Canadiens Notebook: Management stresses compete level to prospects
Article content
'I think everyone's talking about size and Washington and the way they played,' Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens' executive vice-president of hockey operations, said after the Canadiens lost to the Capitals in five games in the first round as the youngest team to make the NHL playoffs. 'Certainly, we're aware of that and as we move forward (GM Kent Hughes) and I had a lot of discussions about this … size.
Article content
Article content
'Compete is really the biggest thing,' Gorton added. 'Making sure we have people that are comfortable in a playoff environment to play in all situations.'
Article content
Article content
Compete level is something that was stressed during the Canadiens' three-day development camp, which wrapped up Thursday at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard with 31 prospects taking part.
Article content
'Did you watch the playoffs?' Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, asked when he met with the media after Thursday's scrimmage. 'Holy smokes, especially that final. That was living colour. And so, yes, that was a big, big part of the message and I think the compete was very good out there today. Yesterday it was good. We were one day shorter in camp than we've previously been and I think that helped the energy level.'
Article content
Hayden Paupanekis is a 6-foot-5, 203-pound centre the Canadiens selected in the third round (69th overall) of last week's NHL Draft. He definitely adds size and also realizes the importance of compete level.
Article content
Article content
'If guys compete, you can do anything,' said Paupanekis, who had 22-21-43 totals in 71 games last season split between the WHL's Spokane Chiefs and Kelowna Rockets. 'Kind of like what they're telling us after practice and before and in the video room, they're saying: 'You got to compete. If you're not competing, you won't be sitting in a (Canadiens) jersey or in the dressing room.' So going forward, just my little habits and everything I do is really big and just trying to compete to get to the next level.'
Article content
Nos choix de 2025
Our 2025 draftees #GoHabsGo | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/SlCKDWTQXG
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 3, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ottawa Citizen
2 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Cowan: Canadiens have big hopes for towering prospect Hayden Paupanekis
Article content Paupanekis wasn't in Los Angeles for last weekend's draft, instead staying home to watch on TV with his family, including his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. The Canadiens moved up in the draft to select him, acquiring the 69th overall pick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 79th and 108th picks. Article content 'It was kind of a weird moment,' Paupanekis said. 'It was a commercial break during the draft and then out of nowhere Montreal's picking and I was like, 'What the heck's going on?' And then I hear my name. Once I learned they traded up for me it meant a lot. They didn't think I was going to be there at 79. Article content The 6-foot-5, 203-pound Hayden Paupanekis with shootout goal at end of #Habs development camp scrimmage. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 3, 2025 Article content Article content 'I was glad that I stayed home with my family and took that moment in with them and celebrated with them,' he added. 'It was crazy. I didn't really expect anybody. I just wanted to know who it was going to be and then once I found out it was Montreal everybody was screaming. Just a lot of excitement. My mom was crying.' Article content There's a lot to like about Paupanekis, starting with his size and the fact he plays centre, a position where the Canadiens lack depth. The Canadiens are hoping Paupanekis can follow a similar trajectory to 6-foot-5, 212-pound right-winger Tyler Thorpe, who they selected in the fifth round (130th overall) of last year's NHL Draft. Article content After last year's development camp, Canadiens management told Thorpe they wanted him to return to the WHL's Vancouver Giants and show he could play a physical game. He responded by posting 27-25-52 totals with 69 penalty minutes in 68 games and was rewarded with an NHL entry-level contract. Thorpe played one game with the AHL's Laval Rocket at the end of last season and picked up two assists. Article content Article content Article content 'He's got some work to do, but he's young,' Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, said about Paupanekis. 'He's in Kelowna, they're going to host the Memorial Cup (next season). I have not seen him until today and yesterday, for that matter. But, apparently, he's going to be their go-to guy. Once again, with so many of these guys it's maturity, physically growing into their bodies. But he's got a big frame, so it's just going to be a matter of time for him. Article content 'It's going to be a big year for him,' Ramage added. 'With the Memorial Cup coming he's going to be one of the focus guys. So hopefully they build a good team around him.' Article content Living in Winnipeg, Paupanekis said he has learned a lot about protecting the puck, using his size and going to the net by watching the Jets' Adam Lowry — a 6-foot-5, 210-pound centre — in action. Paupanekis added that versatility is the strongest part of his game at this point with him able to play on the power play, the penalty kill and in the last two minutes of a game, whether his team is winning or losing. Article content 'I have lots to grow still,' he said. 'I'm still young, I still want to gain weight, get stronger. I think once I do that I'll have a really good chance at making the NHL and staying in the NHL and that's the goal for me, obviously. Article content 'You dream of that stuff,' he added about putting on a Canadiens sweater for the first time at development camp. 'At a young age I never really thought I'd be in this position. To finally see myself to be wearing the logo, it's an honour. I'm just super-excited for what the future holds for me.'
Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Cowan: Canadiens have big hopes for towering prospect Hayden Paupanekis
Article content Paupanekis wasn't in Los Angeles for last weekend's draft, instead staying home to watch on TV with his family, including his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. The Canadiens moved up in the draft to select him, acquiring the 69th overall pick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for the 79th and 108th picks. Article content 'It was kind of a weird moment,' Paupanekis said. 'It was a commercial break during the draft and then out of nowhere Montreal's picking and I was like, 'What the heck's going on?' And then I hear my name. Once I learned they traded up for me it meant a lot. They didn't think I was going to be there at 79. Article content The 6-foot-5, 203-pound Hayden Paupanekis with shootout goal at end of #Habs development camp scrimmage. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 3, 2025 Article content Article content 'I was glad that I stayed home with my family and took that moment in with them and celebrated with them,' he added. 'It was crazy. I didn't really expect anybody. I just wanted to know who it was going to be and then once I found out it was Montreal everybody was screaming. Just a lot of excitement. My mom was crying.' Article content There's a lot to like about Paupanekis, starting with his size and the fact he plays centre, a position where the Canadiens lack depth. The Canadiens are hoping Paupanekis can follow a similar trajectory to 6-foot-5, 212-pound right-winger Tyler Thorpe, who they selected in the fifth round (130th overall) of last year's NHL Draft. Article content After last year's development camp, Canadiens management told Thorpe they wanted him to return to the WHL's Vancouver Giants and show he could play a physical game. He responded by posting 27-25-52 totals with 69 penalty minutes in 68 games and was rewarded with an NHL entry-level contract. Thorpe played one game with the AHL's Laval Rocket at the end of last season and picked up two assists. Article content Article content Article content 'He's got some work to do, but he's young,' Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, said about Paupanekis. 'He's in Kelowna, they're going to host the Memorial Cup (next season). I have not seen him until today and yesterday, for that matter. But, apparently, he's going to be their go-to guy. Once again, with so many of these guys it's maturity, physically growing into their bodies. But he's got a big frame, so it's just going to be a matter of time for him. Article content 'It's going to be a big year for him,' Ramage added. 'With the Memorial Cup coming he's going to be one of the focus guys. So hopefully they build a good team around him.' Article content Living in Winnipeg, Paupanekis said he has learned a lot about protecting the puck, using his size and going to the net by watching the Jets' Adam Lowry — a 6-foot-5, 210-pound centre — in action. Paupanekis added that versatility is the strongest part of his game at this point with him able to play on the power play, the penalty kill and in the last two minutes of a game, whether his team is winning or losing. Article content 'I have lots to grow still,' he said. 'I'm still young, I still want to gain weight, get stronger. I think once I do that I'll have a really good chance at making the NHL and staying in the NHL and that's the goal for me, obviously. Article content 'You dream of that stuff,' he added about putting on a Canadiens sweater for the first time at development camp. 'At a young age I never really thought I'd be in this position. To finally see myself to be wearing the logo, it's an honour. I'm just super-excited for what the future holds for me.'
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Familiar face, Curtis Lazar looking forward to joining Edmonton Oilers
When Curtis Lazar left here for the Ottawa Senators, after helping the Edmonton Oil Kings win the 2014 Memorial Cup, all he had was his skates, his equipment bag and a body full of hope that he might have a long career as an NHLer. Now, that he's back in town with the Oilers after signing July 2, tugging on his seventh NHL jersey and only 30, it's just not him on this long and winding journey. 'I showed up in Edmonton as a teenager and I'm coming back with a wife and two kids (boys aged four and two) and a couple of dogs… and here we go,' said Lazar, from his off-season home in Kelowna. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Lazar was a terrific junior here, scoring 41 goals in 58 games on the Oil Kings ride to the CHL championship— the last WHL team to claim that title — but after the Sens took him the first round and got him to the NHL early, before he was really ready, he's morphed into a role playing, right-shot, win lots of faceoffs, penalty-killing centre, through 572 games. His signing here, one-year at $775,000, is a nice story, of course. Completing the circle from the Oil Kings to the Oilers, and he fills a role as a veteran fourth-line centre, although the add to the roster may have caused Noah Philp pause because the just signed ($775,000, two-way deal) farmhand is also in the picture as a right-shot fourth-liner after his 15 Oilers games last season. What Lazar has that Philp doesn't is over 500 NHL games on his resume, and almost 3,000 faceoffs. He was 51.3 percent on his 400 draws last year, dragging around a bad knee that needed surgery, while the 27-year-old Philp was 39.2 per cent on 102 draws and knows that has to really improve if he wants to play a fourth-line centre role. Is Lazar tired of moving around, so much? Nah, part of the job description. 'Stability would be nice but I just don't know if there's such a thing in the hockey world if you're in the bottom six but anywhere you are that's close to home (B.C.) you cherish that with family and friends and more visits,' said Lazar, who's been the ultimate travellin' man, from Ottawa to Calgary, from Buffalo to Boston, from Vancouver to New Jersey, and now in Edmonton. Certainly, he's had an array of teammates and friends along the way. 