MHN Daily: Canadiens 2023 Draft Lottery Odds, NHL Trade Talk

Montreal Canadiens

• The Montreal Canadiens have been on a big slide down the NHL standings, but their 2023 NHL Draft Lottery odds are now going up, in more ways than one
• According to Martin St-Louis, the Christmas break did not provide much relief to his tired team. A difficult January is unlikely to improve team morale, but it should improve the Canadiens in the long run.

National Hockey Now

• NYI: The New York Islanders need a talented forward to help bolster their roster, and one just became on waivers.
• BOS: Could the recent injury news from the St. Louis Blues could have a direct effect on the Boston Bruins and the NHL trade market?
• PGH: The Pittsburgh Penguins still haven’t released any details about Tristan Jarry’s injury, let alone his prognosis, but it apparently is significant.
• PHI: The Philadelphia Flyers have a good problem on their hands, as Carter Hart is clearly their No. 1 goaltender, but they suddenly have a backup, Sam Ersson, who looks like he can establish himself in the NHL.
• WSH: The Washington Capitals are seeing Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson make progress as they work their way back from major injuries. And while there’s still work to do, it looks like they’ll be back in the mix sooner rather than later.
• FLA: It has been a tough season thus far for the Florida Panthers as they have gone from the NHL Presidents’ Trophy winners to, right now, the league’s most disappointing team.
• DET:  Everyone had a theory about how the Detroit Red Wings would shuffle their roster to make room for Robby Fabbri to come off the injury list. Placing Jakub Vrana on waivers was not among those theories.
• VGK: The Vegas Golden Knights had a strange 2022 calendar year. Here are the top-five surprising stories from the year.
• SJS: Former San Jose Sharks 1st-round pick Ryan Merkley has asked for a trade from the team. Here’s why.