Montreal Canadiens news and notes
- At Friday’s practice, things looked a lot like they did at the start of the season with Kirby Dach, Jake Evans, and Patrik Laine healthy. [La Presse]
- Evans’s return should spell Nick Suzuki from penalty-killing duties and allow him to do his work at five-on-five. [Journal de Montreal]
- “I’m capable of having good games consecutively, and I’m trying to maintain that consistency,” Samuel Montembeault said of his play in recent games. [RDS]
- Alexandre Carrier was impressed by what he saw from Jacob Fowler in his 10-game NHL sample. “He’s a pro with a great attitude and he’ll be back here as soon as he can.” [RDS]
- Kaapo Kähkönen was a bit disappointed when he wasn’t the one who got recalled while Montembeault struggled, but is just trying to show he has the talent to play in the NHL in his starts in Laval. [Montreal Gazette]
- Only Sergei Zubov has reached the 100-assist milestone by a defenceman faster than Lane Hutson. [TVA Sports]
Around the league and elsewhere
- After four losses in a row to fall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers are entering a “retool.” [NHL.com]
- The first step in that process is announcing that Artemiy Panarin will not be extended by the team. [Sportsnet]
- Could Dougie Hamilton be traded before the Olympic break? [The Athletic]
- The Tampa Bay Lightning’s 11-game winning streak was ended by the St. Louis Blues in a shootout. [NHL.com]
- In their 23rd game on home ice this season, the Colorado Avalanche finally lost a game in regulation, falling to the Nashville Predators 7-3. [NHL.com]
- Uvis Balinskis was signed to a two-year contract extension by the Florida Panthers. [NHL.com]
- Leo Carlsson will be out three to five weeks after undergoing a medical procedure. [NHL.com]
- The Anaheim Ducks acquired Jeffrey Viel from the Boston Bruins for a fourth-round pick. [TSN]
- Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek were placed on Injured Reserve by the Minnesota Wild. [TSN]
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is slated to become the first player to play 1000 games as a member of the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. [NHL.com]
- Kim Weiss has become the second woman to hold an assistant coach position in the AHL. [NHL.com]
