The Daily: Who Is Traded First in Montreal?; Kane Start Date Unclear

Montreal Hockey Now weighed in Wednesday with a story about which Montreal Canadiens trade target is likely to move first this season. The answer is Jake Allen, Samuel Montembeault and Sean Monahan in that order.

Those are also the players ranked on Chris Johnston’s NHL Trade Board for the Athletic.

That all makes sense because Montreal general manager Kent Hughes has three goalies on his roster and wants to move one. Allen has the best credentials, Montembeault the best contract ($1 million) and Cayden Primeau the best promise. Primeau is the son of former Red Wings player Keith Primeau. The young Primeau is only 24 and might be a good fit for a team that needs a younger goalie in the system.

It is mildly surprising that the Edmonton Oilers didn’t snag Allen and Montembeault just to change the look of their goaltending. They have won three in a row, but does anyone believe their goaltending is strong enough?

Monahan has 13 points in 22 games. More importantly, he’s only making $1.985 million. He could be an attractive third liner or a contending team.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• There’s no timetable for when Patrick Kane will play his first game for the Detroit Red Wings. There are only educated guesses.
• Here’s how the Red Wings lost 3-2 to the New York Rangers.
• Bob Duff looks at what Kane can deliver to Detroit’s offense this season.  Some players have issues coming back from hip surgeries.
• The NHL has always been fascinated by Kane’s playing style and competitiveness. He’s the classic story of a smaller player finding ways to succeed in a game where size and strength matter.

Red Wings Next Game

Quick turnaround for the Red Wings. They are home tonight to face the Chicago Blackhawks. Dylan Larkin is day to day and probably won’t play tonight.  The Blackhawks (7-13-0) have won two of their last three. This will be Detroit fans’ first time to see rookie sensation Connor Bedard in a regular-season game. He has lived up to his billing, producing 10 goals and 17 points in 20 games for a rebuilding team.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy writes that there is no problem between goalie Jeremy Swayman and coach Jim Montgomery. Swayman was irked Monday when Montgomery pulled him in the midst of the Boston Bruins’ 5-2 loss to Columbus. But there is no lasting impact. Swayman will start tonight.

New Jersey: NJHN writer James Nichols offers that Akira Schmid should be the New Jersey Devils  goalie moving forward. Vitek Vanecek has been leaking oil for too long.

Nashville: The Nashville Predators have won six in a row. So why are talking about an official’s call on Filip Forsberg’s OT tally in their last game?

Philadelphia: Flyers draft pick Yegor Zavragin (87th overall in 2023) is turning heads with his goalie play in Russia this season. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights announced that puck-moving defenseman Shea Theodore had successful surgery to repair an upper body injury. He will be out week to week.