Canadiens Injuries
Two Senators Fined, Demidov Injury Update
It’s fair to say Tuesday’s match-up between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators quickly went awry.
The two hated rivals wasted no time engaging in yet another fight-filled night, which also included a pair of ugly incidents by Senators players that required further evaluation by the NHL’s Department Of Player Safety.
Canadiens Highlights: Demidov Shines On Fight Night In Quebec City
The DoPS decided not to suspend either player, but rather, opted for fines.
Hayden Hodgson will have to cough up a little over $2,0000 for boarding Canadiens forward Alex Newhook, a particularly vicious play that fortunately did not result in a long-term injury for Newhook.
Ottawa’s Hayden Hodgson has been fined $2,018.23, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Montreal’s Alex Newhook.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 1, 2025
As for Nick Cousin’s ugly slash on Ivan Demidov, the DoPS once again opted to go the fine route. Cousins will have to forfeit roughly $2,1000 for the blatant slash which forced Demidov to leave the game in the third period. At that point in the violent match-up, the teams had already engaged in a bevy of fights, with most of the interested partings having been thrown out of the game.
Ottawa’s Nick Cousins has been fined $2,148.44, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for slashing Montreal’s Ivan Demidov.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) October 1, 2025
It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions that come to the surface in a fight, but there’s no excusing Cousins’ blatant attempt to injure.
Cousins, one of the most detested players in the league, has never been suspended, however, this is the fifth time he’s been fined for behaviour that would be out of place in a local beer league, let alone the top hockey league in the world.
Noted dirtbag Nick Cousins with a straight up axe chop at Ivan Demidov’s wrist. pic.twitter.com/Q4eDik94r8
— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) October 1, 2025
Ivan Demidov
The Montreal Canadiens took Wednesday off, which means we did not receive any team-related updates regarding Demidov’s wrist, but according to Elliotte Friedman, it’s unlikely to be a significant injury.
RDS also suggested it’s not a cause for concern, going as far as saying he’ll be in good enough shape to play the final game of the preseason on Saturday, versus the very same Senators.
Don’t believe there’s any long-term injury concern for Demidov after the slash he took last night https://t.co/Jk8bwnfCE9
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 1, 2025
The $2,000 fine would be a deterrent for me, but not Cozzins who makes 7 million dollars per year. A full year year suspension would be more appropriate. as will be continue to slash opponents in the wrist.
Cousins “only” earns $825,000 (US). But your point is well taken. Given this guy is an habitual offender, a couple of games of regular season pay might have stung a little more.
Also, I don’t expect Ottawa to play the little weasel in Montreal on Saturday. Just to avoid him getting his butt kicked. But there will be numerous opportunities during the regular season. Same for dirtbags Stuzle and Greig. Oh the joy of having real heavyweights on our team after years, decades, of getting pushed around.
oops.not Dylan Cozens. It is Nick Cousins. misspelled Cozens name also.
Am extremely happy to hear that neither Demidov nor Newhook appear to be injured. Very fortunate considering how things could have turned out. I am speculating the lack of injuries played a part in the fines assessed (that honestly aren’t really anything when you consider combined are around $4,000 or what is that like 0.01% of their salaries?! Not much of a deterrent in my opinion…
I was expecting a similar fine for Struble’s crosscheck and am wondering why he did not receive any additional discipline. I guess he can use his $2,000 he did not get fined with to ice up his knuckles from that monster punch he dished out.
The Xhekaj tag-team needs to teach Cousins some manners.
I really believe Sheriff #1 & #2 have to be part of the Habs Roster this Season. MSL has to let both the brothers know, that he respects the job they do and that their enforcement efforts are highly valued by him and the staff. There are clearly 2 Sets of rules in the NHL.
One set for League Games and another for Play-off games. Last year’s playoffs clearly
demonstrated that. So, better to prepare the team for what realities lie ahead in the playoffs, rather complain about the non-calls
Illegal hits that will occur, when we get there!
Ivan will have to grab some Iron Man armour for future games against the Sens.
Every team’s game plan vs us this year… take a run at Demidov and/or Hutson, wait for the overreaction retaliation, and light us up on their ensuing powerplay. Our PK took a huge hit this summer, and it was a major factor in us making the playoffs last year. All those 1 goal losses, got turned into just enough 1 goal wins to allow us to squeak in. We can’t waste any points this year going nuts every time someone tries to hit Demidov and Hutson. Should we let our stars take abuse? Of course not. But we need to be smart about how we police the game if we have any hope in making the playoffs this year. We need to walk a very fine line to keep our best players safe, without taking the penalties that our opponents will be trying to goad us into.