Stu Cowan
@stucowangazette.bsky.social
Sports columnist for Montreal Gazette and host of weekly Hockey Inside/Out Show on Gazette website and YouTube talking Habs with former Canadiens Chris Nilan and Rick Green.
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 21, 1992: Bob Gainey was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame. He won five Stanley Cups during his 16 seasons with Canadiens and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979. He also won Selke Trophy at NHL's top defensive forward four times.
Sept. 21, 1992: Bob Gainey was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame. He won five Stanley Cups during his 16 seasons with Canadiens and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979. He also won Selke Trophy at NHL's top defensive forward four times.
September 21, 2026 at 1:48 PM
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 21, 1992: Bob Gainey was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame. He won five Stanley Cups during his 16 seasons with Canadiens and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979. He also won Selke Trophy at NHL's top defensive forward four times.
Sept. 21, 1992: Bob Gainey was inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame. He won five Stanley Cups during his 16 seasons with Canadiens and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1979. He also won Selke Trophy at NHL's top defensive forward four times.
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 20, 1991: The Canadiens traded Stéphane Richer and Tom Chorske to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kirk Muller and goalie Roland Melanson. The Habs would go on to win Stanley Cup in 1993 and the Devils won it in 1995.
Sept. 20, 1991: The Canadiens traded Stéphane Richer and Tom Chorske to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kirk Muller and goalie Roland Melanson. The Habs would go on to win Stanley Cup in 1993 and the Devils won it in 1995.
September 20, 2026 at 2:26 PM
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 20, 1991: The Canadiens traded Stéphane Richer and Tom Chorske to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kirk Muller and goalie Roland Melanson. The Habs would go on to win Stanley Cup in 1993 and the Devils won it in 1995.
Sept. 20, 1991: The Canadiens traded Stéphane Richer and Tom Chorske to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Kirk Muller and goalie Roland Melanson. The Habs would go on to win Stanley Cup in 1993 and the Devils won it in 1995.
Today would have been Guy Lafleur's 75th birthday. Gone but never forgotten, RIP, Flower. Here's column I wrote following his death four years ago. #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Stu Cowan: Guy Lafleur was the last of the Canadiens' legends
Lafleur and Jean Béliveau were different people from different eras, but fans loved them in a way no future Canadien will ever be loved.
montrealgazette.com
September 20, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Today would have been Guy Lafleur's 75th birthday. Gone but never forgotten, RIP, Flower. Here's column I wrote following his death four years ago. #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My column on the Canadiens starting the preseason with not one, but two wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The Xhekaj brothers had a physical impact for #Habs on both games: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: Canadiens open preseason with two wins over the Maple Leafs on same night
The Xhekaj brothers bring physicality to the Bell Centre and Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.
montrealgazette.com
September 20, 2026 at 2:09 PM
My column on the Canadiens starting the preseason with not one, but two wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night. The Xhekaj brothers had a physical impact for #Habs on both games: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My first weekly Stu's Slapshots notebook of the season, leading off with the impressive job Canadiens' director of hockey development Adam Nicholas has done during rebuilding process, earning some high praise from Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Stu's Slapshots: Adam Nicholas has played key role in Canadiens' rebuilding process
Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov both have high praise for Habs' director of player development.
montrealgazette.com
September 19, 2026 at 6:48 PM
My first weekly Stu's Slapshots notebook of the season, leading off with the impressive job Canadiens' director of hockey development Adam Nicholas has done during rebuilding process, earning some high praise from Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions about Kirby Dach, Florian and Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, Owen Beck, new associate coach Derek Lalonde and when The Gazette will publish Canadiens' full TV schedule for this season: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Habs Mailbag: Florian Xhekaj might be ready if Kirby Dach falters at Canadiens' camp
Habs want to get bigger, more physical and harder to play, and Arber's brother can definitely help them do that.
montrealgazette.com
September 19, 2026 at 2:35 PM
My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions about Kirby Dach, Florian and Arber Xhekaj, Jayden Struble, Owen Beck, new associate coach Derek Lalonde and when The Gazette will publish Canadiens' full TV schedule for this season: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My column on why it makes sense for #Habs to start season with Chris Kreider on No. 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, while Juraj Slafkovsky plays with Oliver Kapanan and Ivan Demidov: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: With Chris Kreider in mix, Canadiens could ice two potent top lines
As Habs open camp, newcomer is on top line with Suzuki and Caufield, while Slafkovsky reunites with Kapanen and Demidov.
montrealgazette.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:26 PM
My column on why it makes sense for #Habs to start season with Chris Kreider on No. 1 line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, while Juraj Slafkovsky plays with Oliver Kapanan and Ivan Demidov: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My column on Canadiens fans not being the only ones excited about the #Habs heading into this season - and with good reason: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: High on the Habs — Fans aren't alone as Canadiens buzz builds for coming season
After reaching Eastern final, head coach Martin St. Louis is set to "continue what we've been building" in 2026-27.
montrealgazette.com
September 17, 2026 at 11:36 AM
My column on Canadiens fans not being the only ones excited about the #Habs heading into this season - and with good reason: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE HABS?
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
September 17, 2026 at 11:35 AM
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE HABS?
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
Reposted by Stu Cowan
Enforcer Ryan Reaves announces he is retiring from hockey. His departure leaves just three visor-less players remaining in the NHL: apnews.com/article/ryan...
Enforcer Ryan Reaves says he is retiring, leaving the NHL with three visor-less players
Enforcer Ryan Reaves says he is retiring from hockey at age 39 after playing more than a decade and a half in the NHL.
apnews.com
September 16, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Enforcer Ryan Reaves announces he is retiring from hockey. His departure leaves just three visor-less players remaining in the NHL: apnews.com/article/ryan...
My column on Canadiens fans not being the only ones excited about #Habs heading into this season - and with good reason: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: High on the Habs — Fans aren't alone as Canadiens buzz builds for coming season
After reaching Eastern final, head coach Martin St. Louis is set to "continue what we've been building" in 2026-27.
montrealgazette.com
September 16, 2026 at 8:15 PM
My column on Canadiens fans not being the only ones excited about #Habs heading into this season - and with good reason: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE HABS?
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
September 16, 2026 at 6:12 PM
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT THE HABS?
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
If you have a question about the Canadiens you'd like me to answer in my weekly #Habs Mailbag this weekend you can post it below or send an email to [email protected].
My story on injury problems continuing for Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle, who is out 4-5 weeks following surgery on adductor muscle. He has already missed 120 regular-season games in his first four seasons, including 43 last season #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle sidelined four to five weeks
On first day of camp, Habs announce that blue-liner had "minor surgery" this summer to repair an adductor muscle.
montrealgazette.com
September 16, 2026 at 3:48 PM
My story on injury problems continuing for Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle, who is out 4-5 weeks following surgery on adductor muscle. He has already missed 120 regular-season games in his first four seasons, including 43 last season #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story on Canadiens inviting 57 players to what will be a condensed training camp, starting today in Brossard, under NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Canadiens invite 57 players to attend this year's condensed training camp
Under new CBA, players with at least 100 games of NHL experience are restricted to playing in two pre-season games.
montrealgazette.com
September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
My story on Canadiens inviting 57 players to what will be a condensed training camp, starting today in Brossard, under NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story on Canadiens signing defenceman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract, and forward Alex Newhook to four-year contract extension with annual salary-cap hit of US$5.5 million #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Canadiens sign defenceman Arber Xhekaj to one-year deal worth US$1.5 million
Forward Alex Newhook also agrees to four-year contract extension with annual salary-cap hit of US$5.5 million.
montrealgazette.com
September 15, 2026 at 10:10 PM
My story on Canadiens signing defenceman Arber Xhekaj to a one-year, US$1.5 million contract, and forward Alex Newhook to four-year contract extension with annual salary-cap hit of US$5.5 million #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My column on new Canadiens associate coach Derek Lalonde, who brings a ton of experience behind #Habs bench, along with a love for Montreal after growing up in Brasher, N.Y., as a huge #Expos fan with Gary Carter his favourite player: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: Canadiens' new associate coach brings wealth of experience, defensive expertise
Joining Habs "a really good fit," says Derek Lalonde, who grew up in upstate N.Y. as a big Expos fan.
montrealgazette.com
September 15, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My column on new Canadiens associate coach Derek Lalonde, who brings a ton of experience behind #Habs bench, along with a love for Montreal after growing up in Brasher, N.Y., as a huge #Expos fan with Gary Carter his favourite player: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Here's link to story I wrote last year with Carey Price saying he doesn’t hold any grudge toward new Canadien Chris Kreider, who crashed into his knee during 2014 playoffs while with New York Rangers. Gazette photo by John Kenney #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/stus-...
September 15, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Here's link to story I wrote last year with Carey Price saying he doesn’t hold any grudge toward new Canadien Chris Kreider, who crashed into his knee during 2014 playoffs while with New York Rangers. Gazette photo by John Kenney #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/stus-...
