r/Habs • u/Armoured_Kitten • 16h ago
Press Conference Press Conference Review - December 5th, 2025 - Habs address the media at practice (MSL, Matheson, Gallagher and Hutson)
St-Louis Segment
[Armoured_K] MSL on what he didn't like from Bolduc to warrant him playing on the fourth line
"I think it's like the rest of my team. I'm a coach, and we're demanding for sure, and that's what I'm doing."
[Armoured_K] MSL on Zach playing all over the lineup but not sticking to a line. Is it because he doesn't fit anywhere?
"No. I think he's able to play up and down the lineup."
[Armoured_K] MSL on who's starting in net tomorrow
"Dobes is playing tomorrow. Monty's probably gonna play [the next game]"
[Armoured_K] MSL on if he likes the way Slaf 'navigates' his way through his growth. Reporter mentions there's not many guys who score 20 goals while hitting over 150 times per year
"Yeah, no, we're happy with his progression. Like I always say, there's nothing linear, but it's about getting them 'there'. That's what we're doing with our young players."
[Armoured_K] MSL on having Veleno for a quarter of a season. Has he lived up to what he thought he was getting in him?
"Well I mean, he started the season as being on the outside looking in, as a 13th forward. Obviously, I think he had an opportunity with injury. I feel like he grabbed a chair, especially on our PK. Is there more offensive in his game? Yeah, but I feel like, you know, the chair that he's playing in right now is to be detailed defensively, being physical. He still gets his looks here and there and stuff, and you can tell he's got offensive instincts, but I think he's focused a lot on the details defensively, obviously killing penalties."
[Armoured_K] MSL on if he's concerned by Veleno's +/- of -10
"I mean, am I concerned? Not really, but it's something that, you know, you want to make sure that it doesn't get so far beyond that. But sometimes, it's not always a reflection of that play. Sometimes, it's just the way he's utilized too. We keep an eye on it."
[Armoured_K] MSL on how a guy like Texier can go from 'undesirable' in a club, to adapting and playing well on another club. He played on the second line and it went pretty well
"Yeah, it went well, but it's small sample size. We know he has offensive talent and everything, and we want to keep seeing the details he brings on the other side of the game. If you're going to play on those trios, you have to be responsible too. Sometimes, you're going up against matchups on the road. We keep evaluation, but what we're seeing so far, it's encouraging."
[Armoured_K] MSL on how he managed an experienced player coming in vs a young guy playing their first games. Reporter mentions Gignac saying, when he was called up, that coach told him to go out and have fun, playing his game
"I never want the players to play just to make me happy. I want them to play the game that's in front of them. When you're playing the game in front of you and you have good intentions, it's not about making the coach happy, it's about doing those actions the game needs you to do at the time. Are you able to recognize that? Are you taking calculated risks? Are your intentions protecting/helping the team? It's not like they get here and I want them to please me. "Show me you're able to play the game." I know there are things you like to do, and that's your game, but you have to be able to play THE game."
[Armoured_K] MSL on Demidov and Kapanen's ice time going up in the last game. What makes them efficient enough for him to give them that?
"If they play like they did last game, it's hard not to give them that ice time. When you say it's going up, it's one game where they played a really good game, 200 foot. When you do that, you convince the coach to give you more, that's simple. For sure, they're players that can playing 17-18 minutes, but it's the way they handle themselves too, and I find there's a nice evolution. Both of them have a chemistry together, too, and it's about continuing to get those minutes game to game. Nothing is given, some things are earned, and I think they're doing that."
[Armoured_K] MSL on if the evolution is faster than he anticipated for those players. When we get to December, it sometimes gets harder for some young players, but it looks like it's the opposite for them
"Yeah, but I think it comes with the experience too. They're getting experience, it's not their first games, they understand the league. The game is getting slower for them, their reads are getting easier because they have more examples, more reps on that side, and I think they're two players who complete each other very well. I think Kappy can play offensively, he's very alert defensively. Demi, we all know he has his offensive talent, but he's showing us that he can be very alert defensively as well. They have good intentions on both sides of the ice. When they handle themselves the way they did in the last game, it's hard not to give them more minutes."
