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The Montreal Canadiens are making a lineup change — and it’s a big one.
Alex Newhook returns to the lineup Thursday night as the Habs host the New York Islanders at the Bell Centre. With Newhook back, Zachary Bolduc and Joe Veleno are out — and that decision raises some serious questions.
What does this mean for Bolduc’s development? Is this a short-term reset or something bigger? And where does Newhook slot in as Martin St. Louis reshuffles his forward lines?
On today’s episode, Shaun Starr and Marco D’Amico break down:
Why Newhook is back now
The reasoning behind sitting Bolduc
What this means for Joe Veleno
The impact on Montreal’s top-nine
The bigger picture for the Habs playoff push
Is this the right move? Or are the Canadiens sending the wrong message to their young players?
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇
#MontrealCanadiens #Habs #GoHabsGo
10 Comments
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I don't think NHL coaches do things this way, but I would sit down with the whole bottom six group or at least the four bottom six wingers and explicitly tell them that they know that each of them has a lot to offer, and to not look at a game in the press box as a punishment or rebuke, but rather a situational thing and/or load management. This is not really a thing in the NHL, but if you have the luxury of doing it, you want to be able to rest people going to the playoffs to keep as many people fresh as possible. And do so and also keep everyone positive about their game and potential to contribute. The point is to not just do it but to communicate with everyone about the approach. Keep the vibes as positive as possible,
Gallagher on pace for 1,000 games at the last day of 2027. ❤ Not looking good that he makes it but he has been a hell of a hab for a long time.
I think people need to give Bolduc some time. I think he needs to step up his play, but he has talent and will figure it out.
Do you guys remember in the January press conference that HuGo were asked about what would happen once everyone is healthy, and they answered by saying they don't see a reality where the entire team is healthy at the same time.
And now they have to deal with that exact scenario lolol
I think D'Amico should point out its the Marty System that is giving Bolduc problems. He is 22 now, Montreal isn't his home team. St. Louis is. The Blue's drafted him and then developed him to the way he plays now. Trying to re-wire a player to play Marty's mobile hybrid system is going to be hard. Its not an easy system to play. It rewards players for being quick and smart. For instance.
1) Montreal is the best transition team in the league. From defense to offense, the Habs even beat Colorado. You need to be smart, have your head on a swivel to look for players breaking out provide yourself so they can give you outlet passes, know what to do when you get into the offense zone. This requires practice, lots and lots of practice. And in this condensed season where you have so many games back to back, you can't have practice sessions. Any offday is a rest day for the club. Its hard to do fundementals in an Olympic year. Bolduc is just behind the curve and looks lost out there.
2) Hybrid defense. Marty plays one of the more difficult style of defenses out there. Normally you want drive the forechecker to the boards and keep him there and have a forward come in to rescue the puck. Montreal plays a fast style of defense. Retrieve the puck before the forechecker arrives and then move it immediately to a waiting outlet player who then starts the transition. Only a few teams can play this way. Colorado and Buffalo.
Montreal also plays a hybrid defense. Where they play zone and man cover depending on the situation. Zone as the offense team penetrates the blue line, then they man mark every player. Most teams play a zone system, others man system. They normally don't do a hybrid system like Montreal does, but the Habs do this because they have a mobile D core. This requires a ton of prep and practice to get right. Bolduc just doesn't have the years of experience that many of the players on the roster have. Even the rookie's have that experience because they play that same system in Laval. Bolduc is just lost out there.
I don't blame Bolduc, he is young, he is from another defensive system and the Blue's are a slow team. The way Montreal transitions, this isn't what Bolduc is used too. He needs an offseason where he can practice and learn Marty's system. Remember, he didn't get any offseason with the Habs. He is still learning.
Bolduc should work with Nicolas on his foot speed and response reflexes. Besides hit hitting, he is not developing as he initially showed.
I wonder if Montreal looks at packaging Bolduc+evans+struble. Probably not all 3 but a mix of two of those with some prospects and picks. I think evans is not nearly good enough to be our 3C heading into the playoffs.
I think the NHL should adapt the 13th forward/7th defenceman like international/olympics have. That way it would help with the pp or pk and help if someone gets injured.
He's just going to be a guy on the bottom six he has done nothing through his career except for his 3 months streak
I know he's got a Montreal name that's why you're giving him such a show. I get it
But I honestly think you guys like saying his name more than you'd like to see in playing for the Habs
Cuz he's just a guy maybe 25 points a year which there are a dime a dozen