Toughness is the name of the game for the Montreal Canadiens.

It's for this reason that the team claimed forward Mike Brown off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

While the pickup was not immediately understood by many, including esteemed TSN hockey insider Bob McKenzie, it appears the Canadiens made the move with the intention of providing protection for the club's younger players.

Habs picked up Mike Brown because they wanted a little more protection/toughness for their younger players in the lineup rest of year

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) February 29, 2016

The move does raise the question of what Montreal's plans are for enforcer John Scott, currently playing for the Canadiens' AHL affiliate.

Brown has one goal and three points to go along with 63 penalty minutes this season.

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NEW YORK, - Forwards Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators and Ryan Callahan of the Tampa Bay Lightning along with Montreal Canadiens goalie Mike Condon were named the NHL's three stars Monday. Forsberg had two natural hat tricks and adde...

Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg is the NHL's first star for the week ending Feb. 28 - and that should come as no surprise.

Forsberg is on fire. He scored two natural hat tricks last week in four games, adding an assist, leading Nashville to four straight wins. After not being able to find the back of the net in the first half of the season, Forsberg's scored 12 goals on 46 shots. He has 26 goals and 20 assists in 63 games.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan was named second star of the week. He had six points in three games, as Tampa Bay enjoyed an undefeated week, as well.

Callahan's had a mostly disappointing season, with 10 goals and 18 assists, but he's been money in February, with five goals and nine assists in 13 games, as the Lightning march toward the playoffs.

The third star of the week is Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon, who went 2-0-1 in three games, with a .949 save percentage.

Condon was integral in Montreal's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals, and was exceptional Saturday, as the Canadiens continued their dominance of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Filling in for Carey Price, Condon's struggled most of the season, but he has a respectable .913 save percentage in seven February starts.

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MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens claimed right-winger Mike Brown off waivers from the San Jose Sharks on Monday. The rugged 30-year-old has one goal, two assists and 63 penalty minutes this season. Brown has 18 goals and 16 assists in 393...

Edmonton Oilers forward Benoit Pouliot may be out of the lineup for a while.

It's believed that Pouliot suffered a separated shoulder during the third period of Sunday's game against the New York Islanders, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Adding fuel to the report is Pouliot arriving to the rink Monday with his right arm in a sling.

Pouliot has recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 55 games for the Oilers this season.

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NEW YORK, N.Y. - The NHL's department of player safety has announced that Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo will have a hearing on Tuesday to determine whether he faces further disciplinary action for his check to the head of Tampa Bay centre Ce...

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defenceman Brandon Davidson to two-year contract extensions Monday. Brossoit, 22, of Surrey, B.C., has appeared in 28 games with the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Co...

EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Laurent Brossoit and defenceman Brandon Davidson to two-year contract extensions Monday. Brossoit, 22, of Surrey, B.C., has appeared in 28 games with the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Co...

Eric Staal hit the ice Monday morning as a member of the New York Rangers after Sunday's big trade.

Following practice, head coach Alain Vigneault met with the media and said he expects the longtime Carolina Hurricanes captain to play center in New York.

"I do envision Eric playing in the middle," he said. "With Eric, you're talking about an elite player, been captain of his team, and will bring his leadership to the room.

"There's no doubt our players are excited about Eric."

The Rangers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night, so Staal will make his debut. But with Jesper Fast ill and out of the lineup, Staal will likely start on the wing.

There are questions, if Staal eventually moves to center, because the Rangers already employ Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard.

If Staal plays C, who moves to the wing? I still think he eventually is a wing. Hayes hasn't fit at RW. Brassard and Stepan aren't wings.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 29, 2016

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Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo will have a hearing for the illegal check to the head he delivered on Tampa Bay Lightning center Cedric Paquette this past weekend, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced.

Rinaldo didn't leave his feet, or take a violent run, but certainly made contact with the chin of Paquette first as he attempted to separate the player from the puck in the defensive zone.

Rinaldo has been suspended on multiple occasions by the NHL, which will factor into the bureau's decision. He will, however, apparently avoid a ban in excess of five games, as Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that it will be a phone hearing.

Rinaldo was placed on waivers Sunday.

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