Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin addressed the media on Tuesday as their opening day roster for the 2016-2017 has been finalized. The makeup of the team is vastly different then from one year ago and their identity is focused on speed, additional grit and being better prepared to face adversity. Bergevin worked overtime throughout the Summer to overhaul the Canadiens in order to ensure that the disaster and disappointments of 2015-2016 are not repeated.
Bergevin: "What we went through last year, we fell down face first. We have to get up." New additions will help make difference. #TSN690
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) October 11, 2016
Shea Weber, the Man Mountain as described by Mike Babcock changes the face of the blueline. While he does not bring the speed factor, his physical presence, leadership skills and booming slapshot make him a more than welcome addition to his teammates and coaches. Fans are sure to miss the electrifying and entertaining P.K. Subban but will quickly love to learn Weber for his punishing hits and hard shot, the fastest in the NHL.
Question from @ArponBasu to Max Pacioretty about Shea Weber being intimidating generated this great answer: pic.twitter.com/3krWvk4of6
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 11, 2016
The loss of speed on the backend could very well be filled by rookie Mikhail Sergachev if he is able to keep up with the pace of play through his nine game tryout. His speed, skating and poise have impressed everyone thoughout camp and he has shown that his offensive game is very mature for his age. Comments as per the Canadiens.com:
"The upside is huge. Defensemen take longer. That's correct. But, he was already ahead of the curve by the time he got here. We'll watch him closely, but it's fun to have a young defenseman like that with a lot of potential."
Bergevin would not commit to sending Sergachev back to junior hockey after the 9 games are over. If he is able to help the Canadiens win and makes the team better, he will have earned a longer stay. If not, the experience with the big club will make him a better player in the long run.
As for Artturi Lehkonen, the other rookie who will make his NHL debut on Thursday, Bergevin would not admit that his goals at the end of camp cemented his place on the Canadiens roster. He alluded to how the young forward does many of the little things right and compared a little to Brendan Gallagher with how his play without the puck can impact the game. My take from Bergevin’s comments is that Lehkonen would have made the team regardless of the goals. However, he likely would have been playing on the third line instead of the second line to start the season.
#Habs Bergevin on Lehkonen: "He's not the biggest guy but he shakes your hand like he's 6'4". You know he's a hockey player."
— Chantal (@pucksnlife) October 11, 2016
The way he protects and handles the puck. He had a lot of chances and we're happy for his confidence he scored too. --- Bergevin on Lehkonen
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) October 11, 2016
Bergevin also spoke about forward Michael McCarron who was sent down to St. John’s in the AHL despite his strong camp.
There are roster issues. We want Mike to play 21 minutes. The future is so bright. He's gonna be a cornerstone of the franchise. - Bergevin
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) October 11, 2016
Just to be clear, Bergevin is talking about McCarron playing 21 minutes a night in the AHL versus being an NHL bottom six player who is and out of the lineup. The roster issues he is referring to is the abundance of bottom six type players that the Canadiens have and McCarron is a victim of numbers. He was the only forward who did not have to clear waivers to go to the Ice Caps. Beregevin went out of his way to commend McCarron for his yearly improvements and to call him a “cornerstone… is very high praise.
Bergevin on McCarron: "it's a matter of time before he's a member of the Montreal Canadiens'.
— Dan Robertson (@DRTSN690) October 11, 2016
In other words, it is only a matter of time until an injury occurs or Bergevin is able to make a roster move and open a full-time spot for McCarron on the Canadiens.
Bergevin did lose his gamble though of putting goaltender Mike Condon on waivers as the Pittsburgh Penguins claimed him. The Penguins need depth as Matt Murray recovers from his injury suffered at the World Cup of Hockey and Condon will help backup Marc-Andre Fleury to start the season. Condon performed as well as he could during last year’s tailspin and was put into an impossible situation without adequate support. The writing was on the wall for him when the Canadiens signed Al Montoya on July 1st and he did little to support his cause as he struggled through training camp. Some time spent in the AHL likely would have helped his confidence but for now I wish him all of the best with the Penguins.
Cheers and follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler