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Thursday Habs Headlines: Guhle and Hutson are beginning to take command

In today’s links, Guhle and Hutson are taking over the blue line, David Savard is still improving his defensive game, the stellar play of the third line, Calgary’s good start also good for Montreal, and Crosby and Malkin both hit career milestones.

Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

  • The youth movement has begun to take over on defence, as Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson are Montreal’s most-used blue-liners at five-on-five. [La Presse]
  • The team’s general defensive issues aren’t applying to Guhle, who is quickly becoming its top defenceman. [Journal de Montreal]
  • Guhle has been impressed with Hutson’s defensive talents. [The Athletic]
  • Hutson answers fan questions. [Canadiens.com]
  • David Savard is trying to further improve his defensive game, and states once again his desire to stay with Montreal beyond this season. [La Presse]
  • Brendan Gallagher is adapting his game with the help of Martin St-Louis. [Journal de Montreal]
  • Gallagher, Jake Evans, and Josh Anderson have been Montreal’s top trio so far. [RDS]
  • Juraj Slafkovský still goes first overall in a 2022 re-draft, and is the only player currently in the elite tier. [The Athletic]
  • If Team Canada’s selection crew looks into advanced stats, Samuel Montembeault should be on the 4 Nations roster. [The Athletic]
  • Emil Heineman is proving he belongs in Montreal. [Montreal Gazette]
  • Kirby Dach took a therapy day on Wednesday. [RDS]
  • Michel Therrien says the letdown versus Pittsburgh was to be expected after an emotional game in Ottawa, but there will be no excuses for a poor opening tonight. [Journal de Montreal]
  • The Calgary Flames’ hot start is good news for their pick that Montreal holds. [La Presse]
  • Photos from the Canadiens’ 43rd blood drive. [Canadiens.com]

Around the league and elsewhere

  • Sidney Crosby scored NHL point #1600 last night. [NHL.com]
  • Evgeni Malkin netted his 500th goal in the same game. [NHL.com]
  • The Penguins reassigned Rutger McGroarty to the AHL. [TSN]
  • Is the league returning to a phase of rich contracts for elite goalies? [The Athletic]
  • Riley Sheahan has called it a career after 12 NHL seasons. [NHL.com]
  • After a near-death experience eight years ago, Justin Kirkland first had to focus on getting his life back together before resuming his hockey career. [Sportsnet]

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