Canadiens Wrap: Letang, Bell Centre, Habs, Laine, NHL Trade Rumours

NHL trade chatter continues to swirl ahead of the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline and the Montreal Canadiens continue to be a topic de jour.

Could Montreal native Kris Letang finally end up playing for his hometown team next season?

Despite an array of rumours surrounding him, Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine will not be available before the NHL Trade Deadline.

That and more in the MHN Canadiens Wrap:

Montreal Canadiens

In case you missed it, the Kris Letang to the Montreal Canadiens rumours seem to have more legs now.

With the news that the Bell Centre can be a packed house starting March 12, I can’t wait to witness the coolest intro in the NHL again!

National Hockey Now

BOS: Fresh off a Gordie Howe hat trick, Boston Bruins winger Nick Foligno is looking to become a regular physical and scoring presence for the Bruins.

NYI: New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t throwing in the towel just yet, so for now the Islanders don’t appear to be sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres have been scouting each other ahead of the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline.

Philly: Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes is set to return to the lineup but Sam Carchidi wonders if, after two offseason abdominal surgeries and another procedure in January, should the Flyers just shelve him for the season?

Washington: Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan is taking a realistic approach to the NHL Trade Deadline. So what areas of the roster will he be targeting to improve via trades?

Detroit: The Detroit Red Wings will by no means be buyers leading into the NHL trade deadline but could they be players in unrestricted free agency? More specifically, could they try and sign defenseman Hampus Lindholm if he becomes a UFA in July?

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche could be getting a big boost to their blue line soon without making a trade.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks acquired an old friend on the NHL trade market late Wednesday night when they traded for goalie Alex Stalock.

Canada Hockey Now

Vancouver: What are the latest NHL trade rumours involving the Vancouver Canucks?

NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made it abundantly clear that winger Patrik Laine is not on the trade market.

Who are the leading trade suitors for Flyers captain Claude Giroux?

Ukraine’s official diplomatic representative in Canada has asked the Canadian government to stop issuing travel visas and work permits to Russian athletes, a move he says will put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon his invasion of Ukraine.

Here’s your Irish Track of the day: