Friday Habs Headlines: Andrei Markov getting close to a return

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• After a loss to the Islanders in Brooklyn, coach Michel Therrien planted an interesting seed of hope:

• Speaking of that loss, it was a rare case of not finding success in the home of the New York Islanders. [CBC Sports]
• Carey and Angela Price continue their partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada. The Habs’ goaltender gives three B.C. students a thrill of a lifetime before Montreal’s defeat of the Calgary Flames earlier this week. [Montreal Gazette]
• Price was in top form last night, and as Sean Gordon notes, he’s easing back into elite form. [Globe and Mail]
• We have a trade to announce! Just after puck drop last night, the Canadiens announced the trade for a rival defenceman. [Canadiens.com]
• The move is a win for the Habs. [EOTP]
• Nesterov’s agent has his whole week planned out for his client:

Around the League and elsewhere

• The Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand knows he got lucky with “just” a $10,000 fine for his slew-foot on Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall, and says he will change. [Sportsnet]
• Coach John Tortorella has taken an emergency leave from the Columbus Blue Jackets for family reasons. He’ll also miss the All-Star Game as the Metropolitan Division’s coach. [TSN.ca]
• The Philadelphia Flyers knocked the Toronto Maple Leafs out of their peekaboo playoff spot last night. [National Post]
• Whaddayaknow? The divisional Senators lost last night, too! [TSN.ca]
• Meanwhile, the Bruins beat the Stanley Cup champs.... [NHL.com]