Sunday Habs Headlines: The Canadiens can retool, but only if they act now to stock up on draft picks

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• As long as management believes the season is salvageable, the Canadiens will squander the opportunity for a quick retool that could come from stocking up on draft picks and prospects. [Last Word on Sports]
• Alex Galchenyuk placed himself among some Habs greats with his 100th goal last night:/

Alex Galchenyuk puts @CanadiensMTL up 3-2 vs BOS, becomes just the 6th player to 100 career goals with MTL before age 24 (also Stephane Richer, Guy Lafleur, Bernie Geoffrion, Henri Richard, Mario Tremblay)

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 14, 2018

• An analysis of the health of the farm clubs of NHL teams showcases the lack of prospects depth in the Habs’ system [The Faceoff Circle]
• The decision to sign Eric Gelinas to a minor-league deal is paying dividends for the Laval Rocket. [TSN690]
• Jake Evans’ Nore Dame Fighting Irish and Ryan Poehling’s St. Cloud State Huskies are two of the top teams in the NCAA, and seem poised to battle for the National Championship. [Hockey Wilderness]/

Around the league and elsewhere

• Unsatisfied with his diminished role, Jack Johnson has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. [The Cannon]
• From the top of the hockey world to rock bottom, the story behind Kevin Stevens’ battle with drug addiction. [Sportsnet]
• Evaluating the Buffalo Sabres’ rebuild since the day they drafted Jack Eichel. [Die By The Blade]
• Mathew Barzal recorded another five-point performance yesterday. [NBC Sports]
• Patrik Bexell spoke with Växjö Lakers coach Sam Hallam about Vancouver Canucks prospect and World Juniors standout Elias Pettersson after yesterday’s game. [SoundCloud]
• Rick Nash may he having terrible luck this year, but there are other reasons for the 33-year-old’s lack of production. [Blueshirt Banter]
• The St. Louis Blues’ bye week offers a good opportunity for Jake Allen to get a reset on the season. [St. Louis Game Time]
• The NWHL placed their support behind CWHL player Jessica Platt after she announced she was transgender:/

As @JPlatt32 and the Furies get set to play tonight, the National Women’s Hockey League salutes Jessica for being true to herself. You are an inspiration and we are cheering for you, Jessica. 📸: Al Saniuk pic.twitter.com/6yQ9WTdCBw

— NWHL (@NWHL) January 13, 2018

• With the announcement that North Korea would be sending athletes to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang after all, a proposition from South Korea for the two nations to unite their women’s hockey teams has been made. [The Guardian]/