Habs Daily: Canadiens Draft Picks, Laval Rocket To Miss Playoffs

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

Montreal Canadiens News

• The Montreal Canadiens own a good trade asset in the Winnipeg Jets’ 1st-round pick, and certain playoff outcomes could make that pick more interesting than initially thought. [Playoff Outcomes Could Help Canadiens Draft Hopes]

• The Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, will not participate in the 2024 AHL playoffs. Goals from Mitchell Stephens and Lias Andersson put the Rocket in a good position on Friday, but the Belleville Senators stormed back to score three consecutive goals. The Rocket have another game against the Senators tomorrow, but the result will be inconsequential as North Division playoff spots have all been spoken for.

• Legendary Canadiens bench boss Scotty Bowman thinks the Canadiens are doing good work when it comes to the rebuild.

The NHL’s greatest coach of all time, Scotty Bowman gives the #Habs a B+ on their rebuild.

“They’re trending in the right direction… they’re developing a pretty solid defense core… they have to get a little bit bigger… I’m gonna give them a B+”#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/z5yQ4trEkZ

— The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl) April 19, 2024

• It appears that Nick Suzuki will not be heading to the World Championship. Considering how much his workload with the Canadiens weighs on him, it’s reasonable to suggest he deserves a break.

Dawson Mercer and Jared McCann added to Team Canada roster. Sidney Crosby is considering his invite. It sounds like Nick Suzuki and Travis Konecny have both opted not to play. https://t.co/pHlGJE1kS2

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 19, 2024

• Jordan Harris is one of the most affable players in the organization. He continues to play his part in the community by participating in charitable events.

Jordan Harris a fait bien heureux aujourd'hui en venant surprendre nos patineurs du programme de Bourses BLEU BLANC BOUGE au @CentreBell!

🤳@JHarris004's suprise appearance at our BLEU BLANC BOUGE Bursary skating party made lots of kids very happy… including a Leafs fan! pic.twitter.com/uHkuM8ClOR

— Fondation des Canadiens pour l'enfance (@CHCFondation) April 19, 2024

• Juraj Slafkovsky will be representing Slovakia at the 2024 World Championship. His relationship with head coach Craig Ramsay certainly helped the decision.

Juraj Slafkovsky on playing for Slovakia 🇸🇰 & one of his favourite coaches, Craig Ramsey.

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/j57C4JUdqn

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) 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 Detroit Red Wings pulled off another miraculous 5-4 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens, doing what they could do to qualify for the playoffs. But none of it mattered because of an empty-net goal the Washington Capitals scored 455 miles away. [Detroit Red Wings]

• The hockey gods toyed with the Pittsburgh Penguins’ emotions until the very end. For the Penguins to return to the postseason, they needed the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals to lose. Alas, it was not meant to be. [Pittsburgh Penguins]