Patrik Laine, David Reinbacher and Kirby Dach (among others) have been hit dangerously. Max Domi even tried to injure Lane Hutson…
So I’ve put together a list of seven players who, depending on the Habs’ needs, could be useful in Martin St-Louis’ line-up.
What does it look like? We start with…
1. Mathieu Olivier (Blue Jackets)
He doesn’t hesitate before throwing down the gloves to defend his teammates, and he’s made his reputation as one of the NHL’s top pugilists.
The Québécois has already fought with Arber Xhekaj :
Not sure why Mathieu Olivier wanted this fight, but he got it from Arber Xhekaj.
Also throws a gross late punch, but whatever I suppose. pic.twitter.com/4plKM22Er2
– Scott Matla (@scottmatla) November 18, 2022
Mathieu Olivier’s contract expires at the end of the 24-25 season and he’s worth $1.1 million on the Blue Jackets’ payroll.
Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for Kent Hughes to get him out of Columbus, especially with Don Waddell looking to add salary to his roster even though the Jackets won’t have to meet the salary floor to start the season…
2. Samuel Blais
The Québécois slowed down considerably, so much so that he wasn’t even able to carve out a spot with the Vancouver Canucks.
At 6’2′ and 206 pounds, he has the profile of a guy who might interest Kent Hughes.
After all, the forward is free as a bird right now…
Québécois Samuel Blais is released from his professional trial in Vancouver. Let’s see if he can bounce back elsewhere. https://t.co/HDvn7YooDm
– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) September 30, 2024
3. Samuel Laberge
We’re talking about a 27-year-old left-handed winger who has played just two NHL games so far in his career.
But we’re also talking about a guy who collected 92 penalty minutes in the AHL last season.
Could he become a solution for the Habs, even though we know he doesn’t have much NHL experience?
4. Jordan Greenway
He’s 6’6, he weighs 231 pounds… And he can hold his own on the ice.
We all know how much Kent Hughes and his teammates love Boston players…
The Minnesota Wild have signed BU’s Jordan Greenway as expected. pic.twitter.com/C0vIPtBBXQ
– BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) March 26, 2018
5. Garnet Hathaway
If I told you Garnet Hathaway had 17 points (seven goals) last year with the Flyers, you wouldn’t fall out of your chair.
But it might be a different story if I told you that Garnet Hathaway finished last season with a total of… 132 penalty minutes.
He’s relatively big (6’2 and 212 lbs.) and one of the best supporting forwards in the NHL because he knows his role.
I doubt it…
6. Nicolas Deslauriers
Nicolas Deslauriers is a forward…
Of course, we all know Deslauriers’ name in Montreal and he needs no introduction.
He quickly became a crowd favorite when he played for the Habs, because the Québécois always gives his all on the ice and commands respect.
I’d love to see him back in a Habs uniform.
7. Keegan Kolesar
And the reason is simple: he’s a checker (a lot of them, in fact), and he’s capable of making his mark offensively.
GOALS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES FOR KEEGAN KOLESAR pic.twitter.com/V71WWdinYk
– Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 13, 2024
After all, Kent Hughes is a guy who thinks outside the box, and we’re never safe from a surprise with the Habs’ GM.
Overtime
– Hello, Connor!
It’s time for hockey Connor!
It’s time for hockey Connor! #GoRocket pic.twitter.com/pZi5fBTJ2D– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) October 4, 2024
– Happy reading.
Montreal Canadiens’ Kaiden Guhle is ready to make a splash in the NHL after getting his appendix removed. What’s that mean to the lineup? @EricEngels takes a look. https://t.co/8iSRtc6h9t
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 4, 2024
– Nice .
It goes on and on.
It’s far from staged. They’re on their third truck. #lesoleil pic.twitter.com/hjEKOIFGuZ
– Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) October 4, 2024
– I love this.
NFL | Lowest number of concussions at camp since they’ve been compiled https://t.co/uo0hKY2wP4
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) October 4, 2024
– Oh.
Japanese pitcher will be coveted. https://t.co/TW8lUi3BEV
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) October 4, 2024