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Arpon Basu

@arponbasu.bsky.social

9.9K followers 137 following 2.6K posts

The Athletic’s senior columnist on the Montreal Canadiens, co-host of the Basu and Godin Notebook podcast, regular contributor for Habs on TSN. Subscribe at: Print: www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl/team/c… Audio: basuandgodin.com

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Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 20h

On the beginning of a new Canadiens season, some questions that were answered, and some that remain unanswered: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Canadiens earn season-opening win, but some questions remain unanswered (Gift Article)

The Canadiens are one game into a season of high expectations. Despite getting a win, there are things that still need to be addressed.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Me and my colleagues from @theathletic.com will be dicussing the game over here tonight, come join us! www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl...

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Canadiens lines in warmup in Toronto: Kreider-Suzuki-Caufield Slafkovský-Newhook-Demidov Texier-Danault-Dach Bolduc-Evans-Anderson Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-A. Xhekaj Dobeš Montembeault

Reposted by Arpon Basu

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A little journey inside the problem-solving, perfectionist hockey mind of Lane Hutson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Inside Lane Hutson’s drive for constant evolution: ‘The game just changes’ (Gift Article)

From a very young age, Lane Hutson was forced to solve problems to get ahead in hockey, and that has not changed now that he is an NHL star.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A little journey inside the problem-solving, perfectionist hockey mind of Lane Hutson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Inside Lane Hutson’s drive for constant evolution: ‘The game just changes’ (Gift Article)

From a very young age, Lane Hutson was forced to solve problems to get ahead in hockey, and that has not changed now that he is an NHL star.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Canadiens notebook: final cuts, the captain’s view of the new second line, the newest member of the friendship circle: “I’m confused” — Chris Kreider www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...

Canadiens’ final cuts, second line, Kreider joins friendship circle: Weekly notebook (Gift Article)

As the Canadiens prepare to start the season, why was David Reinbacher cut and Florian Xhekaj kept?

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It's been obvious throughout training camp why the Canadiens organization is so high on Luke Mittelstadt, and it's been obvious tonight as well. Pro habits all over the place.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Canadiens lines in Montreal: Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider Newhook-Danault-Slafkovský Texier-Evans-Anderson F. Xhekaj-Beck-Thorpe Matheson-Dobson Mittelstadt-Carrier Szuber-Samson Fowler Montembeault

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Looks like Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov are not playing tonight.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Canadiens PK work this morning. Forward pairings: Danault-Anderson Evans-Kreider Kapanen-Newhook

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Florian Xhekaj is playing with Sasha Pastujov and Brett Berard, while Owen Beck is playing with Jared Davidson and Hunter McKown in this scrimmage.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Canadiens practice lines this morning. Florian Xhekaj and Owen Beck are skating with the AHL group: Kreider-Suzuki-Caufield Slafkovský-Kapanen-Dach (Demidov therapy day again) Bolduc-Newhook-Texier Danault-Evans-Anderson Matheson-Dobson Hutson-Carrier Struble-Xhekaj Engström-Reinbacher

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Ivan Demidov is not on the ice for a second day in a row, and that comes after a day off Tuesday.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Why the Canadiens bubble decisions at training camp are probably the most complicated this administration has had, and why they shouldn’t be. www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...

Why Canadiens’ bubble camp decisions are complicated, and why they shouldn’t be (Gift Article)

David Reinbacher, Adam Engström, Florian Xhekaj and Owen Beck are still in position to make the Canadiens in the final phase of camp.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Canadiens camp groups today clearly split into those with a chance to make the team and those who don’t. Ivan Demidov is having a maintenance day.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Canadiens training camp notebook: On Juraj Slafkovský spreading his wings, changes on the PK with Derek Lalonde in charge and a veteran’s view of the rookie goalie. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...

Canadiens training camp notebook: Liberating Juraj Slafkovský, penalty-kill changes (Gift Article)

What looks like a demotion for Slafkovský could unlock his next level. Plus: Derek Lalonde's impact on the PK and more.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Canadiens forwards in Montreal: Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider Slafkovský-Kapanen-Demidov Davidson-Beck- Pastujov Thorpe-Condotta-Belzile In Toronto: Bolduc-Dach-Texier Newhook-Evans-Berard F.Xhekaj-Danault-Anderson Poulin-McKown-Mešár

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

“I think with the opportunity we have here, to move on and miss something that can be pretty special here would be pretty brutal.” — Alex Newhook This is what the Canadiens built. But they’re at a point where some of those who built it will miss it. www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...

