Habs Daily: Gauging Potential Zegras Trade, Trade Partners

Here’s all the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.

Habs News

• Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck had a great debut with his new team, the Saginaw Spirit. Beck scored two goals and added six assists in a dominant 11-3 win over the Windsor Spitfires. Saginaw will host the Memorial Cup this year, which means Beck will once again participate in the illustrious tournament. [Canadiens Prospect Owen Beck Dominant Debut With New Team]

• According to Frank Seravalli, Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras could be available on the NHL’s trade market. Zegras, 22, is off to a slow start this year, but he possesses the type of talent that makes enquiring about a trade a worthwhile endeavour. [Canadiens Pros And Cons Of Potential Trevor Zegras Trade]
• Speaking of trades, Kent Hughes completed a minor trade on Thursday. The Canadiens acquired forward Filip Cederqvist from the Buffalo Sabres for future considerations. Cederqvist will report to the Laval, where he will serve as much-needed reinforcement for their depleted lineup. [Habs Complete Minor Trade With Buffalo Sabres]
• It appears that veteran forward Sean Monahan will indeed be moved between now and the NHL’s Trade Deadline. Darren Dreger suggests the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Boston Bruins as possible trade partners in a trade involving Monahan. [Monahan Likely To Be Traded, Potential Trade Partners]
• Not only did the Habs lose to the Sharks, San Jose’s first win in 12 games, but they hardly showed up at all. The lack of effort led to one of the most embarrassing games in the last few years.  [Canadiens Embarrassed By The Worst Team In The NHL]
• NCAA analyst Chris Peters was impressed by Lane Hutson’s defensive work at the 2024 World Junior Championship. Hutson helped Team USA capture its sixth gold medal during the holidays.

“The last part of the WJC, the commitment to defending… he did a remarkable job. I feel like he’s under-appreciated for [his defense]. He was on the PK, the PP & he was tremendous 5v5. He can do a lot without the puck & he’s special with the puck.” – Chris Peters on Lane Hutson pic.twitter.com/aj8HynO0ui

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 11, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• An optional practice for the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday brought massive news. Gabriel Landeskog is back on the ice. As far as we know, this is Landeskog’s first time skating since having cartilage transplant surgery back on May 10. His recovery has gone well, and back in December, he arrived back in Denver after spending most of his time in Toronto rehabbing. The Captain has been around the team for a few weeks now and was at the morning skate on Wednesday. [Colorado Avalanche]
• New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert has had the fortune of being able to roll out four stable forward lines for the majority of this season. Outside of the not-unusual healthy scratch every so often, he hasn’t made a change of significant proportions. That was until the Islanders announced Casey Cizikas would be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury ahead of their meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. [New York Islanders]
• Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella had another classic press conference moment on Wednesday night. Say what you will about his coaching, but Tortorella is an amazing person who cares for all of his players – past and present. [Philadelphia Flyers]