Friday Habs Headlines: Is the C more of a burden than a boon?

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• The C used to be an honour. Now it’s a target. [Journal de Montreal | Google Translate]
• Darren Dreger explains why the Canadiens have kept Jonathan Drouin at centre despite it being a “disaster.” [TSN 690]
• Looking ahead to next season, Marc Bergevin must win now. [RDS]
• Heading into the stretch, this is Drouin’s time to grow. [The Athletic]
• With Carey Price out, should the Habs go with Antti Niemi or Charlie Lindgren down the stretch? [TSN 690]
• Joni Ikonen showed off his playmaking prowess in notching three assists in KalPa Kuopio’s 4-2 win over Lahti Pelicans. [Patrik Bexell]/

KalPa's Joni Ikonen (#Habs) with his third assist of the night. Getting some time on the power play and assisting on what would be the GWG. 13p (3+10) over the season. #EuropeanProspectReport for @HabsEOTP pic.twitter.com/WAIx5klggM

— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) March 1, 2018

• If you missed it, we published an analysis of Ikonen’s season yesterday. [EOTP]
• The Canadiens appear to be in good shape for the upcoming draft. [Sean Tierney]/

2018 entry draft - expected pick values (corrected).

Mtl, Nyr, and Det in good spots.
Bos, Cgy, and Nsh looking rough.

Check for more detail here: https://t.co/0C9TR7Bvvx

Expected values are by Michael Schuckers. Read his work here: https://t.co/GFN81ZAuHf pic.twitter.com/tK7qr2RcLy

— Sean Tierney (@ChartingHockey) March 2, 2018

• Les Canadiennes forward Ann-Sophie Bettez is showing off her other passion on the team’s road trip in China. [Lore Baudrit]/

Qu'est ce que fait @Bettez24 de son temps libre en Chine ? 🤷🏼‍♀️🇨🇳
Elle trouve un piano dans un café et nous partage son autre passion 🎹💯🔝🔥😎#JouerDuPianoEnChine ✅ #shenzhen2018 #HockeyLife @LesCanadiennes pic.twitter.com/SVE7iggv9X

— Lore Baudrit (@LoreBaudrit) March 1, 2018

Around the league and elsewhere

• According to Pierre LeBrun, stars like John Tavares don’t go to market often. [TSN 690]
• Canucks draft pick Elias Petterson has eclipsed Peter Forsberg to move into second for most points in the SHL by a junior player. Next up: Kent Nilsson. [Sportsnet]
• The Arizona Coyotes have signed undrafted forward Brayden Burke, who is currently enjoying a 112-point season in 59 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. [NHL.com]
• Undrafted QMJHL points leader (104 points through 57 games) Alex Barré-Boulet has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. [Sportsnet]
• He had hoped he could sign on with the Canadiens, but is very happy to be joining the Lightning:/

"J'aurais aimé recevoir une offre de Montréal, c'est sûr. Ce n'est pas contre le Canadien; j'aurais adoré jouer à Montréal, mais le Lightning m'a approché en premier... c'était plus facile d'accepter leur offre. Je suis très heureux." - Alex Barré-Boulet #JiCenliberte

— Jean-Charles Lajoie (@JiCLajoie) March 1, 2018

• Seattle hockey fans have scooped up the 25,000 available season-ticket deposits within half an hour, as the city continues to pursue an NHL expansion team. [TSN]
• Alexander Ovechkin’s gap-toothed smile helped a 17-year-old girl get through a difficult period in her life. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
• Players from the NHL and junior leagues are now seeking brain scans without team involvement. [TSN]
• Gary Bettman is very comfortable with the decision not to send NHLers to the Winter Olympics. [TSN]
• Eugene Melnyk has penned an emotional letter to Ottawa Senators fans. [TSN (Video)]
• Roberto Luongo remembers where he was for Sidney Crosby’s golden goal eight years ago. Do you? [Twitter]/

In the fetal position inside the net https://t.co/S7TQd78PFg

— Strombone (@strombone1) March 1, 2018