Thursday Habs Headlines: Brendan Gallagher hopes to win in Montreal
Here are your daily links, including Gallagher’s perspective on playing for the Habs, moves still to come for Bergevin, why Canadian taxes shouldn’t discourage free agents, and more.
Montreal Canadiens news and notes
- Brendan Gallagher shared first-hand why he is glad to be playing hockey in Montreal. [Canadiens]
- The Habs have admitted to an internal preference for drafting players from Quebec, but that hasn’t been reflected in recent drafts. [The Athletic]
- It continues to look like Tomas Plekanec will return to the Canadiens this summer. [TSN 690]
- He may be one of the few options available to them when the market opens up on July 1. [Montreal Gazette]
- Although a deal didn’t get done at the draft, Marc Bergevin is still hoping to acquire Ryan O’Reilly, or perhaps another centre. [The Athletic]
- Brett Stapley knew the Canadiens were interested in him even ahead of last year’s draft, and was happy to have his name called in 2018. [Campbell River Mirror]
- Taxes are often cited as a reason free agents don’t want to sign with a Canadian team, but that shouldn’t be stopping them. [The Athletic]/
Around the league and elsewhere
- He could have made more elsewhere, but Devante Smith-Pelly has signed with the Washington Capitals for another year. [TSN]
- The Penguins sent Conor Sheary and Matt Hunwick to Buffalo in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2019. [PensBurgh]
- They are also reportedly the team that will become Jack Johnson’s new home. [PensBurgh]
- Not everyone was pleased to see Gary Bettman among this year’s HHOF class, particularly retired NHLers Nick Boynton and Daniel Carcillo. [Sportsnet]
- Shannon Szabados surprised the hockey world on Wednesday by signing with the NWHL’s Buffalo Beauts. [The Ice Garden]/