Montreal Canadiens fans received an update as Igor Larionov, the new head coach of SKA Saint Petersburg, expressed his wish for Ivan Demidov to return for another season in the KHL. Meanwhile, Canadiens prospect Caleb Desnoyers believes he and Demidov could form a strong partnership if they played together in Montreal. The team has also shown interest in Brady Martin, who has been spending his time working on the family farm rather than attending the NHL draft events.
The Canadiens’ scouting department continues its thorough approach to combine interviews, maintaining their detailed evaluation process. Meanwhile, the Trois-Rivières team is close to clinching the ECHL championship, holding a 3-1 lead in the Kelly Cup Final with the opportunity to win the title on home ice. These developments mark an exciting time for hockey fans at multiple levels.
Across the NHL, notable moments include Brad Marchand scoring the overtime winner to help the Florida Panthers even the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers remain confident in their goaltender Stuart Skinner, who recently addressed the media ahead of an important game. Meanwhile, free agent Sam Bennett might face challenges finding a spot on playoff contenders looking for players who can push their teams forward.
Several coaching changes and team updates have also taken place. Pete DeBoer was dismissed by the Dallas Stars, with the team’s general manager citing concerns over his comments about goalie Jake Oettinger. Boston Bruins hired Marco Sturm as their new head coach, and the Toronto Maple Leafs brought in Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach. Additionally, the New York Rangers added David Quinn and Joe Sacco to their coaching staff.
Injuries have also affected some teams heading into the new season. Logan O’Connor of the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen will both miss the start of the season due to hip surgeries. Despite setbacks, players like Matthew Schaefer remain optimistic during their draft year. Support also remains strong for James Hagens, who, despite dropping in rankings, still has backing as a potential top overall pick.
