Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Jean-Sebastien Dea, Josh Anderson, Cale Fleury

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The National Hockey League (NHL) announced on Friday the start time for the 2021-22 regular season games. The schedule currently includes a pause from February 7th to 22nd to accommodate a possible participation of NHL players in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. If there’s no agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation that will allow the players to participate, a revised schedule will be released at a later date.

The Canadiens face each Eastern Conference team up to four times, and the Western Conference teams twice during the 82-game regular season. Montreal will head to Seattle for the first time on October 26th, and versus Tampa Bay in a Stanley Cup rematch on December 7th.

Montreal’s longest homestand will be from November 2nd to 11th, and from January 4th to 12th, when they play five consecutive games at the Bell Centre. The longest road trip will be between December 20th and January 1st, when the Canadiens play six consecutive games on the road. The trip includes a pause for Christmas.

Montreal’s schedule contains nine back-to-back games, and five afternoon contests. The complete schedule can be seen below.

Dea Wants To Be a Hab

In an interview with TVA Sports, Canadiens forward Jean-Sebastien Dea stated that he signed with the organization to play in the NHL. “I hear a lot of people talk about the Rocket, but my current mindset is to go to camp and cause a surprise,” said the La Prairie native. Dea would like to bring energy and heart in a bottom-six role.

Dea signed a one-year two-way contract with the Canadiens on July 28th. Last season, he spent most of the season with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL), recording six goals and nine assists in 15 games. The forward was in uniform for one game for the Buffalo Sabres.

In his career, the 27-year old scored five goals and added two assists in 33 career NHL games with the Penguins, Devils, and Sabres. In the AHL, he’s scored 104 goals, and 135 assists in 380 career games.

Josh Anderson Highlights

Josh Anderson was acquired from the Blue Jackets on October 6th 2020 in return for Max Domi and a draft pick. “Players who play that style of game, a big guy who skates very well, who has the scoring touch, and who plays physically, there are not a lot of those in the NHL,” Marc Bergevin said at that time about his acquisition.

Anderson finished second on the team with 17 goals scored in 52 games, and co-led the club with five game-winning goals. In the playoffs, he scored five times and added one assist in 22 games.

The Canadiens posted a video of all of Anderson’s goals from this past season.

Un montage de tous les buts de Josh Anderson en 2020-2021? Oh que oui.

A montage of all the goals scored by Josh Anderson in 2020-2021? Yes please.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pUQVWo4lfl

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 14, 2021

Fleury Signs with Kraken

Former Canadiens prospect Cale Fleury signed a one-year two-way contract with the Kraken, that will pay him $750,000 in the NHL. Fleury was selected during the expansion draft after being unprotected by Montreal.

“Cale is a smooth skater that has shown even at his young age to be a responsible defender that can play reliable minutes,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis via statement. “We like his mix of physicality and puck-moving skills. We are excited to see him develop with our organization.”

Fleury spent the entire 2020-21 season with the Rocket where he recorded six assists in 22 games. The defenceman missed significant time with an injury. Since being drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft, Fleury played 41 career games in the NHL, and 96 AHL games in the Canadiens organization.

Fleury’s brother Haydn was also selected by the Kraken during the expansion draft.

Couldn’t be more proud of you two. @fleury96 @CJF_98 Exciting times ahead. #proudparents pic.twitter.com/NwnY9S5c4F

— Sandy Fleury (@SandyFleury) July 22, 2021

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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