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Florian Xhekaj's Draft Journey: A Win for the Canadiens
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- Florian Xhekaj's Draft Journey: A Win for the Canadiens
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Here are the M ontreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Wednesday.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Habs and the Utah Mammoth faced off in a late game that featured a few lead changes. The Mammoth had four times more high-danger scoring chances, but thanks to Nick Suzuki and Ivan Demidov , they Canadiens managed to steal the win. It should also be noted that Suzuki reached, and passed the 400-point mark thanks to his three-point effort. [ Canadiens Highlights: Suzuki And Demidov Secure Two Points ]
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Former Hab Samuel Blais has been placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs . Blais signed a one-year deal with the Canadiens during the summer, but was quickly claimed by the Leafs when they attempted to send him to the AHL. Due to the Canadiens injuries, not to mention the lack of offence from the bottom-six in the lineup, a waiver claim is a real possibility, especially since Blais brings a fair amount of truculence to the table. [ Leafs Place Former Canadiens Forward Blais On Waivers ]
According to Elliotte Friedman , the Florida Panthers were very interested in drafting Canadiens forward Florian Xhekaj, to the point that they met with him on several occasions. Xhekaj was chosen in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL entry Draft, 101st overall.
The Panthers did not have many draft picks in 2023, which was clearly an advantage for the Habs. They only had one pick (63rd overall) before the Canadiens took Xhekaj's name off the board.
It would also appear that the Ottawa Senators were interested in acquiring the feisty forward. According to Jérôme Bérubé , the Sens were going to select Xhekaj with their first pick of the draft, which was 108th overall.
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In other words, it's a good thing the Habs nabbed him with the 101st overall pick, as the Senators were ready to secure his rights.
Abby Roque may have scored the goal of the year for the Montreal Victoire, and the season is barely underway!
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With Jonathan Quick sidelined by a lower-body injury, Dylan Garand is now up with the New York Rangers as their No. 2 goalie. But that doesn't mean the rookie is guaranteed to make his first NHL start any time soon. [ New York Rangers ]
The Quinn Hughes , New Jersey Devils connections are now more prevalent than ever. The Vancouver Canucks are open for business, and although they stated Quinn isn't available, it feels like it's just a matter of time before he is. And although many believe he will eventually land with the Devils, he could make a pit-stop elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division, first. [ New Jersey Devils ]
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Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry has reversed career course and is once again proving to be a competent NHL goalie. Simultaneously, the NHL trade winds have swirled around the Edmonton Oilers , who are in desperate need of goaltending as the Stanley Cup hopeful's season continues to trend sideways. [ Pittsburgh Penguins ]
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