Habs Daily: Koivu Discusses Laine, Kapanen, Top 40 Prospects

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

Montreal Canadiens News

By the time Saku Koivu ended his time in Montreal he had earned a spot in the team’s top 10 scoring list, he became the longest tenured captain in team history, and also inspired a community with his philanthropy. In other words, he knows what it takes to survive in a pressure-filled market. Koivu briefly discussed what newcomer Patrik Laine will face with the Habs.  [Montreal Canadiens Top 5: Best Finnish Players In Team History]

Saku Koivu recently spoke about the Habs trading for Patrik Laine.

(FYI: this is a Google auto-translate from a Finnish 🇫🇮 article)

👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/brBOpg6rVG

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) August 28, 2024

We’ve reached the end of our 2024 Montreal Canadiens prospect rankings, with freshly drafted forward Ivan Demidov nabbing the top spot over defenceman Lane Hutson. Make sure to check out the list and submit your own top 40 in the comments below the article!  [Montreal Canadiens Top 40 Prospects: The Final List & Fan Vote]

Carey Price was at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) yesterday to receive an honorary diploma alongside his mother, Chief Lynda Price. The former Canadiens starter played a fair amount of junior hockey in the region, and was given the diploma for his work on the ice, as well as in the community.

Star goalie 𝘢𝘯𝘥 doctor 🤯

Impossible not to celebrate Carey Price’s accomplishments (both on the ice and in the community) during #NHLGoalieWeek

🎥 Harsh Banga/@UNBC#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7b98qNBay0

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 28, 2024

Finnish prospect Oliver Kapanen scored a nice goal for Timra IK in SHL preseason action while serving as the team’s first-line centre. As a reminder, Kapanen will attempt to earn a job at camp, but if he fails to make the team he will not report to the AHL. Rather, he will head back to Sweden to ensure he gets as much prime ice time as possible.

#Habs Oliver Kapanen goal from the pre-season game earlier tonight. Fast taken hard shot, well placed and no chance for the goalie. pic.twitter.com/ghk8SK92ES

— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) August 28, 2024

National Hockey Now Network

The New Jersey Devils have benefitted all too well via the pipeline from the University of Michigan Hockey Club to the NHL. Following the 2023-24 season, a significant chunk of the Michigan Wolverines turned pro and signed their first NHL contracts. However, returning for his senior year at Michigan is Devils prospect defenceman Ethan Edwards — who is ready to take on an increased role with the Wolverines. [New Jersey Devils (+)]

Among the teams in the Metropolitan Division, there’s no question that the Philadelphia Flyers have been the least active in the NHL offseason. Many rival teams, and the New Jersey Devils, especially, have been aggressive this summer in a concerted effort to improve their rosters and compete for a Stanley Cup. But, with training camp and the NHL preseason just days away at this point, you can’t say the same about the Flyers. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? [Philadelphia Flyers]

With it being NHL Goalie Week in the hockey world, it is the perfect time to talk about the contributions of Braden Holtby for the Washington Capitals. The 2018 Capitals roster had a lot of stellar talent on it. Leading the way was captain and superstar winger Alex Ovechkin, who scored 49 goals and registered 38 assists for 87 points in 82 games in the regular season. He also had 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 24 games during the 2018 postseason. [Washington Capitals]