2014-15 LEADING SCORERS
LW Max Pacioretty (37 G, 30 A, 67 P)
C Tomas Plekanec (26 G, 34 A, 60 P)
D P.K Subban (15 G, 45 A, 60 P)
LAST SEASON
The 2014-15 Montreal Canadiens season was the same old song and dance as the previous year. They finished first in the Atlantic Division with a record of 50-22-10, and made it to the second round of the NHL Playoffs. Notable free agent signings the year before included defenseman Tom Gilbert, forward Manny Malhotra, and prospect out of the KHL in Jiri Sekac. During the 2014 playoffs, backup goaltender Dustin Tokarski had a solid outing over a few games, so the Habs traded Peter Budaj along with Patrick Holland to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Eric Tangradi.
Heading into the 2014-15 season, a few early trades included sending Travis Moen to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Sergei Gonchar, and trading Rene Bourque to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Bryan Allen. Nearing up to the trade deadling, the Habs went on to improve their roster in preparation for the 2015 NHL playoffs by trading Jiri Sekac to the Ducks in exchange for Devante Smith-Pelley, bringing in defenseman Jeff Petry from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2nd and a 5th, and aquiring depth forwards Torrey Mitchell and Brian Flynn in seperate deals for a pick and prospect Jack Nevins respectively.
Heading into the playoffs, they defeated the Ottawa Senators in round one, but fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in round two. Goaltender Carey Price took home four awards including the Vezina Trophy and the Ted Lindsay award, so in the end the Habs didn't have too much to be upset about.
OFFSEASON
IN
Joel Hanley
Mark Barberio
Bud Holloway
Zack Kassian
Ryan Johnston
Daniel Audette
Alexander Semin
OUT
Brandon Prust
Joey MacDonald
P.A Parenteau
Sergei Gonchar
Andreas Engqvist
Davis Drewiske
Bryan Allen
Manny Malhotra
Mike Weaver
Brian Willsie
Drayson Bowman
The Habs didn't do too much to their team in the offseason. They didn't neccesarily downgrade, but they didn't upgrade either. They went into the offseason and used their first round pick to draft defenseman Noah Juulsen from the Everett Silvertips of the QMJHL. They entered free agency, where their only real notable transactions were trading Brandon Prust to the Vancouver Canucks for Zack Kassian, and inking Alexander Semin to a one year contract. They said goodbye to veterans Manny Malhotra and Sergei Gonchar, along with younger players such as Drayson Bowman.
NEXT SEASON PT 1. OFFENSE
The Habs' offense will be lead by the services of their 2014-15 point leader Max Pacioretty, along with secondary help from Tomas Plekanec and Brendan Gallagher. Look for newly-signed Alexander Semin to have a rebound season, along with Alex Galchenyuk to step into a bigger role for the Habs. Expect rookies Christian Thomas, Sven Andrighetto, and Michael Bournival to push for roster spots.
NEXT SEASON PT 2. DEFENSE
The Habs' defense will without question be quarterbacked by 2013 Norris Trophy winner P.K Subban, with help coming in from Andrei Markov and Jeff Petry. Expect Nathan Beaulieu to challenge for a full time roster spot on the back end.
NEXT SEASON PT 3. GOALTENDING
There is no debate whatsoever on who the Habs will start next year. Carey Price will without a doubt get most of the starts, while Dustin Tokarski will back him up. Nothing else to be said on the topic.
POSSIBLE 2015-16 OPENING NIGHT LINEUP
Max Pacioretty - David Desharnais - Brendan Gallagher
Alex Galchenyuk - Tomas Plekanec - Alexander Semin
Jacob de la Rose - Lars Eller - Devante Smith-Pelley
Dale Weise - Torrey Mitchell - Zack Kassian
Andrei Markov - P.K Subban
Jeff Petry - Alexei Emelin
Tom Gilbert - Nathan Beaulieu
Carey Price
Dustin Tokarski
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