Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Jake Allen, Nick Suzuki, Jonathan Drouin, Carey Price, Patrick Roy, Mathieu Darche, Marc Bergevin, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — For the first time since their forced break, the Canadiens hit the ice on Sunday at the Bell Sports Complex. A total of 21 players were available for practice in Brossard. Eight players and goalie coach Eric Raymond returned to the team from the COVID protocol.
Josh Anderson, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, and Mike Hoffman wore non-contact jerseys and are listed as day-to-day from their respective injuries. Jeff Petry will practice in Brossard on Tuesday, and Cayden Primeau will meet the club in Boston.
The Canadiens head on the road for the next seven games starting on Wednesday, with stops in Boston, Chicago, Arizona, Dallas, Vegas, Colorado, and Minnesota. Another significant COVID outbreak is unlikely to repeat itself for the Canadiens this season, as the players that previously tested positive will not be screened again for the following 90 days.
Building for the Future
Jake Allen was one of the eight players that returned on Sunday, after being added to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) COVID protocol on December 27th. The goalie feels fortunate that he did not suffer from major symptoms. Allen had a stuffy nose for one day, and his family had minor symptoms. During the forced break, Allen rode the bike, lifted weights, and watched videos at home in order to stay focused.
With 48 games remaining in the regular season and no playoff berth in sight, the Canadiens mindset should be to prepare for next season. “I think we just got to look at a realistic picture. We can’t fool ourselves of where we are, and how we got there. It’s all on us, but at the same time, we got to look ourselves in the mirror, and ‘what do we want to accomplish out of this, what habits, and what traits do we want to be known as a team,’ especially moving into next season,” Allen said.
“There’s a ton of time to build something really good here, and especially with these young core guys that we have. Some of these guys are getting a chance right now because our older guys are out of the lineup. Make the most of that chance and never know, might get more of a shot later in the season. Build, build, build,” added the goaltender.
Suzuki’s Increased Usage
Nick Suzuki and David Savard are the only players who have played in all 34 games this season. It is a remarkable accomplishment considering the number of teammates who tested positive for COVID-19 this season.
“It could be a matter of time. It seems like everyone in the world is going to get it at some point. You try your best to take all the precautions that you can, and I’ve been lucky so far. Hopefully I can keep that going,” the forward said. During the pause, Suzuki rode his bike at home, and skated at an outdoor rink.
With all the absences due to COVID and injuries, Suzuki has averaged 24:44 of ice time in the last four games. Since the beginning of his NHL career his average ice time is 17:38. “A lot of opportunity, but it’s something that every player probably wants,” Suzuki said on the increased ice time.
“I felt good out there, I didn’t feel overly tired during the games. Just the day after the game, you have to do the right things to prepare for the day after. I thought that I was doing that well, and I felt good during that stretch,” added the forward. In the four games, Suzuki scored one goal, took 11 shots, and finished minus-4.
Staying Positive
Similar to Allen and Suzuki, Jonathan Drouin trained in his basement during the pause, and skated a couple of times outdoors with Josh Anderson.
For the remainder of the season, Drouin feels it’s important that the group stays positive regardless of the standings. “Every night, it will be about improving as a team, whether it’s for this year or next year,” said the forward. Drouin added that starting to win will help everyone’s confidence. “We have to stay positive and continue to build our game.”
It’s not a secret to the players that Jeff Gorton and the next general manager will make several changes before the trade deadline and during the off-season. “In the next couple of weeks, months, if it continues not to go well, it’s certain that there will be trades or players that will leave here. It’s always difficult seeing players leave, especially key players from your team, but when you’re in the situation that we’re in, you expect it,” Drouin said.
Price Not on Ice
Carey Price was in Brossard on Sunday for evaluation by the team’s medical staff. The goaltender has not been able to go on the ice since mid-December. Price was scheduled to meet with his doctor in New York in December, during the team’s recent scheduled trip in the area. The cancellation of the trip due to COVID protocols changed the plans, and it was reported that the meeting would have to happen virtually.
