Tuesday Habs Headlines: Jake Evans’ top quality may be his ability to remain calm under pressure

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Jake Evans put in several clutch performances for the University of Notre Dame this season, but if you ask his teammates and coaches, it was his off-ice presence that was most critical to the team’s success. [The Observer]
• In case you missed it with everything else going on, Evans signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens yesterday. [EOTP]
• Evans will not join the Rocket for their final two games of the season, opting to allow a groin injury to heal:/

Jake Evans (groin) won't play this week with Laval. He'll be evaluated by the @CanadiensMTL doctors this week. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 9, 2018

• What went well and what didn’t for the Canadiens this season. [Sportsnet]
• The off-season moves left the Canadiens with holes that proved to be their downfall in 2017-18. [TSN]
• Read all the top quotes from the Canadiens’ post-mortem yesterday [EOTP | Players | Molson & Bergevin]
• Eric Engels argues that if the overall attitude of the team is to change, as Bergevin was adamant about yesterday, the players need to be given a reason to feel they can contend in 2018-19. [Sportsnet]
• Lyle Odelein is recovering after being hospitalized with a life-threatening combination of ailments a few days ago:/

Une bonne nouvelle pour les anciens du CH: Lyle Odelein prend du mieux dans un hôpital de Pittsburgh. Sa vie n’est plus en danger. L’ex-défenseur de 49 ans a combattu simultanément une pneumonie et un empoisonnement sanguin. On a craint le pire au cours de la dernière semaine.

— Martin Leclerc (@MLeclerc_Hockey) April 9, 2018

Around the league and elsewhere

• Members of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos were prevented from seeking counselling after a fatal accident involving their teammates. With tragedy striking again in Saskatchewan, they’re determined to make sure the players and their families get the help they need this time. [Sportsnet]
• After firing Alain Vigneault on Saturday, the New York Rangers have now parted ways with assitants Scott Arniel and Darryl Williams, leaving Lindy Ruff as the only man still on the staff. [TSN]
• The stats underlying the eight first-round playoff matchups. [TSN]
• Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill will be the man behind the bench for Team USA at the World Championship. [Sportsnet]
• Growing up with aspirations of becoming an NHLer, and dealing with racism every step of the way, Wayne Simmonds developed a deep respect for Willie O’Ree and what he was able to achieve with no peers to lean on. [The Players’ Tribune]/