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Raphael Diaz | Defenseman

Team: Montreal Canadiens
Age / DOB:  (27) / 1/9/1986
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 194
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Raphael Diaz will close out the year in the World Hockey Championship with Switzerland.
The Swiss will play the Czech Republic in Thursday's quarter-final round. "I learned a lot of things again this year," said Diaz prior to leaving for the tournament. "I want to go and show my best hockey and support my teammates from Switzerland." He played in Switzerland's top league during the lockout, where he starred for EV Zug. Diaz had 14 points in 23 games during the regular season for Montreal. May 15 - 6:15 PM

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Player News

Date:

Raphael Diaz, who has missed 25 games due to a concussion, should return to the Montreal lineup Saturday night against Washington.

It's been a long time since we've seen Diaz, who had a very promising start to his season (13 points in 19 games). We would wait to see Diaz play in a game before activating him, though, as 25 games is a rather long layoff.
Apr 20 - 11:25 AM

Raphael Diaz joined his teammates for Monday's practice for the first time since he suffered a concussion back on Feb. 25.

He said he's feeling better each day even though there's still no timetable for his return to the lineup. Diaz had 13 points in 19 games from the back end prior to getting hurt.
Apr 16 - 8:16 AM

Raphael Diaz is "making progress" in his recovery from a concussion.

There wasn't much more than that from coach Michel Therrien, so it's difficult to figure out what "progress" means. Much like concussed teammate Rene Bourque, it's impossible to guess when Diaz might be able to return. We'll just have to wait and see.
Apr 5 - 10:04 AM

It's been 'status quo' for concussed defenseman Raphael Diaz, as he tries to work his way back into Montreal's lineup.

He is still working out in the gym, but hasn't resumed skating yet. Diaz hasn't played since Feb. 25 and a timetable for his return appears to be cloudy at best right now.
Mar 21 - 10:24 AM

Raphael Diaz (concussion) has been working out in the gym but hasn't been cleared to resume skating.

Diaz suffered the injury Feb. 25, but it's pretty clear at this point that he's still nowhere close to a return. Concussions are notoriously impossible to predict and the fantasy playoffs are quickly approaching, so we wouldn't blame owners if they'd moved on at this point.
Source: TSN
Mar 12 - 6:59 PM

Don't expect to see Raphael Diaz in action anytime soon.

According to Habs' coach Michel Therien, Diaz is still suffering from concussion symptoms. "With a concussion, honestly, there’s no time frame," Therrien said.
Mar 2 - 10:22 AM

Raphael Diaz has a concussion and won't play Wednesday night against Toronto.

He sustained the injury during Monday's overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, but didn't feel any symptoms until he started to feel dizzy Tuesday evening. Diaz has 13 points, including seven on the power play, in 19 games this season. Tomas Kaberle will replace him in the lineup.
Source: TSN.ca
Feb 27 - 6:12 PM

Raphael Diaz recorded a power-play assist in Montreal's 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa Monday night.

He set up Andrei Markov for a second-period score, but coach Michel Therrien went back to P.K. Subban on the man advantage late in the third period. Subban didn't do much to reaffirm himself in the eyes of Montreal Gazette columnist Pat Hickey, who believes Diaz should help quarterback the Canadiens' power play, when he took a tripping penalty to negate the man advantage. Diaz is making a strong case for himself to return to the top unit. He is currently tied for second the club with seven power-play points in 19 games.
Feb 26 - 8:53 AM

Montreal Gazette columnist Pat Hickey believes Montreal's power play would be better with Raphael Diaz instead of P.K. Subban alongside Andrei Markov.

According to Hickey, Diaz's shot is not as hard as Subban's but is much more accurate. Diaz is also a better puck distributor. Of course, last time we checked, Michel Therrien was the Habs' bench boss. Hickey does raise an interesting point, though.
Feb 16 - 10:45 AM

Raphael Diaz is aware that P.K. Subban's signing will reduce his ice time, but his success on the power play may force Subban to wrestle minutes away from him in the early going.

He has played well with Andrei Markov on the top unit and helped the Canadiens score twice on five opportunities against Winnipeg on Tuesday night. Diaz has seven assists in five games this season, which ties Markov for the team lead in scoring.
Jan 30 - 11:28 AM

Raphael Diaz registered an assist in the Canadiens' 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night.

With P.K. Subban still out of the lineup, Diaz should have an important role on the power play in Montreal with Andrei Markov feeding him on the point. Diaz is well worth a flyer in 14-team leagues that reward power play points while Subban is holding out.
Jan 20 - 10:12 AM

Raphael Diaz has been paired with Francis Bouillon at Montreal's training camp.

"Playing with Boo has been really nice," Diaz said of Bouillon. "He wants us to talk on the ice, which makes it easier for both of us." The sophomore defenseman enjoyed plenty of success playing overseas, but he knows that playing on the smaller ice of the NHL is different. Diaz is also getting used to another new system under coach Michel Therrien and he has enjoyed the camp so far. "The camp has had really good intensity, a lot of skating, a lot of new things about system," he said. "We're getting better and better, step by step. The details are very important."
Jan 16 - 11:59 AM

Raphael Diaz is projected to return to Montreal for the team's condensed training camp by the middle of this week.

The Canadiens rearguard was excellent in Switzerland's National League A during the lockout, where he racked up seven goals and 29 points in 32 games with EV Zug. Potential fantasy owners should exercise caution before jumping on him, thinking he can carry that momentum into the NHL season. Diaz has plenty of experience in the Swiss League, but this will be just his second year back on the smaller rinks of the NHL. He had 16 points in 59 games with Montreal during his first season and he may need more time to get acclimated to the changes of the North American game.
Jan 7 - 1:15 PM

Raphael Diaz has continued to excel back home in Switzerland during the lockout.

He has registered five goals and 15 assists for 20 points in 20 games with EV Zug in Swiss National League A competition. His most productive season with the organization came in 2010-11 when he posted 39 points in 45 contests. Diaz wants to use his time overseas to continue to improve his game and he has enjoyed learning from and playing with Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg.
Thu, Nov 22, 2012 09:25:00 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Tomas Plekanec
2David Desharnais
3Lars Eller
4Jeff Halpern
5Gabriel Dumont
6Petteri Nokelainen
LW1Max Pacioretty
2Alex Galchenyuk
3Rene Bourque
4Brandon Prust
5Travis Moen
6Michael Bournival
RW1Brian Gionta
2Brendan Gallagher
3Michael Ryder
4Colby Armstrong
5Michael Blunden
6Ryan White
D1Andrei Markov
2P.K. Subban
3Raphael Diaz
4Alexei Emelin
5Josh Gorges
6Francis Bouillon
7Jarred Tinordi
8Davis Drewiske
9Tomas Kaberle
10Nathan Beaulieu
11Greg Pateryn
G1Carey Price
2Peter Budaj
3Dustin Tokarski
4Robert Mayer