Phew. Was worried it was his knee again. Reinbacher broken bone in his hand. He’s out 4 weeks. Minor setback. Bummer. But nothing that sets his back over time.

Guhle and Dobson with groin issues. They are day to day. Reinbacher no update as he is being evaluated at this moment. *according to Habs PR.

Matheson says he doesn’t believe there’s anything to worry about on the injuries tonight. Says there’s just a different threshold in the pre-season in regards to his fellow D leaving the game.

Formation ce matin (les positions des deux derniers trios pourraient changer) Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky (avec cage d’oiseau dans la face) Laine-Dach-Demidov Tuch-Xhekaj-Davidson Roy-Rohrer-Mesar Matheson-Dobson Guhle-Reinbacher O’Rourke-Clurman Montembeault Fowler

Yup, think that’s a good comp. The harder of the two skills to develop to NHL+ level is the processing/reads. He still made some great plays on the wall last night - taking contact, still able to make the right 5 foot pass to break the pressure/mitigate downside. ** Habs don’t need to rush him

One amendment I should make is my concern of a lack of edge/grit/toughness may actually also be ACL related. The grit you need to compete requires confidence that you have an ACL under you that can withstand that battle. We’ll see. Sometimes the moment has unknowns.

Lots of Reinbacher chatter. Firstly, he’s still 20 years old. As fans, reporters, we can’t just say D take a long time to develop when it’s the other team’s D and be impatient about it when the D is from the local team. The patience rule applies always: They need to 22-23 to develop.

La formation du Canadien en vue du match de ce soir contre les Flyers : Caufield – Suzuki - Slafkovsky Bolduc - Newhook - Roy Blais – Veleno - Rohrer Tuch - F. Xhekaj - Thorpe Guhle - Hutson Xhekaj - Carrier Bisson - Reinbacher Dobes Kahkonen

Fowler calm, steady, an economy in his movements, post to post very technical. An amazing save in OT with his glove, and 4 of 5 saves in the SO. Lots to like.

So much this season is gonna revolve around Dach. You can see it already. If Demidov does what he does which is magic, but is limited in success because the line isn’t solid defending too much, that’s gonna feel like a giant opportunity lost.

They’re gonna try to smash Demidov into the glass every chance they get this season.

It’s a goal. The Canadiens have scored a goal. Owen Beck on what felt like the 5th rebound. 1-1

Laine looking better. Better legs under him.

If Jake Evans tried to miss that one next time from there, he’d fail.

Owen Beck isn’t hurting his chances tonight to make the roster.

Ya gotta appreciate a guy who already has pummelled someone but picks him back up so he can pummel him some more. Now that’s confidence. #Davidson

Obviously, not a lot to appreciate when half a game is done and it’s zero for the club you’re evaluating. However, get used to Dobson being this good all the time. He’s just a damn good player. Montembeault the other stand-out. The rest struggling to create offense here. Alas, this is game one.

Il y a une unité d'avantage numérique qui s'entraîne présentement. Est-ce que ça annonce quelque chose pour plus tard ? Gallagher Laine-Dach-Demidov Dobson Ça nous laisserait donc sur une autre unité: Slaf Caufield-Bolduc-Suzuki Hutson

As was the case in his first scrimmage, Arber Xhekaj is really standing out in his second one. He’s moving faster than we’ve seen him move at this level, or maybe it just seems that way because he’s moving so confidently and decisively. He looks like he’s doing everything faster.

A lot to unpack here. And Habs fans should. Enlightening.

Dach gets the first crack at 2C. That has always been the organization’s plan. They’ve always felt he had that in him. What we will soon learn is how much was that -29 about knee health and how much was it about difficultly with the responsibilities up the middle. He’s been a -1 and -2. On verra.

I don’t want to cause a lot of controversy but, being honest, I have to say it - I need to see more from Reinbacher. He needs to play a whole lot tougher. More physicality is required. He got walked too. He moves the puck up ice nicely, but there are D aspects with a ways to go here.

