David Olinger
@davidolinger.bsky.social
Retired communications professional. Writer, music, outdoors enthusiast, sports, especially Habs and Jays, dining, wining, dogs, and volunteering. Co-author of themuseandviews.wordpress.com
Yes, it certainly is.
December 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Yes, it certainly is.
Neither goalie has shown they can be consistent. Montembeault is nowhere near as good as last season. Dobes started out hot, just as he did in 2024-25 when he then went on to lose four straight. Fans said stay with the hot goalie. As soon as Dobes got the bulk of the work, he couldn't handle it.
December 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Neither goalie has shown they can be consistent. Montembeault is nowhere near as good as last season. Dobes started out hot, just as he did in 2024-25 when he then went on to lose four straight. Fans said stay with the hot goalie. As soon as Dobes got the bulk of the work, he couldn't handle it.
Fingers can be pointed all over the place, defence, forwards, the system, but the #Habs are 12 in expected goals against. Both goalies are allowing far too many questionable goals.
December 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Fingers can be pointed all over the place, defence, forwards, the system, but the #Habs are 12 in expected goals against. Both goalies are allowing far too many questionable goals.
The time is not right for that, I don't think, Sherwood from Vancouver, for example. Those pieces will be the size and grit the #Habs need as the prepare to be a legitimate playoff contender.
December 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The time is not right for that, I don't think, Sherwood from Vancouver, for example. Those pieces will be the size and grit the #Habs need as the prepare to be a legitimate playoff contender.
Indeed. And who's this wonder-coach fans hope to find? The NHL is known for recycling coaches to death and now some, like Gerard Gallant, likely will never be behind another bench. The #Habs have improved every season under MSL and despite struggles are actually ahead of last season at this point.
December 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Indeed. And who's this wonder-coach fans hope to find? The NHL is known for recycling coaches to death and now some, like Gerard Gallant, likely will never be behind another bench. The #Habs have improved every season under MSL and despite struggles are actually ahead of last season at this point.
Yes, Price started as a backup in his first season. The defence in front of him was also more established.
December 11, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Yes, Price started as a backup in his first season. The defence in front of him was also more established.
Anaheim has been rebuilding for a much longer time than the #Habs at 3.5 years. The Canadiens lost nine players from their Cup run in 2021, making this the first real rebuild in the team's history. Some Ducks success began before Q, like the slower development of Carlsson. Team decision, not coach.
December 11, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Anaheim has been rebuilding for a much longer time than the #Habs at 3.5 years. The Canadiens lost nine players from their Cup run in 2021, making this the first real rebuild in the team's history. Some Ducks success began before Q, like the slower development of Carlsson. Team decision, not coach.
The next phase is not there. The team is still in rebuild mode with no established second line centre, goaltending that is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup, and management still needs to add size and grit to make a run in the post-season. Not enough depth to handle injuries.
December 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The next phase is not there. The team is still in rebuild mode with no established second line centre, goaltending that is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup, and management still needs to add size and grit to make a run in the post-season. Not enough depth to handle injuries.
Indeed, patience is needed as the rebuild unfolds. The challenge is, many fans seem to have thought it was done. But there's no second line centre established, the goaltending is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup yet, and the team still needs to add size and grit. Patience is needed.
December 10, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Indeed, patience is needed as the rebuild unfolds. The challenge is, many fans seem to have thought it was done. But there's no second line centre established, the goaltending is not good enough to seriously compete for the Cup yet, and the team still needs to add size and grit. Patience is needed.
I would say it has to be considered. Both goalies are off kilter.
December 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I would say it has to be considered. Both goalies are off kilter.
Yes, that's what I think. Most fans are not patient and don't see the big picture. The rebuild is not over. The #Habs need to stick to their plan; trades should be only made with the longer term in mind. Like forget about a rental like Sherwood from Vancouver.
December 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Yes, that's what I think. Most fans are not patient and don't see the big picture. The rebuild is not over. The #Habs need to stick to their plan; trades should be only made with the longer term in mind. Like forget about a rental like Sherwood from Vancouver.
