Habs Practice Report

Canadiens Practice Notes: Price and Lehkonen Present, Gallagher Out

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2022

The Montreal Canadiens took to the ice in Brossard today, hours before the NHL Trade Deadline and their first home game against their arch-rival, the Boston Bruins in over 800 days and since November 26, 2019.

This will likely be a heated affair between two teams that are playing some of their best hockey. Both teams could possibly look slightly different in the next few hours, but that won’t stop this contest from being an exciting one.

NHL Trade Deadline Looms For Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens seemed loose and focused on the game tonight, pointing out that the NHL Trade Deadline is just part of the business of being and NHL player.

Chris Wideman, a pending unrestricted free agent, spoke to the possibility of being traded and how he viewed the NHL Trade Deadline.

“It’s part of the schedule, it’s our job and we got to be able to handle it,” Wideman said.

Head coach Martin St. Louis, who, as a player, was traded leading up to the 2014 NHL Trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the New York Rangers, was a little less appreciative of the deadline. He spoke on the effect this day has on players, distracting them from their game-day preparations due to fears of being moved at any moment.

“This is a day where we shouldn’t have games,” the Montreal Canadiens bench boss said. “To allow teams to focus on the game and to allow the players to not be affected by anxiety and stress on this day. I would be better for everyone. I’ve been here for 5 weeks and I like my guys, but there’s a business side.

My job is to coach, I have to let the org and the general manager do their job, They have the best interest of the team at heart I need to focus on my job. They let me coach, so need to let them to their job too.”

Artturi Lehkonen and Brett Kulak, who’s names have been swirling in the rumour mill as of late for the Montreal Canadiens, were both on the ice for practice today. They are slated to be in uniform tonight against the Bruins, unless of course, they are indeed traded.

Practice Notes

Brendan Gallagher was the only notable name missing from practice today. The Canadiens announced that Gallagher had a non-covid illness and would miss tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Jake Allen is set to start tonight’s game after putting on an impressive 29-save performance against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Carey Price joined his teammates for yet another practice today, as he continues to work towards a return prior to the end of the season. Price hasn’t played a game for the Montreal Canadiens since their Game 5 series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning last July. St. Louis was very pleased to see Carey Price return to practice yet again this week, applauding his efforts and complimenting his aura around the team whenever he’s on the ice.

“Carey has such a presence… when you get that in practice and hopefully in games soon, in the locker room, everybody feeds off that. Me included,” St. Louis said.

Price is working hard to ensure he can get a few games in before the end of this season, something that will give general manager Kent Hughes some clarity leading into the offseason.