1094115324079799 Best Habs Roster | Canadiens Connection ep 114 - Canadiens Connection

Episode 114

Best Habs Roster | Canadiens Connection ep 114

Canadiens Connection is hosted by Joe Whalen (@JoeWhalen19) and Rick Stephens (@AllHabs) with contributions from Chris G. This talented team of credentialed journalists come together to share their valued insight.

Canadiens Connection is a connection between fans, journalists, players, coaches, management to thoroughly discuss their favorite game in an informative, thought provoking, and entertaining way.

This Week’s Show


Segment 1: Week in Review, Habs News, League News

  • Unrestricted free agent Mike Hoffman remains unsigned. The talented goal scorer put up 29 goals last season but has yet to find a home. 
  • Canadiens prospect report - Habs prospect Kaiden Guhle has made Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships. Cole Caufield made the roster for Team USA. Jesse Ylonen is full of confidence when it comes to his future with the Canadiens.  
  • Canadiens Christmas Concert - Diane Bibaud played some lovely renditions of Christmas songs and some Canadiens players sent out holiday greetings.
  • A picture of Brendan Gallagher in the new reverse retro Canadiens jersey was posted to social media. 
  • They Said What? - Habs sports science and performance director Pierre Allard spoke with media this week, touching on Alexander Romanov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and more. 
  • Carey Price ranked number two in The Great Goalie Ranking from Sports Illustrated and the Hockey News. 
  • Forbes ranked the Canadiens as the third most valuable NHL franchise.
  • Brian Burke thinks the Canadiens are more playoff ready than the other Canadian teams.  
  • Around the Hockey World - NHL targets a January 13th start with training camps set to open January 3rd, but it would be December 31st for teams who did not participate in the bubble. NHL/NHLPA leaning towards a 56-game schedule. Montreal will play in the all-Canadian division. NHL has proposed an expanded roster framework to the players. Cross-border trades will be allowed but quarantine periods will be respected. NHL intends to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for players


Segment 2: Best Habs team in a quarter century

  • This week, Habs beat writer Mathias Brunet argued that the 2020-21 edition of the Montreal Canadiens could be the best CH roster in 25 years. Do you agree? Rick and Joe discuss the possibility of this team being the best Habs team constructed in the last 25 years.


Segment 3: Have Your Say

  • Social media reactions.
  • Listener's calls and texts
  • Bad tweet of the week


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About the Podcast

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Canadiens Connection
Canadiens Connection via Rocket Sports Radio brings you news, expert analysis and informed commentary about the Montreal Canadiens and NHL hockey.

About your hosts

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Rick Stephens

Rick is the Founder and President of Rocket Sports, and has been the visionary leading our evolution. He also serves as the Editor of The Hockey News - Montreal. This followed a long, successful career in academia. These days, you’ll find him where he is most comfortable, in an arena press box or sharing his insights from behind a microphone.
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Michael Spinella

Michael was born and raised in Ottawa but, has settled in Montreal as a young professional. He grew up a Sens fan, but now enjoys watching all NHL teams and following prospects throughout their development. Michael has experience in Podcasting, Photography and Audio Production, which he uses to share his excitement and joy of the game.
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Amy Johnson

From Draft Day to winning a championship, Amy is a credentialed professional hockey reporter at the junior, national, NCAA, IIHF, ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels.

She has extensive experience writing game recaps, interviewing players, coaches, scouts, and management, recording live social media hits, and analyzing the game, in addition to providing original still photography of game action. You can view her work at AHLReport.com.