Montreal Canadiens news and notes
- We could see David Reinbacher in the Laval Rocket lineup within a week or two. [TVA Sports]
- Mike Matheson has been an important minute-eater for the Canadiens as they graduate prospects to the NHL, but there’s more value to the trade that brought him to Montreal. [La Presse]
- Ivan Demidov could be the biggest superstar the Canadiens have had since Guy Lafleur’s played his last game 40 years ago. [Montreal Gazette]
- Samuel Montembeault may not be playing, but he’s more than happy to have an all-access pass to hockey’s long-awaited return to best-on-best action. [Journal de Montreal]
- Finland hopes Patrik Laine can spark them into contention in the 4 Nations. [Montreal Gazette]
- Fiancée Jordan Leigh discusses Laine’s best qualities. [Canadiens.com]
- The Montreal Victoire approached the 2024 draft looking to fill the gaps in their roster, and that improved depth has them running away with the regular-season title. [La Presse]
- Kelly-Ann Nadeau is ready to seize the opportunity of today’s debut as a professional hockey player. with the Victoire [Radio-Canada]
Around the league and elsewhere
- Hockey Canada is appointing a management team dedicated to evaluating and selecting players for international competitions hoping to avoid the poor roster decisions made ahead of the recent World Juniors. [Sportsnet]
- USA’s recent rise in the global hockey hierarchy adds a new element to the rivalry as Canada tries to hold its place at the top. [La Presse]
- Are we in store for one of the best games of hockey ever played? [Sportsnet]
- Canada made a few lineup changes for the game. [Sportsnet]
- The Americans are happy to play the role of the villain. [NHL.com]
- The participating players in the 4 Nations Face-Off can’t help but think ahead to the 2026 Olympics. [TSN]
- Cale Makar didn’t participate in Canada’s practice yesterday and may not be able to go tonight versus Team USA, though coach Jon Cooper is optimistic. [NHL.com]
- Canada has brought in Thomas Harley to be on standby in case Makar can’t play. [Sportsnet]
- Travis Sanheim stayed prepared to play, and will do so in place of the injured Shea Theodore today. [NHL.com]
- Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are receiving a lot of support from back home in Cole Harbour. [NHL.com]
- Kevin Lankinen will be in net for Finland today for its rivalry match against Sweden. [NHL.com]
- Jonas Brodin is looking forward to putting on a show in what will be a primetime game in Sweden. [NHL.com]
- The Dallas Stars signed Sam Steel to a two-year contract extension. [TSN]
- The NHL Alumni Association named the members of the 1972 Summit Series as their Man of the Year. [NHL.com]
- Roger McQueen could be a steal for a team picking outside of the top four in the 2025 NHL Draft. [RG.org]
- How the introduction of the PWHL is impacting Canadian girls who play hockey. [Radio-Canada]