Canadiens’ heightened internal competition will test strong culture franchise has built (Gift Article)

The Canadiens have become such a desirable destination for their players it might be impossible to keep everyone happy.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Canadiens PP1 remains intact: Hutson, Suzuki, Caufield, Demidov, Slaf. Chris Kreider getting a rep on PK with Kapanen

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Sights and sounds and thoughts from Day 1 of Canadiens training camp: www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...

Day 1 of Canadiens camp: Kreider skates on top line, Kapanen back with Demidov, Fowler’s literal growth (Gift Article)

From Chris Kreider skating on the top line to Jacob Fowler growing an inch, everything we saw at Canadiens training camp Thursday.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

A rundown of Canadiens golf tournament coverage: MSL signs on for four years: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759... Chris Kreider’s unique relationship with MSL and other notes: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759... The Canadiens acting like a team getting ready to contend: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis signs multiyear contract extension (Gift Article)

St. Louis, the fourth-longest-tenured coach in the NHL, guided his young team all the way to the Eastern Conference final in 2026.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Last year it was Noah Dobson who observed the Canadiens from afar and decided he wanted in. This year it’s Chris Kreider. And that’s a big development for this team. Also, on his relationship with Martin St. Louis, what is up with Kaiden Guhle and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...

How Canadiens’ culture, former teammate Martin St. Louis led to Chris Kreider signing (Gift Article)

Kreider, the first former teammate St. Louis will coach, lauded the Canadiens' trajectory and their aggressive pursuit of him.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

“My curiosity will help me a lot.” Martin St. Louis was brought to Montreal to navigate a rebuild. He was signed to a new four-year contract Monday to navigate the opening of a contention window. www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...

Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis signs multi-year contract extension

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I didn’t love the idea of the Canadiens signing Chris Kreider, not because of his villain status in Montreal, but because I assumed his contract would come with term attached. But for one year? There are reasons to like this signing. www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...

Canadiens’ signing of Chris Kreider was a good move, even if he’s hated in Montreal (Gift Article)

Kreider is a hated man in Montreal, but there are several reasons his signing makes a ton of sense for the Canadiens.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Public enemy No. 1 in Montreal is coming to play for the Canadiens: www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...

Chris Kreider, Canadiens agree to one-year, $2.15 million contract: Sources

The 35-year-old is coming off a 50-point season with the Anaheim Ducks that saw him score 22 goals over 75 games.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

On Lane Hutson, and defence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...

How Lane Hutson’s defensive game can continue to grow with the Canadiens (Gift Article)

Fresh off this year's Player Tiers, let's break down how the Canadiens' star defenceman continues to evolve his already-excellent play.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Slowly getting back to some work so I’m doing a mailbag, you can submit questions here. If your question has already been asked, just give it a like instead of asking it again. I’ll take the ones with the most likes: www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...

Submit your Montreal Canadiens questions for Arpon Basu’s mailbag

The peak of summer is the perfect time to answer reader questions. What do you want to know about the Canadiens?

Reposted by Arpon Basu

Scott Wheeler @scottcwheeler.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Inside the rise of Habs prospect LJ Mooney. My feature, with insight from the kid, his dad, USA Hockey, his minor hockey coach, and more (🎁 free to read): www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

From ‘the compound’ to the Canadiens: Behind the rise of top prospect LJ Mooney (Gift Article)

The 2025 fourth-round pick looks to continue following in the footsteps of his cousin, star Mammoth forward Logan Cooley, into the NHL.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The Canadiens don’t necessarily want a status quo offseason. But the fact they can still improve without really doing anything makes it easier to be patient, and if that means a status quo offseason, then so be it. They’ll be fine. www.nytimes.com/athletic/743...

Why the Canadiens have the luxury of rolling the dice on a status quo offseason (Gift Article)

The Canadiens offseason has not resulted in any big additions, but the ascending development curve of the team allows them to be patient.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

If the Canadiens truly value character, the reasoning behind Michael Hage’s decision to return to Michigan is hard to criticize: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

If the Canadiens truly value character, Michael Hage’s Michigan decision is hard to criticize (Gift Article)

Top prospect Hage's decision to return to school further cements his status as a top Canadiens prospect and not the opposite.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Jakub Dobeš' $5,375,575 a year contract brings the Canadiens annual spend over the three years of this contract to just over $67.73 million for nine core players: four defencemen, four forwards and a goalie. It expires the same year as Nick Suzuki's, in 2030.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The Canadiens continued locking things down today. Jakub Dobeš extends for three years at just under $5.4 million a year. www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

Canadiens, goaltender Jakub Dobeš agree to 3-year contract extension (Gift Article)

The contract begins in the 2027-28 season.

