Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens fans face the ultimate moment of truth—how much faith do they really have that the Habs’ core, led by Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, can capture a Stanley Cup by 2028? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert tackle big-picture questions about Montreal’s competitive window, roster depth, and the evolving roles of players like Josh Anderson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson. Who emerges as the Canadiens’ future Hart Trophy contender, and how close is this team to adding another championship banner to the Bell Centre rafters?

The conversation explores bold predictions, potential pitfalls, and whether players like Arber Xhekaj and Florian Xhekaj could become mainstays in the Canadiens’ lineup. Listener mailbag reminders, a look at team chemistry, and an honest discussion of what could go wrong keep things candid and engaging. Are the Canadiens truly built for long-term success, or will “them’s the breaks” define Montreal’s fate?

00:00 Canadiens future financial strategy

05:14 Discussing Josh Anderson's potential contract extension

07:30 Analyzing young hockey players

12:10 Discussing Arber Xhekaj’s role and penalties

15:26 Nick Suzuki's potential to win awards

20:28 Evaluating player's team value

22:55 Lane Hutson's scoring potential

24:40 Discussing player's scoring potential

30:49 Carolina Hurricanes' playoff journey

32:28 Carolina Hurricanes team depth

35:00 Checking out Locked On Sports channel

Photo credit: James Guillory - Imagn Images

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#NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiens

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Montreal Canadiens mark the 5-year anniversary of the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet saga—proving there are no true winners in NHL offer sheets. Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba revisit the wild revenge between the Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes, dissecting the fallout from Montreal’s failed Sebastian Aho gambit to Kotkaniemi’s controversial $6.1M signing and the iconic $20 signing bonus.

Key topics include the Kotkaniemi trade’s ripple effects, Adam Engstrom’s potential impact, and Christian Dvorak’s underappreciated role after the Habs let Kotkaniemi walk. The conversation also spotlights Marc Bergevin’s tumultuous final moves as GM, the flawed drafting of Logan Mailloux, and how Nick Suzuki’s contract extension set up Montreal’s future. Did the Hurricanes get the last laugh, or did Montreal ultimately benefit more from this hockey soap opera? Tune in for sharp insights and passionate debate on front office strategy and player development.

00:00 Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet anniversary

06:35 Kotkaniemi's contract and playoff run

07:44 NHL rules and player trades

13:15 Canadiens' draft pick strategy

15:40 Player potential and team expectations

20:06 Canadiens make management changes

23:16 Trading and draft pick strategy

27:03 Bergevin's controversial draft mistake

29:04 Canadiens' front office improvements

31:21 Trading Canadiens' captain discreetly

Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images

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FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Montreal Canadiens’ young core draws buzz as Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky headline the franchise’s under-23 standouts. With playoff dreams swirling, how close are the Habs to returning as postseason contenders, and what can fans expect from top prospects like Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, and Michael Hage?


Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert break down Montreal’s youth movement, debate the ideal NHL season length, and tackle the confusing maze of broadcast and streaming options for watching Canadiens games in 2026. Mailbag highlights include French-language hockey resources, Sasha Pastujov’s NHL chances, and strategic upgrades for playoff success. Can this emerging roster build on hard-earned experience to become a powerhouse, or do growing pains still stand in the way? Don’t miss fresh insights and essential tips for every Canadiens fan this season.

00:00 Rating young Habs players

04:39 Thoughts on timing of sports seasons

09:50 Discussing hockey player impacts

12:29 Watching Habs games in Canada

15:19 Millennial perspective on streaming services

17:14 Streaming sports in multiple markets

21:20 Frustration with NHL viewership options

25:59 Montreal Canadiens season review

28:02 Discussing Habs Forward Depth

32:10 Contact and Subscription Information

Photo credit: James Carey Lauder - Imagn Images

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOCanadiens?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More

🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

Find Locked On Canadiens anywhere:
https://lintr.ee/LockedOnCanadiens

Also make sure to follow Locked on Canadiens and their hosts on Bluesky!

Locked on Canadiens: https://bsky.app/profile/lockedoncanadiens.bsky.social

Find Ian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/maybeitsian.bsky.social

Find Laura on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theactivestick.bsky.social

#NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiens

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Carey Price’s Ring of Honor induction electrifies Montreal Canadiens fans—will this legendary goaltender ever see his No. 31 retired at the Bell Centre? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba examine what this long-awaited tribute means for Price’s legacy and debate how the Canadiens weigh Stanley Cup success in immortalizing star players. With comparisons to Anze Kopitar’s jersey retirement and reflections on Price’s impact during an era of struggle, the hosts spotlight the emotional pull and controversies surrounding Canadiens history.

Shifting focus, the conversation covers Kent Hughes’ late-summer trade track record, analyzing whether the current NHL landscape favors another blockbuster August move for Montreal. The episode wraps with a comprehensive, firsthand guide to attending a Canadiens game at the Bell Centre, from ticket-buying strategies to can’t-miss game night rituals—essential listening for both diehards and first-time visitors. Will the Canadiens’ roster or fan experience surprise this season? Tune in for updates and insider tips.

00:00 The Canadiens' beloved player tribute

06:28 Potential jersey retirements for Habs players

10:56 Kent Hughes August trade phenomenon

14:56 Discussing Anaheim's player contracts

18:46 Analyzing player moves and cap space

21:37 Pressure on French athletes to sign

27:19 Arriving early for a game

30:32 Family-friendly events at Bell Centre

31:16 Bell Centre tour options

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images

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FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Montreal Canadiens fans wonder: is Sam Montembeault set for a bounce-back as backup goalie, or should Jacob Fowler leap straight to the NHL? With training camp looming, Laura Saba, Ian Boisvert, and guest Jordan Hachey break down the Canadiens’ quiet offseason and ask whether Kent Hughes’ patient strategy will pay off. The debate heats up over David Reinbacher’s development and whether Montreal’s defensive future hangs in the balance if he isn’t ready to step up.

Key topics include Lane Hutson’s potential, the evolving locker room leadership in the absence of Brendan Gallagher, and the team’s search for a reliable second-line center. The crew compares NHL goalie stats, weighs major and minor concerns for 2024-25, and even tackles which non-French Canadian player best embodies true Quebec energy. Can this young core fuel a playoff push—or are bigger moves on the horizon for the Canadiens?

00:00 Discussing Montreal's future NHL contention

05:04 Managing offseason moves and risks

08:20 Discussing potential Canadiens trade

09:22 Player contract uncertainties and future plans

12:43 Montreal Canadiens offseason concerns

18:53 Concerns about team chemistry

21:17 Kaiden Guhle's leadership potential

25:27 Analyzing Backup Goalie Performance

28:44 Montembeault's potential rebound

30:18 Managing backup goalies and call-ups

35:47 Dobson's impact on Montreal hockey

Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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