Key Takeaways:
- The Montreal Canadiens are interested in acquiring Blake Coleman from the Calgary Flames, but there is no guarantee that a trade will happen.
- Team Canada has narrowed down its reserve list for the Olympic roster to around 15 players, who will be subject to IOC anti-doping protocol and testing.
- Jordan Binnington’s rough start against the Chicago Blackhawks was not due to him refusing to be pulled, but rather because backup goalie Joel Hofer was not ready to enter the game in time.
- The Canadiens are in no hurry to make a trade, and will likely wait until after the Olympic break to assess their standings and goaltending situation.
- Blake Coleman has a 10-team list where he can be traded to without his consent, giving him some control over his potential trade destination.
Introduction to the Canadiens’ Trade Interests
The Montreal Canadiens are currently surging in the Eastern Conference, and are now just a point out of the top spot. Despite their success, they are still looking to bolster their lineup through trades. According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Canadiens have their eyes on Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman. However, LeBrun notes that the Canadiens are in no hurry to make a move, and will likely wait until after the Olympic break to assess their standings and goaltending situation.
The Canadiens’ Interest in Blake Coleman
Blake Coleman is a player of interest for the Canadiens, who brings elements such as physicality and versatility to the table. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and has a strong reputation in the league. However, Coleman is also of interest to other teams, and the Flames may not be willing to trade him. Coleman has another year on his deal at $4.9 million, and is a leader in the Flames’ dressing room. He also has a 10-team list where he can be traded to without his consent, giving him some control over his potential trade destination.
Team Canada’s Olympic Roster Management
With the Winter Olympic hockey tournament approaching, Team Canada is facing some question marks due to injuries. The team has narrowed down its reserve list to around 15 players, who will be subject to IOC anti-doping protocol and testing. This list includes players such as Sam Bennett, Connor Bedard, and Mark Scheifele. The list is flexible, and players can be moved up or down depending on their performance between now and the Olympics. However, there is no clear number one player on the list, and the team will have to wait and see who becomes available in case of an injury.
The Jordan Binnington Situation
Jordan Binnington had a rough start against the Chicago Blackhawks, giving up seven goals. There was some confusion over whether he refused to be pulled from the game, but it was later revealed that backup goalie Joel Hofer was not ready to enter the game in time. Hofer was still in the dressing room and not fully geared up when the goalie switch was attempted, and by the time he was ready, the puck had already dropped. This meant that the Blues missed their window to make the goalie switch, and Binnington was forced to stay in the game.
Conclusion and Further Analysis
The situation with Jordan Binnington is not ideal, given his current save percentage is not even in the top 50 in the league. The Blues will need to assess their goaltending situation and decide what changes need to be made. Meanwhile, the Canadiens will continue to monitor the trade market and wait for the right opportunity to make a move. Team Canada will also be keeping a close eye on its reserve list and making adjustments as needed in preparation for the Olympics. The full version of Insider Trading with Pierre and Dregs will provide further analysis and discussion on these topics.