minus has to improve as he is a -5 and also has to be a bit more disciplined as he has 24 minutes in penalties. In Pezzetta’s defence this is the first time he has played at the NHL level. He is working his way up the ladder as in the 2018-19 season he played in the ECHL, a step below the AHL.

Jesse Ylonen, in four games, has one goal no assists and is a +1. Due to Ylonon being on emergency loan when injured players, or those on the COVID 19 list, return to game action he will have to be sent back to the Laval Rocket.

Laurent Dauphin who also is listed as an emergency loan in 5 games has one goal and two assists and his plus minus is 0.

What I Would Do

When the injured players are cleared to play and same for the players on the COVID list, if there are no further injures or COVID cases I would place Paquette on waivers to send him to the Laval Rocket and keep the players called up as they have been more productive. You have to show the veteran players if they wish to play in the NHL they have to play the game and put up points. No player should get a free pass to play in the NHL.

Patrick Roy Calls Out Trevor Timmins

Patrick Roy Calls Out Trevor Timmins

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’m writing this article as I feel very strongly that Patrick Roy had no right to call out Trevor Timmins just days after he was fired.

First of all the man was just fired, you don’t have to go and kick him under the bus when he is already down and out. This was the first time Timmins has been fired by an NHL team. Many other people who work in hockey operations have been fired more than once.

If Roy feels that Timmins cost Bergevin his job, by bad draft picks, he could have told his friends but to do so in the media isn’t right.

Personally I wouldn’t hire Roy to be General Manager as by calling out people he is showing he isn’t a team player and will only defend his friends. The GM has to work in a team environment and work with all in the hockey operations. They can disagree all they want but keep it in the room and not give it out to the media. Also with Roy’s temper I wouldn’t want him as GM as I’m very sure soon as he wouldn’t get his way he will blow up at someone.

Look at what happened when Roy didn’t get his way when he was head of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2015-16 when he didn’t get his way he just quit on the team. That’s not someone I would want working in my hockey operations department in any capacity.

Let’s Look At Some Facts

As Bergevin was General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, or of any other NHL team, he doesn’t have to accept the player the Director of Procurement recommends in the draft but ask for another player or choose one himself/herself (to be politically correct). The ultimate draft choice is always chosen by the general manager not the director of procurement, although they saw the players being drafted a lot more frequently than the general manager.

When Marc Bergevin was hired to be GM, in 2013, Timmins was already director of procurement. If for any reason Bergevin didn’t trust him I’m sure Geoff Molson would have allowed Marc to fire him as he allowed him to hire others into the hockey operations department.

Then the drafting of Micheal McCarron wasn’t Timmins choice but was none other than Bergevin’s as he wanted a big center while Timmins was looking to draft the best available player at the time.

Then there is the drafting of Zack Fucale. Another player Timmins didn’t wish to draft but Marc Bergevin wanted him. Perhaps as he was a Francophone player from Laval, Quebec that is just outside of Montreal.

Then we have the drafting of Logan Mailloux in the 2021 NHL Entry draft. In this case I don’t know nor will we ever really find out truthfully who decided to make this draft pick but if it was Timmins as general manager Marc Bergevin could have vetoed it and selected another player. I’m very sure both Timmins and Bergevin were very aware of the situation regarding Mailloux.

Bob Gainey Helping HABS Find A General Manager

Bob Gainey Helping HABS Find A General Manager

Written by Fred Arshoff

Before diving into this article I’d like to thank Marlene Wall very much for the merging of the two photos to make the cover of this article.

I decided to write this article as some disagree with Geoff Molson, owner of the Montreal Canadiens, to hire Bob Gainey to be a consultant to the team for the hiring of a new General Manager. I have to strongly disagree with all these people and I will explain why.

To those who say Bob Gainey made mistakes in making trades when he was the Canadiens General Manager thus shouldn’t be hired as a consultant, I’d like you to show me just one GM who didn’t make some bad trades. Just because you made a bad trade doesn’t mean you’re not fit to work as a consultant to find a general manager.

Also as Bob just recently turned 68 I’m sure he isn’t looking for full time employment but just to do work as a consultant. What he will be paid is between him and Geoff Molson and it’s no one else’s business, as we’re not footing the bill.

