Why isn’t Jordan Harris on IR

Why isn’t Jordan Harris on IR

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

DISCLAIMER

This article was written on February 17,2024 when Harris wore a “non-contact” jersey while skating prior to practice.

On February 10, 2024 in the game against the Dallas Stars, Jordan Harris was checked into the boards and left the ice. The HABS announced quickly that he would not return to the game. The next day the HABS announced that Harris would be out day-to-day with an upper body injury, which appeared to be a possible concussion. It’s now a week later, he still has not played but is skating alone in a “non-contact” jersey. If that is the case it is more than just day-to-day.

With Harris wearing a “non-contact” jersey, what happens on game day if one of the defensemen wake up sick and they don’t have time to call up a player from Laval? Do the HABS play with only 5 defensemen? It’s not something I would want to risk doing. I would always want to start a game with 6 defensemen, if one get hurt in a game, that can’t be helped but let’s start the game the right way. We saw what happened when the HABS tried to avoid bringing up a forward and started a game with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, it didn’t work out well. Why risk the same type of thing happening, when we have players available to be called up.

What I would do is very simple. I would place Harris on IR and call up Logan Mailloux, as I stated in my article at: https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com.2024/02/16/lets-try-some-chemistry-with-the-habs/

Logan Mailloux had 2 assists in the Rocket’s game tonight February 17, 2024 and now leads the AHL in scoring by a defenseman with 35 points in 47 games. So we can see he also brings offensive production.

If Harris were on IR it wouldn’t require sending anyone down to Laval. Once Harris was medically cleared to return to play, we can reassign Mailloux to Laval and no one needs to pass waivers. Thus, we don’t lose a player for nothing. Why not take advantage of Harris’ injury and see what the future brings for Mailloux. There is nothing to lose at this point in the season.

JUDY’S THOUGHTS

Placing a player on IR is not something that can be used on a whim. There are rules and criteria that need to be followed. A player placed on IR is ineligible to compete in NHL games for a period of NOT LESS than 7 days, they also need to miss a minimum of 4 games. A player can be put on IR retroactively in the event medical records indicate a player was injured earlier and the designation was made later. None of these criteria are met in the Jordan Harris injury, as he is already practicing with the team in a regular jersey as of Sunday February 18, 2024.

Columbus Blue Jackets ask for permission to interview Jeff Gorton

Columbus Blue Jackets ask for permission to interview Jeff Gorton

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her editing, correcting and adding facts and stats, making changes as needed between the time the article was written and when it was published. A tip of my hat to you, Judy, you are a gem.

As many of you know by now, on the morning of February 15, 2024 Columbus Blue Jacket’s President John Davidson announced that long time GM Jarmo Kekalainen was being relieved of his duties. Kekalainen 57, was named the third GM in Blue Jacket’s history on February 13, 2013. The club amassed a 410-362-97 record in 869 games during his tenure, the longest in the franchise’s history. During that time Columbus qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs five times(2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020). The team also posted 4 of it’s winningest seasons, based on points percentages during that span: 2016-2017 50-24-8 108Pts WP% 0.659 2017-2018 45-30-7 97Pts WP% 0.591 2018-2019 47-31-4 98Pts WP% 0.598 2019-2020 33-22-15 81Pts WP% 0.571

Since the firing of Kekalainen, there have been reports that Davidson will be phoning HABS majority owner and President Geoff Molson for permission to speak to Jeff Gorton to fill the GM position for the Blue Jackets.

Since Gorton is under contract with Montreal, Davidson does need permission to speak to him, otherwise it is considered “tampering”. In the majority of cases, permission is granted. Let’s not take anything for granted. Gorton could refuse the offer, since he seems to like it in Montreal, or he could accept the Blue Jacket’s offer as he would not have to face the media in Columbus like he does in Montreal.

I’m not surprised Davidson wishes to interview Gorton, as they go back a long way to when they worked with the New York Rangers Most people would prefer to work with people they know and get along with. Another reason could be that Davidson is watching the rebuild Gorton has been doing with the HABS over the last two short seasons and wants to start rebuilding the Blue Jackets. So why not hire someone you know who can do the job.

If I was Geoff Molson, I would make Davidson sign an agreement that he would not raid the HABS Department of Hockey Operations before I gave him permission to speak to Jeff Gorton. Gorton himself hired many of the people currently working in key positions, including Nick Bobrov Co-director of Amateur Drafting based in Europe, as well as Adam Nicholas Director of Hockey Development.

In closing I’d like to wish Jarmo Kekalainen the very best of luck finding new employment in the NHL and also wish Jeff Gorton the best either with the HABS or the Blue Jackets.

SOURCE

Jarmo Kekalainen fired as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets

https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/jarmo-kekalainen-relieved-of-duties-as-blue-jaclets-general-manager?

JUDY’S THOUGHTS

Jeff Gorton leaving the HABS for the Blue Jackets is, at this point, nothing more than rumour and speculation put forward on social media and by a few talking heads. Yes, Davidson and Gorton have worked together previously in New York, but knowing the type of person Gorton is, I don’t see him jumping ship when the job in Montreal is NOT done, yet. He has been open and transparent and I don’t think he is the type of person to leave a job half done. Besides, I doubt he would want to pack up his family and move again after such a short time and to Ohio(?).

Let’s try some Chemistry with the HABS

Let’s try some Chemistry with the HABS

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

Photo Merge by Marlene Wall

First of all I would like to thank two ladies for their help with this article and others they have helped me with. First, my editor Judy Pitcher for editing, adding stats and information after I’ve written the articles but before publishing them. I’d also like to thank Marlene Wall for always being there when I’ve needed a photo merge for an article. A tip of my hat to both Judy and Marlene.

I have been discussing this with Martine McGuire for a while and decided to write an article about what we had spoken about. A tip of my hat to to you as well, Martine, for being an excellent sounding board.

As most of us are aware the March 8, 2024 Trade Deadline is fast approaching, as the NHL regular season winds down.

What I would like to see the HABS do now, instead of waiting until training camp, is to call up Logan Mailloux from the Laval Rocket and pair him with Arber Xhekaj. Yes, I said that. When Xhekaj was sent to Laval after his injury, he was paired with Mailloux for 17 games. They had great chemistry and Xhekaj helped Mailloux’s game improve tremendously.

Mailloux was then selected to represent the Laval Rocket at the AHL All Star game in San Jose, California. Why not see now, if they can reform that Chemistry in meaningful games at the NHL level.

Since they have already played together, they have a good idea of what the other brings to the game. It might take a practice or two to get their timing and rhythm back. I see them as a very good third defensive pairing for the HABS, two big men on the back-end.

This season is just about over, there is no harm in trying it now. If we wait until training camp and the pre-season, many teams don’t play their full NHL rosters, including the HABS. Let’s see what they can do against full NHL rosters in meaningful games and see what we have going forward. We should take advantage of the time on our side and get ready for the 2024-25 season.

Hopefully next season will be better for the HABS without so many injuries.

SOURCE

https://www.eliteprospects.com ARBER XHEKAJ with the Laval Rocket: 17GP 3G 8A 11Pts 34PIM +1 Logan Mailloux with the Laval Rocket: 45GP 11G 21A 32Pts 61PIM +6

Video below

Some Veterans who I feel need to be traded and those I’d keep

Some Veterans who I feel need to be traded and those I’d keep

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all I’d like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing of my articles. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.

decided to write this article as several people on X(Twitter) have been discussing the number of veterans on the HABS roster and that it is preventing young players, who are progressing well in Laval, from being able to be called up to the HABS line-up. I felt the best way to address this is in the form of an article, so everyone knows my point of view.

Here is a list of veterans on the HABS roster. Players on IR still count against the salary cap but do not count against the 23-man roster. Those players on LTIR, however, do NOT count against the salary cap or the 23-man roster.

Josh Anderson: 29 years old, last 10 games -8, $5,500,000 until July 1, 2027.

Joel Armia: 30 years old, last 10 games +2, $3,400,000 until July 1, 2025.

Jake Allen: 33 years old, last 10 games SV% 0.884, $3,850,000 until July 1, 2025.

Christian Dvorak: 29 years old, LTIR, $4,450,000 until July 1,2025.

Tanner Pearson: 31 years old, last 10 games -7, $3,500.000 until July 1, 2024.

David Savard: 33 years old, last 10 -8, $3,500,00 until July 1, 2025.

Mike Matheson: 29 years old, last 10 games -5, $4,875,000 until July 1, 2026.

Brendan Gallagher: 31 years old, last 10 games -2, $6,500,000 until July 1, 2027.

Chris Wideman: 34 years old, LTIR, $702,500 until July 1, 2024.

