Habs Daily: Suzuki Disrespect, Slafkovsky’s Season, Newhook

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

Habs News

• The Montreal Canadiens announced defenceman Mike Matheson would be part of the leadership group in 2023-24. He will be an alternate captain, an obvious choice given his results last year. [Canadiens Defenceman Mike Matheson Perfect Leadership Choice]
• Head coach Martin St-Louis is taking a measured approach when it comes to Juraj Slafkovsky. He doesn’t want the first overall pick at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft to become bitter toward his situation. [Canadiens Slafkovsky & St-Louis Discuss Approach Next Season]
• Sniper Cole Caufield has recovered from his shoulder surgery and is champing at the bit to get back onto the ice. [Canadiens Forward Cole Caufield Poised To Flourish Next Season]
• Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis doesn’t want to create any preconceived notions regarding newcomer Alex Newhook. He’ll be using the upcoming training camp to evaluate all his players, including the former Colorado Avalanche forward. [Canadiens Analysis Canadiens St-Louis Giving Newcomer Newhook A Fresh Start]
• Former goaltending coach Stephane Waite is a big fan of Brendan Gallagher, which is fine. Unfortunately, he decided to claim Gallagher is the “real captain” of the Canadiens, and that shows a clear lack of respect for current captain Nick Suzuki. [Former Canadiens Goalie Coach’s Lack Of Respect For Suzuki]

National Hockey Now Network

• Take a closer look at the players to watch at the upcoming Avalanche rookie tournament. [Colorado Avalanche]
• The Pittsburgh Penguins will be operating more than a training camp at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex later this month. They’ll be conducting a jobs fair, too. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
• An interesting debate has arisen since the announcement that Chris Chelios’ number would be retired by the Chicago Blackhawks. Some fans believe it should have been done along with Brent Seabrook. Others think it’s correct in terms of ordering. [Chicago Blackhawks]
• The Buffalo Sabres went into the summer with questions about their goaltending and whether GM Kevyn Adams would add an experienced netminder to split the duties with rookie Devon Levi, but Adams chose to stand pat and roll the dice on Levi as the primary starter. [Buffalo Sabres]
• Forward Alex DeBrincat, among the newest Detroit Red Wings, was recently throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Detroit Tigers game. Based upon the vitriol coming out of Ottawa, it appears that Senators supporters would rather that DeBrincat be hit with a pitch.[Detroit Red Wings]
• Tyson Foerster and 2023 first-round draft pick Oliver Bonk are among 25 players who will participate in the Philadelphia Flyers’ Rookie Camp, general manager Daniel Briere announced. [Philadelphia Flyers]
• Nashville’s biggest question is presumably how will the roster be constructed in the Barry Trotz–Andrew Brunette era [Nashville Predators]