After a day where wild trade speculation of Habs stars was kicked up to warp 13, and video emerged of Price looking nowhere near ready to come back, they once again fell flat on their faces, losing 4-2 to the Sabres. With the trade deadline 25 days away there's still lots of time to up the crazy of this circus. We're counting on you Sportsnet! You have to assume young Tyler Bozaque is of interest to them. Or how about a moderately damaged Stephane Robidas? Maybe Phaneuf and a 7th for their first pick?

The Habs should avoid trading P.K. Subban at all costs - Eyes On The Prize
Instead trading Subban to find a #1 centre, the #Habs need to start trusting Galchenyuk

Oilers fan’s advice for depressed Habs devotees: Start a support group - Montreal Gazette
If you find yourself starting to feel good after losses in the hopes of getting Auston Matthews, well, you won't be alone.

Canadiens vs Sabres game recap: Habs blow a third-period, and the losses keep mounting - Eyes On The Prize
Apathy becoming obvious, as fans can't even bring themselves to boo the Habs.

Montreal Canadiens so bad in January, they won't award a player of the month - Stanley Cup of Chowder
Someone call 911!

One wonders if Jonathan Drouin would rather go back to Syarcuse than wind up traded to Vomit City.

We'll have a preview of tonight's Leafs vs Devils game up this afternoon.

Shanahan: Teams are no longer laughing and snickering at The Leafs - MLHS
Because it's just sad now?

CWHL recap: Toronto Furies shut out by Brampton Thunder - PPP
Brampton had a whale of a game. Toronto...did not.

Fabrice Herzog & Zurich Lions win Swiss Cup - PPP
The Duke of Freshness retains the crown!.

Peter Holland completes beautiful Toronto puzzle, Frank Corrado tries to shame him - PPP
As if Frankie doesn't have time to finish a puzzle.

Dennis Wideman

NHL Announces the Wideman Suspension - Matchsticks and Gasoline
The NHL handed Dennis Wideman a 20 game suspension for his hit on lineman Don Henderson

The NHLPA has appealed the suspension

We strongly disagree with the League’s decision to suspend Dennis Wideman. Dennis has played in 11 NHL seasons and almost 800 games without incident. The facts, including the medical evidence presented at the hearing, clearly demonstrate that Dennis had no intention to make contact with the linesman. An appeal has been filed on the player’s behalf.

Do the playoffs need a play-in?

Bob McKenzie had one of those stories that creates a whole pile of debate yesterday. Which is great for me as I get so more links to put in here..

How about a single-game elimination 'Play In?' - Article - TSN
Of the 28 GMs who responded, 16 answered Yes.

No, the NHL doesn't need to expand the playoffs - Fear The Fin
The play-in game isn't a solution to the fake problem, either.

Last Night's Games

Sabres at Canadiens Recap: Secondary scoring leads Sabres to 4-2 win - Die By The Blade
Goals from Foligno, Larsson, McGinn, and Gionta powered the Sabres to victory over the Canadiens.

Flames Host Hurricanes In 4-1 Win - Matchsticks and Gasoline
It was 60 minutes of good Flames hockey that paid off in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Special teams make the difference as Lightning beat Red Wings 3-1 - Raw Charge
The Lightning scored on two of four power play chances while successfully killing off both penalties against them as they beat the Red Wings 3-1.

Other News

Introducing One-Timer Charts: The Newest Way to Visualize Puck Movement — Special Teams Project
How much success has each team had on one-timers on the power play? Using a new chart I developed, I looked to answer that question.

Amanda Kessel Returns To Gophers Women's Hockey - Hockey Wilderness
The highly decorated Gopher returns to the ice after a year away from hockey due to a concussion.

The Value of Martin Brodeur - All About The Jersey
With Marty's number heading up to the rafters next week, it's time to take a look back at what he meant to the Devils and to hockey. Today, we start with how valuable his presence was to the Devils over the years.

Michal Neuvirth to miss 7-10 days with a lower body injury; Anthony Stolarz called up to Flyers - Broad Street Hockey
The Flyers' recent run of goalie injuries continues, as this time it's Neuvirth who will miss some action with an undisclosed lower-body issue.

Jets' Byfuglien calls Winnipeg 'somewhere you don't want to leave' - CBC News
LOLWUT?

Yormark: No changes coming to Barclays Center seating arrangement - Lighthouse Hockey
[Species] More interesting bit is this part "We're starting to use players who are scratched to meet with fans, walk the concourse, and engage throughout the evening. Making some type of connectivity from player to fan."

Jose Canseco Is Tweeting About the Bank of Japan's Negative Rates - Bloomberg
"Who is advising Japan?"

Was the Wideman suspension the right length

20 games is right. Deliberate or not, it was his fault.102
It should be shorter. It wasn't deliberate.58
He was in a daze from the hit. He shouldn't be suspended because it wasn't his fault.28
From The Branches