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Habs Wrap: Texier Rumour, Stamkos Inquiry, Xhekaj
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- Habs Wrap: Texier Rumour, Stamkos Inquiry, Xhekaj
Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
MONTREAL — Every day brings a new dose of Montreal Canadiens news to be absorbed, which means you're bound to miss a story here and there. On Sundays, we wrap-up the relevant NHL news stories you may have missed, so that you can be up-to-date with all things Habs.
Monday
The Canadiens were already dealing with adversity on the injury front, and now that they've lost Kirby Dach for four to six weeks due to a fractured foot, the situation is only getting worse. It will be a strong test of their mettle, giving a few other players in the lineup opportunities to prove their worth. [ Canadiens Practice Notes: Dach Injury, New Forward Lines ]
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The Habs recalled Joshua Roy to fill Dach's roster spot. He will join the team ahead of their game on Monday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets .
While I understand Martin St-Louis ' reluctance to discuss the powerplay, it's a legitimate issue that has held his team back in recent games. Winnable games.
Prospect Jacob Fowler saved all 26 shots sent his way to secure a 2-0 shutout versus the Providence Bruins. It was his third shutout in just nine starts this season. With the win, the Laval Rocket are now first in the Atlantic Division.
He didn't receive much ice time, but it must be said that Jared Davidson understood the assignment while making his NHL debut on Saturday night.
Tuesday
Jeff Marek suggested the Canadiens are "in the conversation" when it comes to the rumours involving Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos . While it would be fun to see Stamkos wearing a Habs jersey, his teammate, Ryan O'Reilly, would a better fit when discussing potential trade targets. [ Canadiens Rumour Linked To Stamkos, Better Target Available ]
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The Habs desperately need reinforcements at centre, and there happens to be a left-handed centre available on waivers. John Beecher could garner some interest from the depleted Habs, but the waiver-wire priority list will not work in their favour should they decide to submit a claim. [ Bruins Centre Beecher Available On Waivers ]
The Canadiens staggered out of the gate versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, but they managed to salvage a point thanks to more late-game heroics by Lane Hutson . [ Canadiens Highlights: Hutson Salvages Point Versus In Columbus ]
Speaking of Hutson, he continues to be a dominant force in transition, as well as in the offensive zone.
Head coach Martin St-Louis ran new lines versus the Blue Jackets, including a young guns combination that featured Juraj Slafkovsky playing with Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov . Kapanen scored the opening goal, and Slafkovsky put his gargantuan body to great use as Lane Hutson tied the game in the dying minutes of the third period.
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There's no official stat for screens, but maybe there should be.
Wednesday
Darren Dreger offered a quasi-update in regard to the potential solution for Montreal's injury woes. According to Dreger, the Canadiens continue to perform due diligence on the trade market, but price tags are inflated because of the lack of available talent.
"I look at the Montreal Canadiens ," said Darren Dreger on TSN Insider Trading . "The Canadiens are one of those teams that are scouring the league, they are looking for the right fit up front, it doesn't necessarily have to be a centre, we know Kent Hughes covets a No.1 centre, but he's just looking for help up front. The problem is there are so few sellers, the prices are high."
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There is one relatively interesting player available on waivers, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Philip Tomasino . The winger was selected 24th overall in 2019, and could help solve some short-term roster problems. John Beecher, a left-handed centre, was claimed by the Calgary Flames on Tuesday afternoon. Given the waiver-wire priority list, which currently has the Flames at the front of the line, the Canadiens wouldn't have been able to claim Beecher regardless of their interest level [ First-Round Pick Available To Canadiens On Waivers ]
Lane Hutson is known for having a decent game here and there, but his performance versus the Columbus Blue Jackets may have been his best outing of the year from a statistical standpoint, and that's saying something.
The Canadiens returned defenceman Marc D
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Thursday
Lane Hutson gave a well-thought-out answer when asked about some of the things Juraj Slafkovsky does that don't necessarily show up on the scoresheet.
The Montreal Canadiens are dealing with a losing streak, but the numbers suggest they've improved a few crucial areas of weakness. Prospects Jared Davidson and Joshua Roy have certainly done their part.[ Canadiens Prospects Help Improve Area Of Weakness ]
We'll see how long head coach Martin St-Louis will keep the new line combinations together, but if Slafkovsky continues to gain confidence in transition, his ability to drive the play will definitely come in handy for the Habs.
Prospect Adam Engstrom opened the scoring for the Laval Rocket on Wednesday night, putting his excellent skating on full display.
He came close to scoring another a few moments later on a carbon copy play, but was stopped by the post.
Jacob Fowler looked pretty good, stopping 24 of the 27 shots sent his way. The Rocket ended-up losing 3-2, though I have to say I'm not sure Fowler could have done any better on the second goal against.
Friday
Lane Hutson gave a well-thought-out answer when asked about some of the things Juraj Slafkovsky does that don't necessarily show up on the scoresheet.
The Montreal Canadiens are dealing with a losing streak, but the numbers suggest they've improved a few crucial areas of weakness. Prospects Jared Davidson and Joshua Roy have certainly done their part.[ Canadiens Prospects Help Improve Area Of Weakness ]
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We'll see how long head coach Martin St-Louis will keep the new line combinations together, but if Slafkovsky continues to gain confidence in transition, his ability to drive the play will definitely come in handy for the Habs.
Prospect Adam Engstrom opened the scoring for the Laval Rocket on Wednesday night, putting his excellent skating on full display.
He came close to scoring another a few moments later on a carbon copy play, but was stopped by the post.
Jacob Fowler looked pretty good, stopping 24 of the 27 shots sent his way. The Rocket ended-up losing 3-2, though I have to say I'm not sure Fowler could have done any better on the second goal against.
Saturday
Should the Canadiens call up Jacob Fowler? There's logic in suggesting he could help the team, but there's also a very strong argument to be made that he needs more experience before throwing him to the wolves in the NHL. [ Player Linked To Canadiens Placed On Waivers ]
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The Habs recalled forward Florian Xhekaj from the AHL, which probably isn't a good sign when it comes to Jake Evans ' health status. The team originally announced Joshua Roy had been reassigned to the Laval Rocket, but they clarified that was an error, which, again, isn't particularly good news on the Evans front. The Habs clearly lack healthy bodies at their disposal heading into Saturday's match-up with the Toronto Maple Leafs . [ Canadiens Recall Xhekaj Amid Injury Concerns ]
Prospect David Reinbacher enjoyed his best game of the season on Friday night, scoring his first goal of the year in the process.
The game went to overtime, where top prospect Adam Engstrom scored his fourth goal of the year to secure the 3-2 win over Belleville. Engstrom is the only Rocket defenceman who has managed to score more than one goal this season.
It's rare to see original marketing this day and age, but the Victoire's partnership with Montreal's airport is definitely a new one in my books.
It appears that the Alex Texier sweepstakes are coming to an end. Elliotte Friedman has suggested the Montreal Canadiens are the "favourites" to sign the French forward. [ Canadiens Expected To Sign Texier ]
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Saturday night's game between the Habs and the Leafs resulted in some ugly plays, some fights, and a lot of goals. In the end, the Canadiens emerged with a 5-2 win due to two-goal games from both Josh Anderson and Noah Dobson . Florian Xhekaj had a successful NHL debut, all things considered. He had a hit on his very first shift, provided an assist in the third period, and then won a one-sided fight to close things out. [ Canadiens Highlights: Fights And Goals On Rivalry Night ]
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