Habs Daily: Trade Interest In Sean Monahan, Laval Rocket News

All the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories from the weekend.

Habs News

• The Montreal Canadiens have a few players who are garnering interest around the league, including veteran forward Sean Monahan. According to Sportsnet, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a good trade partner in a Monahan-driven deal.  [Maple Leafs Could Be Interested In Trade For Canadiens Forward]
• Goaltender Jake Allen was given the start against the Winnipeg Jets. Head coach Martin St-Louis decided not to make any other changes to his lineup following the team’s 5-3 win against the New York Islanders on Saturday. [Canadiens Game 31: Allen To Start, Heineman Won’t Play]
• The Canadiens let a two-goal lead slip away but secured an overtime win against the Jets thanks to Justin Barron’s sixth goal of the season. [Justin Barron Plays The Overtime Hero For the Canadiens Vs. Jets]
• Oh, the horror! Sniper Cole Caufield admitted he is not a big fan of poutine, a favourite local dish for many Habs fans.  [Canadiens Forward Cole Caufield Admits He Doesn’t Like Poutine]
• Prospect Sean Farrell is nearing a return to play. The rookie joined the Laval Rocket on their road trip to Syracuse. It marked the first time in three weeks that Farrell practiced with the team.

Sean Farrell est allé rejoindre le Rocket à Syracuse. Une première présence sur la glace en 3 semaines pour lui. https://t.co/z0z2kb1ylY

— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) December 18, 2023

• In other Rocket news, the team has signed 30-year-old goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Le Rocket de Laval a annoncé avoir accordé un contrat d'essai professionnel au gardien Kasimir Kaskisuo.

The Laval Rocket signed goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo to a professional tryout contract. pic.twitter.com/EIzRXlvZxG

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) December 18, 2023

• Prospect Owen Beck practiced on Team Canada’s fourth line, but there are healthy chances that the cerebral centre will receive more ice time at the 2024 World Junior Championship than your typical fourth liner.

I’d guess he’s in the 16-17 min range. Regular 5-on-5 shift + late-game + PK. Going to be important, even if technically ‘bottom-six’. Could see him moving up with skill guys if they struggle, too.

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) December 18, 2023

• Former Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Martin is back in the NHL.

News Release: D.J. Smith has been relieved of his head coaching duties; Jacques Martin has been named #Sens interim head coach. Daniel Alfredsson joins the team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach: https://t.co/UtadFrrkEG pic.twitter.com/LZiNGB5Mbm

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 18, 2023

• Now that Smith has been fired, St-Louis is the 11th-longest tenured head coach in the NHL.

With D.J. Smith being relieved of his duties, just 10 NHL head coaches have been with their current teams longer than Martin St-Louis has been coaching the Habs.

St- Louis only started on February 9, 2022.

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 18, 2023

• Can you blame them?

Some Habs fans in attendance still holding on to the Jake Evans grudge, booing Scheifele.

— Scott Billeck (@ScottBilleck) December 19, 2023

National Hockey Now Network

• While we discuss potential trades involving Monahan we must not forget that several teams are still looking for goaltending reinforcements, including the New Jersey Devils. [New Jersey Devils]
• Speaking of goaltenders, Detroit Red Wings netminder Alex Lyon is optimistic he won’t miss much time with an upper-body injury. [Detroit Red Wings]
• Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will forever hold a place in Pittsburgh Penguins history, and as importantly to him, with Penguins fans.  But Fleury did not start in what could be his final game in Pittsburgh. The 39-year-old goalie hasn’t committed to playing beyond this season. [Pittsburgh Penguins]