Friday Habs Headlines: The Canadiens have had their eye on Jesperi Kotkaniemi for a long time

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Long before draft night in Dallas, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s natural talent first appeared on the Canadiens radar two years ago in Rauma. [Montreal Canadiens]
• As a Type 1 diabetic, Max Domi is inspired by Bobby Clarke, who first showed that people with diabetes could excel at professional sports. [Montreal Gazette]
• After a season of both ups and downs, Nikita Scherbak and Nicolas Deslauriers are looking to grab next season by the scruff of the neck. [RDS]
• Karl Alzner donated more than just his time to charity yesterday:/

Huge thanks to former @WHLHitmen Karl Alzner for popping by the clinic for a quick donation. The @CanadiensMTL defenceman had no problem rolling up his sleeve for a good cause. Every donation counts and helps save a life! @HC_WJC pic.twitter.com/dOHzmvT5CL

— Hockey Gives Blood (@hkygivesblood) July 26, 2018

Around the league and elsewhere

• Which rebuilding teams are closest to contending? [ESPN]
• It’s hard to improve on a year-one Stanley Cup Final appearance, but what’s next for the Vegas Golden Knights in terms of locking down long-term success? [ESPN]
• The NHL is becoming increasingly reliant on young defencemen, with only 25% of the league’s rearguards over the age of 29. [TSN]
• Dean Lombardi is a serious contender for the job in the Vancouver Canucks’ front office vacated by Trevor Linden. [Sportsnet]
• Goals are much harder to come by these days than in the high-flying 80s, but despite that, does Alex Ovechkin have a shot at Wayne Gretzky’s lofty record of 894 career goals? [Copper and Blue]
• Goalie guru Mitch Korn is following Barry Trotz to Long Island. [ProHockeyTalk]
• Gina Kingsbury is taking over Canada’s women’s national hockey team. [Montreal Gazette]
• Despite no trade on the horizon, Erik Karlsson remains upbeat and positive. [The Athletic]
• Dylan Strome is looking forward to justifying his third overall selection. [NHL.com]/