Habs Daily: Draft Pick Options, Laval Playoffs, Matheson

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

Montreal Canadiens News

As a follow-up to our initial article discussing some of the options the Montreal Canadiens will have to consider for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, we listed five more players who were most often suggested by Habs fans. Carter Bear leads the pack, with highly-skilled defenceman Cameron Reid also making the cut. [Fan-Picked Canadiens Options For 16th & 17th Overall At Draft]

ICYMI: Here’s the first article, which discusses the possibility of drafting Justin Carbonneau, Logan Hensler, and Cole Reschny. [NHL Draft Prospects Habs Could Target 16th & 17th Overall]

Team Canada enjoyed a relatively easy 5-0 win over France at the World Championship. Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson once again lined up on the third pairing, playing alongside Brandon Montour. Bo Horvat stood out as the player of the game for Canada thanks to his two-goal effort, however, Sidney Crosby almost stole the spotlight with a great goal in very limited space. Crosby also looked great whenever he was on the ice with Matheson, as the two clearly have experience playing together. Matheson’s partner, Montour, scored the fifth goal of the game for Canada.

Brandon Montour’s first goal of the tournament! 👏

Un premier but dans le tournoi pour Brandon Montour! 👏#MensWorlds | #MondialMasculinpic.twitter.com/De49S0WHDl

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 13, 2025

We often hear analysts wax poetic about the integrity and affability of certain hockey players. It’s not always true, but any time you hear someone say something positive about Paul Byron, you should know it’s 100% factual. He’s not just a good guy, he’s a great person, and the Canadiens are lucky to still have him within the organization.

Paul Byron skating alongside young Habs fans at the Bell Centre for the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation ♥️ pic.twitter.com/OhdomRGWUU

— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) May 13, 2025

The third round of the AHL playoffs finally gets underway later today. The Laval Rocket will face the Rochester Americans, and though Montreal’s AHL affiliate holds most of the cards heading into the series, including the fact that they won six of eight games versus Rochester during the regular season, it should be a hard-fought match-up. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET.

Ça commence demain!!
It starts tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/PLt3fj0YEE

— xyz – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) May 13, 2025

The Montreal Victoire were shutout 1-0 versus the Ottawa Charge on Tuesday. This means the Charge now have a 2-1 series lead, and can clinch their ticket to the playoffs with a win at home on Friday.

Ottawa takes a 1-0 lead on Montreal thanks to this Mannon McMahon goal midway through the third period. #PWHL

It’s been a hard-fought game, but Ottawa has done a great job driving the play on several occasions. pic.twitter.com/qDBsraY5Y7

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) May 14, 2025

National Hockey Now Network

Exactly how much change Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas can effect and who will be involved is still somewhat of a mystery, perhaps even to those on the inside. After all, every trade needs a partner, and every step forward must be in keeping with the plan to return the Penguins to contender status. [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Doug Cifu, who owns a minority stake in the Florida Panthers, has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL for “unacceptable and inappropriate” posts on social media. [Florida Panthers]

It wouldn’t be outlandish to say that most of the goodwill former Hab Jonathan Drouin has built over the last two years with the Avalanche was washed away because of his poor playoff showing against the Dallas Stars. [Colorado Avalanche]