A three-goalie system for a short time might have been preferred to the mess that has developed. Who knows, Kahkonen could have gone on a streak. They did call him up on Sunday so possibly could have used him then.
December 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A three-goalie system for a short time might have been preferred to the mess that has developed. Who knows, Kahkonen could have gone on a streak. They did call him up on Sunday so possibly could have used him then.
From the arrangement at practice, it wouldn't surprise me if Fowler gets the start in Pittsburgh.
December 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
From the arrangement at practice, it wouldn't surprise me if Fowler gets the start in Pittsburgh.
Well, they did bring him up for Sunday's game. Unless that was dubbed as an emergency callup.
December 10, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Well, they did bring him up for Sunday's game. Unless that was dubbed as an emergency callup.
Management can't really have thought the rebuild is over given youth and holes at important positions. Agree patience is needed. The #Habs are 3.5 years into the rebuild.
December 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Management can't really have thought the rebuild is over given youth and holes at important positions. Agree patience is needed. The #Habs are 3.5 years into the rebuild.
Why not try Kahkonen at some point? He, at least, has NHL experience. People have short memories. Dobes started off hot last season and then lost four straight.
December 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Why not try Kahkonen at some point? He, at least, has NHL experience. People have short memories. Dobes started off hot last season and then lost four straight.
My concern is this is an interruption of a planned development of a player dubbed as a budding star. He certainly may be ready and could be a knight in shining armour, pushing the #Habs back into the win column. But unless the defence improves significantly immediately, Fowler could get shelled.
December 10, 2025 at 7:16 AM
My concern is this is an interruption of a planned development of a player dubbed as a budding star. He certainly may be ready and could be a knight in shining armour, pushing the #Habs back into the win column. But unless the defence improves significantly immediately, Fowler could get shelled.
Others thought Dobes was the second coming of Roy. As soon as his workload increased, Dobes couldn't handle it. Probably why they didn't keep adding games when he was hot. Learned from last season when he started hot then lost four straight.
December 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Others thought Dobes was the second coming of Roy. As soon as his workload increased, Dobes couldn't handle it. Probably why they didn't keep adding games when he was hot. Learned from last season when he started hot then lost four straight.
#Habs actually have a better record than this time a year ago. The issue to me is many felt the rebuild was over. But no second line centre, goaltending is subpar for a contending team, lack of size and grit. Every team has injuries but with youth, limited depth, hurts more, especially on D.
December 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
#Habs actually have a better record than this time a year ago. The issue to me is many felt the rebuild was over. But no second line centre, goaltending is subpar for a contending team, lack of size and grit. Every team has injuries but with youth, limited depth, hurts more, especially on D.
Not really. The Habs are 3.5 years into their first ever rebuild and made it into the playoffs a year ahead of schedule. The Sabres haven't been in the playoffs for 14 seasons. They are constantly rebuilding.
December 10, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Not really. The Habs are 3.5 years into their first ever rebuild and made it into the playoffs a year ahead of schedule. The Sabres haven't been in the playoffs for 14 seasons. They are constantly rebuilding.
The other two can't stay healthy. As they say, the best ability is availability.
December 7, 2025 at 9:52 AM
The other two can't stay healthy. As they say, the best ability is availability.
Yes, it's foolish to say the rebuild is over until size and grit is added to the abundance of skill. That's the easier part with a talented core. Goaltending is also not of championship calibre but that's not the biggest issue now. #Habs had best goalie for years with little talent in front of him.
November 16, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Yes, it's foolish to say the rebuild is over until size and grit is added to the abundance of skill. That's the easier part with a talented core. Goaltending is also not of championship calibre but that's not the biggest issue now. #Habs had best goalie for years with little talent in front of him.
Moribund powerplay was the difference tonight versus Boston. On the positive side, a better overall team effort and Davidson had a strong debut with four shots.
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Moribund powerplay was the difference tonight versus Boston. On the positive side, a better overall team effort and Davidson had a strong debut with four shots.