Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Friday.
Before we get going with the Hab-specific news items, we should note the Carolina Hurricanes, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Chicago Blackhawks completed a rather big trade late on Friday night. The Hurricanes acquired pending UFA Mikko Rantanen, as well as Taylor Hall, in exchange for Martin Necas and Jack Drury. For their troubles, the Chicago Blackhawks will be paid a third-round pick to absorb half of Rantanen’s salary.
Former Hab Jesperi Kotkaniemi was thought by some to be part of the deal at first, but it was quickly clarified that Drury was the other piece heading to Colorado.
Due to Rantanen’s contract situation, there’s a chance the Colorado Avalanche end up winning this deal, but if we’re basing it solely on talent, it feels like a clear win for the Hurricanes.
Big deal looks something like this:
Carolina: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall
Colorado: Martin Necas, Jack Drury
Chicago: third-round pick, 50 per cent of Rantanen salaryThe big question becomes: can the Hurricanes convince Rantanen to sign? Sebastian Aho will lead the lobbying
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 25, 2025
Montreal Canadiens News
The Habs assigned defenceman Jayden Struble to the AHL. He will join the Laval Rocket for a conditioning loan, which means he gets to spend up to 14 days in the AHL, which will equate to four Rocket games.
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Jayden Struble au Rocket de Laval à des fins de conditionnement.
The Canadiens have assigned defenseman Jayden Struble to the Laval Rocket on a conditioning assignment. pic.twitter.com/vKVSdHv4La
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 24, 2025
Even though the prevailing narrative is that Jayden Struble has struggled this season, the truth is that he only struggled alongside one particular defensive partner. Coincidentally, or not, everyone that has played alongside David Savard has had a hard time producing decent numbers. But when Struble played alongside anyone else, including Arber Xhekaj, the results immediately improved. [Finding A Role For Canadiens Defenceman Jayden Struble]
The Canadiens are fighting for a playoff spot with several other Eastern Conference teams, which means it’s time to take a look at the famous strength of schedule (SOS). Unlike previous seasons, which featured a very difficult SOS down the stretch, 2024-25’s schedule is much kinder to the Habs, and should help them when it comes to earning a Wild Card berth. [Canadiens Playoff Odds Impacted By NHL Strength Of Schedule]
With Jacob Markstrom on the mend, it appears Jake Allen will face his former team as the Canadiens play the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.
#NEWS: Goaltender Jacob Markstrom underwent imaging on Thursday, which indicated an MCL sprain. He will be out approximately four to six weeks.
Markstrom will miss the remainder of the club’s games leading into the Four Nations break.
He will begin a rehab program under the… pic.twitter.com/YjL67PYILH
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 24, 2025
Prospect Sam Harris won a National Championship with Denver last year, and he’s enjoyed a huge uptick in scoring this season.
He had 14 goals and 7 assists in 42 games last year, whereas he has 13 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
Sam Harris started the play with a block in his own zone and finished with a goal on the other side of the ice.#GoPios pic.twitter.com/e3pjNAPAXp
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) January 25, 2025
