Early into the 2022-23 season, Montreal Canadiens rookie Arber Xhekaj went head-to-head with NHL veteran NHL Zack Kassian of the Edmonton Oilers. While many Canadiens fans were excited for the rookie to knock down Kassian in a fight, other were cringing that he didn’t break his hand in the fight, or that neither player suffered a concussion.

Injuries are a common occurrence in the NHL, and injuries sustained as a result of fighting have been a hot topic in recent years following the introduction of the Instigator Rule. But what about all the other injuries?

NHL lines site Betway have completed a study into NHL injuries, comparing the findings against data from the NBA, NFL, MLB and the English Premier League to establish which sports incur the most injuries and assess the impact of those injuries. 

They include:

• 2020 saw the highest injury numbers for the NHL (1,179)
• Overall, NHL injuries have decreased by 14 per cent since 2017
• Injuries in the NBA have decreased by 53 per cent since 2017
• The NFL is the only sport to have increased injury numbers year-on-year since 2017, increasing by 73 per cent
• Only the NHL and NBA have seen injury numbers decrease since 2017
• The injury list time in days for the NHL has increased by 148 per cent since 2017
• The most injured body part across all sports is the knee
• The lower body is more prone to injuries than the upper body when combining data across all sports

However, a closer look at NHL injuries between 2017-21, reveals that NHL injuries are spread out.  Concussions were the number 1 source of concern. 

The NHL does have a Concussion protocol in place for its players.  After a concussion diagnosis, players should rest for 24-48 hours, avoiding anything that could worsen symptoms. Concussion prevention and treatment have improved significantly in the NHL, in part thanks to the research completed by sports physician and sports medicine specialist, Mark Aubry.

“UBI”  ; that’s a common phrase in NHL circles.  UBI refers to Upper Body Injury.  Very vague as many teams differ on what to disclose.  As hockey is more scrutinize due to gambling gaining a greater acceptance in the sport and broadcasting, more teams are becoming more transparent with disclosing what type of injuries players suffer, be it UBI or LBI (Lower Body Injury).

Where UBI includes hand, back, and shoulder, Lower body Injury is anywhere below the waist.  Knees being a primary source of concern.

But all these injuries not only yield man-games lost due to injuries, there is an economic impact too.  In 2021, the Montreal Canadiens paid costs of $33,602,889.05 for 2,755 injury days.  Carey Price, Shea Weber, Joel Edmundson, Paul Byron among the players missing the majority of the season.  Weber didn’t play the entire season.

In 2022-23, Carey Price most likely won’t play again, although he has four years left on his contract.  As his knee is not fully healed.  Paul Byron is in his final year of his contract, and he too will most likely not play again following hip surgery. With the season already 10 games in, the Montreal Canadiens will already surpass $15 million in paid costs due to injury.

There are many ways to prevent injuries, but sometimes all you need is some luck.

Pro Tips on How to Improve at Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a team sport played on ice, usually in a rink. Two teams of skaters use their sticks to shoot a vulcanized rubber puck into their opponent’s net to score points.

The sport is known to be fast-paced and physical, and the goalies are the most important players on the ice. Their job is to stop pucks from getting past them, so they always look for ways to improve their skills.

The sport requires speed, agility, and endurance, and you need to have good balance and body control to succeed. Moreover, to be good, you need to know how to think like a pro hockey player as half the battle is mental toughness.

To help you, take a look at these ice hockey tips to improve your game:

Practice Your Skating Technique

To improve at ice hockey is to get your feet moving. Skating is key to playing the game, so if you still need to learn how to skate, start practicing now! Once you’ve mastered skating forward and backward, take a few lessons from an instructor who can teach you how to stop and turn smoothly.

With the increased popularity of ice rinks worldwide, most countries are adopting ice hockey as a pastime. In Vietnam, for instance, there are world-class ice skating rinks in most major cities, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Min. Consequently, ice hockey has grown to become one of the most popular sports in the country.

In addition to playing the sport and watching it, Vietnamese people also engage in betting on ice hockey, in particular the NHL. However, offline gambling is prohibited in the country, so choosing a safe site is crucial. Thankfully, Asiabet is a platform that provides Vietnamese players with safe online sports betting (cá cược thể thao trực tuyến) sites for ice hockey and other sports. The platform also advises on how to play legally and even scours the net for the best welcome bonuses available.

