The Montreal Canadiens enjoyed a day off yesterday but took to the ice this morning to practice ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night.
Here are a few quick updates:
1- Alexander Radulov did not participate in this morning’s skate, and appears set to miss tomorrow night’s game.
#Habs Alexander Radulov is still sick and is not at practice this morning in Brossard. Don't expect him to play Friday in Carolina. pic.twitter.com/cKM50eruMV
— Hockey Inside/Out (@HabsIO) November 17, 2016
#canadiens Alexander Radulov is still resting at home and won't travel to Raleigh. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 17, 2016
2- Head coach Michel Therrien reunited Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher on the first line, with Paul Byron flanking their left side:
#Habs lines at practice: Byron-Galchenyuk-Gallagher; Pacioretty-Danault-Shaw; Desharnais-Plekanec-Terry; Carr-Mitchell-Andrighetto. pic.twitter.com/G2oZAaiQeP
— Hockey Inside/Out (@HabsIO) November 17, 2016
3- Artturi Lehkonen skated before practice took place this morning. No updates yet regarding when he will be reinserted into the lineup.
Artturi Lehkonen a patiné avant l'entraînement du Canadien. #Habs
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) November 17, 2016
4- Speaking of Galchenyuk, Darren Dreger was on Montreal’s TSN690 this morning to discuss who has the upper hand in contract extension negotiations: Galchenyuk’s camp or the Habs? What’s your take?
Who's got the upper hand when it comes to a new deal, the Habs or Galchenyuk? @DarrenDreger is next on #TSN690: https://t.co/zGgJ1MFZXJ
— Conor McKenna (@mckennaconor) November 17, 2016
5- With a back-to-back set to take place tomorrow night (Carolina) and on Saturday night (against the Toronto Maple Leafs), backup goaltender Al Montoya is set to start against the Hurricanes. No changes will be made to the defensive pairings:
#Habs practice D & G:
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) November 17, 2016
Emelin – Weber
Markov – Petry
Beaulieu – Pateryn
Hanley
Montoya likely to start Friday vs Hurricanes
Price
6- RUMOR: Eric Engels of Sportsnet was told earlier today that the Arizona Coyotes are looking to trade 6’ 6… 226 lb center Martin Hanzal, and that the Habs are one of the teams interested in acquiring his services.
Told this morning Martin Hanzal could be on the move soon from Arizona. Activity heating up. Canadiens among a few teams in the hunt.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 17, 2016
The asking price?
As @FriedgeHNIC mentioned in 30 Thoughts this week, price is likely a young NHL-ready forward (preferably centre) for Hanzal...
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 17, 2016
Is Hanzal a good fit for the Canadiens? Who would you trade, based on the the Tweet above, in order to bring him to Montreal?
I’ll be sure to update this blog after practice concludes!