After the start of their week was delayed by several players entering COVID protocol, Laval headed out on the road for a trio of games. They managed to pick up a big win in Rochester, however, that was sandwiched by a pair of tough losses.
The Habs had another opportunity to secure a second straight victory on Sunday afternoon and they did just that, overcoming a late Islander goal to pick up a 3-2 win in a shootout.
After a rough first quarter of the season, the second wasn’t any better for the Habs. Even so, there were a handful of forwards that exceeded expectations, earning themselves a decent grade in our report card.
The Habs made a pair of additions to their front office on Friday, hiring Vincent Lecavalier as special advisor to hockey operations while Nick Bobrov has been appointed as co-director of amateur scouting.
The Habs made their first big seller trade earlier this week when they shipped Tyler Toffoli to Calgary for a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 fifth-rounder, prospect Emil Heineman, and winger Tyler Pitlick. Our writers provide their thoughts on the move.
After a stint on the road, Laval was back home for an important series against division rival Syracuse. The Rocket made the most of it, sweeping all three to move up to third in the division in points percentage.
It was a busy week both on and off the ice for the Habs as their struggles led to a coaching change and a big trade up front. However, while Montreal has played better since that time, it hasn’t resulted in any on-ice success as four more losses this week extended their current slide to ten games.
New GM Kent Hughes promised that the recent coaching change wasn’t going to be the only notable change made and that proved true on Monday as the Habs traded winger Tyler Toffoli to Calgary.
With Cayden Primeau struggling and Samuel Montembeault playing through injury, it was only a matter of time before the Habs added a goalie. They did so on Saturday, acquiring Andrew Hammond from Minnesota in exchange for winger Brandon Baddock.
The decision to let Dominique Ducharme go as head coach wasn’t too surprising but the appointment of Martin St. Louis as interim head coach certainly was. Our writers weigh in on the coaching change in Montreal.