Use a Proper Body Position

In particular, this tip applies when making passes and taking shots on goal. Always keep your head up when passing or shooting so that you know where all players are positioned on the ice at any given time.

Also, keep your elbows tucked in close to your body as you pass or shoot. That way, you don’t get knocked down easily by opposing players trying to steal the puck from you during play action.

Watch for Rebounds

In ice hockey, the puck can bounce off anything, including the goalie’s pads or body. When this happens, it’s called a rebound and it will give you another chance at scoring if you’re quick enough.

Develop Good Stick-Handling Skills

Sticks are used in all aspects of the game, from passing to shooting to checking (checking is when you use your stick to knock the puck away from an opponent).

You can practice stick handling drills by using a ball instead of a puck. It will help you learn to manipulate the puck and move it around quickly while maintaining your balance.

Shoot for the Goal in Stride

Players usually shoot when they are closer to the goal than their opponent. But this is not always true, as there are times when you may have to shoot from afar too.

If your opponent has possession of the puck and you are at least 15 feet away, try shooting while running toward them with speed. It will allow you to hit his stick and make him lose control of the puck.

Observe the Goalie’s Strengths and Weaknesses

The goalie is a crucial position on any team, as he’s a tough player to beat. Observing your opponent’s style can give you an edge when trying to score goals against them.

Furthermore, you’ll notice that some goalies react differently when under pressure, while others may be too aggressive or passive.

Score Like a Pro in Ice Hockey With These Tips

You don’t have to be Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, or Nathan MacKinnon to score goals in hockey. Even if you’re playing on the ice with your friends, scoring is all about working together as a team, following simple rules, and having fun.

As the puck is dropped on the new season, everything in Montreal seems to be heating up as players and fans alike become excited about what this new season might have in store. There have already been a number of changes made to the Montreal Canadiens this season and as such, fans dare to dream after the disappointment of last year.

This article is going to reflect on that most recent season while also discussing some of the changes the Habs have made and the potential changes they should consider making. 

The 2021 – 2022 Season

Yes, it’s not something that many people like to talk about, but it is still worth going into when discussing how the Habs effectively move forward. They were unable to recreate the success that they had in the 2020 – 2021 season which saw them get all the way to the final of the Stanley Cup (full stats available on Hockey Reference). Instead, the team ended up finishing last in the league for the first time since 1939. It was one of the worst seasons ever as records were set for most goals against, regulation losses, fewest wins and fewest points.

As such, the Habs’ odds starting out this season are very slim. Bet99 Canada currently has the Canadiens at odds of +10,000 to win the Stanley Cup, one of the lowest chances of winning this season. This is in comparison to teams such as the Colorado Avalanche who currently have odds at +425, a fraction of the Habs. Other favourites include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. 

Given the poor position the Habs find themselves in compared to other teams, what can be done to improve it? 

Embrace Youth Development 

The Montreal Canadiens have one of the youngest teams in the league. The NHL Website recently addressed the promotion of Nick Suzuki to captain. At just 23 years old, he is one of the youngest captains in the team’s history. This is the direction that the Canadiens need to be going in as it is slowly being proven that patience is key when it comes to getting a prospective new regime.

A new management group has recently been assigned for youth development within the team and they seem to have a good vision. Slafkosky is one of the most promising rising stars as he possesses a range of skills that most players dream about. Once he has better skating and decision-making abilities, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Bid for Connor Bedard 

Connor Bedard currently looks like he is going to be a generational player given how talented he is. He has shown this time and time again in different tournaments throughout the summer and as such, it is important that the Habs try and bid for him to improve their attacking play down the middle. 

How Can the Habs Heal? 

To go from a Stanley Cup final to last place is certainly a fall from grace but it is not one that the Habs look likely to shy away from. Despite the odds being against them, the team is clearly putting a lot of energy into their youth development in order to improve prospects moving forward and harness the potential of the next generation. Under the right leadership, this is a move that could certainly pay off.

The Montreal announced their starting lineup for the 2022-23 season.  First game is Wednesday October 12, 2022 vs the Toronto Maple Leafs.

#Habs 2022-23 season opening night roster ⬇ pic.twitter.com/bpsAbZWLuA

— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) October 10, 2022

From the conclusion of the 2022 season, we see seven new faces.  

Here’s an upate from our July post with respect to new numbers.

Nouveau numéro ⚠️

New number alert#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/BVpJl3A6PL

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 10, 2022

Johnathan Kovacevic #26

Johnathan Kovacevic was picked up off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets.  He previously wore #65 with the Jets, but will don #26 with the Habs.  Number 26 was last worn by Jeff Petry for past seven seasons.  Josh Gorges wore it too for seven seasons.  Other notables to have worn it include Pierre Bouchard, Mats Naslund, and Martin Rucinsky.

Nouveau numéro ⚠️

New number alert#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/aeJvcHBdD5

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 23, 2022

Sean Monahan #91

Sean Monahan was acquired from the Calgary Flames during the off-season.  Monahan has selected to wear #91.  Previously worn by one season back in 2010 by Scott Gomez.

Kaiden Guhle #21

Kaiden Guhle is a new face on defence.  A rookie, drafted back in the 2020 draft, 16th overall, will try to stick with the club.  Wearing #21, a number worm by 37 previous players.  Longest serving are; Gilles Tremblay (1961-67), Doug Jarvis (1976-82), and Guy Carbonneau (1983-94).  Fun-fact.  Glen Sather woore #21 during his brief stint as a Habs back in 1975.

Arber Xhekaj #72

Arber Xhekaj is an undrafted player, who will make his debut with the Montreal Canadiens.  And with number 72.  A number only worn by two other players in Habs history.  Mathieu Carle (2010) and Erik Cole (2012-13).

 

When the Montreal Canadiens finished the 2021-22 season dead last, and ended up winning the NHL Draft lottery, pundits would say Habs can only improve for this season.

Well … maybe.

According to best sportsbooks in Ontario, Habs have excellent chances of finishing near the bottom of the league again this season.

The rookie

At the start of Training Camp, all eyes were on Habs number 1 pick in the draft, left-winger Juraj Slafkovsky.  So far at camp, Slafkovsky is struggling keeping up with the play.  Often times his back-checking is poor, or is just too slow.  Nevertheless, Head Coach Marty St-Louis is doing every thing possible to put Slafkovsky In winning situations.  Chances are Slafkovsky might start opening night October 12 vs Toronto Maple Leafs, however look for Slafkovsky to spend some considerable amount of time with the Habs AHL affiliate, Laval Rocket.

Up front

The Canadiens seem set at the forward position, and will have four centres they are banking on to drive the attack.  Captain Nick Suzuki, Christian Dvorak, Kirby Dach, and Jake Evans.  Newly acquired Sean Monahan is expected to come off injury reserve some time in October.  Remains to be seen how healthy Jonathan Drouin will be this season as he hopes to come back from a forgetful 2021-22 season.  Brendan Gallagher says he fully rested and healthy, as he too looking to bounce back.  Sadly, looks like team veteran, Paul Byron will start the season on LTIR still recovering from hip surgery. 

On defence

The Canadiens have completely overhauled their defence since their Cup Final appearance of two seasons ago.  Only Joel Edmundson remains. He will be joined on the blue line by David Savard, Chris Wideman and Mike Matheson who was acquired from Pittsburgh in the Jeff Petry trade.  And then the Canadiens are going with the inexperienced movement.  Where any of the following will be called to duty; Justin Barron, Jordan Harris, Corey Schueuneman or Madison Bowey will suit up.  Safe to say the Canadiens blue line will be razor thin, even more so if Edmundson starts the season on the IR.

The Puck stops here

The goaltending positing starts and ends with Carey Price.  And Price will be on LTIR for the whole season with his chronic knee injury.  Jake Allen will see the bulk of the work this season, to be backed up by Samuel Montembeault.  So where is Cayden Primeau?  Primeau needs to see lots of hockey this season if he’s going to evolve into a starting NHL goalie.  Primeau is expected to be the starter with Laval Rocket. 

Suffice to day, this team would have looked completely different with a healthy Carey Price.

Hockey is one of the most popular sports of modern times. It has various formats and is a popular choice for sports betting. As with any other professional sport, playing hockey at a high level requires excellent physical skills and mental toughness. To compete with the best of the best, hockey players need to have their minds in the right place and know how to approach the game on and off the ice properly. 

Here are some things that all pro hockey players should keep in mind if they want to succeed. 

• First and foremost, staying focused and maintaining laser-like concentration during the game is essential. This means being fully present at the moment and not letting your mind wander off or get distracted by anything else. 
   
