Wednesday Habs Headlines: The Habs need to sell some veterans and trust their youth

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

• With the Canadiens sitting well out of a playoff spot, now is the perfect time for the team to start providing its prospects with opportunities to earn spots on the main roster, by moving out older players who are currently holding on to those spots. [Journal Metro]
• Max Pacioretty is still easing into his role as the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, but with the team's season continuing to unravel, it hasn't been an easy process. [National Post]
• The Montreal Canadiens have signed Paul Byron to a 3-year contract extension. [EOTP | Byron]
• Pierre LeBrun believes that Marc Bergevin is more inclined to make moves in June rather than at the trade deadline, while Marc Antoine Godin expects this season to be Michel Therrien's last behind the bench. [TSN 690 | LeBrun | Godin]
• Has Michel Therrien's willingness to throw his star defenseman under the bus, sealed his fate in Montreal? Tune into the latest episode of Ice Level to find out! [EOTP]
• Though Montreal is an attractive destination for free agents, any Quebecois players planning on suiting up for the team must be prepared to handle the extra pressure that comes with it. [98.5 Sports]
• Greg Pateryn has no trouble demonstrating some off-ice exercises involving a sled! [Canadiens]
• Elliotte Friedman's latest 30 Thoughts article focuses on what Canadian teams plan on doing at the deadline. He also had this to share about Michel Therrien and P.K. Subban: [Sportsnet]

"Whatever you thought of Michel Therrien’s decision to single out Subban following the loss to Colorado, there is one thing that should be unanimously felt: he’s one of maybe two or three players on the roster who could handle it right now.

He’s always had that "Up Yours!" kind of mentality, an "I’ll show you!" attitude to anyone in the NHL who’s stood in his way. He’s just as stunned as anyone else at what’s happened, but he doesn’t look as lost as many of them.

I don’t think Therrien did it as a motivational manoeuvre, but I do think coaches know who can handle being singled out and who can’t. Another coach explained that playing in Canada adds another layer. When a coach does that to a player, it gives your fanbase licence to do the same."

Around The League and Elsewhere

• With the trade deadline fast approaching, here's some insight into what other teams are mulling over:
  • Do the Anaheim Ducks need to make any moves or should they stay put? [Anaheim Calling]
  • Are the New York Islanders willing to part with any of their first-round picks or prospects, for a rental? [Lighthouse Hockey]
  • The Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Mike Weber to the Washington Capitals for Washington's 2017 third round pick. [Die By The Blade | Japers' Rink]
• The Minnesota Wild have won four straight since firing head coach Mike Yeo, outscoring their opponents 21 to 8 in that span and now sit just two points out of a playoff spot. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Petr Mrazek's statistics seem to indicate that he might become one of the league's elite goaltenders in the future. [Winging It In Motown]
• Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin is a great example of how late round picks tagged onto trades, can pan out for the team on the receiving end of the pick. [Canes Country]
• Here's a sneak peek at Team Canada's World Championship jersey!