Training Camp Optimism | HABS HEADLINES

Rick Stephens

3 years ago

Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, NHL, Jesse Ylonen, Shea Weber, Carey Price, Logan Mailloux, Corey Perry, Dominique Ducharme

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — This is your one-stop destination every week day for your Canadiens news capsule. Here are your Habs Headlines!

Mind Changed

On Wednesday, Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat (IS) reported that Canadiens prospect Jesse Ylonen has reversed his decision and will receive a vaccine for the coronavirus. Ylonen told IS that the protocols governing the season without being vaccinated would make it difficult. Ylonen added that he had discussions with the Canadiens but that he was not pressured by them.

If he remained unvaccinated, Ylonen would have had difficulty travelling to the United States with the team whether as a member of the Canadiens or Laval Rocket as well as significant other restrictions.

A spokesperson for the Montreal Canadiens confirmed that Ylonen has agreed to be vaccinated.

A Notable Absence

When you peruse the list of “70 players will participate in the team’s training camp” as announced by the Montreal Canadiens, you will spot the name of defenceman Shea Weber. But the Canadiens captain will not take part in the activities of this year’s camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. Weber was in Montreal last week for medical exams returning home before training camp began.

The Canadiens expect that Weber will be placed on their long-term injury reserve list. Renaud Lavoie reported that Weber will spend most of the season in BC but may fly in to Montreal occasionally.

Dealing With Pain

When on-ice sessions get underway on Thursday, Carey Price will be there just two months following knee surgery as he continues his rehabilitation. When speaking to La Presse on Wednesday, Price said, “I feel good. It has been an interesting off season, my fitness program is progressing well. I’m not at 100 percent of my ability yet, but I’m getting close.”

Price suffered a concussion during the 2020-21 season and played with a torn meniscus and a hip injury throughout the playoffs. “It’s my passion for the game; as hockey players, we are able to deal with pain,” Price said. “When you feel pain, it’s often your body that says something is wrong.”

“But it’s not just me; in the playoffs, all players are willing to sacrifice themselves to reach their goal… Shea [Weber] didn’t just play injured, he played seriously injured,” said Price.

Daly Praised Habs

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly praised the Canadiens organization for the way they have handled the Logan Mailloux file since selecting him in the first round of the 2021 Entry Draft.

“The Canadiens have taken the right approach to address this difficult situation. They have taken a responsible approach since the draft,” Daly told TVA Sports on Wednesday. “They will try to change a negative event into a positive one. I wish them good luck and I hope they succeed.”

Daly added that the league office will be monitoring the situation for developments.

Kudos For Perry

In a recent interview, Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme praised Corey Perry as one of the Canadiens’ best in the playoffs regularly coming close to winning the Gritty Bob Award. Named after former Canadiens captain Bob Gainey, the award was presented after wins to the player who had the highest score on a set of metrics tracked by the team.

“Corey Perry never won it, but he was runner-up like seven times. It’s probably the only award he didn’t win,” said Ducharme.

In this week’s edition of Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos also commented on Perry saying, “As soon as free agency opened up, we wanted him. In our room, we thought he was (Montreal’s) best forward (in the Stanley Cup Final.)

Canadiens Connection podcast

Current Habs topics were discussed on this week’s episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast. Listen, share and subscribe!