Habs Daily: Beaudin Contract Terminated, Slafkovsky Effect

Have a look at all the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed during the weekend.

Habs News

• ICYMI: The Montreal Canadiens pushed the Pittsburgh Penguins to overtime on Saturday. They enter the All-Star break coming off a loss, but players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Kaiden Guhle, and Jake Allen can be proud of their effort. [Canadiens Guhle, Slafkovsky, And Allen Shine In OT Loss]
• The second line featuring Slafkovsky, Sean Monahan, and Joel Armia led the charge against the Penguins in a game where the rest of the offence stalled. It’s an encouraging result given that Slafkovsky has produced very solid numbers since he was removed from the top line. He is driving the play, and it shows up in the numbers.

The Juraj Slafkovsky – Sean Monahan – Joel Armia line once again led the Habs in shot share (CF%) and expected goals (xGF%).

They held a 6-5 advantage in high-danger chances at 5v5 in a game where the Habs generated just 9 and allowed 19(!).

Via Natural Stat Trick.

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 28, 2024

• Laval Rocket defenceman Nicolas Beaudin hadn’t been playing much this season. Consequently, the team and Beaudin decided to mutually terminate his contract. It was a process that had been in the works for a few weeks. Beaudin had a very solid season in 2022-23, but had fallen out of favour this year with the influx of prospects that joined the Canadiens’ farm team.

Nicolas Beaudin (MON) on unconditional waivers for purposes of contract termination

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 28, 2024

• The Canadiens also re-assigned centre Lucas Condotta to the AHL so he can join the Rocket during the All-Star week.

Les Canadiens ont cédé l'attaquant Lucas Condotta au Rocket de Laval.

The Canadiens have loaned forward Lucas Condotta to the Laval Rocket. pic.twitter.com/RdNCQMeHs1

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 28, 2024

• Some Habs players made their NFL picks, with captain Nick Suzuki being the only one to correctly predict the Kansas City Chiefs would win.

The Habs make their NFL playoffs predictions 🏈 pic.twitter.com/f7aKeXY2cR

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) January 28, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• Oliver Wahlstrom has had chance after chance after chance to assert himself as a regular in the New York Islanders lineup. He had them under former head coaches Barry Trotz and Lane Lambert. As he draws into the lineup against the Florida Panthers tonight, he’ll get his first chance under new head coach Patrick Roy, and it could be his last with the Islanders. [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.[New Jersey Devils]
• The Philadelphia Flyers raised some eyebrows around the NHL when they signed winger Owen Tippett to an eight-year contract extension worth $49.6 million on Friday. Tippett, 24, otherwise would have been a restricted free agent this summer. [Philadelphia Flyers]