Thursday Habs Headlines: Alex Galchenyuk’s shot might fix Montreal’s power play

Montreal Canadiens News and Notes

• Alex Galchenyuk’s impressive one-timer may potentially re-vamp Montreal’s struggling power play. [NHL Special Teams]
• Former Canadien Mike Weaver called Carey Price the best player he has played with, while Marc Dumont evaluates the performances of the young players that the team has called up. [TSN 690 | Weaver | Dumont]
• Bob McKenzie shared these tidbits about the Canadiens:

I won’t be the least bit surprised if MTL trades Emelin this off season. Full NTC expires to modified NTC: https://t.co/Knpag55bhn

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 16, 2016

I’d lean every so slightly (51 per cent) to Therrien being back but I don’t believe a decision has been made. https://t.co/5FyFkzshjO

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 16, 2016

• Former Canadiens assistant coach and current Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant spoke fondly of the time he spent working with Michel Therrien. [Montreal Gazette]
• Elliotte Friedman’s latest 30 Thoughts article covers NHL expansion talks and the reduction of goalie equipment. He also had this to say about Marc Bergevin. [Sportsnet]

“It’s important to note the wording in TVA’s Renaud Lavoie report on the future of Michel Therrien. Lavoie never said Therrien was guaranteed to come back, but that there would be “surprise” if he didn’t.

Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has a philosophy when it comes to his club — no hints, clues or announcements unless something is necessary or final. He likes to control the message, which is very hard in Montreal. It frustrates him, which leads to comments like, “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

I don’t know what Bergevin is going to do. But I do know he’s not telling anyone until he has to, and that time is not yet.”

• If the NHL were to add another team, which Canadiens players would you protect during an expansion draft? [Journal Metro]/

Around The League and Elsewhere

• Despite the NHL’s best intentions, the coach’s challenge is becoming more of a hindrance to the sport than helping it. [Edmonton Journal]
• The Western Conference boasts some of the best teams in the league, but how will their goaltending futures shape out? [In Goal Mag]
• Clarifications on salary cap related loopholes were a topic of discussion at the NHL’s annual General Managers Meeting. [TSN]
• The Washington Capitals have clinched their playoff berth, fittingly with Alex Ovechkin scoring the game winner. Here’s how their fans are reacting. [Japers’ Rink | Russian Machine Never Breaks]
• Which team has the best jersey in the World Championships? Vote away! [IIHF]
• Here’s a quick update on how the salary cap will shape up next season: