Saturday Habs Headlines: Impressive defensive performances will make roster decisions difficult
Here are your daily links, including the battle for a spot on the blue-line, whether Mikhail Sergachev is ready for the NHL, and Max Pacioretty re-organizing the locker room.
Montreal Canadiens News and Notes
- The Canadiens blue-line has at least one hole on it for someone to step into, and with no shortage of candidates making their presence felt during the pre-season, the decision may not be an easy one. [La Presse]
- One such defender is first-round pick Mikhail Sergachev, who looked impressive in his debut against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, though was a bit surprised by the speed of the game. [TVA]
- Bob McKenzie joined TSN 690 yesterday, noting that Sergachev may be physically ready for the NHL already. Also on 690, whether Mike Condon’s pre-season is hurting his chance to remain in the NHL, and Brian Wilde discusses Carey Price’s World Cup performance. [TSN 690 | Sergachev | Condon | Price]
- At the request of Max Pacioretty, a few players will have new spots in the Canadiens locker room this season - an effort to improve team communication. [La Presse]
- Rogie Vachon will be honoured by the Canadiens this season: /
#Habs will acknowledge/salute Rogie Vachon at Nov 10 game with #LAKings in town. Rogie will be here en route to @HockeyHallFame induction
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) September 30, 2016
- The Canadiens organization was saddened by yesterday’s news that Lionel Duval has passed away at the age of 83. [RDS]/
Around the League and Elsewhere
- The World Cup of Hockey was, above all else, a display for how dominant Canadian hockey currently is. [Puck Daddy]
- Down Goes Brown investigates what went right, what went wrong, and how things could be improved at the World Cup of Hockey. [SN]
- Despite losing to Canada in the finals, Team Europe proved a lot of people wrong after entering the tournament as a “gimmick” team. [SN]
- With the season just around the corner, the St. Louis Blues were dealt a blow yesterday as they will be without Jaden Schwartz for at least four weeks. [PHT]
- The Dallas Stars, meanwhile, will miss Mattias Janmark for about six months due to a knee injury. [DBD]
- As Hampus Lindholm remains unsigned, the Swede’s agent confirms he will not report to the Anaheim Ducks until under contract. He is reportedly seeking an eight-year deal in Anaheim. [PHT]/