Montreal Canadiens - Preview

The Canadiens went further in the playoffs last season then they have been since they last won the Stanley Cup in 1993. The team are built around three young stars, goaltender Carey Price 27, left wing Max Pacioretty 25 and defenseman P.K. Subban 25, who signed the most expensive contract in franchise history over the summer, at eight years and $72 million. It also makes Subban the highest paid player in the league right now.

Most of the veterans were shipped away during the summer. Captain Brian Gionta, and his understudy Josh Gorges, both huge influences in the Habs dressing room have re-located to Buffalo. Douglas Murray and hard man George Parros have also left, while Daniel Briere was traded to Colorado for P.A. Parenteau. Francis Bouillon is an unrestricted free agent who could still re-sign with the team. If it sounds drastic to lose so many seasoned stars, GM Marc Bergevin claims it is to fast-track the maturing process of his younger stars who he feels are ready to lead the team.

There are still plenty of the core of last season remaining. Defensemen Andrei Markov signed a new three year deal, while Alexei Emelin has one for four. Centers Lars Eller (4 years) and David Desharnais (3 years) are also still around.

Michel Therrien likes to play with three forward lines, but with the departure of Brian Gionta, there is an open spot on the right wing. It's safe to assume Brendan Gallagher will fill one of the spots along with new signing Parenteau, but who will take the third spot? Czech free signing Jiri Sekac, 22, arrives from the KHL and will be favorite despite preferring to operate down the left wing. Sophomore Michael Bournival could be tasked with more ice-time next season, while prospects Sven Andrighetto and Jacob De La Rose maybe considered during training camp. Alex Galchenyuk's long term future could well be at center but for now he is needed on the wing. Desharnais usually lines up with the Habs top scorer, Max Pacioretty, while Tomas Plekanec is the team's undisputed first line center in ice time and importance. Manny Malhotra looks good to fill the fourth-line center.

With Josh Gorges gone, it allows Therrien to move Alexei Emelin to his natural left side, but not with his regular partner Markov who likes to play there too. Instead Markov will line up with Subban, who was his best defense partner last year, improvin Subban's possession stats along the way. Pairing these two together will increase the Canadiens' offensive zone time against top opposition on a more regular basis. With Murray gone and the possibility Bouillon might not return, means there is gap to the left of Mike Weaver. Nathan Beaulieu, Tom Gilbert and Jarred Tinordi are all in the frame, but the former is probably better suited as he played well down the stretch last season, and he has the ability to move the puck, which makes him a better fit for the more defensive Weaver.

Galchenyuk – Plekanec – Parenteau

Pacioretty – Desharnais – Gallagher

Bourque – Eller – Bournival

Weise – Malhotra – Prust

Sekac – Moen

Markov – Subban

Emelin – Gilbert

Beaulieu – Weaver