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Habs Daily: Montreal Loves Laine, Free Agent Trade Talk, Waivers

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



Montreal Canadiens

Newcomer Patrik Laine has enjoyed his time with the Canadiens, a crucial factor when we consider the importance of maintaining strong mental health. Seeing as Laine has gone through more than most athletes, he’s setting a great example for anyone who has followed his story. Everyone stumbles, and sometimes it’s not easy to get back up, but investing in yourself is never a bad idea.

On that note, Laine’s positive reaction to a painting from a local artist Jessica Boudreau was incredibly heartwarming.


The Montreal Canadiens are seemingly turning the ship around, but that won’t stop GM Kent Hughes from following his plan. With the core seemingly showing signs of moderate growth, the question then becomes: are the Canadiens going to attempt to sell for the last time come the NHL Trade Deadline? [Canadiens Pending Free Agents Most Likely To Be Traded]

Top prospect Ivan Demidov is set to represent Russia during the Channel One Cup. If you’re unfamiliar with the tournament, you’re not alone. It started in 1967, but has changed names five times since. Essentially, it’s a tournament involving various national teams, but since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been forced to ice an additional team to fill out the ranks, as well as adding Belarus and Kazakhstan to the mix. Like most Russian hockey leagues or tournaments, the Channel One Cup is a shadow of its former self, but given how few shifts Demidov is given in the KHL, any potential ice time should be seen as a potential boon for the talented forward.


On Wednesday, several Montreal Canadiens players took time to visit three different hospitals in the city in a bid to spread a little holiday joy. Say what you will about the commercialism involved in sports, or the public relations reasoning behind some charitable events, but you’d be lying if you said these visits did not make a significant positive impact on the many sick kids around the Montreal area. It’s the type of event that stays with these children for the rest of their lives, which makes every visit well worth it. It’s also an important visit for the players, as it reminds them how much of an impact they have in the community, as well as the privilege and responsibilities that come with playing for a storied franchise such as the Canadiens.

Additionally, it’s a great event for the parents, as it spreads a little joy and allows them to see their children smile during what would otherwise be a very difficult holiday season.

Laine was part of the group that made the visit, spreading cheer via friendship bracelets.


Martin St-Louis discussed Lane Hutson’s play during his rookie season, and like many people who didn’t have a chance to watch Hutson during his time in the NCAA with the Boston College Eagles, St-Louis was happily surprised by Hutson’s defensive acumen.

ICYMI: Last season, Juraj Slafkovsky was the only winger who yielded solid results on the top line while playing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, but their encouraging stats fell apart in 2024-25. Now that Alex Newhook has had a chance to play with the top trio, the possession numbers have improved significantly, which is a surprise given Newhook’s usual numbers with the Habs. With the first line firing on all cylinders, head coach Martin St-Louis can afford to give the second line more time to build chemistry. [Habs Analysis: Comparing Slafkovsky And Newhook On Top Line]

The Toronto Maple Leafs placed a pair of players on waivers Wednesday, including Alex Nylander, William Nylander’s brother. Of course, Alex doesn’t come close to matching the offensive impact of his brother, but he still has the type of skill set that would allow him to play an important role in the AHL.

National Hockey Now Network

A big, young right-handed defenceman would seem to fill a need for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they passed on one Wednesday when they did not put in a waivers claim on Alec Regula. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Tuesday night’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs was brutal. Yes, brutal. Not because the New Jersey Devils didn’t play well, but because they played so well and came up shorthanded. Goals have been difficult to come by recently, however, we’re not all that worried yet. [New Jersey Devils]

Derek Lalonde is insistent that he appreciates the value and qualities that young players can bring to a team’s chemistry, but the usage he offers said players seems to say otherwise. [Detroit Red Wings]