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Thursday Habs Headlines: Juraj Slafkovský outperforming draft-year projections

In today’s links, Slafkovský’s changing outlook, David Reinbacher’s interesting season, Cole Caufield officially named to Team USA, PWHL Montreal clinches playoff spot, Sharks fire coach Dan Quinn, playoff news, and former Coyotes get introduced to new Utah fans.

Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

  • A sample of NHL scouts and executives ranked Juraj Slafkovský as the least enticing first overall selection leading up to the draft over the past 10 years. [The Athletic]
  • Slafkovský may not have had the same fanfare or projection, but he’s starting to show that he can compete with some of the best top prospects in terms of offence. [La Presse]
  • David Reinbacher impressed with his defensive positioning in Laval, but the brief stint did reveal a need to get stronger for net-front battles. [The Athletic]
  • Going into a new NHL season, the questions are more about the veterans than the young players on the team. [Montreal Gazette]
  • Cole Caufield has officially been named to Team USA’s World Championship roster. [USA Hockey]
  • Samuel Montembeault has opted to stay home, resting ahead of what will be an important 2024-25 NHL season. [Montreal Gazette]
  • Nick Suzuki and girlfriend Caitlin are engaged. [Instagram]
  • Some highlights from the season wrap-up festivities on April 17 in Brossard. [Canadiens.com]
  • PWHL Montreal clinched a post-season spot on Wednesday night. [Radio-Canada]

Around the league and elsewhere

  • The San Jose Sharks have fired head coach David Quinn. [Fear The Fin]
  • “We went through some trenches this year,” André Tourigny says about the final season in Arizona. He and several of the players were introduced to a large crowd at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. [Sportsnet]
  • Ilya Sorokin will get his first start in Game 3 for the New York Islanders versus the Carolina Hurricanes. [NHL.com]
  • Brett Pesce is expected to miss the remainder of that series. [NHL.com]
  • Sam Bennett will miss at least a week with a hand injury after blocking a shot. [TSN]
  • Max Pacioretty is happy to be playing post-season games again after a couple of seasons dealing with injuries. [NHL.com]
  • Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to reach an agreement on an extension this summer. [TSN]
  • The LeBreton Flats remain the target for the Ottawa Senators’ new arena. [Radio-Canada]

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