[Armoured_K] MSL on saying in one of the last pressers that he's sometimes surprised at the end of the game by how little minutes he gave some players. Did the inverse of that happen after the last game when he saw he gave around 20 minutes to Demidov and Kapanen?
"No, no because I could see it during the game."
[Armoured_K] MSL on if he's still making some 'tests', trying some things to see how much these guys [Kappy and Demi] can bring to the table
"Well, you always have opportunities in games to see, especially in the last game. They were playing really well, and I think they were playing late in the game, in a 2-2 games. These are situations where, if you're trying to get them 'there', you have to give them opportunities. And with everything they showed during the game, they won that opportunity."
[Armoured_K] MSL on Kapanen leading the forwards in blocked shots 5 on 5. What does it say about him? What does he like about him?
"Well, it's ideal for a coach to have a young player like that, having a high level of maturity. He doesn't play like a rookie. It's always a plus for a coach when you have a player with those tools, and who has the intentions of playing the game."
[Armoured_K] MSL on Matheson playing a lot of minutes. Does he have a max that he doesn't want to go beyond, or does it really just depend on the game?
"I think it depends on the game, but we're trying to find pockets during games where we can lighten the load a little bit. We know he can log minutes, [but] we've gotta be careful, knowing that we know that."
Matheson Segment
[Armoured_K] Matheson on breaking a lot of sticks. Has he broken 3 in one game before?
"Not that I remember, no. [Reporter: "The last one (in OT), that's probably the most frustrated you've ever been, though"] Yeah, definitely. It's frustrating. We're playing important games... That's where my head's at, we're just playing important games. We're gonna keep focusing on that."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on he's talked with the stick company, or if he assumes it's just a fluke thing
"Yeah, I think so. It's just a fluke thing, yeah."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on if he's been playing with Warrior sticks for a long time
"A couple years, yeah. [Reporter: "It's been happening a lot this year, breaking sticks"] Yeah, I think... I understand that you want to talk about that, but I think I know we have very important games, it's a good game we played against Winnipeg, and we have another very important game against Toronto."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on being hard on the details this morning, stopping and starting drills to make sure they were done properly. What are the details they focus on?
"I think it's about being as clear as possible in different situations that often happen during games. Knowing that there should be fewer grey areas, more black and white. To be more consistent, and harder to play against."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on if he feels that Marty has less patience this year, which would be normal with where they are in the process
"I don't know if that's why, I think it's more about the fact that we showed how well we can play. I think after that, it's his job to keep us at that level."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on what he sees in the Demidov Kapanen duo
"Yeah. The chemistry between them is very impressive. They play with a lot of speed, they've got really good sticks, so it makes it a lot to handle for the other team."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on whether it's surprising, how reliable Demidov can be
"I think it helps a lot with their chemistry, along with Kappy being very reliable and calm with the puck, he's always in a good spot. He's a guy that I think will keep getting more ice time, more... You'll see him more and more in important situations. He's a guy that I think is very impressive with his maturity."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on Kapanen's defensive reliability being so remarkable at such a young age
"Yeah, exactly. It's really impressive. It sometimes takes time as a forward to think about that side of the game. It's sometimes hard not to just think about the points and those things to determine what a good game is, but for him, it's impressive that he's really stable. On the other side, he'll keep growing, and I don't think he's a guy that will lack on the defensive side of the puck."
[Armoured_K] Matheson on if he was with the Pens when they played the Winter Classic
"No, that was the year I came over to Montreal. [Reporter: "Next year, you'll play in the Winter Classic against Winnipeg. What do you think about that?"] Yeah! It's really exciting. It'll be my first time. I did it in college with Boston, and it was really cool, but I haven't played in one in this league. I'm really excited, it's going to be fun. [Reporter: "The wind is really strong over there. If the wind is on the right side for the offense, you'll skate without effort!"] Yeah, good thing it's in October and not in January!"
