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Sunday Habs Headlines: Right back on the horse

In today’s links, an immediate shot at redemption, mid-season grades, Doug Armstrong on Suzuki, patience with Hage, advice for Olympian Macklin Celebrini, Auston Matthews’s record, and tempering expectations in Ottawa.

Posted on by Justin Blades
Jan 3, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) and Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) battle for a face off during the third period at Enterprise Center. | Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

  • The players lamented the complete lack of execution in yesterday’s game in St. Louis, and are happy they get to play again today to make up for it. [La Presse]
  • Grading the Habs players through half a season. [La Presse]
  • Doug Armstrong is satisfied with the mix of youth and experience on his Team Canada, and thankful to have a versatile player like Nick Suzuki who can play any role. [RDS]
  • Michael Hage is the product of believing in a long-term plan, both in terms of his development and how the franchise acquired him in the first place. [La Presse]

Around the league and elsewhere

  • Jonathan Toews and Drew Doughty, two players who made the Canadian Olympic Team at a young age, say there will be a short period for Macklin Celebrini when he gets overwhelmed by all the legends in the dressing room, but will start to get comfortable as soon as the games begin. [The Athletic]
  • Jason Robertson was disappointed to be left off of Team USA’s roster, but remains happy with how he’s playing this season. [NHL.com]
  • The Vancouver Canucks and Kiefer Sherwood continue to exchange offers in contract extension talks. [Sportsnet]
  • The Buffalo Sabres’ 10-game winning streak came to an end with a loss in Columbus. [NHL.com]
  • “We’ll contend when we’re ready to contend,” Steve Staios says of his Ottawa Senators that haven’t taken a step forward following their post-season berth last year. [Sportsnet]
  • Auston Matthews scored two goals to take over the Toronto Maple Leafs’ franchise goal mark. [NHL.com]
  • Mats Sundin had a video message to congratulate Matthews on the record. [NHL.com]
  • Marc-AndrĂ© Fleury believes the cost of equipment is a major contributing factor to the decline of goaltenders developing in Quebec. [Journal de Montreal]
  • Ashkan Karbasfrooshan on his plan to bring back the Montreal Expos and Quebec Nordiques. [RG.org]
  • NHL power plays are no longer about setting up wide one-timers, but getting setups from behind the net to the crease for the most dangerous type of shot. [The Athletic]
  • Brendan Shanahan has taken on the task of reviewing Junior hockey in Ontario to make recommendations on improvements. [TSN]

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