• Secondly, it’s essential always to stay calm and composed, no matter what the situation on the ice is. Losing your cool will only worsen things and prevent you from thinking clearly and making intelligent decisions. 
   
• Last but not least, pro hockey players need to have short-term memory – meaning they can’t dwell on their mistakes or past successes for too long. Instead, they must quickly forget about both good and evil plays and focus on what lies ahead.

How can I develop my own custom hockey strategy?

While the best hockey strategy for you will depend on your unique skill set and playing style, some general tips can help you develop a custom strategy that works for you. 

First, it’s essential to understand the basic principles of the game. Hockey is a sport that relies heavily on teamwork, so it’s important to know how to work effectively with your teammates. You should also be aware of the importance of positioning on the ice, as this can give you a significant advantage over your opponents. 

Once you understand the basics well, you can start developing your own custom strategy. For example, if you’re a skilled skater, you may want to focus on using your speed to create scoring opportunities. Alternatively, if you’re good at reading the play, you may want to focus on creating turnovers and transition opportunities for your team. 

Whatever strategy you decide to adopt, it’s important to remember that hockey is a fluid game and that systems need to be constantly adapted to succeed. The best way to do this is to continually analyze your performance and that of your opponents and make adjustments accordingly.

The benefits of playing organized hockey

Hockey is an enjoyable and thrilling approach to obtaining a total-body workout. The game’s rapid tempo provides a superb aerobic workout while using so many muscles during play delivers intense anaerobic training.

Playing hockey burns more calories and improves metabolism due to the fast speed, constant motion, and increased weight of the protective gear – and who doesn’t need that? The physical requirements of hockey can also enhance your metabolism, which is advantageous for those beginning to feel our age.

As a result of the game’s start-and-stop structure, there are numerous short breaks between plays, which enhance the cardiovascular advantages even further.

All of this rapid-fire action is also going to enhance muscle strength. Hockey helps combat fat, maintains toned and strong muscles, and substantially impacts core muscles.

Coordination and balance are enhanced as a result of hockey activity. If you have a job that keeps you from moving around much, your coordination and balance may worsen over time. Therefore, playing hockey allows you to improve your balance and coordination. 

Are there any special considerations I need to take into account when using hockey strategies?

There are a few things to keep in mind when using hockey strategies:

– The size of the rink: The rink will affect the way the game is played. A smaller rink will require different strategies than a larger one.
– The type of surface: The type of surface (ice, concrete, etc.) will also affect how the game is played. Different surfaces will require different approaches.
– The number of players: The number of players on each team will also affect the strategy. A team with more players will have more options available to them.

To conclude, if you want to think like a professional hockey player, it is crucial to control your emotions, focus on the task at hand, and have a positive attitude.

Montreal Canadiens general manager, Kent Hughes, announced recently that current goalie Carey Price is going to be placed on the long-term injured reserve list. This is a big move as it provides Habs with $10.5 million in cap space, meaning that Hughes has granted himself much more room to maneuver throughout the rest of the season. 

When Was the Announcement Made? 

The announcement was made on Wednesday 31^st August during a press conference held at the Brossard practice facility which the Montreal team owns. The original reason for the press conference was to initially celebrate the new signing of Kirby Dach. Dach has recently signed a four-year contract with the team. During this conference, Hughes commented that it was very unlikely Price would be returning to the ice this season. What his chances are for the next season remains to be seen. 

He said, “our sense is that Carey’s knee has not responded to any kind of treatment or rehab that’s been attempted since he had the surgery after he had the playoff run and we’re not very optimistic that, short of some kind of intervention, that things will change.” 

Carey Price makes an appearance at the #habs charity golf tournament. President Jeff Gorton says he will be around the team this season as support even though he cannot play pic.twitter.com/QaGgIwARhM

— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 12, 2022

Price’s Legacy 

Last season, Carey Price spent pretty much all of his time trying to recover from the knee operation that he had back in summer 2021. He was only fit to play 298 minutes in 5 games towards the end of the season and they were hardly his best performances. 

It will be a shame to see him go, since, despite his impressive list of accolades, Price has never been able to win the Stanley Cup. That being said, it doesn’t mean he’s going out with a bad legacy. Price has managed to make waves ever since he put on skates, winning not only the gold medal at the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi, but also the 2016 World Championship and the 2007 World Junior Championship as well.

