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Ottawa Citizen
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Cowan: Canadiens' rebuild takes another step in right direction
You have to think the Canadiens would have selected Zachary Bolduc if he had been available when they had the 31st overall pick at the 2021 NHL Draft. Article content Bolduc, a right-winger, was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and the St. Louis Blues took the Trois-Rivières native with the 17th pick. Article content Former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin ended up taking defenceman Logan Mailloux, who had been ranked 23rd by NHL Central Scouting, with the 31st pick. That created a firestorm because Mailloux had renounced himself from the draft, saying he didn't deserve the honour or privilege of being selected that year after secretly photographing an 18-year-old woman engaged in a sexual act with him while in Sweden in 2020 and sharing the picture and her identity with his teammates. Mailloux was charged in Sweden with defamation and offensive photography and was fined about $2,000. Article content Article content On Tuesday, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes got Bolduc from the Blues in exchange for Mailloux. The trade involving two 22-year-olds could be looked at like the Canadiens moving up 14 spots at the 2021 draft. Article content Bolduc had 19-17-36 totals in 72 games last season with the Blues, while Mailloux had 12-21-33 totals in 63 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket and 2-2-4 totals in seven games with the Canadiens. Mailloux became expendable after Hughes acquired 25-year-old defenceman Noah Dobson — also a right-hand shot — from the New York Islanders last Friday in exchange for the 16th and 17th overall picks at that night's NHL Draft and 23-year-old forward Emil Heineman. Article content Article content Hughes said it wasn't a case of things not working out with Mailloux — who has struggled with the defensive side of the game — but after acquiring Dobson, it allowed him to look for some much-needed offensive help at the forward position. Article content Article content Hughes likes Bolduc's offensive potential, noting he almost hit the 20-goal mark last season while averaging only 12:48 of ice time per game. Hughes added that the 6-foot, 187-pound Bolduc is a good skater and improved a lot last season with his physical play and forechecking. Bolduc also has 97 games of NHL experience, during which he has posted 24-21-45 totals. Mailloux has played only eight games in the NHL, with 2-3-5 totals. Article content 'I think when you can add experience and keep it young, that would be the ideal,' Hughes said when asked about the mix of youth and experience as the Canadiens head into Year 4 of their rebuild after becoming the youngest team to make the playoffs last season. 'I think that's the case in Noah Dobson's situation, where you get a young guy who played in the NHL as a teenager. He's 25, but he's got a significant amount of experience and, at the same time, can grow with our group. So that's important.'
Montreal Gazette
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Cowan: Canadiens' rebuild takes another step in right direction
Montreal Canadiens By You have to think the Canadiens would have selected Zachary Bolduc if he had been available when they had the 31st overall pick at the 2021 NHL Draft. Bolduc, a right-winger, was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and the St. Louis Blues took the Trois-Rivières native with the 17th pick. Former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin ended up taking defenceman Logan Mailloux, who had been ranked 23rd by NHL Central Scouting, with the 31st pick. That created a firestorm because Mailloux had renounced himself from the draft, saying he didn't deserve the honour or privilege of being selected that year after secretly photographing an 18-year-old woman engaged in a sexual act with him while in Sweden in 2020 and sharing the picture and her identity with his teammates. Mailloux was charged in Sweden with defamation and offensive photography and was fined about $2,000. On Tuesday, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes got Bolduc from the Blues in exchange for Mailloux. The trade involving two 22-year-olds could be looked at like the Canadiens moving up 14 spots at the 2021 draft. Bolduc had 19-17-36 totals in 72 games last season with the Blues, while Mailloux had 12-21-33 totals in 63 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket and 2-2-4 totals in seven games with the Canadiens. Mailloux became expendable after Hughes acquired 25-year-old defenceman Noah Dobson — also a right-hand shot — from the New York Islanders last Friday in exchange for the 16th and 17th overall picks at that night's NHL Draft and 23-year-old forward Emil Heineman. Hughes said it wasn't a case of things not working out with Mailloux — who has struggled with the defensive side of the game — but after acquiring Dobson, it allowed him to look for some much-needed offensive help at the forward position. Hughes likes Bolduc's offensive potential, noting he almost hit the 20-goal mark last season while averaging only 12:48 of ice time per game. Hughes added that the 6-foot, 187-pound Bolduc is a good skater and improved a lot last season with his physical play and forechecking. Bolduc also has 97 games of NHL experience, during which he has posted 24-21-45 totals. Mailloux has played only eight games in the NHL, with 2-3-5 totals. 'I think when you can add experience and keep it young, that would be the ideal,' Hughes said when asked about the mix of youth and experience as the Canadiens head into Year 4 of their rebuild after becoming the youngest team to make the playoffs last season. 'I think that's the case in Noah Dobson's situation, where you get a young guy who played in the NHL as a teenager. He's 25, but he's got a significant amount of experience and, at the same time, can grow with our group. So that's important.' The Canadiens lost some experience when the NHL free-agent market opened Tuesday and centre Christian Dvorak, 29, signed a one-year, US$5.4-million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, while winger Joel Armia, 32, signed a two-year, US$5-million contract with the Los Angeles Kings. 'Bolduc is a little bit younger, he's not a rookie, and he's coming from a team that had a lot of experience around him, which we think is certainly helpful,' Hughes said. 'But the reality is we're not going to put the perfect team together in the course of one summer.' The Canadiens' roster is loaded with former first-round draft picks, including Bolduc, Dobson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Patrik Laine, Ivan Demidov, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Kaiden Guhle and Matheson. There's also Lane Hutson, a second-round pick. When Jeff Gorton, the executive vice-president of hockey operations, met with the media last Thursday, he said he wouldn't consider it a disappointment if the Canadiens missed the playoffs next season as management keeps the focus on its long-term goal of building a team that won't just make the playoffs, but be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender for several years in a row. 'This is a big weekend for us and it's a big summer for us, but we're not going to do anything that's stupid,' Gorton said. The Canadiens have made some very smart moves since that statement in acquiring Dobson and Bolduc, while keeping two top prospects in defenceman David Reinbacher and centre Michael Hage, along with veteran defenceman Matheson. 'I think we can get in the playoffs again next year,' Hughes said. 'I hope that we do. I think when you're asked if it's a disappointment (missing the playoffs) it's a tricky thing in terms of the messaging. There's a messaging to the public, there's a messaging to your team. I hope we make the playoffs. 'As a roster, we probably have a better chance than maybe what we did last year at this time,' Hughes added. 'But we found our way and then other teams that maybe were expected to didn't. So we still got to play the games. I think we still have work to do here from a management perspective to get to where we want to be, but I like the direction we're heading in.' With good reason.
Vancouver Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Cowan: Canadiens' rebuild takes another step in right direction
You have to think the Canadiens would have selected Zachary Bolduc if he had been available when they had the 31st overall pick at the 2021 NHL Draft. Bolduc, a right-winger, was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, and the St. Louis Blues took the Trois-Rivières native with the 17th pick. Former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin ended up taking defenceman Logan Mailloux , who had been ranked 23rd by NHL Central Scouting, with the 31st pick. That created a firestorm because Mailloux had renounced himself from the draft, saying he didn't deserve the honour or privilege of being selected that year after secretly photographing an 18-year-old woman engaged in a sexual act with him while in Sweden in 2020 and sharing the picture and her identity with his teammates. Mailloux was charged in Sweden with defamation and offensive photography and was fined about $2,000. On Tuesday, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes got Bolduc from the Blues in exchange for Mailloux. The trade involving two 22-year-olds could be looked at like the Canadiens moving up 14 spots at the 2021 draft. 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. Bolduc had 19-17-36 totals in 72 games last season with the Blues, while Mailloux had 12-21-33 totals in 63 games with the AHL's Laval Rocket and 2-2-4 totals in seven games with the Canadiens. Mailloux became expendable after Hughes acquired 25-year-old defenceman Noah Dobson — also a right-hand shot — from the New York Islanders last Friday in exchange for the 16th and 17th overall picks at that night's NHL Draft and 23-year-old forward Emil Heineman. Hughes said it wasn't a case of things not working out with Mailloux — who has struggled with the defensive side of the game — but after acquiring Dobson, it allowed him to look for some much-needed offensive help at the forward position. Hughes likes Bolduc's offensive potential, noting he almost hit the 20-goal mark last season while averaging only 12:48 of ice time per game. Hughes added that the 6-foot, 187-pound Bolduc is a good skater and improved a lot last season with his physical play and forechecking. Bolduc also has 97 games of NHL experience, during which he has posted 24-21-45 totals. Mailloux has played only eight games in the NHL, with 2-3-5 totals. 'I think when you can add experience and keep it young, that would be the ideal,' Hughes said when asked about the mix of youth and experience as the Canadiens head into Year 4 of their rebuild after becoming the youngest team to make the playoffs last season. 'I think that's the case in Noah Dobson's situation, where you get a young guy who played in the NHL as a teenager. He's 25, but he's got a significant amount of experience and, at the same time, can grow with our group. So that's important.' The Canadiens lost some experience when the NHL free-agent market opened Tuesday and centre Christian Dvorak , 29, signed a one-year, US$5.4-million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, while winger Joel Armia , 32, signed a two-year, US$5-million contract with the Los Angeles Kings. 'Bolduc is a little bit younger, he's not a rookie, and he's coming from a team that had a lot of experience around him, which we think is certainly helpful,' Hughes said. 'But the reality is we're not going to put the perfect team together in the course of one summer.' The Canadiens' roster is loaded with former first-round draft picks, including Bolduc, Dobson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Patrik Laine, Ivan Demidov, Kirby Dach, Alex Newhook, Kaiden Guhle and Matheson. There's also Lane Hutson, a second-round pick. When Jeff Gorton, the executive vice-president of hockey operations, met with the media last Thursday, he said he wouldn't consider it a disappointment if the Canadiens missed the playoffs next season as management keeps the focus on its long-term goal of building a team that won't just make the playoffs, but be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender for several years in a row. 'This is a big weekend for us and it's a big summer for us, but we're not going to do anything that's stupid,' Gorton said. The Canadiens have made some very smart moves since that statement in acquiring Dobson and Bolduc, while keeping two top prospects in defenceman David Reinbacher and centre Michael Hage , along with veteran defenceman Matheson. 'I think we can get in the playoffs again next year,' Hughes said. 'I hope that we do. I think when you're asked if it's a disappointment (missing the playoffs) it's a tricky thing in terms of the messaging. There's a messaging to the public, there's a messaging to your team. I hope we make the playoffs. 'As a roster, we probably have a better chance than maybe what we did last year at this time,' Hughes added. 'But we found our way and then other teams that maybe were expected to didn't. So we still got to play the games. I think we still have work to do here from a management perspective to get to where we want to be, but I like the direction we're heading in.' With good reason.
Chicago Tribune
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Who did the Chicago Blackhawks select in the 2025 NHL draft? Here are the latest picks.
The Chicago Blackhawks made three first-round selections Friday in the 2025 NHL draft. The Hawks drafted the top-ranked international player with the No. 3 pick in the NHL draft — Swedish forward Anton Frondell. They also selected Czech winger Vaclav Nestrasil with the No. 25 pick. Shortly after choosing Nestrasil, the Hawks traded with the Carolina Hurricanes to acquire another first-round pick at No. 29. They gave up two second-round picks, Nos. 34 and 62, plus a fifth-round pick in the 2027 draft. They used the No. 29 pick on Mason West. All told, the Hawks have had 11 first-round draft picks over the last four years. Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said that it hasn't happened by chance — it's intentional. 'The more you pick early … you're more likely to succeed,' Davidson said. 'And so we've taken that philosophy and tried to hit it with volume. 'But I also believe that some of these players are getting to the NHL, some of them are on their path. But from our assessment, an objective assessment, we feel their development so far, we are ahead of the odds in some way — I think we are beating the odds and getting a few more players out of drafts than you know, the odds may dictate.' Blackhawks' 2025 draft picks It all started with a pair of pink figure skates. 'It was the first time I stepped on the ice,' Swedish forward Anton Frondell, 18, said on Friday's ESPN broadcast of the NHL draft. 'Dad just found some pink figure skating skates. I actually skated with them for a year until he (found) out, (and said) 'Oh, Anton, he loves the sport. He wants this.' 'Then he bought me my real first skates. He really wanted me to be a tennis player when I was younger. But I didn't fall for the sport.' NHL Central Scouting regards Frondell as a skilled player with strong legs and a quick stick. '(He) has a nifty wrist shot and his release is solid and accurate. His hockey IQ shines with intelligent moves, with or without the puck. Likes to set up teammates using small moves and tricky passes.' Frondell said he'd like to play in the NHL next season, but it's more likely he'll return to Sweden to play in the men's league. However, Davidson said he'll be able to play in the Hawks' training camp. Davidson said of Frondell, 'He's a really smart hockey player. He uses his body very effectively, especially in battles along the wall. He just has a really projectable game to the NHL.' 'Barkov's probably a few inches taller. … I would say he's probably between a Barkov and an Anton Lundell … he's a big, detail-oriented center with a brain.'—Blackhawks scouting director Mike Doneghey on Anton Frondell and comparisons to Aleksander Barkov — Phil Thompson (@ 2025-06-28T04:16:41.753ZWinger Vaclav Nestrasil is a 6-foot-5, 187-pound native of Praha, Czechia, who produced 19 goals and 23 assists in 61 games for UHSL Muskegon en route to this year's Clark Cup championship. NHL Central Scouting calls the 18-year-old 'a very skilled power forward. Has a nose for the net and when he uses his size, he's tough to handle. (He) possesses a hard shot and quick release, making him a scoring threat every time he enters the offensive zone.' 'You like the physical attributes where (he's a) big, athletic guy that can really move. I think he's got some talent, and some really good hockey sense. And again, a raw package,' Davidson said of Nestrasil. Mason West is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound rising senior at Edina (Minn.) High School. A Division I college football recruit, he has committed to play college hockey at Michigan State — but not until he finishes his final season as a high school quarterback. 'He's behind the curve; he's not quite dedicated himself 100% to hockey,' Davidson said of West, who will turn 18 in August and is one of the youngest players eligible for the 2025 NHL draft. 'But at that size, that athleticism, that skating ability, that talent, the sky is the limit. … I just really wanted to get back into the first round and take what I thought was a Grand Slam hack. I was swinging for the fences and figured, why not?'
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NHL Draft dads: 5 prospects following in their fathers' footsteps
It's officially time for the 2025 NHL Draft, which means we are more than likely to hear some very familiar names called once again. Each year it seems like more children of former NHLers enter into the draft pool. Friday night's first round will be no different. Last year the draft gave us the progeny of iconic players like Jarome Iginla, Saku Koivu, Miroslav Stan and Martin Lapointe. The 2025 class features plenty more children from the same NHL era. Which is another reminder to all of us who watched their dads just how quickly time passes (AKA we are all very old now). 2025 NHL DRAFT: The top-32 prospects, ranked Here are some names that might get you to perk up this weekend. Blake Fiddler, D The son of Vernon Fiddler is rated the No. 26 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and should hear his name called relatively early on. Vernon played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils between 2005 and 2017. Jake Stuart, F The son of 2008 Stanley Cup champion Brad Stuart didn't follow his father's footsteps as a defenseman, but he's hoping to carve out a pro career just as lengthy as his dad's. Brad was the No. 3 overall pick of the San Jose Sharks in 1998 and didn't retire until 2016. Jake Stuart is already committed to play at the University of Denver, so we'll see how long it takes him to crack the league. Blake Vanek, RW Yep! That's Thomas Vanek's son. The No. 5 overall pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2003 who played until 2019. Six years later, Blake (ranked is ready to follow in his footsteps. Considering his dad posted 789 points in 1,029 career games across eight teams, those footsteps are quite large. Brooks Cullen, C The son of three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen is ranked the No. 164 skater in North America. Matt was the No. 35 overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 1996 and has remained in the game ever since. Most recently, the Cullens won a Minnesota AA championship with Matt serving on the coaching staff of Brooks' Moorhead High School team. Cameron Aucoin, D Playing the same position as his father, the son of Adrian Aucoin would love to have a similar career if possible. Adrian played in the NHL from 1994-2013, appearing in 1,100 games and serving as the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Honorable Mention: Artyom Gonchar, D The nephew of 2009 Stanley Cup champion Sergei Gonchar is one of the top international skaters on the board with NHL Central Scouting ranking him No. 11 overall. Sergei played 20 years in the NHL, making the All-Star Game twice and appearing in more than 1,300 games.
