As the dust settles on the 2014-2015 season for the Montreal Canadiens, there are a number of things we learnt about this team through their exit interviews and GM Marc Bergevin’s press conference. Namely that there is no panic button that has been pushed, nor is there a sense of urgency that their window of opportunity is closing. It appears that the players and management are on the same page as to the future of the club as evidenced by quotes from:
Carey Price:
“We accomplished a lot this year winning 50 games. We had a really fun year as a group. We were disappointed with the way things ended, but I think we’ve gained a lot of experience. A lot of guys had really good years this year. We have a lot to look forward to next year.…
And from Max Pacioretty:
“We had a great regular season, a great first round of the playoffs and we even played some good hockey in the second round. The guys are feeling the same way: that we’re moving in the right direction. It’s frustrating that this year wasn’t the year and that our season has ended, but going forward, we’ll learn from this and get better,…
Marc Bergevin:
“Regular season these guys did a fantastic job. Playoffs we all came short….
So where does Marc Bergevin go now to improve the team? Listen to his full conference and it appears that any fan looking for a big splash is surely going to be disappointed. The price for a true # 1 centerman is simply too high. Bergevin also had some choice words regarding the future position of Alex Galchenyuk. Whereas last off-season he made sure that people remembered that Galchenyuk was a centreman and he would have some opportunity at training camp, this year he is taming everyone’s expectations saying that Galchenyuk may never develop into a true Centre. Now is this simply a negotiating tool regarding upcoming negotiations with the soon to be RFA? Either way, I think that the Canadiens have to decide once and for all where they want Galchenyuk to play so that he has a full off-season to properly train and prepare. Does a top 3 centre of Plekanec, Eller and Desharnais inspire confidence? While it’s hard to argue with a 110 point regular season, if these are the three that Canadiens will continue to go with than Bergevin must address additional scoring somewhere. Will any of Scherbak, Hudon, Andrighetto be ready to contribute? Canadiens fans must hope that the answer is yes.
The one priority for Marc Bergevin? To sign Jeff Petry. If Bergevin is unable to to upgrade the top 6 forwards, he has to ensure that his backend is as tight as can be. On paper it appears to be a match:
Celebrate Montreal!
Petry says his first choice is to return to Montreal.
That's not a contract but that's a huge first step. #habs.
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) May 14, 2015Bergevin on Petry: We're happy. I think he fits perfectly. He will be a priority. We will do our best to keep him here. He wants to be here.
— BrianWilde (@BWildeCTV) May 15, 2015Losing Petry would create a huge hole in the top four defencemen, one that would be very difficult to otherwise fill. Having Petry in the lineup alleviates the pressure on Andrei Markov and would allow Therrien to properly manage the aging defenceman’s time. Another big plus is that Petry is the perfect player for Nathan Beaulieu to model his game after. Petry plays responsible hockey, knows when to get physical and when to jump in. Sergei Gonchar was instrumental in Beaulieu’s development in the middle of the season and keeping Jeff Petry would certainly continue to help young Nathan.
Other things we learnt today was that Marc Bergevin would like to re-sign local boy Torrey Mitchell who found a comfortable home centering the fourth line these playoffs. Mitchell proved to be a terrific trade deadline acquisition, a right-handed faceoff specialist with the ability to pinch in and contribute offensively. Canadiens fans will say goodbye to Mike Weaver, Sergei Gonchar and Manny Maholtra. Veterans who played the big brother role admirably while it must have been difficult sitting in the press box. Unfortunately these players simply were not able to keep up in the fast style of play of the Canadiens. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bergevin goes out and finds another veteran or two who can help mentor the younger players, almost like adding unofficial assistant coaches.
As for anyone thinking that the Canadiens might make any offseason coaching changes, Bergevin confirmed that Therrien and his staff are not going anywhere.
"Michel Therrien is doing exceptional work. I'm disappointed anyone would think otherwise." - Marc Bergevin #GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 15, 2015Bergevin has complete confidence in his coaching staff, even with the admittedly terrible power play. He said that he will sit with the staff to work through it rather than look for outside help. Perhaps they will listen to what P.K. Subban had to say about it and get inspired:
"One thing I give Tampa credit for is that there's no lack of creativity on their power play. Their players obviously get off that leash to move around. I don't think there's any cemented structure on that power play. They've got skilled players and they move around the ice. They make plays, they change position, they read off each other." Hopefully Subban will get his wish in the off-season and the players will have some sort of creative license. There are too many pieces already in place for the power play to have been as poor as it was. One thing is certain, this past season’s troubles cannot be allowed to continue into the 2015-2016 season.
The curtain has officially fallen on the Montreal Canadiens 2014-2015 season and all in all it was a positive one at that. Their accomplisments: finished with 110 points, Carey Price broke the franchise goalie record for wins surpassing legends Ken Dryden and Jacques Plante, Price nominated for the Vezina, Hart and Lindsay Trophies, Subban nominated for the Norris - it is hard to argue against calling it successful. After so many years of uncertainty, of simply battling just to get into the playoffs, these past three seasons are a breath of fresh air. Fans expectations have risen solely due to the recent success and development of its star players. Getting to the next level will certainly be a challenge for the Montreal Canadiens, but listening to the players and management, it is one that they are excited for and very much want to reach.