Tuesday Habs Headlines: A long-term injury to Shea Weber puts even more pressure on the defence

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Shea Weber has returned to Montreal for further evaluation and treatment for an injury, he’ll be out an undetermined about of time. [Canadiens]
• Weber’s absence complicates things for the Canadiens’ defence, and playoff hopes. [RDS | Google Translate]
• As the 2017 calendar is waning, it’s a reflective time to assess this year’s Habs, whether they’ll make the playoffs and guessing whether Marc Bergevin is on the hot seat. [The Hockey Writers]
• Since his return from injury, Carey Price has looked a lot like his old self, and the difference is staggering. Right now, however, he’s the best thing going for the Habs. [La Presse]
• Jonathan Drouin is leading the way on and off the ice, he’s The Athletic Montreal’s Person of the Year. [The Athletic]
• Drouin also appears in the newest ad for NHL 18. [Facebook]
• Lukas Vejdemo has signed a one-year contract extension with his hometown SHL club, Djurgarden. [difhockey]/

Around the league and elsewhere

• The NHL three stars of the week have been announced, headlined by the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane. [NHL]
• A Concordia sports economist sheds some light on Eugene Melnyk’s outburst, and who the real target was. [CBC]
• P.K. Subban has etched a partnership with Adidas, alongside Connor McDavid, Brent Burns and Tyler Seguin. [JdM]
• It’s been 100 years of NHL hockey. What will the next century have in store? [NHL]
• Next year’s WJC tournament in Vancouver & Victoria will be the first participation in a decade for Kazakhstan, who’ve earned a promotion. [IIHF]
• Are you or do you know a hockey writer seeking a place to be heard? Our friends at Arctic Ice Hockey are seeking new contributors to cover the Winnipeg Jets. [AIH]
• The University of Vermont women’s hockey team bring Christmas cheer with their rendition of Jingle Bell Rock. [UVM Athletics]/