Tuesday Habs Headlines: A decision to be made on whether the Canadiens are buyers or sellers

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Whether the solution is to bolster the team for a run, or to sell in an attempt to re-tool for next year, it’s soon going to be decision time for the GM. [RDS | Google Translate]
• Habs rookie Victor Mete will join Team Canada’s selection camp for the World Juniors. [EOTP]
• Things are rough for a lot of teams in the Atlantic division right now, and that includes the Habs, who’ve dropped ten spots in TSN’s power rankings. [TSN]
• Despite assurances from Marc Bergevin to this effect, it’s difficult to believe the solution to the Canadiens’ problems is still going to come from within. [Montreal Gazette]
• Based on Elliotte Friedman’s 31 thoughts column, it looks like Bergevin did evaluate trade options with Anaheim regarding Sami Vatanen. [Sportsnet]
• Injured forward Nikita Scherbak is feeling better and also feels supported by the Habs’ organization. [JdM]
• Noah Juulsen is proving to be a quality defensive defenceman so far. [La Presse]
• Pierre Gervais answers fan questions about outdoor hockey games. [Canadiens]
• Basing expectations on an $80 million salary cap, we look at the Habs’ possible situation ahead for next year. Spoiler alert, there’s a lot of room left. [EOTP]/

Around the league and elsewhere

• Our friends over at On The Forecheck delve into the heavy topic of enforcers in the NHL, attempting to explain that nothing good comes of violence in the game. [OtF]
• Eric Staal is breathing new life into his career with the Minnesota Wild. [NHL]
• Adidas appears set to add 31 new kits to the NHL next year. /

All 31 @NHL teams getting a 3rd jersey next year from @adidashockey. What would you like to see as the #Leafs 3rd jersey??

— Pro Image Jerseys (@ProImagePTC) December 8, 2017