Wednesday Habs Headlines: Victor Mete growing in confidence away from the puck

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• Victor Mete is growing in confidence when playing without the puck. [Sportsnet]
• Phillip Danault has become a big plus for the Habs. [Montreal Gazette]
• The Habs know that their power play must improve. [Montreal Canadiens]
• Brendan Gallagher is happy for Alex Galchenyuk’s recent success. [Radio-Canada]
• A stellar December has shot Carey Price up the rankings of the league’s top performing goaltenders. [Journal de Montreal]
• Glen Metropolit is struggling to adapt to a life without hockey. [The Athletic]
• Injured for most of January, Michael McCarron should be able to return to the ice prior to the end of this season, says his agent. [La Presse]/

Around the league and elsewhere

• Alex Galchenyuk is preparing to return to the Bell Centre for the first time. [Montreal Gazette]
• The injured Erik Karlsson may still participate in All-Star Game festivities. [ESPN]
• Barry Trotz has changed the culture surrounding the New York Islanders. [RDS]
• In light of what happened to Tuukka Rask against the New York Rangers, Craig Anderson says that the league must better protect its netminders. [La Presse]
• Kyle Dubas must balance the present and the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs at this year’s trade deadline. [TSN]
• The Washington Capitals are listening to offers for forward Andre Burakovsky. [TSN]
• A sucker punch during a brawl in a Quebec Senior AAA League match has resulted in a five year suspension for the offender. [Journal de Montreal]
• Corey Perry, who has missed the entire year thus far with a knee injury, has returned to practice. [Sportsnet]
• Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen hasn’t closed the door on trading either Artemi Panarin or Sergei Bobrovsky. [Sportsnet]
• Profiling Evgeny Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals: the NHL’s craziest star. [Sports Illustrated]
• How is Seattle planning on creating the perfect NHL franchise? [ESPN]
• At the opposite end of the spectrum:/

It is my belief a change is imminent at the GM position in Edmonton. It’s no longer a matter of it, but when Peter Chiarelli’s is let go. I’d expect news shortly.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 23, 2019

• CWHL All-Stars Renata Fast and Rebecca Johnston will take part in the NHL All Star skills competition./

Very excited to represent Hockey Canada with @RenataFast and take part in the 2019 NHL All Star skills competition this weekend! pic.twitter.com/crLoVfnfsE

— Rebecca Johnston (@RJohnst6) January 22, 2019