David Olinger

Yes, the last couple of winters have been very much to my liking. Didn't even have to bring out my shovel this year. I resumed my walking routine last year and was glad to be able to sail through with really no days I couldn't get out.

Oh good God, we would never hear the end of that, especially if Xhekaj becomes more than a 6/7 defender with a -7.

Actually smaller than NHL sized ice with botched rink construction.

The Olympics are important, but at the end of the day, the #Habs success is why we are fans and, from that perspective, I'm glad the Canadiens will have two rested players. Here's to success for Montreal's other players at the Olympics, Suzuki, Kapanen, Slafkovsky, and Texier.

Yeah, I bought a pair of sturdy boots for walking in the winter but have never had to use them. Making it through my daily jaunts in my good old Columbia walking shoes. More likely to find puddles than any ice! Here's to spring in Kelowna.

Another very satisfying mid-week pair of wins by the #Habs, including another victory over the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Panthers. That makes it seven straight victories over Florida. Another big night by Texier who many panned when signed as a free agent earlier in the season.

But the top three you mention are in the NHL rookie of the year conversation. No way they were getting released by their teams.

#Habs win over Dallas was one of the more exciting victories of the season. When the were floundering a bit in the third, the thought of being content with an OT loss crossed my mind. But once again, the Canadiens rose to the occasion. Danault proved his worth again with faceoff win for Hutson.

Good question. LOL

Not surprised. USA GM made it clear that he was looking for the stereotypical bigger, tougher, grittier players. Same issue with Caufield. Yet both have shown they are very responsible players. Good for the #Habs to have two rested stars after Olympics.

#Habs facing the Hurricanes is typically a scheduled loss. They found a way tonight even without their best goaltending and defensive play. Pedal to the metal against the Blues on Saturday, Boys!

Starting the new year on a good role in a tough race. Consider last year at this time, the #Habs were 17-17-3. Shows how they had to turn it on to just get in the playoffs. Keep the pedal to the metal now as the road trip winds down.

Yes, it certainly is.

Neither goalie has shown they can be consistent. Montembeault is nowhere near as good as last season. Dobes started out hot, just as he did in 2024-25 when he then went on to lose four straight. Fans said stay with the hot goalie. As soon as Dobes got the bulk of the work, he couldn't handle it.

Fingers can be pointed all over the place, defence, forwards, the system, but the #Habs are 12 in expected goals against. Both goalies are allowing far too many questionable goals.

The time is not right for that, I don't think, Sherwood from Vancouver, for example. Those pieces will be the size and grit the #Habs need as the prepare to be a legitimate playoff contender.

Indeed. And who's this wonder-coach fans hope to find? The NHL is known for recycling coaches to death and now some, like Gerard Gallant, likely will never be behind another bench. The #Habs have improved every season under MSL and despite struggles are actually ahead of last season at this point.

Yes, Price started as a backup in his first season. The defence in front of him was also more established.

Anaheim has been rebuilding for a much longer time than the #Habs at 3.5 years. The Canadiens lost nine players from their Cup run in 2021, making this the first real rebuild in the team's history. Some Ducks success began before Q, like the slower development of Carlsson. Team decision, not coach.

The next phase is not there. The team is still in rebuild mode with no established second line centre, goaltending that is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup, and management still needs to add size and grit to make a run in the post-season. Not enough depth to handle injuries.

Indeed, patience is needed as the rebuild unfolds. The challenge is, many fans seem to have thought it was done. But there's no second line centre established, the goaltending is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup yet, and the team still needs to add size and grit. Patience is needed.

I would say it has to be considered. Both goalies are off kilter.

Yes, that's what I think. Most fans are not patient and don't see the big picture. The rebuild is not over. The #Habs need to stick to their plan; trades should be only made with the longer term in mind. Like forget about a rental like Sherwood from Vancouver.

A three-goalie system for a short time might have been preferred to the mess that has developed. Who knows, Kahkonen could have gone on a streak. They did call him up on Sunday so possibly could have used him then.

From the arrangement at practice, it wouldn't surprise me if Fowler gets the start in Pittsburgh.

Well, they did bring him up for Sunday's game. Unless that was dubbed as an emergency callup.

Management can't really have thought the rebuild is over given youth and holes at important positions. Agree patience is needed. The #Habs are 3.5 years into the rebuild.

Why not try Kahkonen at some point? He, at least, has NHL experience. People have short memories. Dobes started off hot last season and then lost four straight.

My concern is this is an interruption of a planned development of a player dubbed as a budding star. He certainly may be ready and could be a knight in shining armour, pushing the #Habs back into the win column. But unless the defence improves significantly immediately, Fowler could get shelled.

Others thought Dobes was the second coming of Roy. As soon as his workload increased, Dobes couldn't handle it. Probably why they didn't keep adding games when he was hot. Learned from last season when he started hot then lost four straight.