Who Will Replace Him? 

At this moment, it is tough to say who might be brought in as a permanent replacement for Price (if the Habs decide to bring someone in at all). The best place to look for an idea of who the replacement might be is online sportsbooks.

Different sites have odds for near enough anything and, as such, these can be an excellent reference starting point to check who is leading the ranking. Pick one that specifically looks into hockey. Sites such as Bonus Finder will provide you with a sportsbook review and guide to let you know exactly what websites you should be looking at.

Is This It for Price and the Habs? 

It is not looking as though Price will be fit for a match any time soon. This is a real shame, as he may be losing on some big winnings for his career.  The team’s near future doesn’t look much better, as their odds of winning the Stanley Cup currently stand at +20,000, as so do their odds of winning the Atlantic.

Considering the Habs’ current chances of winning the Stanley Cup and Atlantic, it seems clear how much the team needs to improve, which begins with a solid replacement for Price. And although some names sound stronger than others, especially Jake Allen, Ilya Samsonov and Ville Husso, no formal decision has been made yet. The team may struggle to win any titles until they can find someone to fill Prices’ skates.

As we all know, the Montreal Canadiens have a lot to prove in the upcoming NHL campaign.

The team had one of its worst-ever seasons in the league after they came last in the league for the first time since the 1939–40 NHL season and the first time in the NHL’s expansion era. To make things worse, this all came just 12 months after reaching the Stanley Cup Final.

Everything was awful for the Canadiens last season

Indeed, wherever you looked, everything associated with the Habs made for awful reading for fans, as there were new unwanted records each being set, including the most regulation losses in the season (49) and fewest wins (22), and we can see this reflected in their odds, The Montreal Canadiens’ odds to win the 2022/23 Stanley Cup are +20000 in most sports betting apps, only the ARI Coyotes have worst chances.

Thankfully, that is all in the past – and while it will remain in the history books forever – the Canadiens will now have the opportunity to improve on those poor performances on the ice. Naturally, no one is expecting the team to be able to challenge for the postseason straight away, with it thought that this upcoming campaign is going to be one all about progression and finding an identity at best.

However, there will be fans that will be expecting to see more from a number of the players to currently be on the Habs roster, and in this article, we have picked out three of those stars who are likely to enter the 2022/23 NHL season with a point to prove. Admittedly, it would perhaps be more difficult to find three Habs that do not have a point to prove next season at this moment…

Carey Price

One player that we think could have a point to prove for the Montreal Canadiens is goaltender Carey Price. Some will never doubt his quality in the net and between the sticks, however there are huge questions over his availability and the clear injury proneness that he has.

Carey Price is the only player to reach the NHL Final while playing on a $10mil AAV contract. pic.twitter.com/uXsuCVD7e3

— BarDown (@BarDown) July 27, 2022

Some will have questions over whether he can handle the workload of a full season or at least make himself available for the majority of it, while others will actually question whether he wants to finish his career in Montreal or perhaps try and win a Stanley Cup elsewhere.

Let’s face it, the 34-year-old former 5th overall pick in 2005 is not getting any younger, while there are questions that he has of his own about what he wants to do and whether his future lies with the team, or even perhaps in the NHL and professional ice hockey.

There are a lot of questions regarding Price’s status at the moment, and this will not be too helpful to anyone. If he comes back, though, the goaltender will clearly have a huge point to prove to everyone, and perhaps including himself.

Jonathan Drouin

For many, one of the biggest disappointments on the Habs roster in regard to the potential that they have and their inability to fulfill it while on the ice, Jonathan Drouin is one player that will have a lot to prove in the 2022/23 NHL season.

Indeed, there will be many that will be hoping that the poster boy for the franchise in regard to exciting talent and potential will be able to finally come through, although whether any of the Canadiens fans will be betting on it remains dubious at the moment, especially as sports betting through mobiles has become a popular pastime for many Canadians.

As mentioned, it is unlikely fans will be using the Canadian’s best betting apps to wager on team success such as reaching the postseason, but there may be some that will be considering whether or not to back Drouin having the year that everyone has waited for since being acquired.

Entering his sixth year with the franchise following his trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Mikhail Sergachev, many Canadiens will have been excited to place a wager on the now-27-year-old, but many will still perhaps be a little more cautious given nothing has really gone to plan.

