Nick Suzuki and the RBC Problem...

     Multiple announcements were expected on the day of the 46th annual CH golf tournament at Laval Sur-le-Lac. All upper management was scheduled to speak as well as multiple Habs players. 

The first announcement that was expected was the case of the "C". Who would be the captain of the 2022-2023 Montreal Canadiens?  Rumours and opinions flooded Twitter for months. Suzuki, Edmunson, Gallagher, and Caufield were all names circling Habs Twitter. Every Habs fan made it known who they wanted to lead this team through some very important stages in its growth. 

Lo and behold, this morning, Martin St Louis steps up to the mic and announces that Nick Suzuki is going to be the 31st captain of the Montreal Canadiens. A proud-looking Suzuki emerges from the front doors of the clubhouse to address the media. The 23-year-old puts on a brave face and, in french, thanks the fans and states his excitement. He introduces Brendan Gallagher and Joel Edmunson as his assistants and the three players' field questions. he explains that despite his youth, he is confident in himself and the team and will strive to earn his position. On the surface, this seems like a great day for fans; unfortunately, the captaincy was not the only thing announced this morning. 

As the smiling Suzuki emerged from the clubhouse, nobody was looking at the shiny new "C" on his uniform; instead, they were looking at the other side where a big gaudy blue and yellow RBC logo sits. The Canadiens announced earlier today that they would be participating in the NHL's new jersey advertisement program, and this was most fans first look at the changed jersey. Naturally, Habs fans all hate it. The tampering with the Blue-Blanc-Rouge is no joke. What made matters worse is that when Geoff Molson was asked about the advertisement, he responded that the ad was "a great opportunity" and that he was "excited to pursue the idea further" (Source) I think that Habs fans would have preferred something along the lines of "unfortunate necessity" and "we are just trying it out." Geoff Molson instead seems excited about the chance to slap logos all over the most beautiful jersey in professional sports. 

It is very possible that fans are just being dramatic, but with the rise in ticket prices and food costs at the Bell Center, we, as fans, see this as a cash grab. Do the Canadiens really need more revenue? Especially if the cost is making fans unhappy? I sincerely hope that the RBC logo does not stay. At the very least, it should become more stylized; yellow does not belong on our jersey. 

On a side note, congratulations to Nick Suzuki. I wish him the best in his tenure as our new fearless leader!

Go Habs Go

The Beer League Benchwarmer,

Will Shoukri

The Jake Allen Situation

     Jake Allen has proven his worth with the Canadiens time and time again. As a goaltender on a chaotic team, he has stayed steady and calm through all the situations he has been involved in. For a goaltender who only makes $2.85 million a year, he is widely considered a 42-game goaltender, someone who you can rely on to take on more responsibility than a backup goaltender could. 

Allen played 35 games with the Canadiens last season. Even with a 9-20-4 record, he managed to keep a save percentage of .905, which is more than impressive considering how bad the team around him was. It's easy to forget that he was the St. Louis Blues' starting goaltender just three years ago and was a fan favourite for a reason. Jake the Snake has always been clutch. 

With the recent talks of an incoming extension, it prompts the question. What is Jake Allen's future in Montreal? According to Eric Macramalla of TSN, "This is Jake Allen's last season in Montreal." If we take this as fact, we can make some predictions regarding the purpose of his extension. If the Habs can convince Allen to take a team-friendly contract (something under $3.5 million), his value will be high, especially if he has a successful first half of the season. Many teams need a goaltender that can be trusted between the pipes and not break the bank. Jake Allen is an extremely attractive player if you are a contending team that needs some security at the backup position.  

My prediction for the trade is that he is dealt at the deadline and not before the start of the season. That is unless management feels better about Cayden Primeau than the fans do. There has been speculation about Nils Lundkvist of the New York Rangers. With a tandem of Jake Allen and Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers would have one of the best goaltender pairings in the league and arguably the one with the best dollar value. I believe that Kent Hughes would love to include Jake Allen in a deal for Lundkvist, meaning the tandem for the Habs may be Montembault and Primeau for the majority of the season. A pairing that seems like a good recipe for a top-five pick...

Go Habs Go

The Beer League Benchwarmer,

Will Shoukri

Contract For Primeau

 Cayden Primeau has agreed to a three-year, one-way contract with an average annual value of $890,000 (CapFriendly). 

The 23 year-old goaltender appeared in 12 games this season, posting a 1-7-1 record.

 Primeau was drafted back in 2017, immediately Habs fans were confident that he would be Price's successor. After a fantastic world junior tournament showing in 2019, he was given his first shot at the show that following season (2019, 2020). Primeau would only play two NHL games that season. The young goaltender has been given a shot every season since then but has never shown himself to be NHL quality. He is given the starting role in the preseason but has never earned his spot on the roster. 

It feels like Primeau still has potential but has not been able to put it together so far. This contract is an excellent opportunity for him to try and take the next step without the pressure of a pending contract. I wish him the best in his pursuit of a spot in the cage. 

Go Habs Go

The Beer League Benchwarmer,

Will Shoukri

Breaking: Kirby Dach Signed!

  Well, we've been waiting for a while, haven't we? I can't say that Habs fans have been patient about this; we fans have been eagerly awaiting the signing of our newly acquired centreman Kirby Dach.

On September 7, 2022, Kirby Dach was signed to a 4-year, 13.45 million dollar contract (Source: CapFriendly). With an AAV of 3.36 million and a term that expires when he turns 25, the Habs could not have asked for more. Dach (who turned 21 in January) has not had the start to his career that many expected, but injury and other factors have hindered his development. At 25,  he should have broken into his prime and started to reach his full potential. 

After Kirby Dach was acquired on draft day, Habs fans have wondered what his role would be in the lineup. As a former third overall pick, his talent has never been in question, although his results certainly have. His faceoff percentage was an abysmal 32.8% last year, worse than the years prior (Source:Statmuse).  Even though I believe faceoff percentage is often held in higher regard than it should be; the fact remains that Dach will likely never be the first choice to take a defensive draw or even take the faceoff on a powerplay. His faceoffs will need to be coached and MUST improve to at least 40% in order for him to be trusted at the centre position. 

Dach put up 26 points in 70 games last year. This number by itself does not look like second line centre material, but it's important to note that his role on the team changed drastically during the season because of roster changes. Comparing the first and last quarters of his season makes it easier to see why his points totals dropped. In his first 20 games, Dach scored 3 goals and added 5 assists. He was playing upwards of 19 minutes a game and was getting two and a half minutes of powerplay time per game. In his last 10 games (he missed 10 games out of his last 20 because of injury), he scored 1 goal and 2 assists while averaging 15 minutes a game and a minute of powerplay time (Source). He went from playing first-line minutes to third-line minutes with limited special team opportunities. This severe dip in playing time and quality of linemates can be an explanation for his lackluster stat line.  

When looking at Kirby Dach as a future Canadien, I believe it essential to look at him through rose-tinted glasses. You need to look at him and see a 6'3, 21 year old centre with talent coming out of every pore who's got a fresh start with a new, young, exciting team. Kirby Dach was selected third overall for a reason; he has all-star talent, simple as that. Under the guidance of Martin St Louis and his development staff, I believe Kirby Dach will find his game and blossom into the player he can and wants to be.

Go Habs Go

The Beer League Bench Warmer,

Will Shoukri

Welcome!

 Hey there! This blog will be used essentially for me to practice. I'm a second year journalism student and an aspiring sports writer. My focus will solely be on hockey, specifically the Montreal Canadiens. Please feel free to read and enjoy!