Yesterday on Hockey Night in Canada, Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman spoke about the Montreal Canadiens wanting to trade their captain, Max Pacioretty:

The Habs are apparently looking for a top goal scorer which.....this is like trading Subban then looking for a puck moving D. This would be a great pick up for almost every team in the NHL. Pacioretty is locked up for this season and next at a $4,500,000 cap hit (actually salary is $5,000,000). This season there’s $2,400,000 left.

After scoring 60+ points the past four seasons, he is only on pace for 42 this year but with some improved teammates and a sane organization he could flourish again. This is a good price for a player of his caliber.

He’d look good with Matthews but we’d have to do something about that number.......

Here’s what news I could find:

Jeff Glass proves unbreakable in unforgettable NHL debut - Second City Hockey
The 32-year-old shut down the Oilers to carry the Blackhawks to victory.

Flames Acquire Dalton Prout from Devils for Eddie Lack - Matchsticks and Gasoline
The Flames made a minor trade today

In World Junior news Canada defeated Denmark 8-0, which is actually a little disappointing considering USA beat them 9-0 and Sweden beat them 13-1, but Canada is on top of Group A and will face either Switzerland or the Czech Republic in the quarter finals.

In Atlantic Division news, the Panthers shutout the Canadiens 2-0 to move themselves three points ahead of the Habs into 4th in the division (but they’re still nine points back of the Leafs). The Bruins shutout the Senators 5-0, staying in second place in the division - tied in points with Toronto but have a game in hand.

It’s game day for the Leafs as they ring in the new year with an afternoon game in Vegas.

From The Branches