Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Friday.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Canadiens pulled off a trade with less than an hour left before the NHL’s holiday roster freeze. Former Hab Phillip Danault is rejoining the fold, after a difficult start to the season with the Los Angeles Kings. Danault, 32, will immediately improve Montreal’s centre depth, which is always difficult to do in the NHL’s trade market. [Instant Canadiens Analysis: Impact of Danault Trade]
Make sure you don’t miss any Canadiens news by signing up to our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for various other NHL teams, or the daily newsletter covering the most exciting developments in sports.[Sportsnaut]
Now that San Jose Sharks forward Michael Misa is at Team Canada’s camp, top prospect Michael Hage is set to anchor the second line, with Tij Iginla and Brady Martin on his wings. He’s also set to work the half wall on Canada’s second powerplay unit. [Canadiens Prospect Rankings – The Dynamic Michael Hage]
Team 🇨🇦 post cuts & Misa's arrival:
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) December 19, 2025
McKenna – Misa – Martone
Iginla – Hage – Martin
Reschny – Beaudoin – Luchanko
Greentree – Cootes – O'Reilly
Bear – Desnoyers
Reid – Parekh
Aitcheson – Brunicke
MacKenzie – Danford
Carels – Verhoeff
George
Ivankovic
Ravensbergen@TSN_Sports
Adam Engstrom is yet to register his name on the scoresheet, but a look at his defensive numbers points to a rookie who has done a great job adapting to the NHL. His play alongside Arber Xhekaj has solidified the third pairing at a time when a considerable number of Canadiens defencemen are struggling to tread water. [Assessing Canadiens Rookie Engstrom By The Numbers]
Caitlin and Nick Suzuki announced they are expecting, which is great news, because it means there will be at least one more Suzuki in the world in the near future. If it all goes according to the iron-man script, Suzuki Jr. will never miss a single kindergarten block-building assignment, or middle school recess.
Congrats to Nick Suzuki and his wife Caitlin who are expecting their first child, a baby girl ♥️ pic.twitter.com/wH1NHQqDgj
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 19, 2025
The talented Gavin McKenna had great things to say about Habs prospect Bryce Pickford. Pickford, 19, is enjoying a fantastic season in the WHL, with 25 goals and 19 assists in 31 games to his credit. As a reminder, Pickford is a defenceman.
Gavin McKenna on whether #Habs defence prospect Bryce Pickford can translate his game to the pro level:
— Andrew Thompson (@Drew_Dekes) December 19, 2025
“He plays a pro game. It’s crazy what’s he’s doing. #Habs #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/wxRrxzxmjh
ICYMI: The NHL’s holiday roster freeze came into play on Friday, which means teams cannot trade, or waive a player, ensuring they have some stability during the holiday season. That being said, the Canadiens can still recall Samuel Montembeault from the AHL. [Impact of NHL Holiday Roster Freeze On Canadiens]
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The New Jersey Devils are heavy in the market for a center. Of the several names they’ve placed calls on in a potential Devils trade, the latest is out of Los Angeles in what looks like an impending divorce with former Hab Philip Danault. [New Jersey Devils]
Has head coach Craig Berube given up on his listless charges? After the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ latest debacle of a performance, a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Washington Capitals, Berube called out his players for their complete lack of passion. [Toronto]
He’s nearing the 40% mark of his first NHL season, and Detroit Red Wings rookie defenceman Axel Sandin Pellikka is beginning to flex his offensive muscles. [Detroit Red Wings]