The former No. 3 overall pick has suffered from injuries and has been extremely inconsistent, and with the NHL 22/23 season being the final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent, the pressure will be on Drouin to finally fulfill the potential everyone knows he has. Indeed, if he were able to achieve that, he would be able to add value to a host of things.

https://twitter.com/GoalieClint/status/1553908016633630720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The Canadiens could become competitive in the league, while he could add numbers to his contract, while the Habs could get some value if they decide to trade him before the deadline given the current scenario. However, there will be a lot of doubt, as he will have only just returned from another operation on his wrist this summer, and whether he is able to score 45 or more points once again seems dubious.

Brendan Gallagher

There will have been many Habs fans shouting and screaming at this list for Brendan Gallagher to have been included as a player with a lot to prove, especially as he is on a big contract and has shown very little to justify why he is on it.

Indeed, there is no denying that he works hard on the ice when he plays, but with just 21 goals and 47 points over the course of the last two seasons, it is understandable why so many believe he has a serious point to prove in the upcoming NHL season.

Add in the fact that it would seem that he is being eyed as the man to be a big part of the rebuild in Montreal and a candidate to become the team’s next captain, fans will be looking at him with even more judgemental eyes than ever before and wanting to see him prove his worth to the organization.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned, almost every single player on the Montreal Canadiens roster could be picked out with something to prove in the upcoming NHL 2022/23 season, however there is no denying that the three mentioned above – Carey Price, Jonathan Drouin, and Brendan Gallagher – each have plenty of doubters that they need to convince.

https://unsplash.com/photos/RvUo67KhVuQ

As one of the major sports leagues, the NHL has undergone numerous changes that can be difficult to track. This article will inform you about the most important updates for the current season that you should be aware of, particularly if you are an ice hockey fan.

Understanding the players is critical for better game prediction. The NHL is a well-known league with many fans worldwide, and it also attracts large bets on players, teams, and so on! Here is a list of the league’s five most expensive and highest-paid players.

Learning about these players will help you make better betting decisions and increase your chances of winning. Moreover, you must ensure you choose the right platform to place your bets, as Erik King from Zamsino said.

1.  Connor McDavid, C, Oilers

• Annual salary: $12.5 million

The NHL’s best player earns the most money, which shouldn’t be surprising. McDavid signed an eight-year, $100 million contract with the Oilers after winning his first Art Ross, Hart, and Ted Lindsay awards in 2016-17.

Since then, he has earned two Ted Lindsay Awards, three Art Ross Trophies, and a Hart Trophy. He’s coming off back-to-back seasons with 100+ points.

2.  Artemi Panarin, LW, Rangers

• Annual salary: $11.642 million

Panarin was the most sought-after free agent in 2019 and signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the Rangers. According to reports, he would have gotten a better deal from the Islanders but opted for their counterparts.

Since signing with New York, Panarin has recorded 249 points in 186 games over three seasons. If you are also looking for betting deals while betting, you must follow platforms like Book of Dead to enjoy diverse casino platforms.

3.  Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs

• Annual salary: $11.64 million

Matthews is the only one among the Maple Leafs on this list, but he has proven well worth the cost. In February 2019, Toronto extended Matthews’ contract for five years at a value of approximately $11.6 million per season.

He just won his second successive Art Ross Trophy, leading the league in goals. When he scored 60 goals this season, he became only the third player in the salary cap era.

4.  Erik Karlsson, D, Sharks

• $11.5 million in annual salary

Karlsson signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with the Sharks after being acquired in a trade with the Senators. He was one of the best offensive defensemen at the time. Karlsson’s tenure at San Jose has been marred by injuries and subpar play on the ice, as Karlsson has failed to reach 40 points in the past two seasons.

Rubbing salt in the wound, he is already 32 years old and still has five years remaining on the contract.

5.  Drew Doughty, D, Kings

• $11 million in annual salary

Drew Doughty was coming off a 60-point season when he signed his eight-year, $88 million contract with the Kings. Unfortunately, for the Kings, he has not even come close to reaching a season with the same level of production since.

This season, Doughty averaged just under a point per game but only appeared in 39 matches due to multiple injuries. His contract has five more years remaining, and he is 32 years old.

NHL and Adidas’s 7-Years Partnership Comes to an End

Moving forward with another essential update on the NHL, the German sports clothing brand Adidas will not prolong its contract as the league’s outfit and apparel supplier after the 2023-24 season, unlocking the door for a new manufacturer supplier to venture into the Bavarian company’s shoes.

In 2016-17, Adidas took over as the NHL’s supplier and signed a seven-year contract worth $70 million per season. They later agreed to produce uniforms for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in collaboration with the NHLPA.

Several NHL stars, including Nikita Kucherov and Connor McDavid, later signed promotional deals with Adidas. However, the brand has indicated that it will forgo individual contracts after 2023-24, effectively exiting the hockey market.

Why Is Adidas Dropping Out Of The NHL?

There have been a lot of hypotheses surrounding Adidas’ decision to exit the NHL; some of it was reasonable, and others were not.

To begin with, the 98-year-old brand was accused of never fully committing to the sport. Instead of focusing solely on jerseys, it never plunged into making hockey gear with both feet. As a result, the NHL’s relationship with Adidas felt odd.

Secondly, the industry is undergoing rapid change. Adidas is a soccer powerhouse, particularly in North America. It supplies kits to Major League Soccer‘s 28 clubs and is looking to expand its presence in the sport. Meanwhile, Nike has reduced its investment in football, allowing the Oregon company to expand its reach elsewhere.

Where Does the NHL Go From Here?

Nobody knows who will replace Adidas at this point. Prior to the year 2000, each venture was open to negotiating sponsorship deals with individual manufacturers, with Nike, CCM, and Koho frequently leading the way.

However, nothing indicates that the NHL will abandon its league-wide strategy. There will be only one successor for Adidas, with the league’s advertising office informing potential partners that they are looking for a new partner.

There are, however, other strong candidates. The Warriors recently signed a competition-wide agreement with the European Champions Hockey League, in addition to club-specific deals with teams across Europe. CCM is also a sports stalwart and is no longer represented by Adidas.

The Montreal Canadiens wasted no time in announcing what the new jersey numbers are to their newly acquired players, with some twists.

With the departure of Ben Chiarot (traded at the trade deadline during the 2021-22 season), and with captain Shea Weber’s rights traded to Vegas, two new numbers became available, #6 and #8.

So far this off-season, the Canadiens have acquired four new players, and landed the first pick overall in the NHL Draft. And one player switched number!

Juraj Slafkovský

Selected first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Juraj Slafkovský will wear #20 coming into Training Camp. This number was recently worn by current teammate Chris Wideman, who now switched number (more on this below). No, 20 is the most used number in Montreal Canadiens franchise history, 50 players before Slafkovský wore it. And he can become the most successful. Others to have worn it include Pete Mahovlich (1970-78) who wore it the longest. Mark Hunter (1982-85) , and Richard Zednik (2001-2006).

Chris Wideman

Chris Wideman just re-signed for two more years with the Canadiens. And he has decided to switch to a number he wore previously with Ottawa and with Florida; number 6. Which was previously worn by Canadiens captain Shea Weber the last 5 seasons. She Weber’s contract was traded to Vegas during the off-season as he will not play again. Number 6 is a number rich in team history, whereby Toe Blake, famous Head Coach of the Canadiens, wore it as a player for 10 seasons (1938-48). Other notables include Ralph Backstrom, Pierre Mondou, Russ Courtnall, and Oleg Petrov.

Mike Matheson

Mike Matheson, acquired in the Jeff Petry deal, chose number 8, a number he has not worn before in his 7 year NHL career. Number 8, is the second most popular jersey in Canadiens franchise history, as 40 other players have worn it. Including Doug Risebrough, Mark Recchi, and Mike Komisarek. Both numbers 6 and 8 are the only single digit jersey numbers that the Canadiens have not retired.

Kirby Dach

Kirby Dach was acquired on draft day in a trade between three teams which saw the Canadiens trade Alexander Romanov to the NY Islanders. Dach, drafted by Chicago, has only worn #77 in his brief NHL career. Only three other players have worn #77 in Habs history; Pierre Turgeon, Tom Gilbert. And most recently Brett Kulak.

Evgenii Dadonov

Evgenii Dadonov has played for three NHL teams prior to joining the Canadiens. Acquired in a trade for Shea Weber, Evgenii Dadonov has always won # 63. Only three players in Habs history have worn this number previously; Craig Darby, Andreas Engqvist, and Michael Peca