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While the Montreal Canadiens made an incredible run to the Eastern Conference Final in his second season as general manager, Marc Bergevin isn't ready to label his team as contenders just yet.
Bergevin held court with the media in his end-of-season news conference on Monday, saying there's still plenty to do to make the Habs a championship-calibre club.
"I thought our young players learned a lot," he said. "What they learned over the last 17 playoff games is something you can't buy. We're a good team with a young core, but we're not a mature team yet. I'm happy with our season, but there's still work to do."
The No. 1 question posed to Bergevin was the contract status of star defenceman P.K. Subban, who becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Subban, who signed a two-year bridge contract after the 2012-13 lockout, captured the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top blueliner last year, was named to the Canadian men's Olympic team that won gold in Sochi in February and was among their top players in the postseason.
While many speculate that Subban could pull in an eight-year contract worth $8 million to $9 million a season, Bergevin wasn't showing his hand on anything regarding negotiations. "Contract talks are strategic," he explained, reminding reporters that his policy is to never divulge contract updates in public. "I can't give you a timeline on when it'll get done."
Bergevin, did however, mention he would like to retain pending UFA Brian Gionta, who's been captain for the last four seasons. "We'll see what we can do to bring him back," he said, adding that others have stepped up as leaders as well.
"(Josh) Gorges is a really good leader. Carey, P.K., and 'Patch' are taking that role. We have a lot of young leaders who will help moving forward. A guy like Plekanec might not be a player who talks a lot, but by his play and the way he competes, he's a leader."
Bergevin was also satisfied this season with the development of young blueliners Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi and Greg Pateryn, the first two playing short stints with the NHL club.
"I think the day they become everyday players with the Canadiens will be sooner rather than later," he said. "Do I want them to play in NHL next season - yes. "I want some internal competition at camp (next season)."
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