Canadiens Connection Podcast on Rocket Sports Radio ep. 72 | Habs News, Shea Weber, Claude Julien, NHL Trade Deadline, Marc Bergevin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Nate Thompson, Tomas Tatar

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — Welcome to the Canadiens Connection via Rocket Sports Radio. This engaging podcast featured on All Habs Hockey Magazine connects Habs fans with their beloved team from a source they know and trust.

CC on Rocket Sports Radio

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

On Air

Listen LIVE in the player below on Saturday, February 22nd at 1 pm. ET or anytime on demand.

Next week’s episode will air LIVE on Saturday, February 29th at 1 pm. ET. (2:30 pm. NT.) Missed an episode? You can find every episode of the Canadiens Connection HERE.

This Week’s Show

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

The Canadiens had quite the week. After dropping their game against the Dallas Stars, in controversial fashion, the Habs lost to the league-worst Detroit Red Wings for the fourth time this season. They followed that up with an improbable win over the Washington Capitals in OT.
The Canadiens got some help this week with the returns of Shea Weber and Paul Byron, with Jake Evans being sent back down to Laval to make room for the latter. Unfortunately, they lost Victor Mete and Xavier Ouellet to injury. Karl Alzner was also recalled on an emergency basis.
Claude Julien’s frustration is beginning to manifest itself in less than ideal ways. Saying he can’t put his sakets on and “do it for them”, before scratching Artturi Lehkonen in the game against Washington, to the surprise of Lehkonen’s teammates. Is the writing on the wall for Claude Julien after this week?

Segment 2: The Big Topic

The Trade Deadline is nearly upon us and as such there have already been some trades, some involving the Montreal Canadiens and some that hit close to home for the Habs.
The Canadiens traded Marco Scandella for a 2020 2nd round pick and a conditional 2021 4th round pick. They also made an AHL transaction with Pittsburgh, sending Phil Varone and Riley Barber to Pittsburgh for Joseph Blandisi and Jacob Lucchini.
Heading towards Monday’s deadline, questions remain about how Marc Bergevin will approach the cases of Ilya Kovalchuk, Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry in particular. While Nate Thompson seems very likely to be dealt.
There has been speculation linking Montreal to players like Jake Bean of the Carolina Hurricanes, Ryan Graves and Samuel Girard of the Colorado Avalanche and Samuel Poulin of the Penguins.
Some trades of note from around the league include: Ondrej Kase to the Bruins, Brenden Dillon to the Capitals, Dylan Demelo to the Jets, Blake Coleman to the Lightning and Jason Zucker to the Penguins.

Segment 3: Have Your Say

Reading your responses to the Canadiens Connection question of the week: Which Habs players will likely be moved before the NHL trade deadline?
Listener’s calls and texts
Bad tweet of the week

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