Paul Olioff

Memories of the Montreal Forum

Paul Olioff | August 12, 2018

On a Tuesday night in Montreal, people flock to a movie theatre on the corner of Ste Catherine and Atwater streets to see films at half the regular price. The…

Will the Canadiens Keep Pacioretty?

Paul Olioff | August 1, 2018

The conflict between Max Pacioretty and the Montreal Canadiens has become a popular topic of conversation this summer. With one year remaining in his contract, general manager Marc Bergevin has made…

Montreal Canadiens: Life Without Weber

Paul Olioff | July 29, 2018

When the Montreal Canadiens drafted centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi in June, the excitement of having a potential franchise player was quickly overshadowed by the announcement that Shea Weber, their best defenseman, had undergone…

Cammalleri and the Canadiens: A Cautionary Tale

Paul Olioff | July 27, 2018

Concerns about the Montreal Canadiens’ inability to land top talent through free agency is not new. General manager Marc Bergevin has been under fire for six years for focusing on…

Is Canadiens’ Kotkaniemi NHL-Ready?

Paul Olioff | July 24, 2018

In a recent statement to the media, Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson discussed the possibility that first-round draft pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi will play for the team this coming season. Although the…

Is Shaw the Canadiens’ Forgotten Man?

Paul Olioff | July 22, 2018

When Andrew Shaw was acquired by the Habs for two second-round draft picks in 2016, it seemed like somewhat of a steal at the time. Many fans who watched playoff…

The Canadiens Wild Centennial Season

Paul Olioff | July 19, 2018

The Montreal Canadiens marked their 100th anniversary as a franchise on December 4, 2009, in what was their 101st season. Celebrations officially began a year earlier, but since no NHL…

Can Ouellet Crack the Canadiens’ Top-Six?

Paul Olioff | July 16, 2018

It’s almost mid-July and a number of questions remain about the Montreal Canadiens’ roster for the coming season. One pressing issue is the team’s defense. With the news that Shea…

Canadiens & Pacioretty: Is the Love Gone?

Paul Olioff | July 13, 2018

You could feel the tension on the Montreal metro the morning of March 9, 2011. The night before, Max Pacioretty, the Canadiens’ 22-year-old left wing and emerging star, was pushed…

The Canadiens Legacy of Losing

Paul Olioff | July 10, 2018

I remember the afternoon of April 27, 1980, clearly. Walking down Ste Catherine street, I saw a tall, lanky figure walking towards me. It didn’t take me long to recognize…

Canadiens Need Phillip Danault

Paul Olioff | July 6, 2018

Talking about the Montreal Canadiens inevitably leads to a conversation about their problems at centre. The recent signing of John Tavares by the Toronto Maple Leafs was especially hard for…

Canadiens’ Rebuild is Official

Paul Olioff | July 3, 2018

After both the NHL draft and the opening of free agency on July 1, some Montreal Canadiens fans were left scratching their heads. The team failed to address the immediate need…