Habs Daily: Potential NHL Trade Deadline Partners, Arber Xhekaj

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

Habs News

• A new edition of the Montreal Canadiens Mailbag is available. This time around Canadiens fans focused on questions related to the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline, including whether Jordan Harris should be moved (probably not), the most likely trade partners, which players may move, and more. We also discussed why Arber Xhekaj holds more value than some may assume, in addition to discussing Kaiden Guhle’s long-term value.  [Canadiens Mailbag: Habs Trade Deadline, Xhekaj’s Impact, Harris]

• Remember how the Quebec Government, in all its wisdom, decided to pay the Los Angeles Kings up to $7 million to spend a week in Quebec City during the NHL’s preseason? Well, it turns out they’re doing the same thing in Salt Lake City, a city that is ahead of Quebec City when it comes to potential NHL expansions. The only difference is that the municipality will not have to fork over $7 million in taxpayer money when the Kings visit Salt Lake City. Must be nice. [Quebec Government To Pay $7M For NHL Preseason Games]

• It’s not always easy to stay motivated when playoffs are officially out of reach, which has been the case for the Habs in the second-half of the last three seasons. But there’s more to play for than just a playoff berth.

"There's lots of motivating factors in the NHL. Future contracts, future opportunities. It's a business in the best league in the world. There are always things to play for. We're playing for each other. We're a tight group here, we want to see each other succeed." – Nick Suzuki pic.twitter.com/ryZJjHhSm5

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) February 26, 2024

• There was a ‘new’ report suggesting the Canadiens are interested in playing some games in Europe. It was just recycled news, but on that note, we already covered the subject in early December by taking a look at where the Canadiens would end up playing if they were to head to Paris, as well as the importance of the team improving its international reach.  [The Montreal Canadiens Want To Extend Their International Reach]
  

National Hockey Now Network

• For much of this year, the New York Islanders have heavily relied on Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal to produce the bulk of their offence.  So, it’s only appropriate that as the Islanders arrive in Texas for a date with the Dallas Stars on Monday night, head coach Patrick Roy puts his big guns together on the same line in an attempt to break the team out of its recent scoring slump. [New York Islanders]

• Some teams have been calling the Philadelphia Flyers about a potential trade involving Nick Seeler and Sean Walker. [Colorado Avalanche ]

• Travis Sanheim and Cam York are two defensemen who can bring offence at a moment’s notice. When they’re on the ice at the same time, only one of the two can be at their best for the Flyers. [Philadelphia Flyers]