Habs Daily: Demidov’s Health, 2024-25 Waiver Impact, Price

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

Montreal Canadiens News

The Montreal Canadiens want to establish a meritocracy as they pivot and head toward the phase of their rebuild that will hopefully lead to significantly better results, but contract details will come into play when building the roster for 2024-25. Lane Hutson, for example, could end up playing for the Laval Rocket even if he’s destined to become a key part of the lineup for the foreseeable future. [Montreal Canadiens Waiver Eligibility Impact On Roster Decisions]

These days it seems like most lists created by major outlets are designed with built-in grenades that lead to legitimate fan ire. Keeping Carey Price off a list of top players in the 21st century isn’t the worst omission in ESPN history, but it’s certainly questionable.

ESPN doesn’t include Carey Price in their top 25 NHL players of the 21st century 🤨 https://t.co/L2itLc89px

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) July 29, 2024

Top Habs prospect Ivan Demidov is yet to hit the ice, missing SKA Saint Petersburg’s development camp, as well as the start of their main camp. Fortunately, it seems like he’s ready to lace up his skates now that the lower-body injury that closed out his very productive playoff run last season is in the rearview mirror.

Medicals: passed#KHLPreseason pic.twitter.com/Y5E5UNSaNa

— KHL (@khl_eng) July 29, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

The Pittsburgh Penguins cast aside sentiment and locker room wishes when president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas dealt Jake Guentzel for four assets, including winger Michael Bunting. Guentzel was 29, and his contract was expiring, which is nearly the same situation facing defenceman Marcus Pettersson. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Martin Necas, a long-standing potential Philadelphia Flyers trade target, has extended his stay with the Metropolitan Division rival Carolina Hurricanes for a few more seasons, signing a two-year, $13 million contract to remain in Raleigh through 2026. [Philadelphia Flyers]

As is the case every year, the Boston Bruins are committed to making a legitimate push for the Stanley Cup in the 2024-25 season.  [Boston Bruins]