Canadiens Daily
Habs Daily: Kapanen In The AHL, Guhle Update, Trade Deadline
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
First thing’s first, let’s discuss the lack of activity from Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens. The NHL Trade Deadline came and went without the Habs making a single move, but given the team’s current situation, sticking to the plan is probably the right path forward. Hughes told Nick Suzuki that he wouldn’t sell off spare parts if the team was ‘in the mix’ so to speak, and since the captain held up his end of the bargain, it only makes sense not to destroy his trust for a mediocre draft pick.
In other words, they traded uncertainty for confidence. I’d love to take credit for that sentence, because it’s concise and eloquent, but it was written by Twitter user KCCO-VCR, and they definitely deserve credit. [Canadiens Walk The Trade Dead-Line, Hughes Discusses Strategy]
They traded uncertainty for confidence.
That is progression.— KCCO-VCR (@kccoVCR) March 8, 2025
I don’t mean to rub any salt in the wounds of those who wanted the Canadiens to trade Joel Armia or David Savard, nor those who were hoping Hughes would add a player or two to the mix, but a slow trade deadline is exactly what we expected. [Montreal Canadiens NHL Trade Deadline Primer – What To Expect]
Kaiden Guhle was spotted taking solo reps, which is a fantastic sign. We shouldn’t expect him to return to play in the next game, but he will probably end up playing a few more games this year, and that was far from a guarantee. [Montreal Canadiens Injuries: Kaiden Guhle Update]
The biggest issue with the lack of activity at the NHL Trade Deadline was the lack of reinforcements for the Laval Rocket. The AHL’s trade deadline is March 14, so there’s still time to swing a deal, but it may not be necessary.
According to Hughes, Oliver Kapanen is free to join the Rocket once his SHL season comes to an end. Honestly, that’s a much better scenario than adding another mercenary that won’t figure in the team’s long-term plans. It will also give the Habs another opportunity to evaluate Kapanen’s play in a North American setting.
Hughes mentions Oliver Kapanen will be available to play in Laval once his season in the SHL is done.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) March 7, 2025
We should also note many of the Laval Rocket’s rivals lost talented players due to NHL trades, which should make life easier on the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate. On that note, the Canadiens ‘papered’ both Owen Beck and Jakub Dobes, which means they’re both eligible to participate in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Les Canadiens ont effectué des transactions papier avec Owen Beck, qui était avec l’équipe sur la base d’un rappel d’urgence, et Jakub Dobes, afin qu’ils soient admissibles à être cédés au Rocket de Laval.
The Canadiens have done paper transactions with Owen Beck, who was with… pic.twitter.com/DbJaG38tJH
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 7, 2025
Oh, and the Rocket ended up beating the (former) top team in the AHL on Friday night, taking over the top spot in the league in the process. The 4-3 win versus the Rochester Americans featured goals from Alex-Barre Boulet (15,16), Lucas Condotta (3), and Joshua Roy (19).
Alex Barré-Boulet extends his five-game point streak📈@RocketLaval | #ROCvsLAV pic.twitter.com/Y348zP55mV
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 8, 2025
This flew under the radar, but there was a big trade involving a former Canadiens captain! Okay, big trade is an exaggeration, and if I’m being honest, it was only Shea Weber’s contract that was moved, but there was a great opportunity for a little clickbait there, and I had to take it.
Deal is to clear out $7.8 million of cap space for next year by trading Shea Weber’s contract. #UtahHC acquires: Chicagos 2026 fifth round draft choice
Chicago acquires: Contract of Shea Weber, Rights to defenseman Victor Soderstrom, Forward Aku Raty. https://t.co/rLRGwLOClf
— Belle Fraser (@bellefraser1) March 7, 2025
Speaking of former Habs, the New Jersey Devils extended Johnathan Kovacevic, offering him a five-year contract that carries a $4 million annual average value (AAV). That may seem like a steep price for the affable defenceman, but he’s versatile, efficient, and has a long history of producing fantastic underlying numbers. Simply put, when Kovacevic is on the ice, the Devils control the play, which explains the pay raise. The same was true when he played for the Canadiens, but it’s a little too late to cry over spilled milk, and I’ve already gone down that road a few times. [New Jersey Devils]
National Hockey Now Network
The Florida Panthers pulled out all the stops at the end of the NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand. For what it’s worth, I would still take a swing at Marchand this summer if he makes it to free agency. It doesn’t make a ton of sense, it doesn’t solve the No.2 centre problem, and it would probably annoy a lot of Habs fans. But it would be fun. Oh god, would it ever be fun. [Florida Panthers]
The Pittsburgh Penguins were VERY busy at the NHL Trade Deadline, swinging several trades before the 3 pm ET cutoff[Pittsburgh Penguins]
The Colorado Avalanche were also quite busy, but they were intent on buying rather than selling. [Colorado Avalanche]
The best teams who will make some noise in the playoffs all made moves. The Habs who might not even get in, did squat.
Which was exactly the right thing to do.
And what is it you think they should’ve done? Do you think ANY move they’d have made would win them the Cup this year?!?
As Mario said, NOT making a move was “the right thing to do” Stick with the plan!
You want a knee jerk panic move? Follow the Sens
Not another Leafs fan in the team.. no way to Marchand for next year, lmao.
Didn’t mind the inactivity. But worried about last 2 game results. We need to win the close ones. We’re playing playoff hockey. We need consistency. Gotta win the majority of games to have a chance.