« Connor McDavid is an overrated player »: a Miami columnist blurts it out

Let’s play a game for the beginning of my text.

Take a minute… and think of the three best players in the National League.

I’m convinced that 99.9% of the time, Connor McDavid’s name comes up. It makes sense, because it’s hard to believe that he isn’t the NHL’s best player because of his exceptional talent.

When you look at his list of accomplishments since joining the big league, you realize he’s on another planet.

Seven 100+ point seasons, five Art Ross trophies, three Hart trophies, four Ted Lindsay trophies, one Maurice Richard trophy…

It’s almost impossible to ask for more, really. And it’s even more impressive when you consider that he’s only 27 years old:

(Credit: Hockey DB)

That’s why Miami columnist Greg Cote’s comments aren’t getting through today on the various social platforms.

The latter made a fool of himself yesterday by telling a podcast that McDavid is an overrated player…

And he even went so far as to call Connor « McOverrated » because, in his eyes, until the Oilers captain wins the Stanley Cup, he can’t be called the best player in the world.

Even if it « makes sense », it’s ridiculous as hell:

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({« cmd »: « addBanner »});

I mean, come on. The latest problem in Edmonton is Connor McDavid… And every hockey fan knows it, because he’s the heart and soul of the club even when it’s toughest. #GuardianProblems

If the Oilers had lost to the Stars, OK.

After all, expectations have been high in Edmonton for several seasons now, and the best player in the world is generally expected to go the distance with his club.

But here, the timing of Greg Cote’s comments makes no sense because the Oilers have booked their ticket to the finals.

I have the impression that Greg Cote wanted to say that to make himself interesting, and right now, just the opposite is happening.

Speak well of it, speak ill of it, but speak, like…

In bursts

– He looked like a baby!

– Will experience behind the bench play a factor during the final?

– New minor in Vancouver.

– Beautiful!

– Wishing him well.

The Blue Jackets could select a forward before the Habs, according to Don Waddell

Don Wadell has barely set foot in Columbus and already he’s facing questions about his first selection in the upcoming draft. He’ll have the fourth overall pick, and several good prospects are available.

Of these, most Habs fans are hoping he’ll overlook Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom, if they’re available. But that’s not the clue he gave on Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek show.

Indeed, the latter wanted to demonstrate his theory for his choice.

He mentioned that it’s much easier to correct deficiencies in the defensive zone than to find a pure goal scorer.

While this may have sounded alarming to some fans, Montreal Hockey Now reporter Marco D’Amico set the record straight.

He questioned the honesty of the comments, especially for a general manager. Why would he want to show his cards so early, if only to panic other formations?

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({« cmd »: « addBanner »});

D’Amico added that the last time he made such remarks, his team drafted defenseman Noah Hanifin.

The journalist is absolutely right. It’s still far too early to draw conclusions and start getting carried away.

I have a feeling that Lindstrom, Demidov, or even both will be available to Kent Hughes when he speaks at No. 5.

One thing’s for sure: the next few weeks will be exciting for Habs fans. Draft, trades, everything’s on the table. Kent Hughes will certainly be busy.

In gusto

– Stars in trouble.

– A well-deserved award.

– Great play.

– Owen Beck will play for the Memorial Cup.

Mike Matheson contre Martin Necas : Ça comblerait les besoins des deux clubs (sur papier)

Martin Necas n’a jamais disputé un seul match dans l’uniforme bleu, blanc et rouge du Canadien.

Malgré tout, il est l’un des joueurs les plus populaires à Montréal en ce moment…

Parce que plusieurs informateurs n’arrêtent pas d’affirmer que le CH est dans la course pour ses services et que l’organisation montréalaise démontre un grand intérêt pour le joueur des Hurricanes.

Chaque jour, on voit un nouveau scénario être discuté pour amener Necas en ville.

Aujourd’hui, ça vient de Mathias Brunet (La Presse)… Et le journaliste parle d’une transaction qui pourrait impliquer Mike Matheson.

La raison est plutôt simple : comme l’a affirmé Brunet dans son texte du jour, les Hurricanes pourraient avoir des problèmes en défense parce que Brady Skjei et Brett Pesce seront libres comme l’air cet été.

Les Hurricanes veulent aussi offrir un nouveau contrat à Jake Guentzel (et il devrait faire sauter la banque), ce qui fait en sorte que la direction aura des joueurs à sacrifier. 

Ultimement, ça incite Mathias Brunet à croire que Matheson « a le profil parfait » pour jouer en Caroline, parce qu’il est dans son prime, parce qu’il ne gagne pas un salaire astronomique et parce qu’il viendrait combler un besoin chez les Hurricanes :

On les voit très mal ne pas exiger un défenseur d’expérience et dominant en retour. Mike Matheson a le profil parfait pour les Hurricanes. – Mathias Brunet

Le journaliste apporte un bon point, cependant.

En échangeant Matheson, ça fait mal au groupe en vue de la prochaine saison et c’est surtout ça qui me dérange dans tout ça.

Le Canadien a beau avoir de bons jeunes à la ligne bleue et ces jeunes-là sont peut-être prêts à démontrer leur talent aux dirigeants de l’organisation… Mais le CH ne peut tout simplement pas se permettre de commencer la prochaine saison avec un vétéran dans son core défensif en David Savard.

Le club est encore en reconstruction (la fin approche) et ça prend un mix de vétérans pour montrer la voie aux plus jeunes.

Cela dit, Kaiden Guhle est un joueur mature et il est responsable, mais Martin St-Louis ne peut pas lui accorder un tel rôle à 22 ans.

Pas encore, du moins. 

L’idée d’échanger Matheson en Caroline pour Martin Necas peut prendre tout son sens quand on analyse les besoins de chaque club.

Les Hurricanes vont chercher à remplacer Sjkei ou Pesce et Matheson a ce qu’il faut pour cocher la case…

Et le Canadien, en Necas, pourrait mettre la main sur un jeune joueur de talent qui peut faire partie du noyau pendant plusieurs années.

Mais l’importance de Matheson à Montréal est trop grande, en ce moment. Sur la patinoire… Et surtout dans le vestiaire.

En rafale

– De bons souvenirs.

– Une belle marque!

– On ne parle pas assez de lui.

– Ça va être ardu… Mais c’est réalisable.

« Le seul vent de fraîcheur que P.K Subban a amené, c’est lorsqu’il est parti à Nashville » – Stéphane Waite

Même s’il a pris sa retraite de hockeyeur, P.K. Subban continue d’attirer l’attention. L’ancien défenseur du Canadien a toujours aimé cette attention et c’est encore plus vrai en 2024, dans les médias.

Il y a un mois, rappelons qu’il a parlé de son pénis en direct à la télévision. Et sur X (anciennement Twitter), il publie assez fréquemment pour donner son opinion sur divers sujets.

Les partisans du Canadien l’ont adoré, ce P.K., et lorsqu’il est parti à Nashville, ce fut un triste départ. Danick Martineau est d’ailleurs l’un de ceux qui ont adoré Subban. Je vais m’inclure là-dedans, également.

Si à l’externe, il était aimé, c’est un peu moins le cas à l’interne. Sur les ondes de 98,5 Sports il y a quelques jours, Stéphane Waite et Pierre Gervais ont donné leur opinion sur le flamboyant défenseur.

Et ce n’est pas nécessairement positif…

Nos collègues chez Fan de Hockey ont d’ailleurs traité la nouvelle mardi dernier.

Lors du segment Ça sent la coupe, Martineau a avoué son immense amour pour le droitier. Le jeune humoriste disait qu’il amenait un vent de fraîcheur. C’est là que Waite avait son mot à dire. L’ancien entraîneur des gardiens a dit ceci :

Le seul vent de fraîcheur qu’il a amené, c’est lorsqu’il a quitté pour Nashville. – Stéphane Waite.

Ouin… Il n’était pas dans ses bonnes grâces, en tout cas.

Cette déclaration a bien fait rire dans le studio. Pierre Gervais, sur qui nous avons beaucoup appris dans les dernières années avec ses livres, ne seconde pas officiellement les dires de Waite, mais « il n’est pas loin ». Gervais a rajouté qu’après deux-trois mois, les autres joueurs dans le vestiaire n’étaient plus capable de Subban.

Lorsqu’il a quitté pour la ville du country, Shea Weber, un gars beaucoup plus focus, s’est amené. Cela a dû être différent.

Rappelons également que le Torontois a fait jaser en masse lorsqu’il a oublié des partisans qui ne voulaient qu’une photo avec leur héros. C’est David St-Germain, un ancien employé de l’organisation, qui a partagé cette information au balado Stanley 25.

En rafale

– Les Dodgers ont de l’ambition.

– Du changement à venir pour le match de ce soir?

– Renaud Lavoie n’échangerait pas Cole Caufield.

– Congédiement au Minnesota.

« Evander Kane wants a suspension because he can’t afford the $5,000 fine »

For better or worse, Evander Kane has always been the talk of the town. The player is no stranger to controversy, let’s put it that way.

This isn’t the first time I’ve started something like this in the last few days, because it’s always true in his case. It was true when we talked about his departure from golf… and it’s true again this morning.

After all, yesterday, his hit on Tyler Myers attracted as much attention as his ability to change a hockey game with his first-rate hockey skills.

The question on the table: will he be suspended? If Carson Soucy had a game…

Because Evander Kane is a big-name star and the playoffs are in full swing, one wonders how the NHL will handle his potential suspension.

And former Canucks goalie Eddie Lack has his own thoughts on the matter.

The Swede, who is now a real estate agent in Arizona, said on X that Kane will be praying for a one-game suspension since he can’t afford a $5,000 fine.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({« cmd »: « addBanner »});

If you’re looking for a little entertainment, Eddie Lack took the time to respond to quite a few people who wrote back to mention that he was just jealous of the fact that Kane is still playing. Attacking him on his money problems didn’t go down well with some.

Lack says he’s just a nobody with a bad glove (that wasn’t his strength as a goalie in the NHL, after all) and that nothing can get him off the hook after all he’s been through.

It’s not his only line in the genre.

The Oilers knew what they were getting into when they signed Kane. Let’s just say that right now, it’s the ugly side that’s coming out. Are the Oilers’ leaders strong enough to get over social networking stories like this? I think they are.

In gusto

– Read more.

– Good news.

– Montreal LPHF: a good off-season on the menu. [BPM Sports]

– Indeed.

– When will it be the NHL’s turn?

« Engstrom is light years ahead of Norlinder ».

This morning, Canadiens fans were treated to some great news.

The club announced the signing of Adam Engstrom…

An intriguing prospect, but just as interesting for Tricolore fans.

After all, Engstrom was drafted 92nd overall (2022 draft) and has done well this season in Sweden, with Rogle’s squad.

Is he the Habs’ saviour on the blue line for the future?

The answer is no.

But Mathias Brunet told BPM Sports that we can expect to see him become a top-4 defenseman in Montreal…

Because, in his eyes, Engstrom is « light-years ahead » of Mattias Norlinder at the same age :

You know, we went crazy about Norlinder back then…? Engstrom is light-years ahead of Norlinder. – Mathias Brunet

We don’t know where Engstrom will play next year… But the Habs like him a lot, and the defenseman will follow the organization’s advice:

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({« cmd »: « addBanner »});

Expectations are high… But we need to calm down too.

That said, the parallel is interesting to raise because Norlinder and Engstrom were both drafted in the third round.

Norlinder, on the other hand, was seen by some as a true stud on the blue line… And he was never able to live up to expectations.

After all, Mattias Norlinder had a big camp with the Habs last fall… But there’s a reason why he hasn’t played in the NHL since the 21-22 season.

You can’t expect Adam Engstrom to fill the net in the NHL, and you can’t expect him to become a dominant player in the big leagues.

But the defender’s progress is interesting, and it’s the Habs’ turn to follow suit.

The goal is to help him become the best defenseman he can be… whether in Montreal or Laval next year.

It’s going to be interesting to watch, at least.

In bursts

– With good reason.

– No way …

– Bravo!

« DJ Smith is an underrated trainer ».

DJ Smith spent four full seasons as head coach of the Ottawa Senators.

The result?

Under his stewardship, the Sens missed the playoffs four seasons in a row… despite all the talent on the Ottawa roster.

But with so many coaches being fired over the past few weeks, Smith’s name could be back in the news soon enough.

At least, that’s what Andy Strickland, who covers the Blues in St. Louis, said on Twitter.

Strickland says that if the Kings lose tonight to the Oilers (the series is 3-1 to Edmonton), Smith’s name will be one to watch in LA because, in his eyes, we’re talking about an « underrated » coach:

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({« cmd »: « addBanner »});

I’ll be the first to say that the Senators’ failures don’t rest entirely on Smith’s shoulders, because he wasn’t the one on the ice during the games…

But it’s the fact that he’s never been able to take his club to the playoffs that bothers me.

What’s worse? The Senators never won more than 40 games with Smith when he was the team’s pilot.

Jim Hiller was named interim head coach of the Kings last February, following the firing of Todd McLellan.

But Hiller’s position is far from guaranteed, given that the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and expectations were high at the start of the season.

That said… Does DJ Smith have what it takes to lead this club to the top?

Does he have what it takes to « relaunch » the career of Pierre-Luc Dubois, who had his worst season since joining the NHL after signing an eight-year, $68 million contract last summer?

You have to ask these questions. In fact, they’re questions Kings management will have to ask themselves.

In bursts

– No…

– Impressive.

– It continues tonight!

– Boom!