Russ Cohen

New Jersey

Blogger, Sportsology and Host, Hockey Prospects Show at SiriusXM

Prospect writer, @SiriusXMNHL, Author of 11 books. @LockedOnFlyers. @eliteprospects, @OffThePostRadio, https://t.co/UZhOGtjaEh. I'm Russ Cohen.

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Articles

Rafael Harvey-Pinard is Back

Jan 25, 2025 | bvmsports.com | Russ Cohen

The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Rafael Harvey-Pinard from Laval. When he was last up with the Canadiens, he averaged 12:38 last season. But now, things have changed and one has to wonder why this is occurring. Some say there are better players in Laval at the moment. Related: Can Rafael Harvey-Pinard Grab a Habs Roster Spot? Pinard hasn't been ripping it up in Laval. He has 11 points in 24 games. He should have much better numbers.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard is Back

Jan 25, 2025 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Rafael Harvey-Pinard from Laval. When he was last up with the Canadiens, he averaged 12:38 last season. But now, things have changed and one has to wonder why this is occurring. Some say there are better players in Laval at the moment. Pinard hasn’t been ripping it up in Laval. He has 11 points in 24 games. He should have much better numbers.
Rafael Harvey-Pinard is Back

Jan 25, 2025 | sports.yahoo.com | Russ Cohen

The Montreal Canadiens have recalled Rafael Harvey-Pinard from Laval. When he was last up with the Canadiens, he averaged 12:38 last season. But now, things have changed and one has to wonder why this is occurring. Some say there are better players in Laval at the moment. Related: Can Rafael Harvey-Pinard Grab a Habs Roster Spot? Pinard hasn’t been ripping it up in Laval. He has 11 points in 24 games. He should have much better numbers.
Canadiens Could Look at Trethewey

Jan 21, 2025 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

I feel like the Montreal Canadiens need to get more defensemen in their system. The upcoming draft has a fair amount but very few stars. Many of them are good and have specific talents; one is Charlie Tretheway. At 6’2”, 196 pounds, he has the measurables GMs love and he has a good reach. I mention that because defensemen don’t have to crush everybody, but his reach is very good and he’s starting to really emphasize that as the season rolls on with the NTDP.
Have Expectations Changed in Montreal?

Jan 9, 2025 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

The Montreal Canadiens got hot. There are a lot of reasons for it and I’ve delved into that. Now that they are in playoff position, just a point out, it made me wonder if expectations to keep that position have changed? Are there actual playoff aspirations in Montreal? David Savard is missing some action so Jayden Struble is going to have to step it up in his absence. Savard could be back sooner rather than later but the defense is now missing a key shot blocker and that could hurt them.
Owen Beck Has A High Upside

Dec 5, 2024 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

Owen Beck is a talent pivot who enjoyed success in the OHL, first with Mississauga and second with Peterborough. With those teams, he was a very good player. In 2023-24, he blossomed and started scoring goals at a much higher rate. His combined numbers with Peterborough and Saginaw in 2022-23 were 34 goals and 47 assists in just 57 games. Many times in a player’s career they will make these jumps. His points per game were up in the playoffs too getting 14 points in 17 games.
Caufield Left off 4 Nations Roster

Dec 4, 2024 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

I’m sure a lot of articles are being written about the 4 Nations, mostly about who was left off the roster. I’m not calling for any heads here, but I’m not calling this a very hard decision when I see that Brock Nelson was selected over Cole Caufield. Nothing against Nelson, but he’s not having a great year. Neither is Chris Kreider but I get why he would get the nod. I believe Team USA needs Caufield because he’s a guaranteed goal-scorer. There is no American with more goals this season.
The Curious Case of Filip Mesar

Dec 3, 2024 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

Filip Mesar is an interesting person and hockey player. He’s very loyal, his teammates love him, and he sets high standards for himself. When I interviewed him pre-draft, he didn’t love the season he had heading into it. That was a 16-point effort on his Slovak team. The fact that he was honest with himself is a good trait to have. On the plus side, his slashing skating style is good for shaking defenders and being able to get in on the net. He has some acceleration that helps with that as well.
Logan Sawyer Was an Interesting Draft Selection for Montreal

Dec 2, 2024 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

Logan Sawyer was an interesting third-round pick for the Canadiens. He’s a 6’1”, 174-pound left wing who has a lot of tools in his toolbox but of course, it’s going to take some time to harness them. His path to pro hockey seemed like it was going to take a while. In 2023-24, he was in the AJHL and then the BCHL, and now he’s with Providence College, a terrific team in Hockey East. That’s a nice progression and the fact that he’s going to be 19 in May is good. He’s not behind at all.
Michael Hage is Having a Great Freshman Season in Michigan

Dec 1, 2024 | thehockeynews.com | Russ Cohen

Michael Hage is a fast center who the Montreal Canadiens drafted with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He impressed me when I caught up with him in the middle of last season. He’s smart and personable and he understands how to play center. Hage understood the responsibilities of the position. “The offense is fun, but it‘s important to be mature enough to play in your own zone,” said Hage. “Help your d out and be close to the puck.