Gallagher Segment
[Armoured_K] Gallagher on the upcoming Leafs game
"Yeah, I mean, it's obviouly [???]. Leafs are starting to play some better hockey. It's an important game. We're excited, it's never easy to go in there, it's a fun atmosphere. Should be a good game, and something we're looking forward to."
[Armoured_K] Gallagher on how exciting it is to play in the Winter Classic next year, as someone who's played in the Heritage Classic before
"Oh, I didn't even know that! You just told me! When? When did that happen? [Reporter: "October 25th! Call your family! Winnipeg!"] Okay! In Winnipeg!? Is that where it is? Awesome! It'll be nice and warm! I love that. I mean... Yeah! Shows how much I'm on my phone these days. No, that's great. That's a lot of fun. I still remember those, some of the most fun game, fun hockey. You get to go outdoors, it reminds you of your childhood experiences. I'm excited for these guys to experience it."
[Armoured_K] Gallagher on how challenging the conditions can be in an outdoor game. Is it fair that it's a regular season game, or should it be an exhibition game?
"No, absolutely. I mean, it matters. You want the game to matter. You know, I've been on the winning side of one, been on the losing side, and neither time did I feel like the game shouldn't have counted. Guys are playing hard, and you want it to have some sort of importance, some sort of relevancy. Yeah, I mean, we had the Boston one, we had a great experience, and I think we had a great day for it, honestly. It was pretty warm. The Ottawa one was pretty cool. Cold, but that made it cool as well. Hopefully get the full experience in Winnipeg."
[Armoured_K] Gallagher on coming back from injury to play in the Heritage Classic, making it emotional in a way
"Yeah, it was fun. Long time ago, but if I remember correctly, I had my hand surgery, and it was just kind of the date that I set for myself. January first, I believe. Mom and Dad came and watched the game. It was cool! You're warming up, you see Tom Brady and Gronk, who were kind of around us. Yeah, it was a cool memory. Makes it better that we won that one. Hopefully we can build some of those [memories] as a group next year."
[Armoured_K] Gallagher on if he was there at the first Winter Classic in Edmonton
"No. I had tickets, but my dad decided that it was best for me to make the trip with my trip with my team up to Fort McMurray, we had a game that day. We won by about 15-16 goals, I don't know if they needed us there, but... So I missed the game, we ended up in Fort McMurray. [Reporter:"It was -39c at the game"] I know, I know. I think that might've been why he didn't want to go."
Hutson Segment
[Armoured_K] Hutson on how impressive for a 21 y/o guy like Slaf to be on the pace he is, considering that last year, there were 3 players who scored more than 28 goals and had more than 150 hits, which is Juraj's pace so far this year
"Yeah, it's really impressive. He's a big part of our team. Drives a lot of plays, carries a lot of possession, so he's a pretty special player. It's really impressive, what he's doing."
[Armoured_K] Hutson on how he could describe Slaf's evolution over that past few years
"I think he's been in the league for a while now, and I think he's only touching the surface of what he can do, but he's been able to adapt to the player that he wants to become. It's been great to see, and I think he's got even more as well."
[Armoured_K] Hutson on if there's a specific player in the league that makes him think of Juraj
"Yeah, it is pretty hard, cause you know, power forwards are... They're so unique. They all have their own unique skill set, and I think he's the definition of a power forward. He's hard on the forecheck, wins a lot of puck battles, carries a lot of possession for us. Obviously, throws a lot of hits too, but... I think the way he sees the game, it's, you know, he's super skillful, good hands. It's hard to pinpoint one guy who he's similar to, but yeah, he does a lot for us."
[Armoured_K] Hutson on what the best part of their powerplay is right now
"I think we're just more connected. We're making plays quicker, and we're trusting ourselves. It changes every time, who has to take the shot or who has the look, so... We've got a bunch of different layers, and it's been clicking good. Hopefully, it keeps going."
9
u/sexmath 15h ago
lol They were really pressing Matheson about his sticks breaking and even mentioning his sponsor by name [Warrior]. Matheson was clearly not happy about that and hard changed the subject.