Canadiens Daily

Habs Daily: Roy’s Production, Evans Contract, Xhekaj Fight

Published

1 month ago

December 23, 2024

Marc Dumont

The Montreal Canadiens news items, highlights, and stories you may have missed on the weekend.

Montreal Canadiens News

The Laval Rocket are back on track after a rough stretch that saw them drop from first in the North Division to third. Their fantastic start to the season was derailed when the Canadiens promoted Joshua Roy to the NHL, as they did not manage to win a game without their best player.

Roy had a goal and an assist in Friday’s 2-1 win over the Bellville Senators on Friday night, and followed it up with another two-point effort against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Sunday, including his 12th goal of the year.

We should also note Adam Engstrom, who is quickly becoming the team’s most important defenceman, registered two assists on the weekend, pushing his season totals to three goals and 12 assists in 28 games.

Florian Xhekaj has been a busy prospect in the last stretch. He enjoyed an incredible five-point effort last weekend, and followed it up with a spirited fight versus Sam Bitten on Sunday. [Xhekaj And Davidson Find Rhythm With Canadiens AHL Affiliate]

With two more powerplay goals to his credit Patrik Laine is now on pace for a 52-goal, six-assist, 58-game prorated season. We can’t expect him to keep scoring powerplay goals every game… is what I’ve been saying for the last two weeks, but at this point, maybe we should. Jokes aside, we’re seeing something pretty special in the works, and the most encouraging aspect of the entire situation is that the best is yet to come, especially at 5v5. [Habs Highlights: Yes, Laine Scored For The Canadiens, Again]

There’s no way to measure happiness, but the overall vibe from the Canadiens’ locker room seems to be much healthier since Laine recovered from his injury. Of course, winning tends to cure what ails ya.

“It’s fun. We’re enjoying it. We feel like we got a good thing going right now & you just gotta try to make it last as long as possible…Obviously it’s great to get (Patrik Laine) back in the lineup. You see what he’s done to our PP. We have the same reactions as (Habs) fans,… pic.twitter.com/6NcB1gd5ZS

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 22, 2024

ICYMI: Jake Evans also had a great weekend, and is almost on pace for a 50-point season, which would be the most productive season of his career. As we all know, Evans is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and according to the player himself, contract extension negotiations are yet to take place. The unfortunate reality of the situation is that he may be playing too well to stay in Montreal, as his trade value will never be higher, and he’s due for a significant raise. [Canadiens Pending Free Agents Most Likely To Be Traded]

“Still crickets,” said Jake Evans when we asked him about contract negotiations.
Have to think that might change soon.
Even with promising, young centres coming, his role is one typically filled by a veteran, and his value to the Canadiens is patently obvious. 👇🏻 https://t.co/KfIXzuWx6y

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) December 22, 2024

Juraj Slafkovsky has been having a great time since he was returned to the top line. Not only is he scoring goals, he’s also having a little more fun on the ice, as evidenced by his hostile interactions with Moritz Seider and Ben Chiarot during the back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings.

Juraj Slafkovsky trolling Ben Chiarot yesterday 😅 pic.twitter.com/vZOa22h91V

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 22, 2024

There’s usually a much stronger Canadiens presence at the World Junior Championship, but this season only a few prospects will take part. That includes Rasmus Bergqvist, who scored a goal against Canada during pre-tournament action.