Kahkonen will get the second of the back-to-back starts for the Global Series in Prague. The 26-year-old will get his first nod between the crease this season after posting a .916 SV% and 2.86 GAA across 16 games after getting dealt to the Sharks' at the trade deadline in 2021-22.
Suzuki has been battling a lower-body injury throughout training camp but returned to the ice on Friday. Suzuki told reporters that he would have played through the injury during the regular season but that they're being careful because it's training camp. This is positive news that Suzuki should be ready to go for the Canadiens' season opener.
Suzuki suffered the injury during offseason training and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks. It seems possible that the newly minted Canadiens' captain could be ready for the start of the season, which is just over two weeks away for Montreal.
The Blue Jackets released a statement that read "per the advice and recommendation of the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, will not join the club for the 2022-23 NHL season." In the statement, Texier said "During the past year, I have experienced some personal issues and challenges and I feel I need to be close to my family at this time." His $1.525M cap hit will come off of the Blue Jackets' books this season.
Matheson is coming off of a career-year, posting career-bests in goals (11), assists (20) and points (31) in 74 games with the Penguins. Matheson averaged 18:44 TOI/gm in two years with the Penguins butu could take on a larger role in Montreal, where there is not many experienced NHL defensemen.
The Canadiens selected Mesar with the No.26 overall pick in this summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old winger had eight goals and eight assists (16 points) in 37 games with Poprad HK SKP of the Slovak Extraliga.
Teasdale spent the entire 2021-22 season with Laval (AHL) where he tallied 15 goals and 13 assists (28 points) in 44 games. The 23-year-old undrafted free agent will likely start 2022-23 in the AHL after inking a two-way deal.
Belzile spent most of the 2021-22 season with Laval (AHL), where he scored 10 goals with 12 assists (22 points) in 32 games. He was held pointless in 11 NHL games with the Canadiens. The two-way contract suggests that he'll start 2022-23 in the AHL.
The Avalanche have been rotating who rests recently and tonight Newhook will sit with Mikko Rantanen (illness) back in the lineup. Newhook has picked up 10 points (2G / 8A) in his last 13 games.
