Habs Daily: Laine’s Return, Roy Demoted, Scoring Rates, WJC

Make sure to check out the Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on Monday.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens players were given the day off after a very frustrating weekend, but there was some action from a lineup standpoint, as prospect Joshua Roy was returned to the AHL. Roy didn’t make much of an impression during his short audition, but it’s only fair to point out he was given minimal minutes in the bottom six, the exact opposite of the situation in which you should use talented prospects. There’s no word on whether the decision to return Roy to the AHL is directly related to Patirk Laine’s impending return, but that does seem to be the case, as Laine has taken part in the team’s last few practices. Once Laine is back to play, a healthy dose of patience will be in order. Remember, he hasn’t played an NHL game since 2023. [Canadiens Send Prospect To AHL, Patrik Laine Return Imminent]

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky are all producing more points per 60 than they did last year. In fact, most Canadiens forwards are scoring with more regularity, but the goal production from the team’s defencemen has been halved.  [Montreal Canadiens Analysis: Comparing Year-To-Year Scoring]

The Habs usually have a strong contingent of prospects at the yearly World Junior Championship, which takes place during the holidays. This year, that will not be the case, as most of their top prospects are either too old, or are playing for teams that did not qualify. It’s a normal step for any franchise a few years into a rebuild, as the key prospects are usually close to making their NHL debuts, but it will still be quite a change of pace for Habs fans. [Potential Canadiens Prospects To Watch At 2025 World Juniors]

ICYMI: The trade deadline is months away, which means we shouldn’t anticipate a trade in the near future, but seeing as Mike Matheson’s name is popping up on trade bait boards, we may as well discuss the situation. There’s a lot to like while evaluating Matheson’s impact, which should lead to a healthy list of suitors on the NHL’s trade market. [Examining Potential Canadiens Trade Involving Mike Matheson]

ICYMI: We don’t want to suggest Cayden Primeau has nothing to do with his underwhelming results in recent years, but it’s impossible to ignore the absolutely ridiculous development plan put in place for the goaltender. From the time Primeau was rushed into the AHL to this season, he has had to share the net with no fewer than two other goalies, with the average being closer to three or four. The Habs fumbled the assignment on several occasions with Primeau, an important lesson to remember as we witness top goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler dominate the NCAA. [Canadiens Goalie Primeau Perfect Example Of Poor Development]

National Hockey Now Network

For the first time in weeks, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a full roster at practice. Erik Karlsson couldn’t help but tease fellow Swedish defenceman Marcus Petterson during rush drills, and coach Mike Sullivan let the boys play 3v3 overtime style. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

The Florida Panthers, who just days ago were on the cusp of despair and in the throes of a four-game losing streak, have quickly turned their fortunes around. A couple wins against the Carolina Hurricanes have helped. [New Jersey Devils]

The Detroit Red Wings’ penalty killing has been atrocious this season to the point that the team is challenging a record for inefficiency that has stood for 44 years. [Detroit Red Wings]