Habs Daily: Lane Hutson’s Impact, Juraj Slafkovsky’s Growth

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Thursday.

Montreal Canadiens News

• Lane Hutson has the ability to walk the blue line with the greatest of ease. It’s rather entertaining, but it’s also beneficial for the Montreal Canadiens, as there’s a method to Hutson’s madness. [How Lane Hutson’s Chaotic Approach Benefits The Canadiens]

• There’s more to hockey than just points. However, there’s something to be said about Juraj Slafkovksy’s emergence season, particularly the second half of the year.

Throughout the season, Juraj Slafkovsky was often compared to fellow, talented big man & top draft pick Quinton Byfield, who struggled early in his NHL career before having a breakout season this year.

We were curious to see how their stats compared. pic.twitter.com/P7BP48kSgK

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 18, 2024

• Speaking of Slafkovksy, the 20-year-old winger suggests the best is yet to come, both for himself and Habs fans.

Juraj Slafkovsky on what he learned about himself this year & how he hopes to “repay” Habs fans next season.

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/dYzmwSXTuI

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 18, 2024

• There’s no margin for error when discussing the Laval Rocket’s playoff hopes. Simply put, they have no choice but to win both games against the Belleville Senators this weekend if they’re to earn a Calder Cup playoff berth. The first game gets underway Friday, at 7 pm in Belleville. The reinforcements recently sent from Montreal should help.

Roy Struble Barron#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/6hmPM6Gzcr

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 18, 2024

• The Habs are no longer playing, but there’s still a team based in Montreal that is involved in important hockey games. The PWHL Montreal chapter is involved in a heated race to the top of the standings with Minnesota and Toronto. An entertaining comeback against Minnesota on Thursday night now means first place is in striking distance for Montreal. [PWHL Standings]

C'est pas fini tant que c'est pas fini 😉

What a comeback!

La marque finale est livrée par @UPS pic.twitter.com/QvRhri2eDt

— LPHF Montréal (@PWHL_Montreal) April 19, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Thursday afternoon that defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen underwent surgery to repair a torn triceps muscle, two months after the injury initially occurred. But, why did the Flyers wait two months for Ristolainen to have the surgery, and why were no updates provided until now? [Philadelphia Flyers]

• The New Jersey Devils’ list of injuries in the 2023-24 regular season was long. When it came to players like Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, we learned what their injuries were after it was announced they’d undergone respective procedures for repair. [New Jersey Devils]

• Tristan Jarry entered the 2023-24 season as the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise goaltender, owner of a new five-year, $26,875,000 contract, as well as the unqualified confidence of the coaching staff and management. He exited it as Alex Nedeljkovic’s backup for 11 of the Penguins’ final 13 games — the only exceptions being when Jarry was too ill to dress for games in Manhattan and New Jersey — and as the subject of considerable speculation about whether he has a future with the franchise. [Pittsburgh Penguins]