Montreal Canadiens news and notes
- The Alexandre Carrier acquisition is an indication that the right side of the defence isn’t as solid as the organization had hoped. [La Presse]
- Cap flexibility allowed Montreal to make a trade for a player it wanted now rather than try to attract a free agent in the summer. [Radio-Canada]
- It’s the first move in the Hughes era that swaps a young, developing player for immediate veteran help. [Radio-Canada]
- The initial shock of the trade and sadness of leaving his Nashville teammates was soon replaced by a different feeling for Carrier: “I’m going back home, I’m going to play at the Bell Centre!” [La Presse]
- On Thursday, the Canadiens players wished Justin Barron well in Nashville and looked forward to the consistency Carrier will provide on the blue line. [La Presse]
- Arber Xhekaj was sad to see a good friend leave the team. [Journal de Montreal]
- Jeff Gorton defended the Canadiens’ decision to travel to Russia to see Ivan Demidov. [La Presse]
- Allowing two goals within a three-minute span is something the Canadiens have done 22 times this season. [Journal de Montreal]
- Go shopping with Patrik Laine. [Canadiens.com]
- Habs players share their Christmas traditions. [Canadiens.com]
- Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Justin Carbonneau would be very happy to be drafted by Montreal. [Journal de Montreal]
- Caleb Desnoyers is being closely watched by the scouting staff. [RG.org]
- Recapping Marie-Philip Poulin’s eventful year. [Radio-Canada]
Around the league and elsewhere
- The Carrier trade might be just one of many changes Barry Trotz makes to his Nashville Predators roster this season. [NHL.com]
- Breaking down the Kaapo Kakko trade. [Sportsnet]
- Vincent Trocheck says general manager Chris Drury wasn’t the focus of their players-only meeting last weekend. [TSN]
- Why the Sabres’ rebuild hasn’t worked. [Sportsnet]
- Tyler Johnson was placed on unconditional waivers by the Boston Bruins as they begin the process of terminating his contract. [TSN]
- Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman J.J. Moser will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. [TSN]
- Leon Draisaitl hit 900 points, becoming the fifth-fastest European player to do so. [Sportsnet]
- James Hagens documents his time at USA selection camp as his draft year moves into its international stage. [NHL.com]
