Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens fans eye a new era: Is Lane Hutson the next NHL elite? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down Hudson’s contract value, skyrocketing potential, and whether Norris Trophy expectations are too low for the young defenseman. The duo also weighs Oliver Kapanen’s 30-goal ceiling, Ivan Demidov’s role as a game-changer, and the intrigue surrounding Alexander Zharovsky's slower development compared to top KHL prospects.

Key topics include what defines success or failure for the Canadiens’ 2026-27 season, the importance of playoff wins, and whether the team’s young core and defensive structure can put Montreal in the Stanley Cup contender conversation. Plus: mailbag favorites like hockey arena music upgrades, poutine best practices, and the latest on Detroit Red Wings’ GM shuffle and trade strategies. Are the Canadiens poised to become the league’s next powerhouse?

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images

00:00 Lane Hutson's hockey instincts

04:03 Discussing Lane Hutson's potential awards

06:50 Discussing player scoring potential

16:06 Struggles with 5-on-5 scoring

18:56 Montreal's team toughness expectations

21:49 Incorporating local music in arenas

25:04 Discussing potential NHL trades

28:35 Talking about favorite poutine spots

30:35 Wrapping up and listener appreciation

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Montreal Canadiens face pivotal offseason questions as we consider what we would do in our first months as Habs GMs. Would we bring bold strategies to the forefront. Would trading David Reinbacher, or shaking up the goaltending tandem accelerate the rebuild? We debate the smartest path forward, analyzing potential trades involving Kaiden Guhle, Samuel Montembeault, and prospect Michael Hage amid looming NHL expansion pressures.

Key topics include resolving the logjam on defense, evaluating remaining unrestricted free agents like Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and David Perron, and how Martin St-Louis’ coaching future shapes the Canadiens’ identity. The hosts also discuss how to best support young Russian talent and replace Brendan Gallagher’s grit in the lineup. Which moves would set the stage for the Canadiens’ resurgence—and which would spark the most controversy among Habs fans?

00:00 Would you trade David Reinbacher?

05:22 Team growth and trading strategy

07:29 Evaluating defensemen for expansion draft

15:40 Deciding between Struble and Xhekaj

18:35 Concerns about Michael Hage’s readiness

22:44 Evaluating free agent options

23:41 Discussing potential Russian winger pickup

29:39 Replacing Caufield's goals

30:31 Deciding on Player Acquisition

33:48 Social media and content channels

Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel - Imagn Images

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

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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 boast the NHL’s 2nd most efficient salary cap structure, with Lane Hutson delivering a staggering $100M+ in surplus value. Are these forward-thinking contracts setting the Habs up for a return to Stanley Cup glory? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down Dom Luszczyszyn’s model from The Athletic, spotlighting the surplus generated by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and rising star Lane Hutson.

The conversation tackles why top young players around the league—like Macklin Celebrini and Leo Carlsson—are signing 5-year deals instead of max-term extensions, and how the Montreal Canadiens are capitalizing on these trends. Plus, a deep-dive review of Marty St-Louis’ coaching evolution, in-game tactics, and impact on Montreal’s explosive growth. Will this mix of smart contracts and energized coaching finally position the Canadiens among the NHL’s elite contenders?

00:00 Canadiens' effective salary cap strategy

04:29 Discussing player contract values

08:57 Signing young players early

12:04 Discussing NHL contract lengths

16:14 Macklin Celebrini's contract potential

19:06 Rising salary caps impact players

21:35 Endorsement opportunities for Canadiens players

24:59 Praising Marty's coaching style

27:40 Coaching decisions and accountability

32:08 Coaching decisions in playoffs

35:06 Discussing opinions on coaching skills

Photo credit: James Guillory - Imagn Images

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

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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What if the Montreal Canadiens had drafted Anze Kopitar instead of Carey Price? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert break down how this alternate history could have reshaped the team’s identity, from Jaroslav Halak’s role to Saku Koivu’s future and the evolution of Montreal’s centre depth. The hosts debate whether a different approach in the front office and supporting cast might have delivered a championship or left the Canadiens searching for answers in net.

Other hot topics include frustrations with the NHL’s expensive TV deals and their impact on Canadian fans, plus listener mailbag questions ranging from ideal all-time Canadiens lineups to realistic trade scenarios for Kirill Marchenko and Elias Pettersson. The episode also tackles ongoing negotiations with Arber Xhekaj, future roster moves under Kent Hughes, and which young Hab deserves fans’ loyalty in the post-Gallagher era. Can Montreal’s management make the right moves to return to contention?

00:00 Montreal Canadiens' hypothetical scenarios

03:44 Montreal Canadiens roster and strategy

06:52 Team leadership changes and TV deals

11:34 Complaints about TV broadcasting changes

14:26 Daily Dingers MLB predictions

20:07 Praising Nathan MacKinnon's intensity

21:41 Player's performance against Montreal

27:06 Canadiens trade possibilities

30:54 Pettersson's personal and professional struggles

33:10 Draft decisions and Canadiens' strategy

35:54 Discussing Columbus Blue Jackets Strategy

38:45 Discussing Montreal Canadiens Players

41:36 Countdown to puck drop

Photo credit: James Guillory - Imagn Images

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…

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

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Find Locked On Canadiens anywhere:
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Also make sure to follow Locked on Canadiens and their hosts on Bluesky!

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

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

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

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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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Montreal Canadiens fans relive the pivotal 2005 NHL Entry Draft—Carey Price’s legacy takes center stage. Would the Habs’ fate have changed if Sidney Crosby had landed in Montreal? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba debate the impact of bold draft decisions, from Price’s controversial selection to other notable top-10 picks like Alex Galchenyuk, Mikhail Sergachev, and Juraj Slafkovsky. Which front office moves helped or hindered the Canadiens’ future?

The episode tackles the organization’s approach to player development, including the pitfalls of drafting for need and lessons learned from past missteps. With NHL goaltender trends shifting, can fans expect another top-5 goalie pick like Price? The hosts break down why teams now steer clear of spending first-round capital on netminders, compare the role to NFL running backs, and spotlight how Montreal’s recent choices may shape the next chapter of Canadiens hockey history.

00:00 Discussing the 2005 NHL Draft

05:50 Pouliot's career in Montreal

09:27 Trusting in Carey Price's potential

10:51 Discussing Canadiens' Drafting Strategy

15:38 Montreal Canadiens player support system

18:03 Disappointing Canadiens acquisition

20:55 Juraj Slavkovský's impact and leadership

25:56 Evaluating top goalie draft picks

29:50 Top draft picks for goalies

32:53 Drafting goalies has low ROI

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - 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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