A former Canadiens captain was fêted in Montreal, the Penguins welcomed back their (now non-infectious) captain, and an almost-comical amount of injuries forced the Winnipeg Jets to make a trade.
Here are five things we learned in the NHL on Thursday.
Montreal loves their Canadiens captains
The tribute for Saku Koivu, long-time Habs captain and first European-born player to wear the ‘C’ for the Canadiens, was held prior to a game between the two teams he played for in his career:
It was just over a week ago that the Habs honoured another former captain Jean Béliveau, with whom Koivu shares the record of longest-serving ‘C’-bearer in team history. Earlier on Thursday, the Béliveau family penned a letter thanking the hockey world for their support and tributes.
Sid the Kid returns
After missing three games due to the mumps, Sidney Crosby was declared non-infectious and returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup for Thursday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.
So what did he do with himself over the five days he was quarantined from his fellow Penguins?
We’d also have to say he looks a lot better than he did after practice on Dec. 12, when he more resembled the fictional character on the right than his usual self:
Also, we learned that it’s not only players who have been contracting the viral infection — two referees have also been sidelined.
NHL today, World Junior Championship tomorrow?
Curtis Lazar is the latest player to be loaned by his NHL club to play in the World Junior Hockey Championship later this month. The Ottawa Senators made the 19-year-old forward available for Hockey Canada, joining Anthony Duclair (NY Rangers) as the only current NHLers loaned out to Team Canada.
NHL teams have to decide by Friday whether or not to send their players to the under-20 tournament. Who’s eligible to go to the event and what is their current NHL status? Click here to see the 10 players currently on NHL teams who are eligible to play at the WJC (most, if not all, will stay in the NHL).
Jets deal for healthy defenceman
With two-thirds of their regular defensive lineup injured, the Winnipeg Jets traded for veteran Jay Harrison from the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Zach Bogosian, Tobias Enstrom, Mark Stuart and Jacob Trouba are all dealing with various injuries and timetables for their returns, so it’s assumed Harrison’s value is tied to two things:
- His familiarity with head coach Paul Maurice from their time together in Carolina.
- He’s not injured.
The Jets sent a sixth-round draft pick to the ‘Canes, who will pay approximately 25 per cent of Harrison’s salary.
Washington prepares for Winter Classic
So with the holidays approaching, the fact that the Winter Classic is coming up may have slipped your mind. We’re here to refresh your memory of how much work it takes to put on such an outdoor spectacle.
Take a look at this time lapse video of how the whole setup is coming together at Nationals Stadium in Washington for the tilt between the Capitals and Blackhawks on New Year’s Day:
