Canadiens Connection

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Canadiens prospect Jesse Ylonen will make his way to Montreal soon.
• World Juniors Report - Rick and Joe react to the Gold Medal game between Canada and USA, touch on tournament standouts and how Canadiens prospects performed. 
• Canadiens training camp has opened, we got our first look at what the team might look like when play begins. 
• They Said What? - This week, the guys react to audio from Marc Bergevin, Jake Allen, Josh Anderson, Corey Perry and Brendan Gallagher. 
• Hockey notes - Dallas Stars postponed first two games of the season as six players and two staff  tested positive for COVID-19. 19 Columbus Blue Jackets players missed practice Friday in accordance with NHL COVID-19 protocols. Pittsburgh Penguins cancel practice and scrimmage. Laval Rocket will play its home games at the Bell Centre. Carey Price will wear a mask designed to look like a biomechanical skull this season.

• Rick and Joe take a look at the Habs newcomers and discuss who they believe will make the biggest impact with the Canadiens. Marc Bergevin provided a lot of options to choose from, but who do Rick and Joe think will be the most impactful additions for the Habs?

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• The Canadiens terminated the contract of forward Alexandre Alain by mutual agreement. 
• The Canadiens signed forward Corey Perry to a one-year contract worth $750,000. This comes a week after the Habs signed Michael Frolik to an identical contract. 
• The roster for Canadiens training camp has been released, camp is set to open Sunday.
• World Junior Championship report - With group play having come to an end, Rick and Joe give their thoughts on the tournament and players who have stood out to them. They take a deeper look at the play of the three Canadiens prospects involved in the tournament, Kaiden Guhle, Cole Caufield and Jan Mysak. 
• They Said What? - Michael Frolik and Corey Perry spoke to the media this week after the veteran forwards both signed one-year deals with the Canadiens. 
• Hockey notes - AHL Board of Governors approve framework for season to begin on February 5th. The Washington Capitals signed Zdeno Chara to a one-year contract. Columbus Blue Jackets re-sign Pierre-Luc Dubois to 2-year contract. NHL will play two outdoor games in Lake Tahoe, Nevada in February, February 20: Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights and February 21: Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers. P.K. Subban and Lindsay Vonn break up after three years. 

• With the season right around the corner, Joe provides five bold predictions for the Canadiens 2020-2021 season. After all the change we have seen this past off-season, what does Joe predict for the Canadiens this season? 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• The Canadiens signed forward Michael Frolik earlier this week to a one-year contract worth $750,000. 
• Canadiens prospect report - Charles Hudon scored 5th goal of the season for Lausanne.
• What can we expect from Jonathan Drouin this season? After an article from our colleague Chris G sparked some debate on the All Habs Fan Page on Facebook, Rick and Joe weigh in on what we might see from Drouin this season. 
• World Junior Championship report - Habs 2020 2nd round pick, Jan Mysak, was named captain of the Czech Republic. Two other Canadiens prospects Kaiden Guhle for Canada and Cole Caufield for the United States. First games played on Christmas Day, Canada opens against Germany, Czech Republic vs Sweden, United States vs Austria. Rocket Sports granted credentials for tournament. 
• They Said What? - Elliotte Friedman on whether or not one more shoe is about to drop for the Habs. 
• NHL is Back! - The 2020-21 NHL season will begin on January 13th, with teams playing a 56-game schedule. Rick and Joe run down all the key information you need to know heading into the season. 

• The NHL's 56-game regular season is set to kick off on January 13th. This is great news for players, media, hockey fans and affiliated staff. The Canadiens have experienced a significant makeover in the off-season and now they will have to come together in a very short period of time. As training camp approaches, what are the five burning questions facing the Montreal Canadiens? 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• The Florida Panthers have signed forward Anthony Duclair to a one-year contract. The guys take a look around at the remaining UFAs with the season just around the corner.
• Former Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty has been the subject of some trade rumours out of Vegas. He said the rumours are "lightweight stuff" after playing in Montreal.
• Canadiens prospect report - Habs prospect Jordan Harris named Hockey East player of the week. Joni Ikonen has been skating and could return soon. Alexander Gordin with a three-point game on Friday.
• World Junior Championship report - The Canadiens will have three players in the tournament: Kaiden Guhle, Cole Caufield and Jan Mysak. Kirby Dach named captain of team Canada with Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram as the alternates. 10 positive COVID-19 tests at WJC on Friday.
• Arrests have been made after the theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia from the house of Walter Gretzky. 
• NHL Return to Play - The NHL and NHLPA have reached a tentative agreement for a 56-game season that will begin on January 13th. Questions still remain on how it will look, including whether the entire season will be played in the United States. Quebec premier, Francois Legault says the province's health restrictions will not be an obstacle for the Canadiens.

• Rocket Sports Junior Hockey specialist, Mike Raschle, joins the show to preview the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Rick and Joe talk with Mike about Team Canada and his expectations entering the tournament. Who poses the biggest challenge to Canada? Will Canada get stability between the pipes? The guys discuss this and more!

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Unrestricted free agent Mike Hoffman remains unsigned. The talented goal scorer put up 29 goals last season but has yet to find a home. 
• Canadiens prospect report - Habs prospect Kaiden Guhle has made Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Cole Caufield made the roster for Team USA. Jesse Ylonen is full of confidence when it comes to his future with the Canadiens.  
• Canadiens Christmas Concert - Diane Bibaud played some lovely renditions of Christmas songs and some Canadiens players sent out holiday greetings.
• A picture of Brendan Gallagher in the new reverse retro Canadiens jersey was posted to social media. 
• They Said What? - Habs sports science and performance director Pierre Allard spoke with media this week, touching on Alexander Romanov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and more. 
• Carey Price ranked number two in The Great Goalie Ranking from Sports Illustrated and the Hockey News. 
• Forbes ranked the Canadiens as the third most valuable NHL franchise.
• Brian Burke thinks the Canadiens are more playoff ready than the other Canadian teams.  
• Around the Hockey World - NHL targets a January 13th start with training camps set to open January 3rd, but it would be December 31st for teams who did not participate in the bubble. NHL/NHLPA leaning towards a 56-game schedule. Montreal will play in the all-Canadian division. NHL has proposed an expanded roster framework to the players. Cross-border trades will be allowed but quarantine periods will be respected. NHL intends to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for players

• This week, Habs beat writer Mathias Brunet argued that the 2020-21 edition of the Montreal Canadiens could be the best CH roster in 25 years. Do you agree? Rick and Joe discuss the possibility of this team being the best Habs team constructed in the last 25 years.

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Former member of the Laval Rocket, Antoine Waked, signed a deal with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL. 
• Canadiens prospect report - Habs prospect Cole Caufield is headed to the American World Junior camp after an up and down week with the Wisconsin Badgers. While 2020 second round pick Jan Mysak is headed to World Junior camp for the Czech Republic. Scoring highlights of the week.
• They Said What? - Habs assistant coaches Dominic Ducharme and Luke Richardson spoke to the media this week, while development coach Francis Bouillon also had an availability. 
• Around the Hockey World - Gary Bettman says the NHL is "taking their time" planning for a new season. A new proposal of a 56-game season that would start January 15th came to light. With the ongoing disputes between the NHL and NHLPA, fans are assigning blame. 

• December 6th marks the 25th anniversary of the infamous Patrick Roy trade that saw the Canadiens trade their franchise goaltender to the Colorado Avalanche that saw the Canadiens net a rather underwhelming package of players. Rick and Joe take a look back at the circumstances surrounding the deal as we approach the 25th anniversary of the transaction. 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Shane Churla has left the Canadiens organization to take on the role of Director of Amateur Scouting with the Florida Panthers. Former Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations, Larry Carriere has also left the organization. 
• Canadiens forward Phillip Danault has been named the recipient of the Jean Beliveau trophy for community involvement. 
• Deacon Sports and Entertainment announced the appointment of three senior leaders for their new ECHL franchise in Trois-Rivères 
• Canadiens prospect report - Hockey Canada shuts down their National Junior selection camp in Red Deer. Jesperi Kotkaniemi's loan with Pori Assat has come to an end. Cole Caufield netted a hat-trick against Penn State. Jordan Harris and Jayden Struble are in quarantine with the rest of their team at Northeastern University.
• They Said What? - Kirk Muller spoke with the media this week, touching on a variety of subjects, including training camp, the Canadiens power play, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and much more. 
• Looking back on the 2009-2010 season: Rick and Joe share their memories of a season that was full of celebration and optimism. 

