Canadiens’ Prospect Patience Paying Off, Roy Shines in Laval, and Olympic Storylines Heat Up
There’s a quiet confidence around the Montreal Canadiens these days - not necessarily in the standings, but in the foundation they’re building. That foundation starts with how well the front office has understood the personalities and potential of their top prospects. Case in point: Ivan Demidov and Matvei Michkov.
Back in their draft years, Montreal did their homework - not just on the ice, but off it. They took the time to really understand who these young men were, what drove them, and how they might fit into the Canadiens’ long-term vision.
Fast forward to today, and that investment in character is starting to look like a major win. It’s not just about raw talent - it’s about how that talent translates into a team environment, and Montreal seems to have nailed that equation.
Meanwhile, as the NHL heads into its Olympic break, there’s a legitimate question floating around the Canadiens’ locker room: who stands to benefit the most from the pause? For a young team still finding its footing, a mid-season reset could be exactly what’s needed - whether it's a chance to heal up, reset mentally, or fine-tune parts of their game that have been lagging.
One player who doesn’t seem to need a reset right now? Joshua Roy.
Roy continues to make noise with the Laval Rocket, and his latest performance - a standout effort in a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Monsters - helped Laval complete a weekend sweep. He’s been stringing together strong games, and it’s clear he’s knocking on the NHL’s door.
The Canadiens will be watching closely. If he keeps this up, it’s only a matter of time before he earns a longer look in Montreal.
Around the Hockey World: Olympic Vibes and Veteran Voices
With the Olympics now underway, some of the biggest names in hockey are taking center stage - and for Sidney Crosby, it’s another chance to prove he still belongs among the game’s elite. The pace of play might be quicker, the skill level higher, but Crosby’s love for the challenge hasn’t faded. For a player who’s already done it all, the Olympics still represent the ultimate test - and he’s embracing it.
But while Crosby’s presence is a boost for Team Canada, there’s growing concern about whether goaltending could be the Achilles heel for both the men’s and women’s teams. Canada’s rosters are stacked with talent, but in short tournaments like this, a hot goalie - or the lack of one - can swing everything.
Team USA, on the other hand, is expected to take a strategic approach to its goalie rotation on the men’s side. With multiple strong options in net, it’s all about finding the right matchups and riding the hot hand. It’s a luxury most teams would love to have.
On the women’s side, Team Canada opened their Olympic campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Switzerland - a statement performance from a group that’s eyeing nothing less than gold. And across the ice, Team USA’s women are getting a boost from someone who knows the game inside and out: Ellen Hughes.
The mother of NHLers Jack, Quinn, and Luke, Hughes is now lending her hockey brain to help develop the next generation of U.S. women’s hockey stars. Her presence brings a wealth of experience - and a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Elsewhere, Team Czechia is adjusting its roster on the fly after losing Pavel Zacha to an upper-body injury. Filip Chlapik has stepped in as his replacement, and while it’s a tough blow to lose a player of Zacha’s caliber, the Czechs will be counting on their depth to carry them through.
And back in the NHL, Leon Draisaitl isn’t sugarcoating anything when it comes to the Oilers’ season so far. From the coaching staff to the players, he says there’s a lot more that needs to be done. Edmonton has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has been the issue - and Draisaitl knows they’re running out of time to turn things around.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s the Canadiens laying the groundwork for the future, prospects like Joshua Roy pushing for NHL minutes, or the world’s best hitting the Olympic stage, there’s no shortage of compelling storylines right now. And as always in hockey, the margin between good and great - between potential and performance - is razor thin.