Habs Daily: Lottery Odds, Draft Rankings, Dach’s Impact

All the latest Habs news, recent Montreal Canadiens stories, as well as information from around the National Hockey League.

Habs News

• Kirby Dach went from a relatively risky acquisition to a player the Habs can rely upon as part of the foundation they’ll count on during the rebuild. [Kirby Dach Trade Proving To Be Crucial For Canadiens Rebuild]
• The NHL Draft Lottery is less than three weeks away, and the Montreal Canadiens are hoping to get lucky for the second year in a row. [Canadiens Potential Draft Lottery Outcomes, 3rd Overall Possible?]
• The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its final rankings Tuesday, giving Montreal Canadiens fans a better idea of the kind of players they may start championing in the near future. [Draft Rankings Offer Clarity on Potential Montreal Canadiens Pick]

National Hockey Now News

• For two straight postseasons, Bowen Byram watched, but couldn’t help the Colorado Avalanche. Now he’s become an X-factor for the reigning Stanley Cup champions. [Colorado Avalanche]
• Too old and too slow are just a couple of the many charges being levied at the Pittsburgh Penguins after they missed the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. However, the core of future Hall of Famers – centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and defenseman Kris Letang – should still be kept together. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
• Center Cutter Gauthier, 19, the Philadelphia Flyers prospect and a player who had an outstanding freshman season at Boston College, announced last month he had decided to stay in school for another year, and Flyers GM Daniel Briere applauds the decision. [Philadelphia Flyers]
• The Florida Panthers may find themselves in a 1-0 hole to start the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it is not because of Alex Lyon. [Florida Panthers]
• Detroit Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri says you shouldn’t be at all concerned about the cleanup procedure he underwent late in the season on his knee. It’s easy to assume that in the case of anyone who’s had both knees surgically repaired – one of them twice – any time they need to go under the knife for further work on either knee is a deadly serious matter. Fabbri, though, insists that simply isn’t the case with him. [Detroit Red Wings]
• Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone was clearly emotional in his returning press conference Monday at City National Arena. The captain and the Golden Knights announced his return to the lineup after missing over three months with yet another back injury. The latest one resulted in surgery. [Vegas Golden Knights]
• Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron is listed as ‘questionable’ for Game 2 of the series against the Florida Panthers. [Boston Bruins]