MHN Puck Links: Ducharme On Hot Seat? Habs In NHL Trade Rumors

The Montreal Canadiens will likely move defenseman Jeff Petry on the NHL trade market but will they make a coaching change before that?

New Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is giving clues as to how he and executive vice president Jeff Gorton will rebuild the team.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland is suddenly a hot commodity on the NHL trade market again. 

That and more in the latest MHN Puck Links:

Montreal Canadiens

Moving defenseman Jeff Petry on the NHL trade market may not be the most immediate move the Montreal Canadiens need to do right now. The team needs a culture change ASAP and that may not happen with Dom Ducharme as head coach. (MHN)

Speaking of what Gorton and Hughes might do in terms of the roster, they gave some clues in an interview with Arpon Basu and Marc-Antoine Godin of The Athletic. (The Athletic)

If the Habs do actually move Petry on the NHL Trade market soon, could the Pittsburgh Penguins be an interested party? Imagine if the Pens acquire Petry and then in the offseason, Hughes can sign his longtime client and Laval native Kris Letang on the UFA market? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

National Hockey Now

If the Boston Bruins are going to be players for Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller or winger Connor Garland on the NHL trade market, then they may have to part with 2021 first round pick and Vancouver Giants (WHL) winger Fabian Lysell. (Boston Hockey Now)

Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson never expected to be an All-Star and neither do any opposing fan base who likely despise him. (Washington Hockey Now).

Just in case you missed it, Alexander Ovechkin was placed in COVID Protocol and that’s why Wilson is going as a replacement. (Washington Hockey Now)

Vegas Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault made it as a replacement too. (Vegas Hockey Now)

New York Islanders fans are growing impatient with winger Kyle Palmieri. (NYI Hockey Now)

Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari is one of the good guys in terms of Bruins players I’ve interviewed over my 20 years-plus covering the NHL and it’s good to see he’s making his way back to the NHL after a tough injury rehab. (Florida Hockey Now)

NHL

Speaking of Acciari, new NHL Iron Man, Keith Yandle told my colleague Joe Haggerty and me that Acciari laid one of the toughest hits on him during his 967 games in a row he’s played. (Pucks With Haggs)