Latest news with #Canadiens'
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Ivan Demidov at the center of Canadiens' lineup debate ahead of 2025 season
Demidov committed, but center role not likely in 2025 (Image via: Getty Images) The Montreal Canadiens' second-line center situation has become one of the hottest topics of the 2025 NHL offseason. With questions swirling around who will take on the crucial role behind Nick Suzuki, fans and analysts alike are looking to rookie sensation Ivan Demidov, but is he ready for that responsibility? Is Ivan Demidov Montreal's next center or still a long-term project? Ever since the Canadiens selected Ivan Demidov in the 2024 NHL Draft, speculation has followed about where he fits into the team's lineup. Though he's primarily played as a winger, some have floated the idea of moving him to center to address the team's depth concerns. While names like Kirby Dach and Zach Bolduc remain in the mix, the potential of Demidov playing center continues to dominate Habs conversations. However, despite internet chatter and loosely reported claims, Demidov has never dismissed the idea of playing center. According to Marco D'Amico of the young Russian said he's open to the position if the coaches believe he can handle it. He's done it at the junior level, but never in the KHL, and he admits that face-offs remain a weak spot. Ivan Demidov's training commitment shines, but center role in 2025 remains unlikely Importantly, Demidov has shown no signs of resistance or attitude issues. He's doing the opposite. Instead of spending his summer overseas or enjoying a break, Demidov has committed to training in Montreal, putting in serious work at the Canadiens' Brossard training facility and staying sharp in the Living Sisu LSHL summer league. His humility and hard work ethic make him a strong candidate for long-term success, but a move to center in the 2025 NHL season feels premature. He's still learning the North American game, and Montreal doesn't appear ready to gamble by rushing his development at such a demanding position. Canadiens' center depth leaves door open for surprises in 2025 While Kirby Dach's health, Zach Bolduc's readiness, or even a surprise move by GM Kent Hughes could change the outlook, Ivan Demidov will play where the team needs him most, but center may not be that spot just yet. Also Read: Edmonton Oilers face crucial offseason with Connor McDavid extension and Kris Knoblauch decision pending For now, the second-line center job in Montreal remains up for grabs, and the Habs' offseason decisions will be crucial in shaping the future of the franchise. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jakub Dobes inks two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens after an impressive rookie season
Source: (Christinne Muschi/CP) Jakub Dobes is staying in Montreal. The Montreal Canadiens announced they have signed the promising young goaltender to a two-year, one-way contract that will keep him with the team through the 2026-27 season. The deal, worth an average annual value of $965,000, comes after Dobes delivered a standout rookie campaign and showed he could be part of the Canadiens' future in goal. The Montreal Canadiens secure goaltender Jakub Dobes with new contract after his breakout rookie season The Montreal Canadiens wasted no time rewarding Jakub Dobes for his strong debut. In the 2024-25 NHL season, Dobes appeared in 16 games with the Canadiens, earning a 7-4-3 record. The 6-foot-4 netminder posted a 2.74 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage, ranking fourth in wins among all rookie goaltenders. One of the highlights of Dobes' season came on December 28, 2024, when he recorded a shutout in his very first NHL game against the Florida Panthers. His poise and consistency quickly impressed the coaching staff and fans alike. The contract extension signals the Canadiens' confidence in Dobes as an important piece of their goaltending plans. Jakub Dobes rises from the Laval Rocket to make his mark in the NHL playoffs Before making his mark in the NHL, Dobes began the season with the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens' AHL affiliate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo His strong performances earned him a call-up to Montreal, where he continued to build momentum. Dobes also made his playoff debut, appearing in three postseason games. On April 25, he picked up his first career playoff win against the Washington Capitals, further showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations. Selected in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Dobes has steadily developed into a reliable option in net. His combination of size, athleticism, and composure has given the Canadiens hope that he can become a long-term contributor. With this new two-year contract, the Montreal Canadiens are making a clear statement about their belief in Jakub Dobes' potential. After an impressive rookie season, the young Czech goaltender has earned the opportunity to continue proving himself as a cornerstone of the team's future. Fans can look forward to seeing Dobes build on his early success in the seasons ahead. Also Read: NHL mourns the passing of former Boston Bruins forward Lyndon Byers at 61 For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Ottawa Citizen
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has taken great strides at Michigan
Article content Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan. Article content Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series. Article content Article content Article content Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team. Article content Article content 'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp. Article content Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3. Article content As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players. Article content 'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.' Article content Article content Article content Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp. Article content 'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.' Article content Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.' Article content Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
Edmonton Journal
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has taken great strides at Michigan
Article content Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan. Article content Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series. Article content Article content Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team. Article content Article content 'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp. Article content Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3. Article content As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players. Article content 'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.' Article content Article content Article content Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp. Article content 'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.' Article content Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.' Article content Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
Vancouver Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has taken great strides at Michigan
Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan. Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series. Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp. Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3. As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players. 'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.' Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp. 'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.' Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.' Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. Hage has been invited to attend Team Canada's summer camp ahead of the IIHF World Junior Championship and has set a goal of making that team. Making the jump to the NCAA was a big one for Hage, who had 33-42-75 totals in 54 games with the USHL's Chicago Steel the season before the Canadiens drafted him. 'I would say just the intensity every night,' he said when asked what was the biggest adjustment. 'You play less games, so every game feels like a playoff game. I think as the year went on I started to get a little bit harder matchups. So I'd say the biggest thing is just how intense it is. It's harder to score than in a season when you're playing 68-70 games and you can't play with that intensity every night. I would say that's the biggest thing and you just got to be ready for it.' Overtime game winner from Michael Hage! Hage watched the Canadiens on TV last season and said it was 'a blast.' 'Seeing them really heat up in that second half and get in the playoffs was really fun,' he said. 'I was cheering for them. It's pretty cool. They're a fun team to watch. They're young, skilled, so I really enjoyed it.' When asked where he needs to improve his game the most next season at Michigan, Hage said: 'I would say just rounding out my game, my defensive game, faceoffs. Just continue to try to be as dominant as I can and just do everything I can to help us win.'
