Matheson is day-to-day with a lower-body injury; will not play Tuesday.
Matheson is dealing with a nagging lower-body injury and will miss the Penguins season opener in Tampa Bay. With Matheson out, Mark Friedman will draw into the lineup.
Montreal Canadiens News
The Canadiens have signed Nick Suzuki to an eight-year contract extension worth $63.0 million ($7.875M AAV).
Suzuki is entering the final year of his entry-level contract and will get a huge raise next season, going from $863.3K AAV to $7.875M AAV. With Philip Danault now in Los Angeles, Suzuki will be tasked with playing major minutes in 2021-22, as he looks to build on his 60-point pace from a season ago.
The NHL and NHLPA announced today that Carey Price will be away from the team while voluntarily taking part in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
According to a post by Price's wife on Instagram, Carey is taking a step back to focus on his mental health. We wish Price all the best and hope to see him back on the ice soon. While he's away, Jake Allen will become the Canadiens' No.1 netminder and Cayden Primeau/Samuel Montembeault will work behind him.
The Canadiens have signed Arber Xhekaj to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The Canadiens have signed Jake Evans to a three-year, $5.1 million contract extension.
Waiver Move
The Canadiens have claimed Samuel Montembeault off waivers from the Panthers.
Caufield (upper-body) is expected to miss one week.
The Blues have signed Zachary Bolduc to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The Panthers have re-signed Samuel Montembeault to a one-year, two-way contract.
Byron will miss five months after undergoing hip surgery.
Laine has accepted his qualifying offer, signing a one-year deal worth $7.5M.
Things did not go well for Laine after he was traded to the Blue Jackets, scoring 10 goals with 11 assists (21 points) in 45 games--18-goal, 20-assist per 82 game pace. However, Laine should benefit from the Blue Jackets and John Tortorella parting ways and the one-year deal gives him an opportunity to have a bounce-back season and cash in next year.
Price underwent knee surgery on Friday and his recovery period is expected to be 10-to-12 weeks.
After reports of potentially career-ending knee and hip injuries, the Canadiens received some great news on Price's status this week. He will not need surgery on his hip but underwent surgery on his knee and is expected to be ready for training camp next year. After a tough regular season, Price turned in a stellar postseason, going 13-9 with a 2.28 GAA and .924 SV%.
The Rangers have acquired Sammy Blais and a 2022 second-round pick from the Blues for Pavel Buchnevich.
Blais has been a fixture of the Blues' bottom-6 over the last three seasons and likely won't be able to expand on that role with the Rangers. He doesn't offer a lot of offence, posting a career-high of just 15 points (8G / 7A) in 36 games a season ago. The Rangers have plenty of capable top-9 forwards, so expect Blais to be a fourth-liner to start 2021-22.
The Canadiens have signed Alex Belzile to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Belzile had another strong AHL campaign in 2021, scoring four goals with 10 assists (14 points) in 17 games with Laval. He's an AHL veteran with just two games of NHL experience, so expect the 29-year-old to remain with Laval to start the 2021-22 season.
Goalie Start
Price will start Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Line Change
Evans will draw into the Montreal lineup for Game 4 vs. the Lightning.
Goalie Start
Price led the Canadiens onto the ice for warmups for Game 3.
Line Change
Evans is expected to be scratched in Game 2 in Tampa.
Goalie Start
Price led the Canadiens onto the ice for warmups for Game 2 in Tampa.
Evans (concussion) returns to the Canadiens lineup for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.