Wednesday Habs Headlines: To match, or not to match?

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Why Justin Bourne thinks that the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet makes sense. [Sportsnet]
• By the offer sheet, Stu Cowan argues that the Carolina Hurricanes are showing more confidence in Kotkaniemi than the Canadiens. [Montreal Gazette]
• Exploring both sides of the Kotkaniemi dilemma. [The Athletic | RDS]
• Is moving Jonathan Drouin back to centre a viable option? [A Winning Habit]
• The Habs are releasing NFT digital collectibles celebrating their 2021 playoff run. [Sportsnet]

Around the league and elsewhere

• Canada has won the IIHF World Women’s Championships for the first time since 2012, downing the USA 3-2 in overtime. [Sportsnet]
• Hockey is returning to the University of Alaska Anchorage after donors, including the Seattle Kraken, raised over $3 million. [Sportsnet]
• How the movie Air Force One allowed the Colorado Avalanche to retain Joe Sakic during the summer of 1997. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Have the Hurricanes trolled themselves to “heel” status—that is, become villains of the NHL? [The Athletic]
• The Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL hire Jason Payne, who becomes only current Black head coach in North American pro hockey. [ESPN]