Saturday Habs Headlines: Despite struggles, the kids continue to impress

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

• Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Kaiden Guhle, and Juraj Slafkovsky all make this list of the NHL’s top 50 players of the age of 24 or younger. [TSN]
• Caufield could easily become the first Hab since Vincent Damphousse to score 40 goals. [TVA]
• The Canadiens and the Ducks are following two different paths in a rebuild, and despite the recent loss, it’s hard not to feel that Montreal is on the better path. [The Athletic]
• Prospect Lane Hutson named to Team USA’s World Juniors roster. [Twitter]

• Montreal is unlikely to loan Slafkovsky to Slovakia for the WJC. [TSN]
• The Edmonton Oilers are looking for defense, and someone like Joel Edmundson might be exactly what they’re looking for. [TSN | The Athletic]
• After a hotter start than anyone expected, it will be the next few months that really show just where the Canadiens are in the rebuild. [Sportsnet]
• Though it might be a bit too early to really be starting trade talk, Habs like Sean Monahan, Evgenii Dadonov, and Jonathan Drouin make this list. [ESPN]
• Montreal’s power play remains wretched, despite multiple changes in coaching and personnel. [Montreal Gazette]

Around the League and Elsewhere

• Sarah Nurse’s goal gives Team Canada the victory over Team USA. [Yahoo Sports]
• The NHL is, reportedly, looking at expanding the NHL season to 84 games. [Yahoo Sports]
• Jakub Vrana is available to rejoin the Detroit Red Wings following a stint in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. [TSN]
• Looking back on the artistry and magic of Pavel Datsyuk. [The Athletic]
• The Toronto Maple Leafs’ success, and the magic of William Nylander. [The Athletic]
• Alexander Ovechkin, Jack Oettinger, and more in the most recent episode of 32 Thoughts. [Sportsnet]
• Sean Wright wants to lead Team Canada to gold at the WJC. [TVA]
• QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau will be retiring in 2024. [Sportsnet | TVA]