Timeline Stories

Balancing Act

Tempering Expectations

Habs fans are looking forward to the NHL entry draft with great anticipation and with the team currently holding 12 picks, who can blame them. But any improvement in the team next season is unlikely to be related to who general manager Kent Hughes chooses in this draft. In the long term, draft picks made this year will be essential to the team’s success but short-term improvement will have to come from elsewhere. Three potential sources for any team improvement will be the continued maturation of younger players in the organization, players acquired via trade this off-season and any free agent signings. Reducing injury time and a return to form by some of the veterans are also areas that could help lead to increased success. With all that said, the enthusiasm for the upcoming draft keeps the Canadiens’ fanbase optimistic about the future as the team continues down the road to eventually competing for the Stanley Cup. – Trask

Norlinder Returns to Laval

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that Swedish defenceman Mattias Norlinder will be coming back to Montreal to play for the Laval Rocket during the playoffs. Norlinder started the season in Montreal after being injured in training camp. He was sent back to Frolunda during the Christmas break after a handful of games in Montreal and Laval. Look for Norlinder to be a key piece on a Laval power play that lacks point producers and puck-moving defencemen.

Roy and Kidney hit 100!

The last time Montreal had two CHL prospects hit 100 points was in the 1999-2000 season when Eric Chouinard and Michael Ryder scored 104 and 108 points, respectively. With an assist on Bennett MacArthur’s goal last night, Riley Kidney joined Joshua Roy in the 100-point club.

Guhle On a Mission

The Canadiens have surrendered 22 goals in the past four games, and have given up more goals than any NHL team. Kaiden Guhle won’t ever challenge Cale Makar for the scoring lead among NHL defencemen but he’ll be a major reason why that won’t happen again in the near future. The Edmonton Oil Kings in two WHL playoff games so far have given up one goal thanks in large part to their defensive anchor Guhle, who has averaged more than 24 minutes per game. He’s also chipping in offensively, notching a goal and two assists so far. Guhle is focused on making a return trip to the Memorial Cup, as he did with the Prince Albert Raiders as a WHL rookie.

Harris’s Time Will Come

Jordan Harris is a big part of the future and doesn’t need to be evaluated – he’s not going anywhere. Clague, Wideman and Schueneman, on the other hand? Their futures remain up in the air, so getting them some games down the stretch makes sense. It won’t “ruin” Jordan’s development – sitting in the stands and watching a few NHL games is not a bad thing. He’ll get plenty more ice time in Laval when he’s sent down for what will hopefully be a long playoff run. – Grant McCagg

Heineman Close to AHL Debut

Emil Heineman has been skating at the Brossard practice facility for the past few days. He’s been recovering from an upper-body injury sustained in Sweden. Will he get a look in Montreal before playing for the Rocket? It may make more sense to start him in Laval. No word yet on when he might play.

Mailloux Out For Season

Recrutes has learned that London Knights’ defenceman Logan Mailloux had shoulder surgery last week and will miss the OHL playoffs. That’s a big blow for the Knights, who have struggled at season’s end without the 6-4 blueliner in the lineup. Hopefully, he’s ready to go by Montreal’s rookie camp.