Auston Matthews may already be doing more than just leading the Maple Leafs on the ice. Jack Roslovic, Toronto’s new winger, said Matthews has been helping him settle into the city, get squared away with living arrangements, and meet teammates and staff since signing his two-year, $8 million deal.
That connection matters because the two already know each other, and Roslovic sounds genuinely fired up about getting another crack at that partnership. “It’s really fun when you can come back & play with someone you once had a lot of success with..”
The real question for Toronto is whether that comfort off the ice turns into something dangerous on it. Roslovic put up 21 goals and 36 points in 68 games last season, and his career line sits at 123 goals and 296 points. If he finds the right fit with Matthews, the Leafs may have more than a useful depth add on their hands.
Elsewhere in the NHL rumor mill, the Canadiens are still being linked to a move, but patience remains the theme in Montreal. Stu Cowan’s reporting and commentary suggest a deal is expected at some point, yet Kent Hughes is not forcing the issue.
The feeling is that Montreal would have liked something done by now, but the organization isn’t the type to rush into a bigger swing when the rebuild has been built on smart contracts and calculated bets. “It could happen at any time, but I don’t see us going into December or something like that without a trade being made,” said Cowan.
There are also contract situations hanging over the picture. Arber Xhekaj and Zachary Bolduc are still unsigned, and both could become part of the trade conversation. A sign-and-trade involving Xhekaj has even been mentioned as a possibility, while the Canadiens are also trying to Michael Hage locked up.
In a major broadcasting shakeup, Sportsnet has decided not to renew Kelly Hrudey’s contract, ending his 28-year run with the network. Hrudey confirmed the news in a video on Wednesday.
The former NHL goaltender spent 15 seasons in the league with the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks before moving into television, where he became one of Sportsnet’s most familiar voices. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in the network’s Hockey Night in Canada coverage, and it also opens the door to more changes down the line.
Hrudey made clear this is not retirement, and he said an “act three” may still be ahead. He also said the move had been in the works for some time, even if it still landed with a jolt for fans who didn’t see it coming.
In Other News...
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Goaltending Debate Fans Will Love
Jakub Dobes has already given the Canadiens reason to believe he can be part of their future in goal, and his strong postseason work only added to the sense that Montreal may have something real developing. With the organization still sorting out its long-term plans, Dobes now sits in a promising position as one of the young netminders the club can build around.
Jacob Fowler is making the picture even more interesting. He flashed encouraging numbers in limited NHL action last season, and if Montreals depth chart changes, his path could open faster than expected. The Canadiens may soon have to decide how to balance Dobes, Fowler and Sam Montembeault, with Montembeaults status potentially shaping just how quickly this internal competition turns into a genuine battle for the crease. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Have A Cheap Answer To Their Top-Six Need
The Canadiens have been looking for ways to add more punch to the middle of their forward group, and Jimmy Murphy has pointed to Vladimir Tarasenko as a possible low-cost fit. The 34-year-old winger is coming off a season in which he produced 47 points in 75 games, and his rsum still carries the kind of veteran scoring touch Montreal could use if it wants more stability in its top six.
Tarasenko also brings the sort of experience teams often value when they are trying to round out a younger roster, with a history of playing meaningful minutes and handling offensive responsibility. What makes the idea more intriguing is the possibility of a built-in organizational connection, which could give Montreal another layer to consider as it weighs whether to chase a proven name or keep leaning toward its internal options. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Fans Finally Got A Montembeault Sign They Needed
Samuel Montembeault was back on the ice in Brossard this week, a welcome sight for Canadiens observers after he had left an earlier session short and stirred up a little extra noise around his status. The goaltender skated in a private workout with Jakub Dobes and goalie coach Marco Marciano, and there were no obvious signs that the earlier concern had lingered.
For a player already living with trade speculation and a third-goaltender label in the background, the chance to get through practice cleanly mattered. Montembeault has kept his focus on getting ready for the upcoming season, and this latest session at least gave Montreal a reassuring checkpoint as training camp questions continue to swirl around the crease. [Read more 🡒]