Who needs hockey more than the fans of the Montreal Canadiens? Especially after a season's worth of failure. Especially with a new regime in place to undo the miserable memories their predecessors left everyone with?

Who could be more eager to start fresh than the players of the Canadiens?

Ironically, the break could be seen as a positive one for the team. Given the depth of Montreal's lineup, there was more than a good chance that some of the young talent on the farm was going to get an early start in the National Hockey League. And some of them would be unprepared for that.

Instead, the young guns of the Habs will evolve together in Hamilton. Alex Galchenyuk--the team's highest draft pick since Carey Price was picked fifth overall in 2005-- won't have to deal with the disappointment of going back to Junior instead of commencing his professional career. He's already there, developing where he should be. And if the NHL does return this season, all these players could be more prepared to take their place there should Michel Therrien elect to call them up.

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10 things Habs fans would love to see this season (if it ever gets played):

10. Tomas Plekanec redeem himself offensively, producing on the same level as Cole, Pacioretty and Desharnais.

9. A repeat for Cole and Pacioretty.

8. Alexei Emelin moving up the depth chart.

7. All-Star worthy performance from Carey Price, night in, night out.

6. Hitting and fighting. Not because the fans of the Canadiens are advocates of violence, but because this team was pushed around last season by pretty much everyone, and they need to fix their image. With Therrien at the helm, that's not likely to be a problem.

5. An unsung offensive star emerge in training camp. Could be Galchenyuk, could be Gallagher, could be Charles Hudon. Whoever it is, the fans desperately want to see someone other than Rene Bourque alongside Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec. Admittedly, that might not be possible. And if it's not, trade please.

4. Andrei Markov for more than 50% of the schedule. And not the Andrei Markov who played 13 games last season. They want the Andrei Markov who can at least show he's nearly as good as the Andrei Markov who scored 64 points in '08-09.

3. P.K. Subban, signed, and ready to show the NHL a whole new level of P.K. Subban.

2. A successful powerplay.

1. A playoff berth.

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