'Connor (McDavid) was my roommate and linemate in the world junior one year… that was pretty cool. I was the guy coming down from the Senators to play, and I was telling him to relax and take it all in. Now, of course, he's the best player in the world and I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted,' said Lazar. 'I know Pods (Vasily Podkolzin) from Vancouver… what an absolute workhorse that kid is. I love his hustle and his compete,' said Lazar, who said both McDavid and Podkolzin reached out after he signed. 'I'm familiar with a lot of guys in Edmonton, actually. I'll probably forget a few. I played with Trent Frederic in Boston, (Brett) Kulak and (Andrew) Mangiapane were in Calgary when I was there. I went toe-to-toe against Leon (Draisaitl, in Prince Albert and Kelowna) in junior quite a bit, especially in the playoffs. I've known Darnell (Nurse) through a few Hockey Canada things… we actually fought in a Top Prospects Game in 2013.' How did that go? 'I'm still here, aren't I?' he laughed. This is the third time Lazar has signed as a free agent in July, but it was more nervous than past years because of his knee injury with the Devils. He only played 48 games and had just two goals and five points after 25 points the year before. 'This one (free agency) was the most stressful, coming off a season where I couldn't hang my hat on anything, really. A write-off (season) is probably a good way of putting it but I guess my reputation and being a right-shot centre helped my case and looking around the (NHL) landscape I thought the Oilers made a lot of sense for me. When they called, it was a no-brainer for me,' said Lazar. But, the knee issue with Devils really compromised his skating. 'I think it was Game 10 or 11 where Radko Gudas got a piece of my knee (hit) and I needed some work on it. The surgery went well, the knee was strong and solid but they put some screws in there and I had some complications with those. The screws were being pushed out of my body and needed them removed when the season ended,' he said. 'You know the person I am, I'm not a complainer. If I can put my skates on, I'm playing if even not 100 per cent… but with that (knee) and a new coach (Sheldon Keefe) trying to earn his trust, it was the perfect storm against me. 'Now that's behind me and I'm ready to prove people wrong, that it was just an injury-riddled season (Devils).' Lazar has certainly paid attention to the Oilers playoff rides the last two years. 'I'm excited to get into the dressing room. From everything I've heard it's a team that's upset with not getting the job done and they're motivated… I'm hoping to contribute,' he said. Just spitballing here, but if the Oilers are looking to add to goalie picture, maybe they should be on the phone to Detroit GM Steve Yzerman, seeing what it would cost to get ex Oil Kings' tender Sebastian Cossa out of there. They wanted to draft the 6'6' Cossa, 22, in 2021 but Wings' made a deal to move ahead of them (No. 15 overall) and currently Cossa is buried in their muddled goalie scenario with addition of John Gibson (trade) and with Cam Talbot under contract for another year at $2.5M AAV. Cossa probably won't be making the Wings this season, unless there's injuries, and he'll have to go back to the minors for a fourth season. 'He needs more time in the American League and we're counting on him to play well,' said Yzerman, who also has high-end college prospect Trey Augustine, 20, at Michigan State. He was USA's world junior starter on two gold medal-winning teams and had a 19-7-4 record, 2.02 goals against average and .924 save percentage this past college season, his sophomore year. Wings also have Czech signing G Michal Postava, 23, in the mix and he might play in the AHL with Cossa this season. 'He played extremely well in the Czech League,' said Yzerman, talking to Detroit writers. While the San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to that one-year $4 million deal, you can bet they will dangling the former Oilers D at next March's trade deadline to a Cup contender. Jesse Puljujarvi's bumpy/injury riddled NHL road looks like it may be over. He's going to be playing for Geneve-Servette in Switzerland this upcoming season after finishing with Charlotte Checkers, Florida's AHL affiliate this spring. New Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane has chosen jersey number 88. Only Brandon Davidson and Robbie Schremp have ever worn that Oilers number before. Frederic is changing from 21 to 10 with Derek Ryan likely retiring. Phil Kemp, the Oilers assistant captain in Bakersfield, wisely chose to sign a two-year UFA deal with Pittsburgh because the defenceman's window to ever making Oilers had been slammed shut for several years. He's very competitive but his boots were a little slow for the Oilers and when they chose to claim the injured Alec Regula off waivers from Boston last December that spelled the end of Kemp in organization. Kemp will likely start the season in Wilkes-Barre, Pens AHL farm club for $350,000 guaranteed. Local product Daniel Carr, 33, has left Lugano in the Swiss League after four years there to sign a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville affiliate) in the AHL. Ex-Oilers farmhand left-shot D Ben Gleason, traded to the Flyers for the right-shot Ronnie Attard last season, signed a free-agent deal with Minnesota. Local product Trey-Fix Wolansky, one of AHL's best point-producers the last several years playing for Columbus's farm team, signed with the New York Rangers. Ex-Oilers farmhand Lane Pederson signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Two of Oil Kings' core players — defenceman Ethan MacKenzie and winger Lukas Sawchyn, were at development camps with Minnesota and Florida. Both kids went through the draft last month, not selected. Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters . You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun
