Matheson has four points (2G / 2A) and 19 shots on goal in seven games this season, but will be a healthy scratch on Saturday in Buffalo. This might just be a move to get the young defenseman some rest, especially with the Panthers back in action again tomorrow. He’ll be replaced by Steve Kampfer.
Danault, 23, is a former first round pick (26th overall in 2011), who was traded to the Canadiens last year. He spent the first 30 games of the year wit the Blackhawks, where he had five points (1G / 4A) and added another five points (3G / 2A) in 21 games following the trade. He should find himself on the Habs’ third line in 2016-17.
Anderson, 21, has scored 18 goals with 18 assists (36 points) in 53 games with Lake Erie this season. He will likely take Sonny Milano’s spot in the Blue Jackets’ top-6 with Milano heading back the other way. Anderson has one goal and three assists in 16 career NHL games.
Gallagher has missed the last 11 games with a groin injury, but will return to the lineup vs. the Panthers. Gallagher skated on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk in Friday’s practice, expect him to be on the top power-play as well. Gallagher has 35 points (18G / 17A) in 49 games this season.
Gallagher has been sidelined by a groin injury since March 5th, but he will travel with the team to Florida and could return to the lineup on Thursday. The Canadiens have gone 4-6-0 in 10 games since Gallagher got hurt. Monitor his status during Thursday’s morning skate.
Danault, 23, was the 26th overall pick in 2011 and has appeared in 30 of his 33 career NHL games this season, collecting one goal and fourth assists. The centre is a Quebec native heading home.
Matheson, 21, was the Panthers first round pick (23rd overall) in 2012 but has never appeared in an NHL game. He has posted five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 43 games with Portland this season and is expected to make his NHL debut on Saturday.
Gallagher has been sidelined since November 22nd after breaking two fingers while blocking a shot. Gallagher had 19 points (9G / 10A) in 22 games before getting hurt, so his return to the lineup is huge for the Canadiens’ offence. Gallagher will skate on the top line with Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty.
Gallagher underwent surgery to repair two broken fingers and will miss at least six weeks. This is a huge loss for the Canadiens—Gallagher has 19 points (9G / 10A) in 22 games this season. Originally he is expected to be replace by Devante Smith-Pelly on the top line and by Alex Galchenyuk on the top power-play. The earliest he is expected to be back is the first or second week of January.
Gallagher broke two fingers while blocking a shot in Sunday’s win. He remained in Montreal to undergo surgery on the two fingers and is out indefinitely. There is no word who is expected to replace Gallagher on the Canadiens top line.
The Blue Jackets have a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, so they want an extra forward with the team. Anderson has three goals and one assist in eight games with Lake Erie this season. He also has one career assist in six NHL games.
Bryon has sat out the first 10 games of the season, but will make his Habs’ debut tonight vs. the Oilers. Byron had 19 points (6G / 13A) in 57 games with the Flames last season.
Byron was claimed off of waivers on Tuesday, but will be held out of the lineup for the season opener vs. the Maple Leafs.
Byron, 26, has been a nice depth piece for the Flames over the last few seasons, but after Zack Kassian was suspended indefinitely on Monday, the Habs claimed Byron from Calgary. Byron had six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in 57 games with the Flames last season.
