Arpon Basu
@arponbasu.bsky.social
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: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl/team/canadiens/
Audio: https://basuandgodin.com/
Print: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nhl/team/canadiens/
Audio: https://basuandgodin.com/
On the one-year anniversary of three fights in nine seconds, Tom Wilson had another memorable fight at the Olympics, where there is never any fighting.
Wilson apparently did not get that memo.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Wilson apparently did not get that memo.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
No fighting at the Olympics? Canada’s Tom Wilson doesn’t care
Wilson got into a fight with Pierre Crinon as retribution for a dirty hit the French defenseman laid on Nathan MacKinnon.
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:16 PM
On the one-year anniversary of three fights in nine seconds, Tom Wilson had another memorable fight at the Olympics, where there is never any fighting.
Wilson apparently did not get that memo.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Wilson apparently did not get that memo.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
On Slovakia, a momentous, historic loss, and “Slaf-goal-sky” www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Slovakia earns the biggest defeat in its hockey history: ‘The best loss of my life’
A late goal might put Slovakia into the Olympic quarterfinals as the winner of Group B in a tiebreaker, even after losing 5-3 to Sweden.
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:25 PM
On Slovakia, a momentous, historic loss, and “Slaf-goal-sky” www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Get used to hearing about how Macklin Celebrini is mature beyond his years. Clichés are clichés for a reason.
But this feels like something more than a cliché.
On the nature and the nurture behind Celebrini's smooth Olympic arrival:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
But this feels like something more than a cliché.
On the nature and the nurture behind Celebrini's smooth Olympic arrival:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
The nature and nurture behind Macklin Celebrini’s seamless arrival on the Olympic stage
Celebrini's background may have helped him integrate Team Canada with unusual ease, but his natural gifts allow him to shine.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Get used to hearing about how Macklin Celebrini is mature beyond his years. Clichés are clichés for a reason.
But this feels like something more than a cliché.
On the nature and the nurture behind Celebrini's smooth Olympic arrival:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
But this feels like something more than a cliché.
On the nature and the nurture behind Celebrini's smooth Olympic arrival:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
Juraj Slafkovský wanted to be "that guy" for Slovakia at these Olympics. One game in, and that's what he was in a big upset win against Finland.
“We didn't have that type of player for a long, long time in Slovakia."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
“We didn't have that type of player for a long, long time in Slovakia."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Juraj Slafkovský is once again proving to be ‘that guy’ for Slovakia at the Olympics
Slafkovský delivered in Slovakia's opening win over Finland, and his teammates couldn't be happier: “He performed like a No. 1 draft pick.”
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Juraj Slafkovský wanted to be "that guy" for Slovakia at these Olympics. One game in, and that's what he was in a big upset win against Finland.
“We didn't have that type of player for a long, long time in Slovakia."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
“We didn't have that type of player for a long, long time in Slovakia."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Reposted by Arpon Basu
Real good read from Arpon on the Montreal Canadiens winger and the first goal scorer of the Olympic men's hockey tournament.
On Juraj Slafkoský and the moment he and his native Slovakia have waited years to arrive. After resisting it for a long time, at age 21, Slafkovský seems ready to embrace his status as his country’s “next one” at these Olympics.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Juraj Slafkovský, Slovakia’s most adored athlete, is embracing pressure at the Olympics
While on a vastly different scale, Slafkovský is like the Sidney Crosby of Slovakia, and this could be his breakout moment.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Real good read from Arpon on the Montreal Canadiens winger and the first goal scorer of the Olympic men's hockey tournament.
