Montreal Canadiens broadcasting icon Dick Irvin, at 93 years old, remains a keen observer of the team, offering high praise for two of its young stars while the club navigates a familiar roster challenge. In a conversation sparked by a fan question, Irvin shared his thoughts on the state of the Habs, highlighting the play of captain Nick Suzuki and rookie defenceman Lane Hutson.
Irvin's Enduring Legacy and Current Perspective
Reached by phone, the voice of Hockey Night in Canada for decades sounded as familiar as ever. Dick Irvin confirmed he is doing well at 93, staying close to home on Montreal's West Island but maintaining his sharp hockey mind. The Hall of Fame broadcaster, a Member of the Order of Canada, still tunes in for games.
Irvin expressed sympathy for the Chicago Blackhawks, a team with which his father, Dick Irvin Sr., has deep historical ties. The elder Irvin was the franchise's first captain a century ago and later its coach. The younger Irvin noted the significant impact of Connor Bedard's absence due to a shoulder injury on the struggling Blackhawks.
His focus, however, quickly returned to the Canadiens, and two players in particular. "Suzuki is quite a hockey player," Irvin said. "They're the two guys … I think Suzuki's going to be a great hockey player." He also singled out dynamic defenceman Lane Hutson as a favourite to watch.
Navigating the Three-Goalie Conundrum
The Canadiens find themselves in an unplanned three-goalie situation, a scenario they experimented with unsuccessfully just two seasons ago. This time, it was precipitated by Samuel Montembeault's struggles in net, prompting a conditioning stint with the AHL's Laval Rocket.
Montembeault, who posted a 5-6-1 record with a 3.65 goals-against average and an .857 save percentage before his demotion, allowed four goals in his first start for Laval. He is expected to rejoin the Canadiens after another AHL start, but his performance will dictate the next move.
The club called up prospect Jacob Fowler, who now joins Jakub Dobes on the NHL roster. The ideal scenario for management is that Montembeault rediscovers his form, allowing Fowler to return to the AHL for more development. However, if Montembeault's difficulties persist, the Habs face a tough choice: risk losing him on waivers to assign him to Laval or explore a trade. The organization is not expected to carry three netminders long-term.
Defensive Woes and Roster Decisions Ahead
Fan questions also centred on the team's inconsistent defensive play, which head coach Martin St. Louis attributes more to mental lapses and a lack of alertness than systemic failure. The loss of Kaiden Guhle to a long-term injury (partially torn adductor muscle) has been a significant blow to the blue line. The Canadiens, the youngest team in the NHL, have been prone to costly breakdowns, often giving up goals early in periods.
The impending return of Mike Matheson and eventually Guhle, coupled with the eventual NHL arrival of right-shot prospect David Reinbacher, will create a logjam on defence. This surplus, particularly on the left side, presents GM Kent Hughes with trade options.
Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj are seen as the most likely trade candidates from the young defensive corps. However, moving the unique combination of size, toughness, and mobility that Xhekaj possesses at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds could be a decision the team regrets, even if he doesn't perfectly fit St. Louis's preferred style.
Injury Updates and Player Management
The mailbag also provided updates on several injured Canadiens:
- Patrik Laine (core muscle): Out 3-4 months from Oct. 25 surgery (late January return).
- Kirby Dach (fractured foot): Out 4-6 weeks from Nov. 16 (late December return).
- Alex Newhook (fractured ankle): Out 4 months from Nov. 14 surgery (mid-March return).
- Kaiden Guhle (adductor): Out 8-10 weeks from Nov. 13 surgery (late January return).
Regarding Nick Suzuki's workload, his average of 20:39 of ice time per game is deemed appropriate. It ranks 15th among NHL centres, and his efficient, well-conditioned style of play allows him to handle the minutes effectively.
Rookie Ivan Demidov, meanwhile, is living up to his billing as a pass-first player, ranking second in rookie scoring with 26 points. While he needs to shoot more, his playmaking ability is a significant asset, and his future is seen as that of a potential 30-goal scorer.
A Heartwarming Holiday Memory
Columnist Stu Cowan shared a favourite holiday memory from covering the team: the Canadiens' annual visit to the Montreal Children's Hospital. A standout moment was in 2019 when Brendan Gallagher and Christian Folin visited the parents of newborn twins, one of whom was battling a serious genetic disorder. The family's joy at the players' visit, followed by an invitation to a game, encapsulated the spirit of the season and the team's community connection.
