Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens

Locked On Canadiens continues their Division Preview week with a look at the Central. The Colorado Avalanche remain the team to beat in the Central Division, fueled by the primes of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. With playoff frustrations still fresh, can this powerhouse maintain its dominance as rivals Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild face questions about their staying power and looming contract drama for stars like Jason Robertson and Quinn Hughes?
Hosts Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert explore whether rising squads like the Utah Mammoth and a young, hungry Chicago Blackhawks roster are poised to shake up the playoff picture. The conversation breaks down roster moves, injury concerns for Connor Bedard, and Winnipeg Jets’ locker room turmoil with Connor Hellebuyck’s trade demand. As the power structure teeters, which Central Division team has the edge to reach the Stanley Cup Final—and what would a true shift mean for the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff hopes?
00:00 Avalanche's Winning Ambitions and Challenges
04:43 Discussing team strategies and championships
08:29 Discussing the Wild's potential
14:35 Blackhawks' playoff chances without Bedard
17:12 Unexpected playoff potential for Chicago
20:52 Competitive players and franchise struggles
26:12 Jason Robertson contract speculation
26:56 Cale Makar's contract impact
30:12 Social media and contact info
Photo credit: Mark J Rebilas - Imagn Images
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#NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiens
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Montreal Canadiens are set to debut a dramatic burgundy and white Hometown Remix jersey—will fans embrace this historic break from the bleu, blanc et rouge? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba debate the aesthetic risks and rewards, revisit the team’s unforgettable barber pole third jersey, and explore which alternate looks could define the Canadiens for a new generation. Is innovation or tradition the key to growing the iconic Habs brand?
As division preview week heats up, attention shifts west. How will Macklin Celebrini and the revamped San Jose Sharks stack up against powerhouses like the Vegas Golden Knights and the perpetually star-powered Edmonton Oilers? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba assess roster moves, lingering goaltending concerns in Edmonton, and why the struggling Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken might face a long rebuild. Which Pacific Division team should Canadiens fans circle on the calendar—and which losses would be unacceptable as Montreal pushes toward playoff contention?
00:00 Introducing Hometown Remix jerseys
04:01 Discussing Canadiens jersey styles
13:38 Discussing Jacob Trouba's Impact
15:52 Coaching decisions and playoff predictions
19:06 Canadiens struggle against Sharks
24:05 Vegas Golden Knights' aggressive strategy
26:58 Brendan Gallagher contract speculations
29:19 Friday mailbag and contest draw
Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images
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Montreal Canadiens eye a dynamic future as fans debate whether Juraj Slafkovsky or Ivan Demidov will become the franchise’s next MVP centerpiece. Trade chatter heats up with Tomas Hertl emerging as a prime target, while Kirill Marchenko and Drake Batherson are ruled long shots. Kaiden Guhle’s ceiling, a potential surprise from Owen Beck or Adam Engstrom at training camp, and Jayden Struble’s role all spark lively discussion.
Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert spotlight quirky Habs endorsements, the ongoing search for a new alternate captain following Brendan Gallagher’s departure, and the challenge of converting Arber Xhekaj to forward. Offbeat mailbag questions inspire creative Habs-themed menu ideas and friendly banter on catchphrases. Can Montreal’s culture keep their rising stars happy and hungry for a Stanley Cup run? Don’t miss this energetic mailbag edition loaded with roster insight, fan engagement, and tribute to Canadiens fandom.
00:00 Discussing potential player trades
03:49 Discussing Montreal Canadiens lineup options
07:37 Comparing potential of young players
09:57 Jayden Struble's physical gameplay
13:21 Habs player endorsement stories
18:12 Creating fun menu items for players
20:04 Meme-based pizza inspiration
24:07 Respect and safety in arenas
29:22 Players' happiness in Montreal
32:22 Arber Xhekaj’s Role Discussion
35:24 Podcast subscription reminder
36:35 Episode wrap-up and next episode teaser
Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images
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#NHLHockey #MontrealCanadiens #Habs #nhl #nationalhockeyleague #canadiensmtl #canadiensnews #Canadiens
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Montreal Canadiens fans are buzzing with excitement as the 2026-27 NHL season kicks off this month. Can Nick Suzuki, Lane Hutson, and Juraj Slafkovsky take the next step from emerging stars to franchise cornerstones? Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down the infectious optimism surrounding the Canadiens’ roster development and the significance of this pivotal “season of becoming.”

Key topics include potential expansion draft protection strategies, the latest on Ivan Demidov’s trajectory, and NHL player tier rankings that see Suzuki and Hutson among the league’s elite. The hosts debate future lineup locks, prospect expectations, and the realities of building a contender in Montreal. Plus, how might impending league expansion, division realignment, and playoff format changes shape the Canadiens’ path to success?

Check out Ian's latest blog here: https://gros-match-ce-soir.bearblog.dev/one-final-year-of-becoming-the-2026-27-montreal-canadiens/

00:00 Waiting for the Canadiens' return

04:43 Discussing the season's expectations

07:37 Hopes and worries for Canadiens' season

09:41 Offseason hockey discussions

15:08 Matheson's contract and expansion draft

18:00 Discussing protection slots for players

20:12 Challenges of Expansion Drafts

23:24 Explaining NHL player tiers

28:48 Discussing MVP voting biases

32:25 Zach Werenski's impact on Blue Jackets

35:49 Talking about Dahlin's play style

36:34 Mailbag questions and social media

Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig - Imagn Images

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Montreal Canadiens fans anxiously await resolution as Zach Bolduc and Arber Xhekaj remain unsigned just weeks before training camp. Contract hold-ups spark questions: Will Xhekaj’s desire for consistent ice time and Bolduc’s playoff flashes result in bridge deals, or are deeper negotiations unfolding behind the scenes?

Laura Saba breaks down the latest updates on both players’ negotiations, the Canadiens’ evolving penalty kill strategy, and what’s driving coaching decisions on defense. Additional highlights include upcoming NHL schedule changes, the end of the EBUG “emergency backup goalie” era, and how roster consistency could shape Montreal’s special teams success. With insights into team culture, fan favourites, and future expansion drafts, this episode captures the Canadiens’ pressing offseason storylines as the new season approaches.

00:00 Montreal Canadiens preseason updates

04:03 Discussing Zach Bolduc's contract negotiation

08:14 Evaluating Canadiens' Defense Roster

09:35 Canadiens contract negotiations update

15:44 Philip Danault's impact on penalty kill

17:58 Improving skills over a season

20:30 End of Emergency Backup Goaltender

25:47 Contract discussions for Xhekaj and Bolduc

27:17 Fan input on expansion draft picks

Patrik Bexell’s penalty piece can be found here: https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/montreal-canadiens-analysis-new-approach-to-analyzing-penalty-kill-martin-st-louis-kaiden-guhle-max-bohlin-quotes-goal-differential-percentage/

Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images

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

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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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