Arpon Basu

'A long time coming': NHL goalies see big benefits in changes to EBUG system

NHL goalies see big benefits in changes to the EBUG system under the new CBA:

“A long time coming”

My story on @theathletic.com ⤵️

Patience…

Jeff Gorton feels Canadiens added talent to their core, but more could be coming The Canadiens' executive VP of hockey operations anticipates more trade activity league-wide this summer, and intends to be a part of it.

A chat with Jeff Gorton, in written form: www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...

YouTube video by Basu and Godin Jeff Gorton on Montreal's trades and potential for future moves| The Basu and Godin Notebook

What offseason?
@arponbasu.bsky.social & @magodin.bsky.social are back with a special episode for paid subscribers, an interview with hockey ops VP Jeff Gorton!
You can subscribe at basuandgodin.com to listen to all FULL episodes. Here's an excerpt of the interview:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFp...

Canadiens’ continued pursuit of unicorns stands tall at development camp The Canadiens have targeted a tall, skilled forward in the middle rounds of the draft three years in a row. The latest is Hayden Paupanekis.

Florian Xhekaj was a revelation in Laval this season. But he’s not alone. Next season, that could be Tyler Thorpe, a late bloomer with physical gifts who fits a definite profile. And one day, it could be Hayden Paupanekis, the Canadiens’ latest shot at a unicorn: www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

Kirby Dach working out in Brossard today.

L.J. Mooney, 5-7, 162, entering into a battle drill with Ben Merrill, 6-3, 200. Ultimately loses the battle, but initiates contact and is the clear aggressor in every rep he takes.

Canadiens have short-term holes, but their long-term goal seems more achievable The addition of Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc has added talent to the Canadiens' young core and made the team significantly younger.

On the team-building Canadiens who continued going about building the team they hope to be, even if the team they are today sprung a few extra holes as a result: www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

Zachary Bolduc (left) in Canadiens pajamas as a kiddo. Courtesy this story from @jeremyrutherford.bsky.social : www.nytimes.com/athletic/340...

“No one is going to get the puck for you. You’ve got to go get it yourself. It’s part of my game now to be heavy on the forecheck, create some turnovers and have a good stick. Those are the details that you put your focus on, and they’re paying off." - Zachary Bolduc in March

Zack Bolduc suits the Blues well: ‘Really developing into an all-around NHL player’ Bolduc scored his 12th goal of the season in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, continuing an impressive stretch.

And more recently: www.nytimes.com/athletic/619...

Inside Blues prospect Zachary Bolduc’s development: Missed buses, Patrick Roy and ‘that one trick’ you just can’t teach The 19-year-old will be one of 53 players for the start of the team's training camp Thursday.

Get to know Zachary Bolduc, from @jeremyrutherford.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/340...

Rafaël Harvey-Pinard n'aurait pas reçu d'offre qualificative de la part du Canadien

YouTube video by Basu and Godin Canadiens Draft weekend and Noah Dobson trade wrap up | The Basu & Godin Notebook

After work issues and technical difficulties, this baby is FINALLY out.
@arponbasu.bsky.social & @magodin.bsky.social with their wrap-up of a Draft weekend where the Canadiens 9 selections took the backseat to the Dobson trade.
📺 www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlso...
🎧 podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/t...

How the Canadiens’ amateur scouting approach is adjusting coming out of a rebuild The Canadiens have built through the draft for three years, but with a deep and diverse prospect pool, a change in approach is necessary.

The Canadiens had a different draft this year. Aside from the big trade, the way they viewed potential prospects has changed as well. It has to at this stage of a rebuild: www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

Martin Lapointe said the Canadiens had Alexander Zharovsky slotted in the first round where they were originally slated to pick (16-17), so trading up to get him at 34 became an easy decision to make despite the high cost.

Canadiens third round picks: trade up to 69 to take Hayden Paupanekis, 6-5 C, Kelowna; No. 81 Bryce Pickford, 6-foot D, Medicine Hat; No. 82 Aresni Radkov, 6-4 G, Belarus

Canadiens trade picks 41 and 49 to Carolina and draft dynamic Russian winger Alexander Zharovsky at No. 34.

What Noah Dobson’s acquisition means for what Canadiens hope to accomplish The Canadiens improved by trading for Dobson, but more importantly, it signaled a new and exciting phase of their rebuild.

On Noah Dobson and the Canadiens puzzle: www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

Who won Round 1 of the 2025 NHL Draft? Which team performed the worst? Scott Wheeler weighs in

My Round 1 analysis from the 2025 NHL Draft:
- Winners and losers
- Full thoughts on all 32 picks
- Best players available to start Day 2

New: www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...

Noah Dobson is getting married Monday. That is one hell of a weekend for him.

Noah Dobson says he wanted to sign an extension with the Islanders, but they couldn't find common ground in contract talks and then focus turned to a trade. The initial desire though was to stay on Long Island: "That was always the goal at the start."

"People love their hockey in this market, they're passionate, and the pressure that comes with that is a privilege. To wear the Montreal Canadiens sweater is an honour." - Noah Dobson

Does this draft go into the lightning round after the top 10?

Now we can see that the best part of today's Dobson trade for the Canadiens front office is they don't have to expose themselves to the pure awkwardness of the Draft House.

Why bother having a clock at the draft if it reads 0:00 for five minutes and there's no consequence?

The Canadiens have long coveted a player like Noah Dobson. Now they have the real thing The Canadiens appear to be set on the blue line for years to come with Dobson joining Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher.

The Canadiens have long coveted a player like Noah Dobson. Now they have the real thing
www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...

In Emil Heineman's young career, he has now been traded for Sam Bennett, Tyler Toffoli and Noah Dobson. The Islanders just acquired a world class trade chip.

YouTube video by Basu and Godin Will Carey Price be named to the Hall of Fame in his first year? | The Basu and Godin Notebook

Admin finally activated from IR!
This subscribers episode touches on Carey Price and the HOF, who @arponbasu.bsky.social and @magodin.bsky.social think Habs might end up taking at 16 and 17, and so much more.
Excerpt: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlIP...
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