Team Canada saw firsthand Tuesday just how slim the margins can be at the Olympics. Details are more important than ever. Without Anthony Cirelli in Milan, the penalty kill is one of those crucial details. That and more from Wednesday's practice: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
How the perspective of Olympic margins prepared Canada to start the men’s hockey tournament
The Olympics are inherently about minutiae, the details that differentiate a win from a loss. Canada's penalty kill is among them.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Team Canada saw firsthand Tuesday just how slim the margins can be at the Olympics. Details are more important than ever. Without Anthony Cirelli in Milan, the penalty kill is one of those crucial details. That and more from Wednesday's practice: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
NHL players will have mandatory neck protection on at the Olympics, hopefully opening the door to them keeping it on when they return to the NHL. And if they have doubts, there are two NHL veterans who have already made the switch they can look to: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Olympic hockey neck guard mandate is a major opportunity for NHL adoption
If the world’s best hockey players can adapt to a new piece of equipment, perhaps more of the NHL will follow suit.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:22 AM
NHL players will have mandatory neck protection on at the Olympics, hopefully opening the door to them keeping it on when they return to the NHL. And if they have doubts, there are two NHL veterans who have already made the switch they can look to: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
On Juraj Slafkoský and the moment he and his native Slovakia have waited years to arrive. After resisting it for a long time, at age 21, Slafkovský seems ready to embrace his status as his country’s “next one” at these Olympics.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
Juraj Slafkovský, Slovakia’s most adored athlete, is embracing pressure at the Olympics
While on a vastly different scale, Slafkovský is like the Sidney Crosby of Slovakia, and this could be his breakout moment.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
On Juraj Slafkoský and the moment he and his native Slovakia have waited years to arrive. After resisting it for a long time, at age 21, Slafkovský seems ready to embrace his status as his country’s “next one” at these Olympics.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
On Nathan MacKinnon's work-life balance. Or lack thereof.
He is finally at the Olympics. He can watch and mingle with the world's best winter athletes.
He has no interest in any of it. He is here to play hockey, and nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
He is finally at the Olympics. He can watch and mingle with the world's best winter athletes.
He has no interest in any of it. He is here to play hockey, and nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
February 9, 2026 at 4:48 PM
On Nathan MacKinnon's work-life balance. Or lack thereof.
He is finally at the Olympics. He can watch and mingle with the world's best winter athletes.
He has no interest in any of it. He is here to play hockey, and nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
He is finally at the Olympics. He can watch and mingle with the world's best winter athletes.
He has no interest in any of it. He is here to play hockey, and nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
On Team Canada’s philosophy in Milan and how it was revealed through one forward line decision. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
How Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey initial practice lines showcase planned identity
Tom Wilson and Macklin Celebrini were not at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Now they are on Canada's top line at the Olympics. It says a lot.
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:27 AM
On Team Canada’s philosophy in Milan and how it was revealed through one forward line decision. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...
On the state of the Canadiens at the break after a 5-1 win in Winnipeg last night, firmly a playoff team and with room for improvement.
And with that, my Canadiens coverage takes a pause, but not my Canadian coverage. Next stop, Milan. A presto!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
And with that, my Canadiens coverage takes a pause, but not my Canadian coverage. Next stop, Milan. A presto!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Canadiens hit Olympic break firmly in a playoff spot and with room for improvement
The Canadiens hit the break with a ton of positives, but one of them is they still have negatives they can improve on when they return.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:52 PM
On the state of the Canadiens at the break after a 5-1 win in Winnipeg last night, firmly a playoff team and with room for improvement.
And with that, my Canadiens coverage takes a pause, but not my Canadian coverage. Next stop, Milan. A presto!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
And with that, my Canadiens coverage takes a pause, but not my Canadian coverage. Next stop, Milan. A presto!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Arpon Basu
Back when Lane Hutson was finishing college, Quinn Hughes warned not to judge him too quickly, that Hutson would be fine. A little less than two years later, Hughes still has his back, but is surprised at how quickly Hutson has come to dominate the NHL.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Quinn Hughes continues to root for Lane Hutson’s success: ‘He’s been fun to watch’
Lane Hutson has always looked up to Quinn Hughes, and the star Minnesota Wild defenceman made it clear the appreciation is mutual.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Back when Lane Hutson was finishing college, Quinn Hughes warned not to judge him too quickly, that Hutson would be fine. A little less than two years later, Hughes still has his back, but is surprised at how quickly Hutson has come to dominate the NHL.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Back when Lane Hutson was finishing college, Quinn Hughes warned not to judge him too quickly, that Hutson would be fine. A little less than two years later, Hughes still has his back, but is surprised at how quickly Hutson has come to dominate the NHL.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Quinn Hughes continues to root for Lane Hutson’s success: ‘He’s been fun to watch’
Lane Hutson has always looked up to Quinn Hughes, and the star Minnesota Wild defenceman made it clear the appreciation is mutual.
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Back when Lane Hutson was finishing college, Quinn Hughes warned not to judge him too quickly, that Hutson would be fine. A little less than two years later, Hughes still has his back, but is surprised at how quickly Hutson has come to dominate the NHL.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Arpon Basu
“Honestly they’re way more skilled than us, that team,” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said of the Sabres after the game. “From an individual standpoint skill, they have us by a lot."