I’m also very sure Gainey is willing to be a consultant for the Habs as he appreciates all they did for him. Let’s go back to when his daughter went overboard on the cruise ship and then was sadly found deceased. The Canadiens gave him all the time off he needed to grieve. I’m very sure he was and still is very grateful for that. Then when they fired Pierre Gauthier, as general manager, instead of firing Gainey who was Gauthier’s special counsel they allowed him to resign the position instead of saying he was fired thus helping him save face.

Also let’s remember during the Stanley Cup playoffs Gainey went and gave the Montreal Canadiens players a motivational speech. If he didn’t like the Canadiens let’s all be honest he wouldn’t have done that. For further information on the motivational speech please see this article I wrote. https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/06/12/bob-gainey-gives-motivational-speech-to-habs/

When Gainey played for the Habs he served as their captain from the 1988-89 season till the end of the 1990-91 season. He was the General Manager from 2002-03 season till February 2010.

Also with Gainey helping to hire the new general manager this does give Jeff Gorton a little more time to evaluate the team fully. Besides Gainey, Gorton and Molson there is also a minority share holder involved in the search. When Bergevin was hired as general manager it was Molson, Serge A. Savard and the same minority shareholder doing the search. This gives an extra voice of reason to help in the search. Also as Gainey has been involved in hockey for so many years he has many contacts and much knowledge and will know the right questions to ask those who make the short list of candidates.

As of December 19, 2021 the Canadiens haven’t approached any team for permission to speak to anyone about the GM position. I feel that also is wise so there will be less speculation and members of the media trying to pressure them to choose a certain person.

Also let’s be honest four people working together as a team can do a better job than three people especially when one has vast knowledge as does Mr. Bob Gainey.

Montreal Canadiens Scouting The WJC

Montreal Canadiens Scouting The WJC

Written by Fred Arshoff

I decided to write this article as for the first time in a very long time there will different scouting of the WJC (World Jr. Championship) for the Montreal Canadiens.

As I’m sure most of you are aware the Habs fired Trevor Timmins, who was Director of Procurement, on November 28, 2021. Even if Timmins wasn’t fired, then, he was sometime after the NHL Entry draft and start of the season removed as Director of Procurement.

Martin Lapointe Director of Player Personnel and Amateur Scouting will be in charge of the scouting for the Canadiens at the WJC. There is supposed to be a meeting early this week with Mr. Lapointe and the scouts. If this will be done in person, or a Zoom Meeting, I have no way of knowing. My gut is telling me the meeting will be done by Zoom conference so the European scouts can also weigh in and say who the best European prospects are. There are five scouts who scout European amateur players for the Canadiens.

I would think like Timmins did, in the past, Lapointe will go to the games in person so he can also see player’s reactions on the bench if they make a mistake and one of the coaches speaks to them about it.

Also if there are any goalie prospects playing for any of the countries I would expect Vincent Riendeau to be scouting them as he is the goalie scout among his duties. There is also a possibility Sean Burke Director of Goaltending will also scout the games to look for goalies for the future as well.

I can also see Rob Ramage Director of Player Development or Francis Bouillon who works in player development to be present to scout the players already drafted to see their progress.

In the past Marc Bergevin did attend several games to see the top prospects but if Jeff Gorton Executive Vice President Hockey Operations will attend there is no way I can guess as he may wish to finish evaluating the entire Canadiens organization, players, coaches etc to prepare for the 2022-23 season. I’m very sure if Geoff Molson didn’t fully trust Lapointe’s work he would have been let go at the same time as Bergevin and Timmins.

Let’s remember the WJC is where all the best world-wide draft eligible players play except if injured or perhaps this year by exception if they feel for any reason it isn’t safe for them to travel due to COVID.

Let’s hope Lapointe and all the amateur scouts can do an outstanding job of scouting the players so we can draft later this year the best prospects available when it’s our turn to select a player, at the NHL Entry draft that will be held right here in Montreal.

Claude Julien To Coach Team Canada In Spengler Cup

Claude Julien To Coach Team Canada In Spengler Cup

Written by Fred Arshoff

On Friday November 26, 2021 it was announced that Team Canada, for the Spengler Cup, will be coached by former Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien.

