Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, stories, and content you may have missed on Thursday.
Montreal Canadiens News
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]
Skilled winger Ivan Demidov was named the Rookie of the Month in the NHL, following a fantastic showing in December that resulted in four goals and 10 assists in 15 games.
Grâce à 14 points en 15 matchs, Demi est nommé Recrue du mois de décembre dans la LNH! 💯
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 1, 2026
With 14 points in 15 games, Demi has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for December!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/8Dw3NijJwN
The Habs swept the ROTM honours in both the NHL and KHL, as prospect Alexander Zharovsky took home his third such honour during his impressive rookie campaign. Zharovsky scored four goals and seven assists in 11 games.
18-year-old Alexander Zharovsky finished December with a point-per-game pace (11 PTS, 11 GP) and for the 3rd time this season was named KHL Rookie of the Month! pic.twitter.com/Vlsca54bAq
— KHL (@khl_eng) January 1, 2026
The Canadiens managed to beat the Hurricanes in Carolina for the first time since 2016. Alex Texier set up two important goals, while Lane Hutson registered another multipoint effort in the 7-5 win. [Highlights: Canadiens Complete Classic Comeback In Carolina]
With two goals and six assists in four games, top prospect Michael Hage is clearly among the most exciting prospects at the World Junior Championship. He’s tied with Tomas Chrenko and linemate Gavin McKenna for the tournament lead in scoring, while standing out as a player to watch in a talented Canadian lineup.
TSN’s Mike Johnson says Michael Hage has been the best forward for Team Canada 🇨🇦 in this World Juniors so far pic.twitter.com/kzcHYG7ghU
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 1, 2026
Shockingly, or not, the NHL decided not to suspend or fine Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, who delivered an ugly elbow to Mike Matheson’s head on Tuesday night. Matheson was forced to miss Thursday’s game, while Marchand prepares to take part in the 2026 Winter Classic.
Blatant elbow to the chin from Marchand to Matheson.
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 31, 2025
Dumb, dumb play by the veteran.
Habs to the powerplay. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/xwXsp2ed5O
Team Canada head coach Jon Cooper had nothing but great things to say about Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. Suzuki will represent Canada at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics. [Suzuki Named To Canadian Olympic Roster]
Team Canada 🇨🇦 coach Jon Cooper on Nick Suzuki:
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 1, 2026
“I learned he’s a phenomenal kid. He’s fairly quiet, reads the room, but very engaging when you sit with him 1 on 1. I had a great time with him, so that’s just another box checked in the cosmic trajectory of Nick Suzuki.” pic.twitter.com/HehXyQNto6
Sportsnaut Network
The New Jersey Devils finally ended their four-game skid on Wednesday. However, fans have been calling for Tom Fitzgerald’s job, as a result of an underwhelming season. Yet, what does a former NHL executive think of his body of work as Devils GM? [New Jersey Devils]
Early in the third period, Pittsburgh Penguins center Blake Lizotte was the unhappy recipient of the Penguins’ seventh minor penalty of the game. It appeared Lizotte was redeemed when he scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period, but the Detroit Red Wings then got their eighth power play. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
Detroit Red Wings draftee Eddie Genborg scored two goals as Sweden dumped the USA 6-3 to take top spot in their group at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Then Genborg added insult. He was accusing the US players of playing dirty once the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt. [Detroit Red Wings]
