MHN Puck Links: Hughes Presser, Leafs ‘Soft’, NHL Trade Rumors

The narrative that new Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was hired because he’s best friends with Jeff Gorton is false.

Could Patrice Bergeron ever play for the Montreal Canadiens?

The NHL trade deadline isn’t until March 21 but the trade chatter is picking up.

That and more in the latest MHN Puck Links:

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and new general manager Kent Hughes didn’t waste any time putting the false narrative that Hughes was hired solely because he and Gorton are ‘best buddies’ to rest. Newsflash: They’re not! (MHN)

The Montreal Canadiens are about to play 44 games in 99 days. (MHN)

Could Hughes lure his longtime client and Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron to the Montreal Canadiens in free agency? Don’t count on it. (MHN)

National Hockey Now

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand owned the Carolina Hurricanes in a Twitter spat Wednesday. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers are on the verge of a dubious record. (Philly Hockey Now)

Count the Florida Panthers in on the NHL trade sweepstakes for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun. (Florida Hockey Now)

Speaking of the NHL trade market, will the Detroit Red Wings make forward Vladislav Namestnikov a UFA rental? (Detroit Hockey Now)

Does the Colorado Avalanche have a goaltending controversy? (Colorado Hockey Now)

NHL

“I just thought we got exposed today for being a team that was just soft, soft and purposeless, and just kind of playing the game and hoping it was going to work out.” – Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe after his team blew another 3-1 lead and lost 6-3 to the New York Rangers. 

For more on Keefe going all Michel Therrien on his team, Luke Fox breaks it down. (Sportsnet)

Speaking of the Leafs, they and the Ottawa Senators can’t have more than 500 fans at home games until Jan. 31. 

The #Sens will be allowed 500 fans of Jan. 31st, 50% capacity on Feb. 21 and full capacity March 14. They will play 11 home games between now and Feb. 21. 500 people means essentially no fans. https://t.co/oVVzolkhrQ

— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) January 20, 2022

Talk about a heavyweight bout! Check out this one between former Montreal Canadiens forward Nicolas Deslauriers and Kurtis MacDermid: