Habs Daily: Gallagher Suspension Outcome, NHL Trade Deadline

Take a look at all the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Friday.

Habs News

• The Department of Player Safety announced Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher’s hearing would take place on the phone rather than an in-person meeting, which meant the maximum number of games the suspension would carry was five, a rather inconsequential suspension length given the egregious nature of the hit. With Gallagher out of the lineup, players like Tanner Pearson and Jesse Ylonen may see an uptick in ice time. [Canadiens Brendan Gallagher Suspension Will Have Roster Consequences]
• Gallagher’s violent hit on New York Islanders defenceman Adam Pelech ended up costing him five games. Gallagher will be eligible to return to the lineup on February 15. [Five-Game Suspension For Gallagher Announced By DoPS]
• The Habs have an abundance of good, young players in their organization, but there’s a clear lack of elite talent in the prospect pipeline. Attempting to exchange quantity for quality at the NHL Trade Deadline is in order for Kent Hughes.[Canadiens Youngsters That Could Be Leveraged On Trade Market]
• Points have been difficult to come by for Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher this season, but he enjoyed a solid game on Friday, collecting two assists and pushing his season totals to 10 points in 24 games.

2 assists for Reinbacher tonight, in another (OT) win against a top team.

First Assist is a good shot at the net, with someone scoring on the rebound, something that has been missing for a defenseman (Reinbacher) to rack up points) pic.twitter.com/L1MfQNZSMn

— Thibaud Chatel (@Thibaud_Chatel) January 26, 2024

• Two of the top prospects in the organization were in action on Friday, as Lane Hutson’s Boston University faced Jacob Fowler’s Boston College. The Terriers and the Eagles are two of the top-ranked teams in the country, but it was Fowler’s night, as he made 26 saves on 27 shots to shut down Boston University and secure a 4-1 win.

#GoHabsGo prospect Jacob Fowler made 26 saves on 27 shots in Boston College's big win over Boston University.

He kept top players Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson off the scoresheet, which is very difficult to do and happens very rarely. pic.twitter.com/bU5VVJt8KQ

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 27, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• After much anticipation, the jerseys the New York Islanders will wear when they face the New York Rangers at MetLife Stadium in the 2024 Stadium Series have been unveiled by the NHL. It’s only fair to suggest they leave something to be desired. [New York Islanders]
• The Chicago Blackhawks played the Edmonton Oilers tough again but like their game just over two weeks ago, they fell just short again. The Oilers won their 15th straight with a 3-0 win over the Blackhawks, which tied a franchise record 19th consecutive road loss.[Chicago Blackhawks]
• The Flyers announced they signed former Canadiens forward Ryan Poehling to a two-year contract extension that will carry an annual average value of $1.9 million. [Philadelphia Flyers]