The Canadiens may have been close to landing Ryan O’Reilly at the NHL Entry Draft. [Sportsnet]
Never in the running for John Tavares, the Canadiens appear to be setting their sights on Paul Stastny. [TSN]
The decision to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi over a player like Filip Zadina signifies a longer-term approach to building the Canadiens roster. Free agency will let everyone know if that is indeed the approach. [La Presse | Google Translate]
With Kotkaniemi being just one of the Finns the Habs have selected over the last few years, it may be a good idea to get to know the top Finnish prospects for the 2019 draft. [FinnProspects]
Cole Fonstad was getting nervous as the draft went on without his name being called, but that turned to excitement when he learned he had been picked by the Canadiens. [paNOW]
The Canadiens have difficulty scoring goals, and therefore the decision to part with Daniel Carr makes little sense. [The Athletic]
Nikita Scherbak and Youppi! are back in the Taxi Tricolore. [YouTube]/
Around the league and elsewhere
The NHL knows hits to the head should be eliminated, but appears to be hesitant about making a rule change that may have immediate results on the physical nature of the game. [New York Post]
Ken Dryden spoke on the subject of concussions in a radio interview yesterday. [Sportsnet]
Willie O’Ree is finally going to be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Sportsnet]
He will be joined by Martin Brodeur, Martin St. Louis, Alexander Yakushev, Jayna Hefford, and Gary Bettman. [TSN]
The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed Joe Morrow to a one-year deal. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
Adding a player of Ilya Kovalchuk’s calibre is great for the Los Angeles Kings, but there will be some concerns about the 35-year-old winger. [Jewels From The Crown]
Jett Woo, drafted by the Vancouver Canucks, could be the first representative of what China hopes will become a strong future in the NHL. [CBC]/
