Thursday Habs Headlines: Jordie Benn’s benching signals a bigger problem with the defence

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Jordie Benn isn’t the first Canadiens defenceman to struggle in a role where he doesn’t quite fit, and he likely will not be the last. [Montreal Gazette]
• Sitting in the press box while his team played against the St. Louis Blues was a wake-up call for Benn. [TVA Sports]
• Pierre McGuire didn’t hesitate to call out Montreal’s rough performance in St. Louis on Tuesday. [TSN 690]
• Habs players joined the conversation on Wednesday in support of #BellLetsTalk day./

End the stigma by choosing the right words, and by learning about the facts and myths surrounding mental illness.

Use #BellLetsTalk all day long! @CP0031 #BellCause pic.twitter.com/tqXuLYWm8N

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 31, 2018

• Shea Weber’s value may have already dropped since the Habs acquired him in the summer of 2016. [TSN]
• Since making the jump to the AHL this season, Antoine Waked has been adjusting to the different roles and expectations. [Canadiens]/

Around the league and elsewhere

• Gary Bettman may be remembered for the lockouts, but that’s certainly not all he’s accomplished during his time as NHL Commissioner. [Toronto Star]
• Elliotte Friedman is already looking ahead to next year’s All-Star Game, and the potential for bringing Jaromir Jagr back. [31 Thoughts]
• Having your alone time interrupted isn’t so bad when you’re joined by Sidney Crosby. [La Presse]
• Eugene Melynk used the word “unfortunate” to describe public reaction to his December comment that hinted at moving the Senators out of Ottawa. [TSN]
• Now under new ownership, the Carolina Hurricanes are trying all kinds of new promotions to get fans to attend the games. [Canes Country]
• Mike Fisher is coming back to the NHL after only five months of retirement./

.@carrieunderwood, @rjosi90 encouraged @mikefisher1212 to return to the #Preds. https://t.co/YNpTI00XDu

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 31, 2018

• John Tavares has said he’s not eager to leave the Islanders, but he may not be so keen on staying, either. [Sportsnet (video)]/