Quite the weekend for Canadiens invite Charles Savoie, two sweet setups for goals in as many games.

Matt LaFleur: “I asked Malik why he didn’t throw the ball on that 3rd down and he told me Josh threw up on the ball. That’s the first time I ever heard that” 😂😭😂

I hate this. It is a serious case of jumping the gun. The sample size is ridiculously small. And the hype train is already out of control. But I’m doing it anyway: Lane Hutson has made it very obvious he should at least start the season with the Canadiens. nytimes.com/athletic/57697…

Inside the Yaroslav Askarov trade: How the Sharks won a 5-team race for the Predators goalie. Looking back at a trade which had much intrigue. My latest for ⁦The Athletic⁩ ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/57668…

As I work on what we learned at the Canadiens golf tournament, there was a lot to take away from the just completed rookie camp. On David Reinbacher’s new perspective, a surprise attendee at Adam Nicholas’ summer camp and other notes: nytimes.com/athletic/57704…

Sidney Crosby on obligation he feels to stay with Penguins — via The Athletic NHL

Looking forward to this. See you all there Tuesday evening!

CAN LAINE & SLAFKOVSKY HELP CANADIENS PUSH FOR PLAYOFF SPOT? Arpon Basu and Kenzie Lalonde discuss. VIDEO: youtu.be/wHLfUUGmjFY

He does the deliveries still. 20 years later every year. Same hair same charm same car same guy same contract. Just a blessing to the Penguins and the Sidy of Pittsburgh.

It is understandable for the Canadiens to be intentionally vague when setting their expectations for the season. While “in the mix” was the corporate messaging, the reality is they don’t know what to expect. Because the rebuild has hit a new stage: nytimes.com/athletic/57721…

Our The Athletic NHL team was at seven (!) of the NHL’s rookie tournaments. Standouts from me, Corey Pronman, Max Bultman, Thomas Drance, Kevin Kurz, Arpon Basu, Scott Powers, and Jeremy Rutherford: nytimes.com/athletic/57315…

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Excited to be back in the booth for another season. A lot of exciting prospects with a team that should be very entertaining. Hope you join us for the ride! First game for me is preseason Sens at Habs October 1st with Mike Johnson Full schedule 👇🏼 tsn.ca/habsontsn

NEW COLUMN: When Woj left newspapers to become an NBA insider in 2007, a top editor told Woj that he may never be heard from again Woj thought the same thing After his final Woj bomb, his Michael Jordan-level drive made it so he'll never be forgotten nytimes.com/athletic/57773…

Oliver Kapanen fits right in to this environment.

Just a scrimmage, but Juraj Slafkovský looks fantastic.