The Canadian | What future for wool?

In his former CEO life of the Canadiens, Marc Bergevin has already explained that some players have helped a team to go to series, and that others helped to win. Listening to Kent Hughes, Patrik Laine ranks in the first category.

Posted at 6:44 p.m.

“We are not in series without Patrik Laine. What he gave us when he came back to the game was critical goals, in critical moments, “said the Canadian Managing Director in the end of the season on Monday.

The return to woolen health on December 3, actually coincided with the first thrust of CH. The Grand Finnish immediately energized the digital advantage. At its first 13 games, Montreal posted a 9-4-0 file, and the Grand winger scored 8 goals in these 13 games.

Said eight goals were registered in digital advantage, while at 5 against 5, the other teams let the good times roll, as they say in New Orleans. With wool on the ice rink, CH was indeed dominated 445-622 at attempts to shoot, and 76-127 in the chances of scoring, according to Natural Stat Trick. In this chapter, the 37.44 % wool ratio in the chances of scoring controlled was 583^e In the NHL, out of 592 players who played at least 500 minutes.

“Has it always been in a straight line?” No, he had difficulties at 5 against 5, recognized Hughes. But I was impressed because I saw a desire to always improve. We saw that he wanted to learn, improve and be part of the team. »»

On this subject, he could not always be part of it on the skating rink. Wounded at one knee at the camp, he missed the first 24 games of the season. Wool will then undergo two episodes of “influenza symptoms”, according to the team, which will make it miss a total of six games, unheard of such symptoms, with the exception of COVVI-19 cases. And in series, Laine will have played only two games due to a finger injury of the right hand.

It is without forgetting some statements that have undoubtedly motivated the adversaries, including an evocation that his former teammate of the Jets of Winnipeg Connor Hellebuyck tried to avoid facing him, without forgetting a well -felt criticism of the culture of the Blue Jackets of Columbus. In both cases, his remarks were followed by a defeat.(Re) Read Patrik Laine: “I was tanned to lose”

Wool is still experiencing a season to his contract, of an annual value of $ 8.7 million. According to Puckpedia, in the event of a contract repurchase, Laine would count for $ 3.97 million next season and for 2.37 million in 2026-2027.

Negotiations with Hutson

Casually, Lane Hutson will be eligible for a contract extension from the 1st^is July. The keen defender had indeed sold the year 1 of his contract in the spring of 2024. His three -year agreement will therefore expire in the summer of 2026, and the collective agreement allows renewal one year ahead.

“It is important to communicate, to know what is important for Lane. […] We’re going to start talking and we’re going to look at where it goes, ”Hughes replied.

As a comparison, Kaiden Guhle and Juraj Slafkovsky both renewed their contract in July 2024, one year before the expiration of their recruit contract. Cole Caufield had awaited four weeks before the expire of the agreement, but in his case, the renewal window opened after the chaotic 2021-2022 season, during which Hughes and Jeff Gorton had been hired. And during which Caufield had known all kinds of difficulties in the first half of the season, before the hiring of Martin St-Louis.

What if Vincent was only in passing?

Finally, the season is not over for CH, since the Laval Rocket participates in the series of the Calder Cup. The team leads 2-1 in the division semi-final against Cleveland. In parallel, Vincent was appointed head coach of the year in the American League, a spectacular way of concluding his first year in the Canadiens’ school club.

With several coach positions to be filled in the NHL, the Habs may well receive some team calls wishing to speak to coach of its subsidiary. “I’m going to speak with Pascal and I will let him determine the journey,” said Hughes, who also praised Vincent’s desire to “play young people”, even if he is tempting to turn to more seasoned players to improve his chances of victory.