Sunday Habs Headlines: Battle on the blue line

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

• Victor Mete and Xavier Ouellet may have new contracts, but they’ll be part of a six-man battle for the final two defence spots on the roster. [Montreal Gazette]
• Zoom call highlights after Mete and Ouellet each signed contracts with the Canadiens on the opening day of free agency. [NHL]
• Catch what Mete had to say in more detail with his full Zoom call. [NHL]
• Ouellet had more to say too. [NHL]
• Taylor Hall, Mike Hoffman and Mattias Janmark are still on the Habs radar. [TSN]
• Janmark could be a nice addition to the Habs. [TSN]
• Drafted players from Quebec made by the Habs in the last 35 years. [Journal de Montreal]

Around the League and Elsewhere

• The Boston Bruins signed Nashville Predators winger Craig Smith to three-year, $9.3M deal on Saturday. [Sportsnet]
• Quick-hit thoughts on each notable move made on Day 1 of free agency. [Sportsnet]
• Unrestricted free agent Alex Pietrangelo says the St. Louis Blues’ decision to sign UFA defenseman Torey Krug caught him off guard. [NHL]
• Pietrangelo was en route to Las Vegas on Saturday to chat with the Golden Knights, one of the teams vying for his services. [Sportsnet]
• Can’t blame him there!