On the Sabres passing another big test with a comeback in Florida:
On the Sabres passing another big test with a comeback in Florida:
Peyton Krebs shines, Sabres pass another big test in win vs. Panthers: 5 thoughts
The Panthers struck first, but the Sabres pulled back control of the game thanks to a sterling performance from Krebs.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:52 PM
“Honestly they’re way more skilled than us, that team,” Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said of the Sabres after the game. “From an individual standpoint skill, they have us by a lot."
On the Sabres passing another big test with a comeback in Florida:
On the Sabres passing another big test with a comeback in Florida:
Martin St. Louis has long wanted to elevate his young team’s B-game, how they perform on nights they don’t quite have it. It was non-existent earlier this season.
It just got the Canadiens 3 out of 4 points on the road against two of the hottest teams in the NHL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
It just got the Canadiens 3 out of 4 points on the road against two of the hottest teams in the NHL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Canadiens’ B-game earns a point a more immature version of them never would have earned
The Canadiens fell behind 2-0 to one of the best teams in the league, but instead of crumbling as they've done in the past, they recovered.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Martin St. Louis has long wanted to elevate his young team’s B-game, how they perform on nights they don’t quite have it. It was non-existent earlier this season.
It just got the Canadiens 3 out of 4 points on the road against two of the hottest teams in the NHL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
It just got the Canadiens 3 out of 4 points on the road against two of the hottest teams in the NHL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Nick Suzuki on getting picked on the Wild entry on the winning goal: “I felt like I was tripped.”
Martin St. Louis when asked the same question: "We expect more."
Of course, he meant from the officials, but he was careful. That pick play at the offensive blue line has been consistently called.
Martin St. Louis when asked the same question: "We expect more."
Of course, he meant from the officials, but he was careful. That pick play at the offensive blue line has been consistently called.
February 3, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Nick Suzuki on getting picked on the Wild entry on the winning goal: “I felt like I was tripped.”
Martin St. Louis when asked the same question: "We expect more."
Of course, he meant from the officials, but he was careful. That pick play at the offensive blue line has been consistently called.
Martin St. Louis when asked the same question: "We expect more."
Of course, he meant from the officials, but he was careful. That pick play at the offensive blue line has been consistently called.
Kaprizov wins it for the Wild 4-3 in OT
February 3, 2026 at 3:19 AM
Kaprizov wins it for the Wild 4-3 in OT
Phillip Danault gets his stick on the hands of Kirill Kaprizov as he drives the net and the Wild head to the PP in OT.
February 3, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Phillip Danault gets his stick on the hands of Kirill Kaprizov as he drives the net and the Wild head to the PP in OT.
Jake Evans, 8-1 in the dot tonight, sent out for the FOGO to start OT
February 3, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Jake Evans, 8-1 in the dot tonight, sent out for the FOGO to start OT
Though they let a third period lead get away from them, the Canadiens reach overtime to earn a big point. This was a difficult assignment and they've already earned a passing grade tonight.
February 3, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Though they let a third period lead get away from them, the Canadiens reach overtime to earn a big point. This was a difficult assignment and they've already earned a passing grade tonight.
Brock Faber ties it up for the Wild moments after Nick Suzuki rang one off the post. Mike Matheson stepped up to drop a shoulder, Faber moved into the space Matheson vacated and goes 5-hole on Dobeš. 3-3.
February 3, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Brock Faber ties it up for the Wild moments after Nick Suzuki rang one off the post. Mike Matheson stepped up to drop a shoulder, Faber moved into the space Matheson vacated and goes 5-hole on Dobeš. 3-3.
Quinn Hughes briefly took over the league lead for assists by a defenceman with his 48th of the season in the first period. Lane Hutson tied it back up at the end of the second.
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 AM
Quinn Hughes briefly took over the league lead for assists by a defenceman with his 48th of the season in the first period. Lane Hutson tied it back up at the end of the second.
Canadiens get two goals in 29 seconds, straddling the second intermission.
February 3, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Canadiens get two goals in 29 seconds, straddling the second intermission.
Kirby Dach gives the Canadiens a 3-2 lead right off the opening faceoff of the third period. Nick Suzuki with an incredible setup.
February 3, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Kirby Dach gives the Canadiens a 3-2 lead right off the opening faceoff of the third period. Nick Suzuki with an incredible setup.