Monday Habs Links: Max Pacioretty looking like a captain

Montreal Canadiens Links

• Could Max Pacioretty be the 29th captain of the Montreal Canadiens? It's becoming increasingly difficult to argue against. There is no doubt the 26-year-old is a star on the ice, leading the team in both goals and points once again. But he continues to mature off the ice as well. [La Presse]
• Sean McIndoe put together his weekly NHL Grab Bag, headlined by P.K. Subban being the year's worst snub for the NHL All Star Game. [Grantland]
• 17,000 fans showed up to watch the Habs practice at the Bell Centre on Sunday morning. [Canadiens]
• Although Carey Price wasn't on the ice, he reassured fans that his injury is very minor, telling those in attendance: "I will be back soon." It appears he wasn't kidding, the team assigned goaltender Joey MacDonald to Hamilton shortly after practice. [TVA]
• Speaking of goalies, the Habs decided to play a classic prank on Dustin Tokarski ahead of Sunday's practice. [The Score]

Around the League and Elsewhere

• Columbus has become a hell of a hockey town. Shawn Roarke takes an in-depth look back at the rise of the Columbus Blue Jackets and hockey in Ohio ahead of next weekend's NHL All Star Game. [NHL]
• The New York Rangers have officially signed defenseman Marc Staal to a six-year, $34.2 million deal. [Blueshirt Banter]
• Ahead of their game against the Canadiens on Tuesday, Braden Thompson examines the Nashville Predators' player usage, analyzing who has made them so successful this season. [On The Forecheck]
• Puck Daddy chats with David Perron about his tough times with the Edmonton Oilers and being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. [Puck Daddy]
• Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad scored a beautiful spin-o-rama goal yesterday. [Second City Hockey]