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 15, 1960: Maurice "Rocket" Richard announced his retirement after 18 seasons and eight Stanley Cups with Canadiens. He retired as the NHL's all-time leader with 544 goals, including 50 in 50 games during the 1944-45 season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XSL...
Sept. 15, 1960: Maurice "Rocket" Richard announced his retirement after 18 seasons and eight Stanley Cups with Canadiens. He retired as the NHL's all-time leader with 544 goals, including 50 in 50 games during the 1944-45 season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XSL...
Maurice Richard | 100 Greatest NHL Players (first 100 years) | 2017
YouTube video by shadyjam
www.youtube.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:37 PM
THIS DATE IN #HABS HISTORY
Sept. 15, 1960: Maurice "Rocket" Richard announced his retirement after 18 seasons and eight Stanley Cups with Canadiens. He retired as the NHL's all-time leader with 544 goals, including 50 in 50 games during the 1944-45 season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XSL...
Sept. 15, 1960: Maurice "Rocket" Richard announced his retirement after 18 seasons and eight Stanley Cups with Canadiens. He retired as the NHL's all-time leader with 544 goals, including 50 in 50 games during the 1944-45 season. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XSL...
My column on Geoff Molson taking a couple of chances with the Canadiens - first buying the team and then starting a full rebuild - both paying off big-time #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Cowan: Taking chance with Canadiens has paid off more than once for Geoff Molson
Decision to purchase Habs and start a full rebuild lead to success on and off ice for team owner.
montrealgazette.com
September 15, 2026 at 1:22 PM
My column on Geoff Molson taking a couple of chances with the Canadiens - first buying the team and then starting a full rebuild - both paying off big-time #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story with some of the main news from Canadiens' golf tournament today, including Martin St. Louis signing new contract, another injury for Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj's contract situation, Josh Anderson getting an "A" and the three-goalie dilemma #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Good news for Canadiens' Martin St. Louis, but bad news regarding Kaiden Guhle
Head coach is under contract through 2029-30, while defenceman is expected to miss start of season after surgery.
montrealgazette.com
September 14, 2026 at 8:09 PM
My story with some of the main news from Canadiens' golf tournament today, including Martin St. Louis signing new contract, another injury for Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj's contract situation, Josh Anderson getting an "A" and the three-goalie dilemma #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story on Trevor Letowski stepping down as an assistant coach with Canadiens after five seasons to spend more time with his wife and two daughters. He's also thrilled to stay with #Habs in new role as a player development coach: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Former Canadiens assistant coach Trevor Letowski switches focus to his family
After five seasons behind bench, former NHLer is very happy to remain with Habs as a player development coach.
montrealgazette.com
September 13, 2026 at 6:17 PM
My story on Trevor Letowski stepping down as an assistant coach with Canadiens after five seasons to spend more time with his wife and two daughters. He's also thrilled to stay with #Habs in new role as a player development coach: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story on Canadiens acquiring Chris Kreider without having to give up anything except money — and not much. Carey Price was willing to forgive Kreider for crashing into him in 2014 playoffs and #Habs fans should now do the same: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Canadiens are a better team after signing Chris Kreider without losing anything
Habs GM Kent Hughes didn't have to give up any assets to get veteran winger and sign him to one-year, US$2.15-million contract.
montrealgazette.com
September 13, 2026 at 3:03 AM
My story on Canadiens acquiring Chris Kreider without having to give up anything except money — and not much. Carey Price was willing to forgive Kreider for crashing into him in 2014 playoffs and #Habs fans should now do the same: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions about opening-night lineup, Samuel Montembeault, Chris Kreider being a free agent, Oliver Kapanen as a second-line centre and what happens with defencemen David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Habs Mailbag: What will Canadiens' lineup look like on opening night in Toronto?
Would Habs have interest in Chris Kreider on short-term basis and would Montreal fans forgive him?
montrealgazette.com
September 12, 2026 at 1:32 PM
My weekly #Habs Mailbag answering questions about opening-night lineup, Samuel Montembeault, Chris Kreider being a free agent, Oliver Kapanen as a second-line centre and what happens with defencemen David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
My story on Laval Rocket assistant coach Martin Laperrière believing it's just a matter of time before Florian Xhekaj earns a spot with Canadiens #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/flori...
Florian Xhekaj has potential to add some needed size and toughness to Canadiens
The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has shown with Laval he can play centre or wing and on the power play or penalty-kill.
montrealgazette.com
September 11, 2026 at 1:10 PM
My story on Laval Rocket assistant coach Martin Laperrière believing it's just a matter of time before Florian Xhekaj earns a spot with Canadiens #Habs: montrealgazette.com/sports/flori...