Montreal Canadiens News

Both Laine and Dubois were not happy in their current situations so swapping the two makes sense for both sides. Laine is currently on IR with an upper-body injury but given the mandatory 14-day quarantine, he should be fully healed once that's completed. Laine was outstanding in his first two seasons, scoring 90 goals in his first 155 NHL games, however he has just 60 goals in 151 games since. In Columbus his centre quality isn't going to improve, so it may be difficult for him to get back on that 40-goal pace we saw early in his career.

Byron was hit by a Shea Weber shot late in Thursday's win in Vancouver. With Byron unavailable for Friday's practice, Michael Frolik skated in his spot on the fourth line.

Laine is set to miss his fourth-straight game on Saturday and the move to IR is simply a formality. It is retroactive to when he was hurt, which was January 14th, so he's eligible to be activated whenever he is ready to return to the lineup.

This isn't surprising, considering head coach Paul Maurice listed him as doubtful on Wednesday. Laine skated briefly on Wednesday, so he isn't expected to be sidelined long-term.

Laine returned to the ice on Wednesday but head coach Paul Maurice still has him as doubtful to go Thursday in Ottawa. With Laine out on Tuesday, Kyle Connor was back with Mark Scheifele and Andrew Copp was elevated to the second line.

Kahkonen went 3-1-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .913 SV% in his first five career NHL games in 2020. The 2014 fourth-round pick was really good in the AHL before getting promoted, going 25-6-3 with a 2.07 GAA and .927 SV%, so he’s certainly a capable backstop and makes for a solid spot start option vs. an offensively challenged Ducks team.

Blais was suspended for two games for his hit on Devon Toews in the season opener but is expected to be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. Blais is expected to replace Kyle Clifford on the fourth line.

Laine received treatment on Tuesday morning but head coach Paul Maurice says he's still not ready to play tonight. With Laine out, Andrew Copp moved into the top-6 in the third period of Monday's loss and the Jets are expected to stick with that configuration tonight in Ottawa.

Laine was banged up in Sunday's practice and will not be available tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. This is a tough blow for Laine, who had a red-hot start to the season, scoring two goals with one assist in the season opener. With Laine out, Jansen Harkins will make his season debut.

Dach underwent surgery to repair a fractured right wrist in late-December and is expected to miss 4-5 months. Dach is not expected to play this season unless he's ahead of his rehab schedule, so moving him to LTIR was an inevitable move. It provides the Blackhawks with salary cap relief.

Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.

Price led the NHL in games played and minutes played (3440) in 2020 but could get more breathers this year with Jake Allen in as his backup. Price, who was 27-25-6 with a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 58 starts, draws a tough assignment in the season opener. The Maple Leafs were third in the NHL in scoring last year but Price was 3-0-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% against them.