Lines, defense pairings and updates - February 16
The Canadiens were back at work on the South Shore
© Vitor Munhoz
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Here are the lines and defense pairings featured by interim head coach Martin St. Louis:
Forward Christian Dvorak didn't practice. He was given a therapy day.
Forward Mike Hoffman participated in the first part of practice, but then left the ice early before line drills.
Tweet from @CanadiensMTL: Extraits de l'entra��nement 📹Practice clips#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/McjjLw1AUE
Hughes talks Toffoli, Heineman and Harris
Before practice began, general manager Kent Hughes spoke with reporters regarding the Canadiens' recent transactions, including trading Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames.
He explained that several clubs were interested in acquiring Toffoli's services, and the trade was ultimately made because "we believed it was a good decision for the future of our team."
Moving the veteran sniper immediately triggered speculation that the Canadiens were starting the process of "rebuilding" their roster, and Hughes was asked to address the subject.
"Everybody wants to use a word to describe what we're doing. Right now, we're in last place in the NHL. We want to improve the team. We want to build a team that can win year after year. Are the trades we'll make, or the ones we've already made, were they made so we could reach the Stanley Cup Final next year? No. We want to build a team that can win for the long-term," he explained. "I'm not hiding anything. Reconstruction, reset, retool, it's not necessarily that at all. I'd use more than one word to describe the objective."
Video: Kent Hughes on the Canadiens' recent trades
With that in mind, are the Habs trending towards a fire sale in the days and weeks to come? It doesn't appear that way, although anything is possible if the right pieces are being offered in exchange.
"If teams come to us and we can't refuse five trades, we'll make five trades," explained Hughes. "But, the plan right now isn't to sell five players or trade five players."
One of the key assets the club received for Toffoli was 20-year-old prospect Emil Heineman, a former second-round selection of the Florida Panthers who's playing with Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League.
"We love his speed, we love his aggressiveness," noted Hughes. "He's also a very physical, competitive hockey player with great character."
Hughes also commented on the contract talks with prospect Jordan Harris, who's playing his senior season at Northeastern University.
The 21-year-old defenseman and Huskies captain was a third-round selection (71st overall) of the Canadiens in 2018.
"The discussions with Jordan, his agent, and his family continue. I met him during the week off for the All-Star break, and I spoke with Jordan again yesterday. The discussions are ongoing," confirmed Hughes. "I communicated our interest in signing him when the season is over. I remain confident."
Tweet from @GoNUmhockey: THE CAPTAIN! JORDO TIES IT!#HowlinHuskies | #HockeyEast pic.twitter.com/eJSaL5cBH9
Hughes added that his relationship with Harris goes back a long way in Massachusetts where the Hockey East standout grew up.
That may, in part, encourage him to sign on the dotted line with Montreal, but there's still work to be done to solidify things.
"I've watched him play hockey since Mite. I've coached him. There's always been a relationship. I would hope that that relationship, to a certain degree, gives him peace of mind," said Hughes. "But, I think more importantly for Jordan Harris will be our ability to articulate our plan for the future, how he fits in that plan, both in terms of our roster and in terms of our development plans for young players that will come in."
As for the players still in the fold under St. Louis, Hughes expects maximum effort until the season finishes on April 29.
"What we're looking for from our players is that passion to go out and play despite the circumstances, that competitiveness. I know it's a difficult situation to compete, especially coming out of a Stanley Cup Final the year before and to be out of the playoffs this early, but it's still sport, it's still something that they got great at because they were so passionate about it, and we're expecting them to show up and compete every day and put their best foot forward," stated Hughes. "Quite frankly, we're expecting them to work on developing as a team and as individuals. We're not looking to throw in the towel here and ensure that we finish in last place."
Video: CBJ@MTL: Caufield beats Merzlikins to tie game in 3rd
Congratulations, Paul!
Forward Paul Byron should play his 500th career NHL game on Thursday night when the Canadiens host the St. Louis Blues at the Bell Centre.
The 32-year-old Ottawa native has certainly earned the respect of his peers since being claimed off waivers from Calgary in October 2015.
Video: VGK@MTL, Gm4: Byron finishes slick breakaway in 2nd
One of Byron's biggest fans is Brendan Gallagher, who was delighted to learn that his good buddy is about to achieve something extra special.
"I didn't know that. I'm happy for Paul. That's a big milestone game. He works so hard for that, just to get his opportunity, and then when he came to us, he had to impress or he was on his way out of the League. If you talk to him, that's the way he felt. He came in here with a mindset that he was going to earn a role with our group. He was able to work his way up and be a contributor," praised Gallagher. "He's a guy that's played on our first line, fourth line, he's played hard penalty-kill minutes, he's a guy you put on the ice at the end of the game, and he wears a letter for us. He's a very important player, has been a very important player, and when you mention he's playing his 500th game, as a teammate and as a friend, you're just proud of him and hopefully he enjoys it."
Video: Brendan Gallagher on Paul Byron's 500th NHL game
Byron has appeared in 361 games with Montreal, registering 154 points (77 goals, 77 assists).
