Marc Dumont
Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed during the weekend.
Montreal Canadiens News
One of the recurring themes when evaluating most players drafted by the Montreal Canadiens is a cerebral approach to the game of hockey. Of course, hockey smarts and book smarts are two different things, but it’s always encouraging to see young players take time to enjoy reading.
Bogdan Konyushkov is also an avid reader & recently posted his summer book list
The Habs definitely have an impressive & intelligent, young prospect in him. https://t.co/kxgfmtWtc7 pic.twitter.com/K7pceushD7
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 14, 2024
Beyond a top line featuring Juraj Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki, and Cole Caufield, there aren’t many offensive guarantees in the lineup. The Habs aren’t looking for an aging veteran if they’re only interested in long-term deals, but a close look at their forward depth chart heading into the 2024-25 season reveals there’s certainly space for a little more talent down the middle and on the wings. [Montreal Canadiens Analysis: Improving Depth Among Forwards]
ICYMI: The Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins will co-host the 2025 ‘4 Nations Face-Off’ tournament, but unlike their longtime rivals, the Habs won’t have an abundance of representation among the four countries taking part. On that note, there’s a (slight) chance more than one Canadiens player could end up playing for his country. [Potential Canadiens At The NHL Four Nations Faceoff Tournament]
In the spirit of adding as many Habs prospect highlights possible to the daily links, we invite you to enjoy this Michael Hage montage. [Getting To Know Canadiens Prospect Michael Hage]
National Hockey Now Network
- The 2024 NHL off season has slowed substantially in recent days, but that doesn’t mean the Philadelphia Flyers should relent in their endless pursuit of a long-term No. 1 centre. In fact, there’s one sitting right there for the Flyers to have. That’s Quinton Byfield, an unsigned Los Angeles Kings restricted free agent. [Philadelphia Flyers]
- It’s now the middle of July, and the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby have not yet signed a new contract. While no one expects a departure, plenty of factors could be delaying a deal, if not forcing some outright negotiation and honest conversations between Crosby and president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
- Everyone has an opinion on what needs to change or improve for the Detroit Red Wings to be a playoff team following the 2024-25 NHL regular season. Even those who play for the Red Wings, as it turns out. For instance, Patrick Kane has a five-point plan to put the Red Wings into the postseason. [Detroit Red Wings]
