Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

The Canadiens Took a Gigantic Step Forward in 2014

June 4, 2014, 7:48 AM ET [1483 Comments]
Habs Talk
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
On the precipice of the Stanley Cup Finals, it's impossible not to think about what could've been for the Montreal Canadiens. At a certain point this season, it was more about what would've never been.

There were ups and downs, bumps and bruises, and a lot of character-defining moments. There were impressive winning streaks and there were devastating losing spells. Through it, the band of brotherhood shone through; a team very closely knit at all of its seems. In these things, the monotony of an NHL season was apparent.

Unique were the individual storylines that shaped a storied trip to the Eastern Conference Finals--one now defined by a disappointing finale at the hands of a team that was riding its own magic carpet through the playoffs.

It took 20 games for David Desharnais to find any semblance of himself, proving to the Canadiens and their fans that confidence was the only difference between the impostor and the real McCoy. Lars Eller shared that storyline from the middle of the season up until his incredible playoffs.

Andrei Markov's leadership from start to finish, in search of a deal that would keep him as a Canadien for life, showed he was about much more than the money when the playoffs rolled around. He was determined to bust out of the long shadow that devastating Olympic loss in his native Russia had cast; it was another unique storyline.

Who will ever forget Dale Weise and Mike Weaver, skating out of anonymity, turning themselves into household names overnight with exceptional play, soaking it all in with the desire and wonder of dreaming children?

Unique only begins to describe Carey Price's fairy tail run through the regular season, collecting an Olympic Gold medal along the way, shedding the big-game failures that had prematurely defined his NHL career, his true worth on display in deprivation of the opportunity to continue leading his team to where they very well may have gone.

The story of P.K. Subban's regular season strife and perseverance through a challenge like no other he has faced after a series of challenges that got him this far was something to behold. Subban's throttle through the playoffs was a marvel; an absolutely brilliant display that served to emphasize his leadership qualities both on and off the ice.

Highlighted were the stepping stones Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher marched through, showing their progress at the best possible time, in the best possible way. Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu took strides towards prominent NHL careers, learning the ropes of professionalism, soaking in the lessons a great veteran core of their team offered.

And who will ever forget Rene Bourque's Cinderella story? Where did that come from?

Dustin Tokarski offered a memory--cold into the conference finals--that won't soon be forgotten. He proved that hope wasn't lost with Price's injured knee. He made the impossible a tangible reality, even if that reality was never realized.

And then there was Michel Therrien. Love him, barely like him, despise him, the job he did to get the Canadiens as far along as they went can't go unnoticed. The curiosity of his decisions prevailed in the papers, on the blogs, in the radio discussions and television panels, but you couldn't ever accuse him of not owning his decisions. He made them boldly, time and time again, in the face of abject criticism. He often made all the right ones, and he certainly made all of the wrong ones. Whether he was fully appreciated or universally despised within the room--something that will only come to light in speculation--his plans were respected.

In his final press conference of the year, Marc Bergevin was asked about how he'd describe his team, and his favorite word came up once again--character. The Canadiens showed so much of it throughout this season. Another key descriptor: shift of leadership.

While Bergevin reminded that a step forward could certainly be followed by a tumble backward, the experience his young players lived in these playoffs will keep this team in the graces of NHL success for years to come. It's a bold statement to make, but it's well reinforced by the development and leadership of the core players the Canadiens are dedicated to, whether it be Price and Subban, Gallagher and Galchenyuk, Pacioretty and Eller. Another clue of proof is the structure of this team's management, from Bergevin on down the line of premium hockey executives in Rick Dudley, Larry Carriere, Scott Melanby and Trevor Timmins.

The Canadiens fell short--far too short of where they wanted to be. What started as a pipe dream became something all too real, especially after they disposed of the Boston Bruins in a vicious series that was truly one for the ages. They started against the New York Rangers on the wrong skate; their heads too far up in the atmosphere of Bell Centre. They finished against the Rangers in way that completely defied how they made it there in the first place. They who qualify defeat as crushing have the accurate spin--especially in this case.

But the Habs provided mystic and magic in these playoffs. They brought an injured city to health in a way only they can. They brought harmony to Montrealers at a time when it seemed ever-elusive. They took everyone along for the ride in their togetherness. It was special. It could've been more special, but their dismissal from the playoffs didn't change what they had accomplished.

There is a lot of time ahead to dissect the offseason program, from Thomas Vanek's bipolar contribution to the team and his arrival and departure in the same breath; Subban's looming contract extension; Markov's negotiation; Price's rehabilitation; personnel decisions on players under contract; Therrien's long-term standing with the team; UFA acquisitions; and of course, draft plans. It's all on tap.

The final words of this review are about the Montreal Canadiens showing their fans that the long-term plan didn't need to be sacrificed to bring them that much closer to the ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup. Bergevin's caution resonates far less than what is plain to see; no reason to focus on a possible step back, the team took a gigantic step forward.
Join the Discussion: » 1483 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Habs Talk
» Heartbreak> Brian Bannan
» Game 3 Preview: Brian Bannan
» Will the Real Habs Please Step Forward? by Andrew Wright
» Game 2 recap- Jennifer Berzan Cutler
» New Habs Blog> M.R. d'Awe