Marc Bergevin will likely name a captain before the start of next season, but in a very interesting discussion with Renaud Lavoie, the Habs general manager says he’s happy with the way things are right now. Bergevin adds that naming a captain might not be necessary. [Journal de Montreal]
Only four players have won the Art Ross trophy while recording less than 100 points in the post-expansion era. Unless someone puts up record numbers over the next three weeks, we’ll be adding a fifth name to the list. With the combination of low numbers and an award that’s completely up for grabs, all signs point to Carey Price winning the Hart trophy. [Grantland]
Speaking of Price, Dale Weise and Nathan Beaulieu shared their thoughts with NHLPA.com on what makes the star goalie such a great player and teammate. While laughing, Beaulieu said: “The one thing that the hockey world should know about Carey is that he wears too much camo.” [NHLPA]
Another thing the hockey world needs to know about Price: He is a pretty amazing person off the ice as well. [EOTP]
Although it’s not fair to compare the 2014-15 edition of the Canadiens to the squad that won the Stanley Cup in 1993, sitting first in the NHL with just nine games remaining makes it rather difficult not to do so. Former Habs players, notably Sergio Momesso and Stephane Richer, weighed in on the differences between the two teams. It’s quite evident the only primary comparison is in net. [TVA]
The Nashville Predators have been a great story all season long. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is a huge reason for their success; arguably the best goalie in the league right now next to Price. Rinne had some good things to say about Price ahead of this evening’s tilt in Nashville. [Gazette]
Lastly, Max Pacioretty trolling Boston Bruins fans in this new McDonald’s commercial might be the best thing you see all day.
Around the League and Elsewhere
James Mirtle offers a fantastic piece on the Ottawa Senators unbelievable run. He also takes a look at the five most probable first round playoff match ups, noting that the Canadiens have a 35% chance of playing the Detroit Red Wings and a 26% chance of playing the Washington Capitals. [Globe and Mail]
Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec has been named the NHL’s first star of the week. Pavelec went 3-0-0 with a 0.97 goals against average and a .970 save percentage. Kyle Turris of the Senators was named second star, while Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop was named third star. [NHL]
Hockey Canada has named Dave Lowry head coach of the 2016 World Juniors team, which will take place in Helsinki, Finland. [TSN]
After “retiring” from the NHL in 2013, former New Jersey Devils star Ilya Kovalchuk is targeting a 2016-17 return to the NHL. Kovalchuk is currently playing for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, where he has registered 137 points in 135 regular season games. [Puck Daddy]
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis will not play again this season. The 35-year-old has not suited up since November 15th due to blood clots. [TVA]
Lastly, I couldn’t help but share this great paragraph from an article in Macleans about the famous “Toronto Tunnel Digger”. If you can’t give the entire piece a read, simply enjoy this: ““That was him!?” one man who’s worked with him (and who has been so disgusted by the performance of the Toronto Maple Leafs that he stopped watching the news entirely) asked a reporter last week. “Get outta here! I thought it was al-Qaeda!”” [Macleans]
