Habs Daily: Canadiens Draft Lottery Odds, Reinbacher’s Status

A look back at the latest Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have on Friday.

Habs News

• With just 25 games left on the docket, we’re starting to get a better of where the Montreal Canadiens will draft with their own pick at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. As it stands, they have low odds of picking in the top five, but thanks to their upcoming strength of schedule there’s a decent possibility they’ll drop further down the standings.  [Montreal Canadiens Outlook: Improving NHL Draft Lottery Odds]

• Last week we established three different scenarios that will impact top prospect David Reinbacher’s arrival in North America. The third scenario involves Reinbacher avoiding a second playout series entirely if neither Visp nor Olten are crowned Swiss League champions. Unfortunately for those hoping to see Reinbacher arrive soon, as stands, both Visp and Olten are still leading their quarter-final series and are on the cusp of punching their ticket to the semi-finals. [Canadiens Prospect Reinbacher’s Expected North American Arrival]

• Defenceman Jayden Struble was forced to leave Thursday’s game in the third period. According to Renaud Lavoie, it was a preventative measure as Struble was seen walking without a limp on Friday. There’s a chance the rookie will face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. [TVA Sports]
  

• Forward Brandon Gignac went unclaimed, which means the Laval Rocket will receive some much-needed reinforcements as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

• As for the prospects, Lane Hutson registered another two-point game when Boston University defeated UConn 6-1.

#GoHabsgo prospect Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrin creating havoc in the offensive zone again: pic.twitter.com/jkucbtnNcJ

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 24, 2024

• Jacob Fowler and the Boston College Eagles easily dismissed Vermont by a score of 7-1. It was Fowler’s NCAA-leading 23rd win of the season.

From earlier: A big save by #GoHabsGo prospect Jacob Fowler to keep the game tied, and then all hell breaks loose. These two teams have been going at each other all night. pic.twitter.com/B2KUGMzRoR

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) February 24, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• New York Rangers rookie forward Matt Rempe is reportedly not going to face any further discipline for his hit to the head on New Jersey Devils forward Nathan Bastian on Thursday. [New Jersey Devils]

• The Philadelphia Flyers have made a name for themselves this season as one of the NHL’s best teams in scoring and creating off the rush. Conversely, creating off the cycle and the forecheck is, markedly, a weakness. That is, until the alchemy was altered over the last few weeks. [Philadelphia Flyers]

• The NHL trade chatter has finally picked up after a couple of months of stagnation when the focus was solely on the Calgary Flames. We can finally move past Calgary and look to the deadline. Injuries and playoff contention are creating openings and opportunities, including for the Pittsburgh Penguins. [Pittsburgh Penguins]