The Canadiens have a reputation for having the toughest interviews in the business.

Right now, the NHL combine is taking place in Buffalo. The various prospects have appointments with NHL teams for physical evaluations and interviews.

Physically, this gives a good idea of the guys’ strength. That said, on a mental level, the interviews are also a big test for the hopefuls, who are often pushed out of their comfort zone.

Rumour has it that the CH is good at this.

And according to Grant McCagg, who has an antenna on the combine side , it would appear that the Habs are building a reputation as a club that’s “hard to play against” in interviews, to use a field hockey term.

I consider this to be a compliment for Montreal’s staff BTW. They are being thorough, and place an emphasis on character in addition to everything else. You want to draft players who are going to put in the work to reach their full potential.

– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) June 7, 2023

It’s not the first time we’ve heard that one. The CH really likes to destabilize young players to see how they react in the face of adversity. That hasn’t changed under the new administration.

And since the CH is in Montreal, that’s a good thing. #Pressure

Interestingly, Ethan Gauthier, Denis’ son and a top QMJHL prospect, confirmed that the Habs had asked him some rather special questions.

He was told he was a bastard player, just to see how he reacted.

Ethan Gauthier played his first NHL evaluation camp game with the Flyers and Daniel Brière.

Brière had a perfect nickname for Denis Gauthier’s son in another era.

Nice story between a handsome prospect and a GM. https://t.co/W4u8AcTNjj

– J-F Chaumont (@JFChaumontJDM) June 6, 2023

Gauthier should go in the first round. He hopes to know his fate soon, and Daniel Brière, who knows him well, believes the young man has what it takes to go out in the top 32.

We’ll see how things play out in the first round, but if the CH doesn’t trade the Panthers’ pick (31st or 32nd), the chances of having a clear path to the draft are slim.

In gusto

– The Q is shaking.

3-hour trading window opens @lhjmq this morning. Antonin Verreault trade confirmed. Olivier Boutin and Charles-Antoine Pilote also change addresses. @OlympiquesGat https://t.co/ve81I0IPoD

– jf plante (@jfplante_Droit) June 7, 2023

– Oh.

Radko Gudas is absent from Florida Panthers practice today. Injured by the Ivan Barbashev hit in Game 2.

– luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 7, 2023

– With good reason.

Members of the Habs enjoyed their time in the spotlight https://t.co/cMQy4wJzps

– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) June 7, 2023

– A name to watch.

Here’s the first installment of our #GoHabsGo prospect review series: Adam Engstrom.

He has great vision, he’s creative, and he may be one of the best skaters in the entire organization.

Check t out: https://t.co/CzKGkhRg2A

– Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) June 7, 2023

– Too bad.