I’d like to see more physicality from Reinbacher. He needs to get some more anger in his game. You can’t be trying to play stick-hockey with 25 seconds left.

Ivan Demidov gets his third point of the night to tie the game at the Bell Centre

It’s ridiculous.

Demidov. Ma parole.

Mikus Vecvanags remplace Jacob Fowler pour la 2e moitié du match du Canadien. 11 arrêts pour Fowler

Ivan Demidov sets up Oliver Kapanen for the power play goal He's making it look easy out there

Reinbacher to Demidov to Kapanen. All 3 with NHL in their lives. 2-0. PP goal.

Jets-Canadien, échauffement Xhekaj-Kapanen-Demidov Rohrer-Beck-Thorpe Goriunov-Mesar-Tuch Mianscum-Dineen-Dunlap Engström-Reinbacher Protz-MacNiel Lavigne-Handel Fowler

Every year I pick a Calder winner about now. I’m pleased to saying I run about 80% with my picks. This season, I’m very confident I will be right with my choice of Ivan Demidov.

Habs GM Kent Hughes calling Ivan Demidov to get his input before drafting Alexander Zharovsky.

Patrik Laine today on potentially re-signing with the Habs: “I’d be more than happy to obviously play here. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of this city & this organization for a year now...I can definitely see myself playing here for longer, we’ll see what happens.”

Ivan Demidov having fun at the LSHL exhibition games in Montreal 🔥

Demidov with a through his legs no look back pass to Roy for an open net tally. No. It wasn’t the NBA. It just looked like it.

Demidov Evans and Roy just had a play that was magic. Demidov with some unbelievable hands. Then rapid gorgeous passing that brought gasps. Not sure how Radkov wasn’t dizzy; never mind made the save.

Evans to Demidov again. Demidov roofed it beautifully. Again, don’t want to make too much of anything here but they do seem to see each other.

Liking Radkov the Habs 3rd rounder in goal. Big boy. Moves well.

Evans to Demidov this time. They link nicely.

Quite an enjoyable watch. Demidov just set up Evans for a beauty. Roy looking strong too. Vincent Desharnais is a giant from ice level. 😀

Talked to Steve Begin just now. Still an extremely good dude.

This guy is putting on a clinic. Imagine how many quality chances there are in a 3 on 3 game. They can’t score on Devon Levi. It’s 8-0 Black team. Levi is stopping everything. Veleno is shaking his head every shift.

I am the SISU tourney. Zach Fucale and his family are putting it on. Lots of NHL players. Veleno and Letang are in the first game. Demidov is in the second game. I’ll watch them both and be on @thesickpodcasts.bsky.social tonight live at 10. See you then.

Hughes mentions that Bolduc played C in junior. Interesting. It’s sounding like Kent feels that he needs someone to step up in 2C - Dach Newhook Bolduc. Douses any Demidov C talk saying let him settle in. Hughes mentions you can’t get all the holes filled in one season.

Hughes on Bolduc: First thing he says is “style of play”. They know they need to be more robust.

I’ve been repeating something a lot lately. If you’re a back of the roster player, you have to have some jam in your game. You got to be able to stay 0-0 on the scoreboard and pound the opposition D. That’s the 2025 blueprint. That’s Blais instead of RHP.

Sammy Blais. Good depth signing if there are injuries. Not expensive. The Habs didn’t qualify RHP, so Blais is a better option there overall. He’s got jam.

Jordan Harris did not get a qualifying offer, so he was free to find work. He found it in Boston. HuGo have done a good job in assessing ceilings on D. Think they also got Mailloux done right today too as far as ceiling. Logan has to prove he can think fast enough. Hasn’t processed yet.

Kahkonen a Habs goalie signing. Perfect to stay in the AHL. He’s 28 so he won’t be desperate for the net cutting into Fowler’s time.