標籤: Zekaj

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories and content you may have missed on Saturday.

montreal canadiens news

Tampa Bay’s strategy of rushing players, harassing goaltenders and punching opponents in every scrimmage is backfiring spectacularly. In fact, in addition to the series lead, the Canadiens have actually had more hits than their opponents through three games. [Tampa Bay’s Strategy Is Backfiring In Series Versus Canadiens]

The discrepancy in high-danger shots in the series is hard to ignore. In fact, after three games, the Canadiens have accounted for 75% of high-danger scoring opportunities at 5v5, the highest mark of all teams in the NHL playoffs.

For fun, here are the HDCF% of the various teams in the playoffs after three games. It reflects the share of high-danger scoring chances a team generates.

#GoHabsGo Leading the league by a huge margin with 75%. https://t.co/vtaVVh8y3G pic.twitter.com/1XZdiqMTul

– Montreal Hockey Now (@MTLhockeynow) 25 April 2026

Apart from the physical battle, which the Habs are winning, there are several other reasons why the Canadiens have managed to take the lead in the series, including the excellent play of the third pair of Arbor Czekaj and Jayden Struble. [Top 3 Reasons The Canadiens Have A Series Lead]

Believe it or not, Shekaz leads the entire NHL in expected goal share with an impressive 83.8%. [NST]

Kirby Dach discusses support from head coach Martin Saint-Louis as he overcomes an endless list of injuries in recent seasons.

Kirby Dach on receiving a vote of confidence from Habs coach Marty St. Louis yesterday:

“I think as a competitor, you want a chance to respond. You want to be able to go out there and prove your worth. This game is tough, there are a lot of mistakes, it’s not… pic.twitter.com/uYFCvEuOqz

– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 25 April 2026

This is clearly trolling, but comparatively speaking, it is quality trolling. Additionally, given that Brady Tkachuk appears to be one of the worst leaders in the league, perhaps it is time to examine his position in the Senators organization. Or maybe he is a great leader who never seems to have luck when it comes to leadership. Difficult to say.

Arbor Zekaj has more points than Brady Tkachuk in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/t1j569ZKzS

– Alex (@ivandemigoal) 25 April 2026

The clip embedded below has nothing to do with the Habs, but when a dirtbag like Ridley Gregg starts punching a player who’s being pinned down, it’s hard not to roll your eyes. That is pure cowardice.

Will this despicable act by Ridley Gregg be sanctioned by the NHL?🤔 pic.twitter.com/drSzZb6KrY

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) 25 April 2026

Sportsknot Network

Sunny Mehta already has the option to pick up the phone and negotiate a potential New Jersey Devils trade and improve his top six. After failing to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season, the Detroit Red Wings are now the longest-serving team to miss the postseason after the Buffalo Sabers punched their ticket this spring. [New Jersey Devils]

Maybe it’s the rivalry factor. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers have a history of controversial meetings, and this includes their ongoing first-round games. Or maybe it’s a chance to see the Penguins’ big three players — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang — back in the playoffs after a three-year absence. Perhaps it’s the continuation of interest in hockey in the United States after the Winter Olympics and the American gold medal. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Just a week ago, the Senators were filled with hope as they entered the first round of their series against the Hurricanes. Flash forward to Saturday, and the Senators are the first team in the NHL to be eliminated, losing their first-round series 4-0. [Ottawa Senators]

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

The NHL trade deadline has been fairly quiet for the Montreal Canadiens, however, a recent report suggests that activity may be picking up in the near future.

David Pagnotta reports that the Canadiens and the Calgary Flames are discussing a potential trade that would involve center Nazem Kadri. He also suggested Habs forward Patrik Laine could be part of the deal.

Pagnotta says Calgary and Montreal are talking about a Nazem Kadri trade.
“I’m told Patrick Laine may also be involved.”
#flames #GoHabsGo #nhl

– NHL Trade Alert (@NHLTradeAlert) 6 March 2026

Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks

Although there is no pressure on the Habs to make a trade before the deadline, there is no doubt that they could stand to improve their situation in the middle of the ice.

Montreal has destroyed several centers, including forward Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues as well as forward Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers.

By all accounts, it seems like the acquisition cost for a player like Thomas or Trocheck may be unreasonably expensive, even if they are a good fit for the Canadiens’ lineup.

As far as Kadri is concerned, the Habs have circled around the 35-year-old all season, with reports in November suggesting that Kent Hughes and Co. had identified him as a potential trade target.

The main sticking point when discussing acquiring a player like Nazem Kadri is his age, which certainly doesn’t fit into Montreal’s ideal age group. That being said, the Habs are the youngest team in the league, and adding a little experience to the mix is ​​hardly a bad idea.

On the other side of the trade discussion is Patrik Laine, a player with one of the best shots in the league. His 5v5 numbers are incredibly tough, but it must be said that there is still some value to be found in his usage, especially on the powerplay.

And finally, it should also be noted that the Flames have shown interest in Canadiens defenseman Arbor Zekaj, a player who could be included in a potential trade to grease the wheels a bit.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

As the March 6th NHL trade deadline approaches, more names are being added to the Montreal Canadiens rumor list, including defenseman Arbor Zekaj.

According to Herb Zarkowski of the Montreal Gazette, the Calgary Flames are interested in potentially acquiring Szekaj.

I’m hearing Calgary is interested #hubs‘Defenseman Arbor Zekaj

– Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) 3 March 2026

As always, we should take every rumor seriously, but this isn’t the first time a team has shown interest in Montreal’s rough and tumble defenseman.

The 25-year-old Zekaj has performed well on several occasions throughout his career, including Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Capitals, as well as Tuesday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks.

They currently lead the Canadiens in hits, and that too by a wide margin. Arbor Zekaj has 137 hits in 51 games, while the second-highest hitter, Joe Veleno, is credited with 115 hits.

Given that the Habs traded Emil Heinemann, and allowed Michael Pezzetta to sign with another team, moving a player like Szekaj would result in a significant drop in physicality. For the record, Heineman and Pezzetta led the team in hits per 60 last season.

On the other side of the coin, Zekaj’s underlying numbers have been underwhelming at 5v5, though it should be noted that there is no lack of consistency in his usage. If Czekaj is inserted into the lineup, he is often given only a few shifts, reducing his chances of making upward progress in his fourth season in the NHL.

Interestingly, the Canadiens have expressed interest in forward Nazem Kadri, a Flames player this year. The problem is that Kadri is 35 years old, and his contract, which has an annual average value (AAV) of $7 million, expires in 2028-29.

Click this link for an in-depth look at what Kadri could potentially bring to the Habs.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont