Comments / New

Tuesday Habs Headlines: Adam Fox explains why Lane Hutson has found success

In today’s links, a former Norris Trophy-winner shares his thoughts on Hutson, more absences at practice, Kirby Dach may join top line, the strength of the bottom six, Caufield’s improved shot velocity, Demidov named one of KHL’s top players again, and Gretzky waiting for Ovechkin to break his goals record.

Posted on by Justin Blades
Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

  • Adam Fox says it was important for Lane Hutson to arrive at training camp confident in his style of play so the coaching staff had no chance to ask him to tone down his play. [La Presse]
  • Hutson’s mother is helping him adjust to his new life in Montreal. [Montreal Gazette]
  • Juraj Slafkovský, Kaiden Guhle, and Mike Matheson were all absent from yesterday’s practice. [Journal de Montreal]
  • Guhle worked in the off-season to avoid the type of hit that has knocked him out of action. [The Athletic]
  • If Slafkovský is unable to play tonight with his shoulder injury, we could see Kirby Dach back on the top line in an attempt to kickstart the top six. [Journal de Montreal]
  • Nick Suzuki says he needs to be more assertive to start having more an impact. [Sportsnet]
  • The bottom six is doing its part to hold possession at even strength. [La Presse]
  • Jake Evans is faring well in his third-line role with Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher. [Radio-Canada]
  • Cole Caufield’s average shot velocity is more than 10 kilometres per hour faster than last season. [RDS]
  • Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble on the stiff competition for a lineup spot. [Journal de Montreal]
  • With all 32 teams in action tonight, the Canadiens and New York Rangers could offer a glimpse at the next wave of contenders. [NHL.com]
  • Ivan Demidov gets more recognition for his productive start:

Around the league and elsewhere

  • Sam Reinhart, Artemiy Panarin, and goal-scoring goalie Filip Gustafsson were the three stars of the week. [NHL.com]
  • The winless start for the Nashville Predators may show the pitfalls of focusing solely on the present. [La Presse]
  • Anthony Duclair will be out long-term with the suspected groin injury sustained versus Montreal. [TSN]
  • Macklin Celebrini is still week-to-week with a lower-body injury. [TSN]
  • The Edmonton Oilers aren’t scoring many goals, but they don’t want to mess with a power play that has proven effective for the past two seasons. [NHL.com]
  • Edmonton signed Sam O’Reilly to his ELC. [TSN]
  • Wayne Gretzky is just waiting for the moment when Alexander Ovechkin breaks his all-time goals record. [NHL.com]

Support Habs Eyes On The Prize by signing up for Norton 360

LOGIN SIGN UP

Talking Points