I would start by saying I would like to trade Jake Allen ASAP, as it’s a problem having 3 goalies on the roster and keeping them all sharp. Allen is the oldest of the three. I feel we would get a better return for him than for Cayden Primeau , as he has more NHL experience, something a team heading for the playoffs might want. I would be happy to take a prospect or a 5th to 7th round draft pick for him. The HABS do have young goalies in the system, as well as some draft picks finishing up their amateur careers and not yet playing professionally.

Next we have Chris Wideman who has been on LTIR since the start of the season. His contract has only a $702,000 cap hit which ends on July 1, 2024. I don’t see any team making an offer for him nor the team offering him an extension.

For David Savard, though I do like him, if we get a good return like a 3rd round pick, I would trade him. Let’s remember he is the oldest defenseman on the HABS roster, with plenty of NHL experience. However, he does bring good leadership and works well with all our young defensemen.

I would not trade Mike Matheson, he is wearing a letter on his jersey and providing guidance and mentorship to our young D core. He is setting career highs for himself in production and always brings his “A” game. You couldn’t get enough to replace him on the ice or in the dressing room.

Joe Armia is a player I would like to see traded, as he doesn’t always bring his “A” game. The HABS put him on waivers at the start of the 2023-24 season and he wasn’t claimed. If I could get a 4th or 5th round draft pick for Armia, I’d be very happy. The HABS would probably have to retain a portion of his salary next season. Armia’s game started slipping under Martin St Louis, perhaps he finds MSL’s style is not meant for him but the coach has the final say in how he wants his players to play.

Brendan Gallagher is a player I wouldn’t trade. You can’t replace his leadership on or off the ice. He is a warrior who gives 110% blood, sweat and tears every shift. He has done everything you could have asked of a player and paid the price.

Christian Dvorak is currently on LTIR, so we couldn’t trade him at this point. Although, he is a lefthanded center which we need. Suzuki, Newhook and Evans are our other centers and Suzuki had to be out every time we needed a lefthanded center to take face-offs. I don’t believe there are any lefthanded centers in Laval that are ready to be called up, at the moment.

Tanner Pearson is another veteran I would keep, as he was only acquired at the start of the 2023-24 season. Pearson was acquired from the Canucks along with a 2025 3rd round draft pick in exchange for Casey DeSmith.

Source

Players salaries and stats

https://www.eliteprospects.com

Brandon Gignac gets two year contract extension

Brandon Gignac gets two year contract extension

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing of all my articles. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.

The HABS announced on Sunday February 4, 2024 that they had signed Laval Rocket Captain Brandon Gignac to a new 2-year 2-way contract extension effective immediately.Due to this being a 2-way NHL contract Gignac can now be called up to the HABS. On Monday February 5, 2024 Gignac received his 1st call-up and practiced with the team. He will travel with the team during this latest road trip. Brandon Gignac will don jersey #74 last worn by Alexie Emelin in the 2016-17 season.

Gignac’s new contract will pay him $775,000 for both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. When he plays for the Rocket he will earn $150,000 for the 2023-24 season and $350,000 for the 2024-25 season, with a guaranteed minimum salary of $400,000. Thus, even if he isn’t called up enough, he will still be paid $400,000.

The last time Gignac had an NHL contract, he was signed by the New Jersey Devils under GM Ray Shero on November 11, 2016.

Gignac started to play in the HABS organization in the 2021-22 season, where he played 48 games with the Laval Rocket.

Gignac was born on November 7, 1997(making him 26 years of age) in Repentigny, Quebec, Canada. He is 5’11″(180cm,) weighs 185lbe(84kg) and plays left wing. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft from the 3rd round as the 80th overall selection.

Gignac’s STATS with the Laval Rocket: 2021-22 48GP 10G 16A 26Pts 12PIM 2022-23 49GP 13G 20A 33Pts 14PIM 2023-24 43GP 14G 28A 42Pts 36PIM Last 10 games he is a +2

This contract extension is a win-win for the HABS, as now they can call him up if there are injuries, which they couldn’t do while he was on an AHL contract, even though he was HABS property. For Gignac this contract means employment stability and being rewarded for his excellent play and leadership as Captain of the Laval Rocket.Let’s be honest wouldn’t you rather earn $150,000 this season, than the normal AHL salary of $75,000 and a guarantee $400,000 in the 2024-25 season?

Best of luck Brandon Gignac and thanks for all you did to mentor the young prospects in Laval.

Photoe below Brandon Gignac getting dressed for game on Tuesday February, 2024

SOURCE

Brandon Gignac Salary

https://www,capfriendly.com/players/brandon-gignac#:~:text=Brandon%20Gignac%20signed%20a%202,a%20cap%20hit%20of%20%24775%2C000 

Brando Gignac STATS

https://www.elipteprospects.com>brandon-gignac

Videos below

Owen Beck traded and what it means

Owen Beck traded and what it means

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all many thanks to my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing of my articles. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.

First of all I’ll state that I haven’t seen Owen Beck play, except at the WJC and that was on TV.

Owen Beck was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens on July 8, 2022 at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal from the 2nd round as the 33rd selection overall.

For those who don’t follow the OHL, on January 8, 2024 the Peterborough Petes traded HABS prospect Owen Beck to the Saginaw Spirit. I won’t go into details about the players involved in this transaction, except to say how this trade may impact Beck’s development. I feel this trade will help his development.

There are rumours on social media that the Petes coaching staff didn’t like him. However, the Peterborough Petes have embarked on a rebuild in the 2023-24 season and perhaps Beck didn’t fit with their plans.

Another reason this could improve Beck’s development is that the Saginaw Spirit have a good chance of winning the Memorial Cup this season. Thus, he will be playing in meaningful games. At this point it looks like the Petes won’t get into the Memorial Cup playoffs.

Being a 19 year old, he can use his leadership skills to help the younger players on the Spirit.We never know know if sometime down the road the HABSgive him a letter, only time will tell. Beck did wear an “A” for Team Canada at the WJC. This was his second year playing for Team Canada. This past year he was a last second add-on, due to the injury to Colton Dach. Generally speaking, playing in the WJC and the Memorial Cup helps speed up player development.

We would like to wish Owen Beck a Happy Belated Birthday as he turned 20 on February 3, 2023.

Here is a look at Owen Beck’s STATS: 2023-34 Peterborough Petes 25GP 16G 14A 30Pts 4PIM 2023-24 Saginaw Spirit 11GP 5G 12A 17Pts 6PIM

Last 10 games he is FO% 57 and is a +6 2023-24 U20 WJC FO% 69.23

Source

OWEN BECK STATS

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/owen-beck#:~:text=Montreal%20Canadiens,-87%20L2&text=Owen%20Beck’s%20salary%20is%20%24870%2C000,3%2C%202004.

https://www.eliteprospects.com>0wen-beck

Videos below

Sean Monahan traded to the Winnipeg Jets

Sean Monahan traded to the Winnipeg Jets

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all I’d like to thank two ladies for their help with this article. First my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing and adding any facts, stats or details that come out after I’ve written the article. I’d also like to thank Martine McGuire for informing me of the trade as soon as it aired on TV and radio. A tip of my hat to Judy and Martine.

Right off the top, I don’t like this trade. I said in my article about trading Monahan, the HABS need him. To read my article on this, please see: https://montrealsportsblog.wordpress.com/2024/01/21/please-don’t-trade-sean-monahan/

Considering what the Calgary Flames got for trading Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, I feel the HABS were short changed by the Jets. The HABS acquire a 1st round pick in 2024 and a 3rd round pick in 2027 only if the Jets win the Stanley Cup. With so many teams in the NHL there are very long odds on the Jets winning the Cup this year.

HABS GM Kent Hughes admitted the HABS aren’t going to make the playoffs this year nor were they going to extend Monahan for the 2024-25 season, as they don’t have the means to do so.

With Monahan’s injury history,it would have been risky to wait and see if they could have gotten more. If he did get injured they would have gotten nothing. So in a way I understand Hughes trading Monahan sooner rather than later, to ensure he got something rather than waiting and losing an asset for nothing.

It will take several years before we know if the deal really works out for the HABS. A player selected in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft will need one or two years in Laval to fully develop. If the Jets win the 2024 Stanley Cup the HABS do get the 2027 3rd round pick , that player will also need one or two years to develop in Laval, so it maybe 2029-30 before we see that prospect in the NHL. I will admit that since GM Kent Hughes took over player development has improved since the Bergevin era.

Monahan will be missed by the HABS players, not only on the ice but in the dressing room as one of the leaders on the team. On the ice, look at the improvement of Slafkovsky once he was moved up to play with Suzuki or Monahan as his center. I have heard that Monahan has also helped Suzuki in his leadership role, as Suzuki is still so young. Monahan worked with Jake Evans in the art of winning face-offs which is so important in today’s game. I feel that Lucas Condotta will be recalled to the HABS to fill a center role until the return of Alex Newhook and Christian Dvorak.

I would like to wish Sean Monahan the very best of luck with the Winnipeg Jets.

