Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, Shea Weber, Luke Richardson, NHL, Entry Draft, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — While the Canadiens and their affiliates continue to add to their staffing complement and players, there was some very difficult news that was reported late in the day.
Weber’s future is uncertain
According to Sportsnet and TVASports, the future of the career of Shea Weber is uncertain. With Weber receiving medical evaluations this week of his injuries, reports claim that the Canadiens, NHL and NHLPA are investigating whether he will miss all of next season or whether his career is threatened.
Weber played through a number of injuries in the recent playoffs including his ankle, foot and thumb. The Canadiens captain has had surgery in the past on his foot and knee.
The Canadiens declined to comment on the situation as did the NHL, NHLPA and player agent Kevin Epp.
Montreal is hoping to have clarity on the situation from the medical staff and the league by the expansion draft but that may not be realistic. It has been reported that the Canadiens are not likely to protect Weber in the upcoming expansion draft.
Richardson signs extension
The Canadiens announced that assistant coach Luke Richardson has been signed to a three-year contract extension.
Richardson joined the Canadiens as an assistant coach on July 9, 2018. The 52-year-old Richardson briefly took over the reins of the team during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs when Dominique Ducharme was isolating for two weeks per COVID-19 protocol.
“It’s a great franchise. We’re so proud to be a part of it and very proud to try and bring success like this year. We almost got to the final stage and that’s the promised land. I would love to be a part of this team to get them back to where they should be as champions of the League. It would be a great honor to try and do that. That’s why I’m here. I like to win. Montreal wants to win. It’s a good combination.” — Luke Richardson
Canadiens select 31st
The NHL has announced it’s official order for the 2021 Entry Draft with the Canadiens being granted lucky number 31 in the first round by virtue of their runner-up status in the Stanley Cup Final. Montreal will have 11 picks in total in the draft with five selections occurring in the top 100.
2021 Canadiens Draft Picks
Round 1 – No. 31
Round 2 – No. 63, 64
Round 3 – No. 76, 87
Round 4 – No. 113, 126, 127
Round 5 – No. 142
Round 6 – No. 191
Round 7 – No. 223
The first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft takes place on July 23 at 8:00 pm ET. Rounds 2-7 begin at 11 am. ET on July 24th.
Canadiens 2020-21 year in review
Rocket sign St. Amant
The Laval Rocket signed forward Shawn St. Amant to a one-year, two-way AHL contract for the upcoming season. The native of Le Gardeur, QC played in the Romanian Hockey League in 2020-21.
The Laval Rocket announced Wednesday that the team has agreed to terms of a one-year contract (2021-22 – AHL, two-way) with Quebec-born forward Shawn St-Amant.#GoRocket pic.twitter.com/NMffoIUm44
— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) July 14, 2021
St. Amant is the 11th Quebecer to be signed by the Rocket in the last six weeks.
Lions hire a coach
The Trois-Rivieres Lions have announced the hiring of Pascal Rheaume as assistant coach. The 48-year-old Rheaume is the former head coach of the Val-d’Or Foreurs
“Pascal is exactly the profile we were looking for in an assistant coach. His experience will play a very big role in the coaching of our players during the next season, ”said Eric Belanger, head coach of the Lions.
The Lions are the ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
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