I feel this is a great opportunity for Julien to show teams he still can be a head coach if Team Canada plays well. Don’t forget most of the players on Team Canada play in Europe so Julien won’t have much time to have practices and scrimmages to see who has the best chemistry with who.

Bruce Boudreau and Scott Walker will be Julien’s assistant coaches, while Shane Doan will be general manager and Blair MacKasey will be the director of player personnel.

Also coaching Team Canada, last year, was Gerard Gallant although not the Spengler Cup team but the NHL players, in the World Cup, and it got him back into coaching with the New York Rangers, in the NHL, by doing an excellent job.

Coaching the Spengler Cup team is harder as most of the players are playing in Europe and the coaching staff doesn’t have as much time to watch/see the players and get an idea of who can play better with whom. Also not known is if an NHL team will loan them any players, to help develop them. As a case in point, the Canadiens loaned Zack Fucale to Team Canada for the Spengler Cup and he performed very well and even won.

The Spengler Cup begins December 15, 2021 in Moscow.

Also there is a possibility if Julien does a good job he will be asked to coach Team Canada at the Olympics this year, provided there is no boycott.

Mattias Norlinder Returning To Frölunda HC In The Swedish Hockey League

Mattias Norlinder Returning To Frölunda HC In The Swedish Hockey League

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’m writing this article as Martine McGuire asked me my thoughts on this and as I always do I prefer to answer in an article so everyone will know my thoughts on the subject.

The short answer is he is better off now playing for Frölunda HC, but for long term he would be better served by playing with the Laval Rocket, the Montreal Canadiens AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate and I will explain why.

Why Norlinder Wishes To Return To Sweden

I am very sure he misses not seeing his family and friends back home in Sweden and I can fully understand that. Also while playing for the Laval Rocket the team travels to it’s away games by bus and if they need to stay in a hotel it’s not a 5* hotel like the NHL teams stay in. Most European teams have a schedule where even after a road game they are bused home, thus sleep in their own bed, and see their family during the day. Most of the games are like a two hour bus drive from their home city so it is easier on the body.

Norlinder Playing For Laval Rocket

I personally feel playing for the Laval Rocket would be the best place for him at this time. While playing for the Rocket Mattias was playing second pairing defence and also getting time on the power play where he scored his first point, while in the Montreal Canadiens organization. He was developing very well from the games I saw on TV.

Norlinder would be best served playing in Laval to learn more about the North American game, as its different size ice surface and the play is faster than in Europe.

Norlinder Wouldn’t Benefit Playing For The HABS

With the Habs losing so many games would not help him, and not only him, but all upcoming young players lose their confidence. Most of the young, upcoming players have played on teams that have a winning record.

Then we also have now the case of Jeff Petry saying the coaching is a problem with the Canadiens. I am very sure that would lead to problems in the dressing room and that’s also not a healthy atmosphere for a young player to be in.

Also from what we’ve seen Dominque Ducharme, the Head Coach, is not playing the young players enough for them to develop properly. For more information on player development please see this article I wrote https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/07/habs-player-development-in-nhl-2021-22-season/

HABS Nagging Injuries

HABS Nagging Injuries

Written by Fred Arshoff

I’d like to right off the top thank Marlene Wall very much for fixing the cover photo for this article to make it more presentable.

I’m writing this article as Larry Barmish asked me the question, and as I normally do I’ll reply in an article so all can see my thoughts on the subject.

First of all this season, the 2021-22 season, the Montreal Canadiens do have a new strength and conditioning coach Dale Lablans. He took over after Patrick Delisle-Houde left to become an associate coach with the McGill University hockey team, where he feels he can further his career. Patrick Delisle-Houde served four years as the Canadiens strength and conditioning coach. McGill is his Alma Mater, so he returns home. Everyone does have the right to do what they feel will benefit them the most long term.

do have to agree fully with Larry about the HABS having a long list of injuries this season and I do have to wonder if it’s due to Dale Lablans not using the same techniques as Patrick Delisle-Houde or not, as no one is in the gym to see what exercises he has players do. I recall at some points in the past when Patrick Delisle-Houde was strength and conditioning coach he would give the players off-ice workouts. Is Dale Leblans doing the same we don’t know.

In the injuries I’m not counting Price, Weber, Bryon as we knew at the end of the 2020-21 season they would be injured long term but all the other injuries I don’t understand at all with these exceptions of Jake Allen concussion, Mathieu Perrault eye those two weren’t your typical lower body/upper body injury. I’m also not counting Gallagher or Niku with COVID.

Also could there be a change in the stretching exercises on the ice that are causing some of the minor injuries as some aren’t disclosed so they can be pulled groins from not stretching etc before and after practice.

Then we have Joel Edmundson who at the start of training camp was said to be out day to day and he never did play in a game or wear a regular jersey while practicing with the team. When he attended a couple of team practices he wore the “NO CONTACT Jersey” and then after a couple of practices they announce he has suffered a setback and is back to square one. Is that due to not doing the correct exercising and stretching. The Canadiens recently announced that it’s a back injury. Also as the back injury seems to be coming back after practicing with the team I would send him to a back specialist as the team Dr’s don’t seem to be able to get him healthy.

It seems to me when one player returns from injury someone else or even two others are injured. This isn’t normal.

What I would like to think Jeff Gorton would do is speak to the teams medical DR’s and ask them could these nagging day to day injuries be from wrong exercising and stretching regimes, and if yes or uncertain I would look for next season a new strength and conditioning coach.

HABS Player Development In NHL 2021-22 Season

HABS Player Development In NHL 2021-22 Season

Written by Fred Arshoff

Before diving into the article I would like to thank Marlene Wall very much for the merging of the two photos to make the cover photo for this article.

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN DECEMBER 6, 2021 AFTER THE MONTREAL CANADIENS PRACTICE

I wrote this article as Geoff Molson, owner of the Montreal Canadiens, said when he fired Marc Bergevin, as well as Trevor Timmins and Paul Wilson, there was a problem with player development and I do have to agree and it starts right at the top at the NHL level sadly. Normally that would be in your affiliate minor league teams.

This problem starts with the Habs Head Coach Dominique Ducharme by not using the young prospects in a way that will benefit them at all.

When you have young players on your NHL roster, such as Cole Caufield and Mattias Norlinder, you have to play them in all top roles not as in Caufield’s case a third or fourth line player and in the case of Norlinder, a defenceman, not the third pairing or sit in the press box.

In the case of Caufield if he isn’t on the top two lines he would be much better served by being sent to the Laval Rocket and playing top two lines there. In some games with the Canadiens Caufield has had games where he got under 10 minutes of total ice time. He won’t learn by sitting on the bench but by playing. Let him play through his rookie mistakes. Even All Star players, when they where rookies, made mistakes but learned by playing through them not sitting on the bench. To replace Caufield, if you’re not going to play him, is call up Belzile. He has played third and fourth lines in the NHL and he is past the development stage of his career.

In the case of Norlinder if you look at the practice defence pairings he will be a healthy scratch for the game December 7, 2021. I can fully understand the Canadiens management team, or what is left of it, would like to see the newly acquired Kale Clague play and see what he brings to the table. My question is what does that do for Norlinder sitting in the press box. You won’t learn very much, you may see things from higher up you wouldn’t see on the bench or by playing, but playing is where you develop. I do admit it would be very hard to send Norlinder to the Laval Rocket as he has an OPT OUT CLAUSE in his contract and may wish to go home and be closer to his family and friends than play in the AHL. I have no way of knowing if Jeff Gorton would speak to Mattias and explain to him why playing for the Rocket, for the duration of the 2021-22 season, would benefit him long term. If he would stand to reason with that, playing in Laval would help him get adjusted to the different ice surface and the speed of the play. If he doesn’t wish to play for Laval I would then allow him to go and play in Sweden for the Frölunda HC where he also played last year and play top two defence pairings and get more experience.

To replace Norlinder they could call up Louis Belpedio who has played professional hockey since the 2017-18 season. He has played in 4 NHL games, has no goals, has two assists and two minutes in penalties and is an even plus/minus at 0. Belpedio is past the stage of development so it wouldn’t hurt his progress to make it to the NHL and I believe many already consider him a minor league player by all accounts. His salary cap would also be less than Norlinder’s.

I don’t mention to call up Xavier Ouellet as he is injured, thus isn’t available to be called up.

Please Mr. Gorton do what’s right to develop our young talent properly, so we have them for many years to come. It’s not like it was the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final and lose the Stanley Cup due to a rookie mistake.