Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Saturday.
Montreal Canadiens News
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There’s no other way to put it, the Habs failed to show up for their matinée game versus the St. Louis Blues. They did show a little life late in the third period, but it was all for naught, as Jordan Binnington secured his first shutout of the season. [Canadiens Analysis: How Slafkovsky Increased His Production]
Forward Oliver Kapanen was named to Finland’s Olympic squad, a nice reward for his excellent start to the season. The 22-year-old rookie has produced an impressive 12 goals and nine assists in 41 games this season. Finland has good depth down the middle of the ice, which means he may end up playing on the wing once the 2026 Winter Olympics begin.
Possible Team Finland lineup after yesterday's roster announcement.https://t.co/ubFxSMzvxt
— NHL Rosters (@NHL_Rosters) January 3, 2026
It appears Nick Suzuki will wear No.10 for Team Canada at the Olympics. Bo Horvat, who is four years older than Suzuki, seems to be the player who will end up wearing No.14.
According to Fanatics, it looks like Nick Suzuki might be wearing #10 with Team Canada 🇨🇦
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 3, 2026
Bo Horvat gets #14 pic.twitter.com/QqEXvLebhz
Rob Suzuki, who does a great job interacting with Canadiens fans on social media, was quick to remind me that it wouldn’t be the first time his son used No.10 while playing hockey.
According to Fanatics, it looks like Nick Suzuki might be wearing #10 with Team Canada 🇨🇦
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 3, 2026
Bo Horvat gets #14 pic.twitter.com/QqEXvLebhz
Prospect Alexander Zharovsky may end up playing with the same centre as Ivan Demidov did during his rookie campaign in the KHL. Evgeny Kuznetsov asked his KHL team to place him on waivers, and rumours are pointing to a possible contract with Zharovsky’s team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
What's next for Kuzy? pic.twitter.com/UHbS82Q9Q0
— KHL (@khl_eng) January 3, 2026
Speaking of Zharovsky, draft-eligible prospect Viktor Fyodorov had nothing but great things to say about his teammate. The Rookie Of The Month in the KHL currently leads his team in scoring, with 11 goals and 18 assists in 33 games to his credit. [Canadiens Prospect Zharovsky Enjoying All-Star Rookie Season]
#2026NHLDraft Viktor Fyodorov on #GoHabsGo prospect Alexander Zharovsky via KHL: pic.twitter.com/2DpNZOvF7F
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) January 3, 2026
Sportsnaut Network
When was the last time the New Jersey Devils won in convincing fashion as they did on Saturday afternoon? A 4-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth had a little bit of everything. The Devils’ top players were their best players. The goaltending? Superb. The special teams? It was all there [New Jersey Devils]
Egor Zamula’s tenure in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization is not off to a good start. Saturday, the AHL transaction page showed the Penguins suspended Zamula, presumably for not reporting to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins following the Penguins’ trade Wednesday, Dec. 31, which sent forward Philip Tomasino to the Philadelphia Flyers organization for Zamula. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
In a somewhat surprising move, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ latest free agent splash is neither Kyle Tucker nor Bo Bichette. Not even Alex Bregman. Instead, they’ve gone off the board—off the continent, in fact—to sign star Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto. [Sportsnaut]
