Zachary Bolduc and the 'Sir Pathétik curse

2. Martin St-Louis is currently dealing with a number of injuries: Patrik Laine, Kaiden Guhle, Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. And none of these four players will be back before mid-December at best. That’ll be 2026, except perhaps for Kirby Dach..

Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, in developing a strategy to maximize accounting space at the trade deadline, generally don’t offer their coach anyextra players. Only Marc Del Gaizo acts as the only possible replacement when the team goes on the road. #AuCasOù

I understand the principle: every day spent under the salary cap provides the Canadiens’ management with extra accounting dollars to add an important player or two to the squad for the playoffs.

Except that the more time passes, the more I wonder if the Canadiens will actually be in a position tobuy at the trade deadline. The more days go by, the more I say to myself: this 2026 season will be another mixed bag where Kent Hughes will have to decide whether he’s a seller or a status quo supporter in March, and not a buyer..

In short, I think the Habs management should seriously consider calling back some of the guys who are performing well down in Laval – or even asking for players in the waivers – in order to insert a competitive season throughout the group.

It’s not normal to see a guy like Joe Veleno have ZERO points in 14 games, as well as a minus-7 cumulative differential, and not be challenged for his spot in the starting lineup.

You need a little internal competition on a high-level team..

This lack of competition could cost you points… and possibly a playoff spot. What’s the point of maintaining your strategy of buying for the playoffs if, in the end, you might not make them?

Note that Habs management will also have to think about building around players who aren’t too injury-prone, but that’s another issue. #InjuryProne

3. The Penguins are third in the East this morning and only three points from the top of the association. I don’t think today is the perfect day to see Sidney Crosby say, “OK, I’m leaving Pittsburgh for Montreal.”

The stars just aren’t aligning, unfortunately.

4. Emil Heineman has nine goals in 19 games with the Islanders. He’d be the Habs ‘ second-highest scorer if he were still in Montreal; only Cole Caufield has more goals than that with the Habs (13).

5. The Canadiens players directed 32 shots at Kirill Marchenko’s net last night. Jakub Dobes received only 23 shots.

Still, it’s rare to see the Habs get more shots than their opponents this season. The team needs to build on yesterday’s game: Lane Hutson’s goal late in the third was scored on a shot that wasn’t dangerous in the first place.

Michel Therrien used to say it all the time (with a Québécois accent): send pucks to the net.