Friday Habs Headlines: Crucial games coming up for the Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• The Canadiens are approaching a group of games just prior to the All Star Game as “must-win”. [Sportsnet]
• Phillip Danault continues to prove that Marc Bergevin’s decision to acquire him was correct. [RDS]
• The length of Paul Byron’s suspension surprised head coach Claude Julien. [Montreal Gazette]
• The coach’s adjustments following the loss to the St. Louis Blues are a key reason behind the team’s recent success. [RDS]
• A move to the top line is bringing out the best from Jonathan Drouin. [The Athletic]
• The Laval Rocket are taking kids and turning them into pros. [La Presse]
• Cayden Primeau is one of the nominees for the Hobey Baker Award. [Northeastern Huskies]
• Antti Niemi doesn’t stop just pucks./

Comme si arrêter 52 rondelles mardi n'était pas suffisant. #AnttiNiemiArrêteDesAffaires

As if stopping 52 pucks on Tuesday wasn't enough. #AnttiNiemiStoppingThings pic.twitter.com/gxH9errJnM

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 17, 2019

Around the league and elsewhere

• The Carolina Hurricanes traded Victor Rask to the Minnesota Wild in a one-for-one exchange for Nino Niederreiter. [Canes Country|Hockey Wilderness|ESPN]
• The Vancouver Canucks have traded Michael Del Zotto to the Los Angeles Kings for Luke Schenn and a 7th round pick. [Sportsnet]
• Caroline Ouellette sits down with Anastasia Bucsis to talk about building a better Team Canada. [POV Podcast]
• Players around the NHL sound off on the cancellation of the 2020 World Cup of Hockey. [ESPN]
• How have “dinosaur” defencemen like Brooks Orpik stayed in the NHL? By adapting their game. [ProHockeyTalk]
• A look at how the seating plan in a team’s locker room is carefully developed and curated. [The Athletic]/