Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens

Laval Rocket usher in a new era with Daniel Jacob as head coach, signaling a pivotal shift in Montreal Canadiens’ development strategy. With Pascal Vincent heading to the Seattle Kraken and recent coaching shakeups—including the addition of Derek Lalonde in Montreal—the Canadiens position themselves as a “French-speaking coach factory” for the league. Are expectations changing for the Rocket as top prospects like David Reinbacher eye AHL minutes while the farm team’s role evolves?

Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba deliver sharp analysis on Josh Anderson’s gritty season, his playoff impact, and the leadership void left by Brendan Gallagher’s departure. The hosts weigh the futures of key RFAs Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc, and Arber Xhekaj, tackling arbitration storylines and contract speculation. How will roster moves and new coaching shape the Canadiens’ next steps toward contention? Don’t miss your insider breakdown of Montreal’s coaching carousel, player report cards, and the pulse of offseason negotiations.

03:51 Canadiens' hockey coaching changes

09:03 Coaching prospects and opportunities

09:41 Canadiens' reactive strategies

14:29 Reflecting on season performance

18:44 Anderson's playing style

20:35 Brendan Gallagher's impact on team

24:40 Discussing Zach Bolduc's contract options

29:39 Discussing Arber Xhekaj's reputation

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images

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Montreal Canadiens eye local star Anthony Mantha as a potential short-term boost, but nagging questions about his injury history and playoff track record linger. Can Mantha recapture last season’s scoring magic and give the Habs an edge, or does his demand for a long-term deal complicate Montreal’s desire to sign him? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert weigh the risks and rewards, break down the latest contract rumors, and explore how Mantha’s skill set (and lack of physical play) might fit on a line with Ivan Demidov.

The hosts also unpack the signing and strategy behind Bogdan Konyushkov’s NHL Entry level deal and KHL loan as well as his delayed NHL debut, providing key insight into the Canadiens’ ongoing search for a right-shot defenseman. The episode wraps up with a season review for rookie Oliver Kapanen, whose breakout year sparks debate over his future role—and trade value—as the Canadiens build toward contention. Will management stay patient or pull the trigger on a bold move?

00:00 Evaluating Anthony Mantha's performance

04:01 Montreal Canadiens in stopgap mode

06:58 Discussing Anthony Mantha's play style

12:47 Bogdan Konyushkov contract surprise

14:28 Konyushkov's possible journey to NHL

17:01 Evaluating a Defenseman's Potential

21:00 Discussing Oliver Kapanen’s Future

24:08 Assessing young player's performance

29:38 Rookie playoff performance critique

30:18 Podcast schedule and social media plugs

Photo credit: Charles LeClaire - Imagn Images

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

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Montreal Canadiens capitalize on Toronto Maple Leafs’ coaching overhaul, bringing Derek Lalonde behind the bench to elevate their penalty kill. With Trevor Letowski stepping back to prioritize family, the Canadiens seize the opportunity created by the Leafs' sweeping staff changes, aiming to strengthen special teams and add critical NHL coaching experience.

Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert break down how Lalonde’s penalty-killing pedigree can address Montreal’s biggest weaknesses, discuss the evolving roles for Jake Evans and other key players, and debate whether more changes—possibly on the defensive coaching front—are on the horizon. Listener questions spark conversation on the future for Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble, potential trades for a second-line center, and where the front office’s next big move may come from. Will Montreal’s strategic upgrades push them closer to contention, or is another bold move necessary?

00:00 Coaching transitions and team dynamics

04:27 Discussing penalty kill coaching dynamics

09:00 Uncertainty about penalty kill lineup

15:15 Improving hockey officiating technology

18:56 Evaluating the coaching strategy

24:19 Discussing potential Canadiens trade targets

27:34 Debating Oliver Companion's Role

30:53 Discussing Ryan Suzuki's trade

Photo credit: James Guillory - Imagn Images

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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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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 are growing restless as the offseason stays eerily quiet—where are the impact moves that could launch this young core into true contention? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert scrutinize Kent Hughes’ patience in the current NHL trade landscape, dissecting why adding a top-six forward is harder than expected and whether Montreal can afford to wait for the perfect fit.


The conversation spotlights Jake Evans’ impressive reliability as a fourth-line center, questioning whether he’s an under-appreciated luxury or a hidden asset with upside. Key topics include the pitfalls of overpaying in trades versus free agency, the lessons from the Leo Carlson and Matvei Michkov dramas, and whether sacrificing draft picks is justified for a game-changer. Will Hughes risk the wrong move at the wrong time, or is a carefully timed blockbuster on the horizon for the Canadiens?

00:00 Canadiens' Free Agency Challenges

04:57 Hockey team trade frustrations

06:44 Discussing team moves and strategy

13:46 Jake Evans' current contract praise

17:24 Discussing trade deadline overpays

21:35 Discussing overpay in trades/signings

24:59 Discussing trade values in hockey

26:03 Discussing Canadiens' player trade strategy

31:29 Discussing a risky player contract

34:02 Negotiating player contracts

37:21 Sending mailbag questions for Friday

Photo credit: David Kirouac - Imagn Images

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

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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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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 pivotal contract crossroads as Kirby Dach files for salary arbitration while Arber Xhekaj opts out. Are ongoing negotiations setting the stage for a roster shakeup, or will stability win out for Kent Hughes’ squad?

Ian Boisvert and Laura Saba break down what Dach’s arbitration filing and Xhekaj’s decision mean for potential offer sheets, trade value, and salary cap strategy. The hosts also spotlight chaos across the NHL, from the Philadelphia Flyers’ blockbuster $18 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks’ Leo Carlsson to management missteps reminiscent of Marc Bergevin’s tenure. Plus, a full-season review of Zachary Bolduc’s emergence as Montreal’s potential next-level pest—can he lock down the perfect bottom-six role and become a true local success story?

03:26 Contract uncertainties with Xhekaj and Dach

06:29 Kirby Dach's qualifying offer

10:55 Discussing NHL arbitration scenarios

13:09 Record NHL player salary

17:55 Being part of a team

23:21 Zachary Bolduc trade discussion

28:11 Discussing a controversial hockey player

32:08 Podcast schedule update

Photo credit: Eric Bolte - 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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

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.

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. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

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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