Habs Daily: Canadiens Meeting With Top Prospects, Trade Targets

Here are the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories from Friday.

Montreal Canadiens News

• The Canadiens met with several prospects during the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo this week, including Cayden Lindstrom, Andrew Basha, Aatos Koivu, Tij Iginla, Carter Yakemchuk, Cole Eiserman, Artyom Levschunov, Sam Dickinson, Beckett Sennecke and Sasha Boivert. Many of the top prospects were also brought out to dinner, though fans should remember neither Juraj Slafkovsky nor David Reinbacher were brought to supper by the Canadiens before they were chosen at their respective drafts. Often times, a supper is an indication that the team needs to gather more information before making their choice, not necessarily that the Canadiens are intent on drafting said player. [Habs Fans Vote – Most Wanted Canadiens 2024 Draft Targets]
• The Montreal Canadiens have made it clear that they would like to make a splash this summer. That could mean any number of things, but Kent Hughes and Co. are well aware that the team needs more offensive firepower, which means they’re likely to evaluate all players available in the NHL’s trade market. Players such as Trevor Zegras, Martin Necas, and Jake Guentzel. All three players bring something to the table for the Habs, but there’s a lot more to consider than just their overall offensive impact.  [Canadiens Trade Targets: Three Quality NHL Forwards Available]

• Speaking of trade targets, the Anaheim Ducks are reportedly asking for a player such as David Reinbacher or Kaiden Guhle in any trade involving Zegras. Habs fans may not like the idea of losing either player, but it is a good reminder that to acquire talent in the NHL you have to use quality assets in trade negotiations. Fortunately, for those worried about the price tag, Canadiens management does not seem willing to move either defenceman to get Zegras.  [Canadiens Pros And Cons Of Potential Trevor Zegras Trade]

According to @arponbasu, the Ducks are asking for either Guhle or Reinbacher in a deal for Zegras, but Basu says he would be “surprised” if that were to happen. Deal or no deal? pic.twitter.com/L0jisrNHIY

— HFTV (@HFTVSports) June 7, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

• if you’re one of many who wants the Colorado Avalanche to re-sign Jonathan Drouin, the words of his agent on Friday have to make you feel pretty good about the odds of a deal getting done. Allan Walsh, the agent for Jonathan Drouin, spoke highly of the Avalanche organization when asked about where his client’s head is at and how he feels after a career year in Denver.[Colorado Avalanche]
• The Florida Panthers were back at The Vault on Friday morning as they held a practice here and took part in Stanley Cup Final Media Day. A good time was had by all. The Stanley Cup was on hand for the event, and there will be plenty of video from the event. [Florida Panthers]
• When the New Jersey Devils hired Sheldon Keefe, only Sergei Brylin was in attendance at his introductory press conference. All indications were that he was the only assistant coach who was safe to keep his job, whereas everyone else was gong to be evaluated. On Friday morning, one name — a former NHL head coach — was revealed as a likely option to stand alongside Keefe behind the Devils’ bench. [New Jersey Devils]