JUDY’S THOUGHTS

I’m sorry to see Monahan leave. He was a calm, consistent center, leader and all around good person. He was a great mentor for Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield and a big brother to Juraj Slafkovsky. Just some offense that will also be missed with Monahan gone. 2022-23 GP25 6G 11A 17Pts 16PIM 2023-24 GP49 13G 22A 35Pts 10PIM

Videos Below

Nicolas Beaudin placed on waivers

Nicolas Beaudin placed on waivers

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

First of all I’d like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her excellent editing and giving me a heads-up on Nicolas Beaudin’s Agent having spoken to GM Kent Hughes about finding a possible trade for Beaudin. Due to this I kept my eyes opened for any news. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.

On Sunday January 28, 2024 the HABS announced that they were putting defenseman Nicolas Beaudin on waivers with the purpose of terminating his contract. On Monday January 29, 2024 the HABS announced that Beaudin had cleared waivers and that his contract was terminated. as was mutually agreed to. I’m sure that when GM Kent Hughes was informed that Beaudin wanted a trade, he worked the phones to try to find a trade but to no avail.

For the HABS, I feel this is an addition by subtraction, as this creates a contract spot that maybe needed should Hughes make a trade and get back more players than he traded away. The short term problem is that it leaves the Laval Rocket with only 6 healthy defensemen. On Thursday February 1, 2024 the Rocket called up Chris Jandric from the ECHL Trois Rivieres Lions. . The 25 year old from Prince George BC is 5’11” weighs 181lbs left defenseman, hopefully he can make an impression on HABS hockey operations personnel.

Photo below of Chris Jandric

On October 26, 2023 Kent Hughes made a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to get Nicolas Beaudin and Riley McKay in exchange for Cam Hillis. McKay is a 24 year old left wing who is 6’0″ weighs 203lbs.

Nicolas Beaudin asked for a trade as he saw the logjam on defense in Laval and Montreal and felt he wouldn’t get many opportunities with the HABS.

Cam Hillis is currently playing with the ECHL Indy Fuel, unable to remain with the AHL Rockford Icehogs. Hillis had requested a trade after playing in Laval, where he had 5G 4A for 9Pts in 24 games and was a +4 with 14 minutes in penalties. In Trois Rivieres Hillis had 2G 0A for 2 Pts in 3 games and was a +2. Hillis did play one game with the HABS but had ZERO stats. Currently Hillis is playing with the ECHL Indy Fuel where he has 9G 31A for 40Pts in 39 games and is a +1. He also has 60 minutes in penalties. The HABS drafted Hillis in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft in the 3rd round as the 66th overall selection. We can see that GM Kent Hughes did not give up too much to acquire Beaudin.

Nicolas Beaudin was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the same 2018 NHL Entry Draft in the 1st round as the 27th overall pick. He is a smaller player by today’s standards being 5’11” and 180lbs The only added benefit that he would bring to the Laval Rocket is that he was born in Chateauguay QC on October 7, 1999. Beaudin is a left shot defenseman with 2G 4A for 6Pts in 22 NHL games and is a +1 with only 2 minutes in penalties, all while with the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2022-23 Beaudin played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, he had 0G 1A for 1Pt in 3 games and was a +1 with only 2 minutes in penalties. In 2023-24 he again played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, he had 0G 0A for 0Pts but was a +4, with again only 2 minutes in penalties. This season while playing with the Laval Rocket Beaudin has 0G 6A for 6Pts in 16 games, is a +6 and has 6 minutes in penalties.

With all the younger prospects playing for Laval, Beaudin was not getting into very many games, therefore he requested a trade.

Now, let’s look at Riley McKay. He is a 24 year old from Swan River MB and plays left wing. This season in Laval he has 3G 6A for 9Pts in 28 games and is a +1. McKay has a record breaking 94 minutes in penalties with Laval.

In closing I’d like to wish Nicolas Beaudin the very best of luck in continuing his hockey career, whether here in North America, with a team in Europe or with the KHL.

SOURCE

NICOLAS BEAUDIN SALARY AND STATS

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nicolas-beaudin#:~:text=Nicolas%20Beaudin’s%20salary%20is%20%24775%2C000,0f%20the%202018%20entry%20draft.

NICOLAS BEAUDIN TRADED TO HABS

https://www.nhl.com/canadiens-acquire-nicolas-beaudin-from-blackhawks-336823570

CAMERON HILLIS SALARY AND STATS

hhttps://www.capfriendly.com/players/cameron-hillis