In today’s links, keeping the reins loose on Slafkovský, the bottom six’s identity, defining culture, the reality of a no-seller league, Fowler wanted to make NHL roster, and Dylan Larkin gets booed…

Montreal Canadiens news and notes * “You don’t want to make [talented players] do paint-by-numbers,” Martin St-Louis said while discussing Juraj Slafkovský’s freedom of development. [TVA Sports] * Montreal’s bottom six’s identity may not be clearly defined, but their mix of skills is regarded as a positive, not a negative. [La Presse] * Defining the culture the Canadiens are working to implement. [The H Does Not Stand For Habs] * Kent Hughes points out that there aren’t many rebuilding teams for the contenders to add talent from right now. [Radio-Canada] * Montreal’s new plan of defending the blue line worked well in the season-opener. [The Athletic] * Based on yesterday’s practice, no lineup changes are expected for tonight’s game in Pittsburgh. [TVA Sports] * Jacob Fowler says he wasn’t happy after learning that he hadn’t cracked the Canadiens lineup. [Journal de Montreal] * Fowler is still on the development path than most star goalies take by going through the AHL. [Journal de Montreal] * Michael Hage had two goals and an assist in his season debut. [Journal de Montreal] * Alexander Zharovsky scored his second goal of the KHL season. [TVA Sports] Around the league and elsewhere * Dylan Larkin was booed by Red Wings fans when he was introduced in Detroit’s home-opener. [Sportsnet] * Aleksander Barkov is set for an MRI on an injury that isn’t related to last season’s ailment. [TSN] * Andrei Kuzmenko is back with the Penguins after heading home following his father’s death. [NHL.com] * Alexey Toropchenko left last night’s St. Louis Blues game with an arm injury. [TSN] * The main question about the Edmonton Oilers, as it always is, is the goaltending. [Sportsnet] * Franz Reindl of Germany has been elected the new president of the IIHF. [TSN]

Montreal Canadiens news and notes <ul> <li>“You don’t want to make [talented players] do paint-by-numbers,” Martin St-Louis said while discussing Juraj Slafkovský’s freedom of development. [TVA Spo...

Jeho vzorom je spoluhráč Juraja Slafkovského v Montreale – Cole Caufield. Už v mladom veku sa stal lídrom. Český hokejový útočník Adam Dvořák (22) vtrhol do slovenskej najvyššej súťaže ako uragán.

La chronique de Carl-Olivier Madore

Crosby sees something special in Juraj Slafkovsky. The question is just how high the Canadiens forward can go.

Vstúpil do svojej piatej sezóny v najlepšej lige sveta. Veľké očakávania majú od neho nielen šéfovia klubu a fanúšikovia, ale má ich aj on sám od seba.

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov… Le Canadien ne manque plus d’armes. Mais si Sidney Crosby devait n’en choisir qu’une, ce ne serait aucun de ces quatre joueurs.

Chris Kreider n’a disputé qu’un seul match de saison régulière avec Nick Suzuki et Cole Caufield. Un seul et ça n’a pas été très concluant. Alors non, ce n’est certainement pas le temps de paniquer.

Chris Kreider s’est rapidement intégré à l’un des rituels les plus appréciés des partisans. Depuis quelques années, après une victoire, lorsque tous leurs coéquipiers ont quitté la patinoire, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský et Kirby Dach se regroupent bras dessus, bras dessous, pour une génuflexion festive.