On Sunday, Dominique Ducharme said that the meeting did not take place yet and has been delayed for many reasons. Last week, Angela Price posted on her Instagram account that the family was in a battle with COVID.
Ducharme expects the 34-year old to return this season. “No one had indicated to me that Carey will not play this season, so, like we discussed from the start, he has a number of steps to go through,” said the coach.
The next steps in Price’s recovery according to Ducharme is to increase the intensity on the ice, and additional goalie practice before joining his teammates. “Of course, with the time that we missed here, unable to even access the facility, it’s therapy and training time that he and other players lost.”
GM Search Update
After Patrick Roy denied reports on Thursday, TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie confirmed that Roy met with the Canadiens general manager search committee on Friday. The former Canadiens goaltender told Lavoie on Saturday that he initially denied the reports because he was trying to protect the Canadiens search process.
The first round of interviews were completed on Friday, and the selected candidates for the next round will be notified over the next couple of days. A final decision is expected to be made before the end of the month. If the Canadiens are seriously considering the candidacy of Mathieu Darche, they may need to speed up the process as the Lightning executive is also linked the Ducks vacant general manager role.
“We have enough things to take care of on our desks with all the challenges we’re facing. If it takes 10 days, one month, three months, all I’m focused with our coaching staff and players is the next game,” Ducharme said about the search process.
“Each player will be given a plan, and we’ll have to execute. To see the names that are circulating, there’s former Canadiens players, and also some big games. Regardless of who gets named in the next couple of weeks, months, we’ll have to follow their plan. That’s all that we can do as players,” commented Drouin.
Meanwhile, former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin joined the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday as a Senior Advisor to the general manager for the remainder of the season. Radio-Canada’s Martin Leclerc reports that Bergevin will then transition to the role of assistant general manager on a three-year contract.
However, LA Kings media are denying the report citing multiple sources have claimed that Bergevin’s deal is short-term.
Rocket Obtain Reinforcements
The Rocket resumed their activities on Sunday at Place Bell, following a forced break due to COVID protocols. Jean-Francois Houle received reinforcements in anticipation for Wednesday’s game against Syracuse.
With Allen, Primeau, and Samuel Montembeault being out of the COVID protocol, Michael McNiven was returned to Laval on Sunday. He is expected to get the start versus the Crunch.
Laval recalled forward Cedric Desruisseaux from Trois-Rivieres. In 18 games, he has scored three goals, and collected eight points. Desruisseaux is the last forward with the Lions that has an AHL contract.
On defence, the Rocket signed defenceman Olivier Galipeau to a professional tryout contract. In 24 games with the Lions, Galipeau has recorded 19 points.
On Monday, forward Devante Smith-Pelly is scheduled to meet the media for the first time since joining the organization. The former Hab signed a professional tryout contract with Laval on December 28th.
Proud Lions
On New Year’s Day, forward Cameron Hills became the first Lions player in history to play in the NHL. “We were all very proud and we watched some of his shifts against the Panthers. The guys were happy, they teased us saying it was because of the coaches. But, honestly, [assistant coach Pascal Rheaume] did a superb job with him. He spent a lot of extra time before and after the practices with him”, coach Eric Belanger told RDS.
Hillis played six games with Trois-Rivieres, collecting three assists and finishing with minus-8. “I will remember my first meeting with him for the rest of my life. He was on the verge of tears, he had no confidence, and wondered where he was going. With Pascal and the group of coaches, we had to rebuild him. He was very receptive, we did a video session with him for each of his games and I showed him educational things,” said Belanger. The coach praised the work that Hillis put during his time with the Lions.
On Thursday, Alexis D’Aoust was named the ECHL’s December BioSteel Performer of the Month by the Professional Hockey Players’ Association. The forward registered points in all nine games played with the Lions, and finished plus-9. D’Aoust played with the Providence Bruins in the AHL on December 18th, and scored a goal against the Rocket at Place Bell.
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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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