Count me among all of you who wish there was more to talk about than the impending lockout or the 1987 Canada Cup. Now, at this time, we should all be sharing in the excitement of training camp. Nonetheless, I'm still a believer hockey will be played this year, and on that theme, here's five notes on what that will mean for the Canadiens, as they attempt to dig themselves from the cellar of the Eastern Conference.

1) One of the biggest questions headed into this season will be whether the Cole-Desharnais-Pacioretty line can repeat its success.

If you break it down, everything hinges on David Desharnais. Can he produce to the same level, or better? You have to think the answer is yes, given how he performed in his first full season as a Canadien. Desharnais' also got the motivation of playing for a contract, and as a player who's faced long odds and overcome them throughout his career, he could prove to be a level above what we've already seen for him.

That could mean that Erik Cole's career best 35-goal campaign might no be an anomaly. It would be expected that Cole's production fall off the pace he set last year, and I doubt anyone would truly be disappointed if he scored 25 goals. But with the growing confidence of Desharnais beside him, Cole's sustained health would ensure he can produce as a top-line winger.

Then you add in Max Pacioretty. With a new deal in pocket, and the confidence of an incredible return to hockey, you know he's just itching to pick up where he left off.

2) Can the Canadiens get something out of their second line? The answer to that question probably has the most significance in the team's ability to make the playoffs.

Rene Bourque has effectively been removed from this equation with the announcement that he'll be on the sidelines for at least the next ten weeks (we'll see where the lockout takes us before stating this to be a certainty).

That leaves Brian Gionta--coming off a substandard season, and a career-threatening injury--and Tomas Plekanec to carry the load.

Gionta's not going to be the best player on the ice, night in, night out, but he should be able to contribute 20-30 goals (closer to 20), as he always has.

And you get the sense with what management and the new coaching staff have said about him, that Tomas Plekanec will be given a better chance to shine offensively. He'll still be counted on for the big faceoffs, and last minute-details that you expect from your most versatile centreman, but perhaps his role on the penalty kill will be slightly reduced. The question is, can he find chemistry with whoever he's lining up with?

And right now, we don't know who's filling that spot on the left. Will it be Brendan Gallagher? Alex Galchenyuk?

Or do the Canadiens still have a plan to acquire someone that can fill that position?

3) Can Andrei Markov be who the Canadiens need him to be?

They need him to be healthy. They need him to not be a liability in his own end because his fear of being hit can overtake his skill in moving the puck exceptionally well. They need him to bring the powerplay to the top tier of the league standings (not all by himself, but he needs to be a huge part of it). They need him to be a leader on young blue line.

It's a lot to ask of a player that's missed as much time as he has over the last three seasons. And let's consider that his return to hockey last year, with the team in the gutter, was hardly exemplary of what he's capable of.

4) Can P.K. Subban take his game to the next level? Can he prove he's worth whatever contract he'll eventually come to terms on with the Canadiens? Can he make up for the areas Andrei Markov won't be able to cover; in also being a huge part of the powerplay's success; in building on the work he's done to become a great shutdown defender; in being the physical force the Canadiens desperately need on the backend; in being reliable with his decisions; in finding the discipline to stay out of the box?

Subban can take the jump from star to superstar, this season (whenever it starts), and given what he's done in the offseason (gaining 15lbs of muscle), you have to think he's preparing to do exactly that.

5) Can Carey Price continue on the path he's been on over the last two seasons? After signing the biggest contract ever awarded to a Montreal Canadien, is Price susceptible to buckling under new-found pressure?

Gotta think Price is prepared and more than capable to deal with anything, in terms of pressure. He's been through everything a pro hockey player can possibly go through over a career, and his is only five years running. That experience has to serve him well, and if it does, Price is ready to take the Canadiens from cellar to playoff hopeful. He's ready to take his place among the best goalies in the game, if it hasn't already been assured by his previous resume.

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