• Rick and Joe are joined by Montreal hip-hop artist and sports fan, Annakin Slayd. Slayd touched on all of the optimism that surrounded the 2009-10 season, punctuated by his song "Feels like '93". Slayd also touches on the return of that optimism following the Canadiens improbable playoff run in the bubble. 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• There's a report that Canadiens 2018 2nd round pick, Jacob Olofsson, will sign a two-year contract with Timra IK of the Allsvenskan. 
• Canadiens prospect report. Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his first two goals since returning to Finland and Cole Caufield is fine after taking a big hit in last Saturday's game against Notre Dame. 
• They Said What - Habs strength and conditioning coordinator Patrick Delisle-Houde spoke to the media this week. He touched on Shea Weber, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, changes to his role during the pandemic and more!
• NHL reveals reverse-retro jerseys for all 31 teams. 
• NHL and NHLPA have been in the news this week after the NHL asked for some tweaks to the CBA agreement agreed to early in the pandemic
• ECHL announced all teams in the North division will suspend play for the 2020-21 season.
• Marc Bergevin interview with TVA, touching on ECHL plans, Phillip Danault contract negotiations and his prediction for the all-Canadian division. 

• With the uncertainty surrounding how the upcoming season will unfold, Rick and Joe ask the question: Would the Canadiens have a better chance of making the Playoffs in the Atlantic division, or the Canadian division that has been talked about as a possibility for this season?
• A survey from The Athletic shows that Canadiens fans have very high hopes with regards to making the Playoffs this season. 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

And don't be shy to give the podcast a 5-star rating!

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Canadiens prospect defenceman Josh Brook has tested positive for Covid-19. 
• Jan Mysak chatted with fellow countryman and long-time Hab, Tomas Plekanec. 
• The guys provide a scoring summary of Habs prospects who are currently playing. 
• They Said What? - Canadiens goaltending coach Stephane Waite spoke to the media this week. Touching on Jake Allen, the plan for Cayden Primeau and goaltender Vasili Demchenko
• The Canadiens provided a peek at the new reverse-retro jersey.  
• The NHL is reviewing return to play options for the 2020-2021 season. 

• Rick and Joe take a look at a pair of polls from The Athletic, one ranking NHL front offices and the other a survey of NHL agents discussing the off-season and much more. In both, the reviews of the Canadiens are favourable. In the front office ranking they are up six spots from last year to #14. In the agent survey, they took top spot in the question asking which team had the best off-season. 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

And don't be shy to give the podcast a 5-star rating!

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

• Canadiens prospect Mattias Norlinder left a game due to an apparent shoulder injury. 
• Montreal has loaned defenceman Josh Brook to Krefeld Pinguine in the German Hockey League. 
• Canadiens former first round pick David Fischer was in the news this week. He offered some thoughts on why things did not go his way after being the 20th selection in the 2006 draft. 
• André Tourigny, who will be the head coach of Team Canada at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships, took the opportunity to heap some praise on the Canadiens first round selection Kaiden Guhle. 
• Corey Pronman of The Athletic ranked the top 155 NHL players under the age of 23. The Canadiens feature six players in his ranking, the highest being Nick Suzuki at #27. 

• Rick and Joe take a look at 12 of the most pressing issues that face the Montreal Canadiens entering the 2020-21 season. The guys tackle the big questions. What will this season look like? Did Marc Bergevin do enough to make the Canadiens cup contenders? Will Claude Julien accept the youth movement? All these questions and more!
• We take a look back at the most pressing questions we had entering last season and compare. 

• Social media reactions.
• Listener's calls and texts
• Bad tweet of the week

Be sure to follow @habsconnection on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Search for “Canadiens Connection” from Rocket Sports Radio on your favorite podcast app and subscribe! You can also listen to every episode on apps including:

• Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
• Spotify
• Overcast
• Stitcher
• Castbox
• Pocket Casts
• RadioPublic
• TuneIn
• Google Podcasts

And don't be shy to give the podcast a 5-star rating!