Reposted by Arpon Basu

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Ivan Demidov fell in line and signed yet another team-friendly deal for the Canadiens’ core. Those deals, however, were not signed simply to be friendly. There’s an expectation of winning that comes with it, and now it’s time for management to execute. www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Ivan Demidov fell in line and signed yet another team-friendly deal for the Canadiens’ core. Those deals, however, were not signed simply to be friendly. There’s an expectation of winning that comes with it, and now it’s time for management to execute. www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

“Cool” is one way of putting it.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

A tiny snippet of Alexander Zharovsky

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Canadiens sign Ivan Demidov to 8-year extension worth $9.15 million a year, adding another piece to their locked-in core: www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...

Canadiens sign Ivan Demidov to 8-year contract extension (Gift Article)

Demidov led all NHL rookies in scoring with 62 points in 82 games this season and added nine points in 19 playoff games.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Canadiens second round pick Tim Runtso doing his skating test.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

As Brendan Gallagher prepares to pack and head to Vancouver, he leaves a rebuild nearing completion in Montreal to embark on a new one with the Canucks. He leaves behind a young core in Montreal he helped shape. I asked him to tell us about that core. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

As Gallagher leaves the Canadiens, he shares stories of the core he helped shape

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Canadiens draft notes: • Gleb Pugachyov’s infectious “oomph” and the shift that left an impression • Managing organizational asset “buckets” • Drafting overagers • The Canadiens want to go back to the good draft format and stop this crappy format www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Canadiens draft notes: More than physicality, scarcity made Pugachyov the top pick

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Gleb Pugachyov’s agent Dan Milstein says there is a chance he will attend Canadiens development camp, assuming the visa process is efficient. Also confirms Pugachyov has two years left on his KHL contract. His official measurements from the Gold Star camp: 6-2 3/4, 224 lbs.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

The Canadiens found what a perfect marriage between best player available and need in Gleb Pugachyov. They did not, however, find a similar marriage on the trade market. That can happen when you’re being picky, but this will be a summer long chase. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

Canadiens fill need in NHL Draft and still intend to fill a more pressing one via trade

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Sat down with Brendan Gallagher to talk about his time in Montreal ending and what the future holds. One word kept coming up: purpose. He lost it in Montreal as the Canadiens ascended, he’s convinced he can still find it at his next NHL stop. He is still hungry. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

As Brendan Gallagher prepares to leave Montreal, he seeks one thing: purpose (Gift Article)

Brendan Gallagher wants his next NHL city to be a good home for his family, but he also wants to recapture his NHL self.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

The Canadiens enter a critical offseason coming off a season that exceeded all expectations. But the most important elements of it will be precision and patience, to not get caught up in the moment. Because that is often how mistakes are made. www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...

What we’re hearing as the Canadiens embark on what may or may not be a critical offseason (Gift Article)

Do the Canadiens absolutely need to make a major addition this offseason? It depends on their perspective of what this season meant.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

On the Canadiens’ top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovský and the valuable playoff lessons they learned, most notably on the concept of mental stamina. Having mental strength is one thing, maintaining it is even harder. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Canadiens’ top line, valuable playoff lessons and a promising future

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield winning their first NHL awards together could not have been more appropriate as a coronation for the Canadiens emerging from a rebuild they were each so critical in driving: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Suzuki, Caufield winning awards together perfectly reflects their importance to Canadiens (Gift Article)

Nick Suzuki's Selke win and Cole Caufield's Lady Byng win happening at once was symbolic of their role in helping the Canadiens rebuild.

Reposted by Arpon Basu

CJ Fogler @cjzero.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Ketel Marte's walkoff HR had so much going on but the best part is Marte sprinting down the third base line to avoid the water and the gum only for Perdomo to run right past Marte and drown someone else 😂 (the bat flip is fantastic and so is Arenado yelling "What, why would you throw that???")

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Jeremy Lauzon had 97 blocked shots in 68 regular season games. Was very slow to react to that pass going over to Jarvis and get in the shooting lane. John Tortorella will not love that.

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

On the most important piece of Canadiens offseason business for a second year in a row and what last year’s Lane Hutson contract negotiations may — or perhaps should — tell us about this year’s Ivan Demidov extension talks: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Ivan Demidov’s next contract and the Canadiens’ culture that may facilitate it (Gift Article)

The Canadiens have signed a number of their young players to team-friendly contracts. Ivan Demidov will likely be next.

Reposted by Arpon Basu

Arpon Basu @arponbasu.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

On the Canadiens and transitions, some painful, some hopeful, but mostly a transition from rebuilding to contending that will be delicate and will require precision and hard decisions for Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Canadiens’ transition out of a rebuild into a contention window has never been clearer (Gift Article)

The Venn diagram of the Canadiens' present and future is beginning to resemble a single, overlapping circle.