Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens

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

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

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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

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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.

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Montreal Canadiens’ future burns bright as Cole Caufield makes history in a 50-goal campaign, Nick Suzuki becomes the first captain to notch 100 points in a regular season, and Juraj Slafkovsky cements his role as a catalyst on the top line. Can this dynamic trio elevate the Habs from playoff contenders to Stanley Cup threats?

Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert break down Slafkovsky’s evolution into a versatile force, Caufield’s consistency as an elite sniper, and Suzuki’s emergence as both leader and playmaker. Insights include the importance of five-on-five production, the impact of effective power play units featuring Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov, and the team’s strategy to distribute scoring depth. With comparisons to NHL greats and lessons from the Canadiens’ playoff run, this episode sets the stage for what Canadiens fans can expect as the offseason heats up.

00:00 Rumor roundup and player reviews

04:12 Slafkovsky's potential and expectations

09:26 Slafkovsky's potential and impact

13:20 Chasing 50th Goal Milestone

16:01 Cole Caulfield hits 50 goals

20:42 Discussing Cole Caufield's development

24:26 Nick Suzuki's performance discussion

26:59 John Cooper’s Olympic decision

30:07 Nick Suzuki's Consistent Performance

32:21 Connecting on social media and podcasts

Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images

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

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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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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 face a pivotal question: Is their next $10+ million superstar already on the roster, or will Kent Hughes need to chase a marquee addition to elevate the Habs’ top six? Hosts Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert debate whether Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, or a future breakout candidate could command a blockbuster contract by 2030, while contrasting cost-efficient contenders like the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The conversation spotlights Canadiens' contract situations, Hall of Fame potential for young stars like Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky, and fan favorites such as Arber Xhekaj's uncertain future. Listener questions spark insights on iconic jerseys, hockey card nostalgia, survival skills, and who among the current Canadiens might thrive as a “Traitor.”

00:00 Discussing Canadiens' future salary cap

04:24 Discussing team budget strategies

13:31 Defensive lineup decisions

18:53 Discussing first hockey card memories

19:40 Becoming a Montreal Canadiens Fan

25:08 Potential future Hall of Famers

26:34 World Cup and player comparisons

31:26 First hockey jerseys and desert island picks

37:32 Debating Arber Xhekaj's Future

40:06 Debating Marty's Coaching Skills

Photo credit: Morgan Tencza - Imagn Images

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Montreal Canadiens approach milestone-laden season with rising stars and fierce internal competition. Can Josh Anderson notch his 300th career point, and will Nick Suzuki or Juraj Slafkovsky surge past the 200 and 100-goal marks? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert predict which Canadiens will reach major career achievements and question where Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook fit into the evolving offensive core.

Alex Texier and Phil Danault’s recent acquisitions spark debate on their respective value as utility and shutdown specialists, while David Reinbacher’s NHL future hangs in the balance—will he solidify his spot on the blue line, or could roster logjams force the Canadiens’ hand? Insightful, energetic analysis digs into Montreal’s defensive needs, player development paths, and how Kent Hughes’ roster strategies shape a dynamic Habs lineup. Are the Canadiens finally ready to take the next step, or are more bold moves on the horizon?

00:00 Upcoming Canadiens milestones

04:03 Discussing David Reinbacher’s potential

08:38 Discussing Nick Suzuki's goal potential

12:38 Discussing Texier and Danault trades

16:22 Texier's playoff contributions

22:19 Phil Danault adapting in Montreal

26:27 Discussing David Reinbacher's potential role

28:03 Discussing young defensemen development

32:14 Discussing young players' impact

37:14 Promoting the podcast platforms

Photo credit: James Guillory - Imagn Images

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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.

Odoo

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

Indeed

Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

Montreal Canadiens, Canadiens, Habs, Locked On Canadiens, NHL, Nick Suzuki, Lane Hudson, Josh Anderson, Alex Carrier, Kirby Dach, Phil Danault, Alex Texier, David Reinbacher, Juraj Slafkovsky, Alex Newhook, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj, prospects, NHL milestones, Canadiens News, Canadiens Rumors, NHL season, Canadiens trades, player reviews

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