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2013-14 results: 46-28-8 (third in Atlantic)
Story line: Habs establish Subban as their foundation block
Arrivals: LW P.A. Parenteau (trade with Colorado Avalanche); C Manny Malhotra, D Tom Gilbert (free agents)
Departures: C Danny Briere (traded to Avalanche), D Josh Gorges (traded to Buffalo Sabres), LW Thomas Vanek (signed with Minnesota Wild), RW Brian Gionta (signed with Sabres), C Ryan White (signed with Philadelphia Flyers), RW George Parros, D Francis Bouillon, D Douglas Murray
Goaltending: Carey Price (34-20-5, 2.32, .927) proved he is championship caliber by winning gold in Sochi. Dustin Tokarski looked good in the playoffs, but Peter Budaj (10-8-3, 2.51, .909) has a year left on his contract.
Analysis: The Canadiens signed P.K. Subban to an eight-year deal and are structuring their team around him and Price. But given the tug of war during talks, Subban's future with the organization seemed in doubt until he signed. Montreal came within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final and might have made it had Price not been injured. The defensively sound team seems designed for playoff success. They probably lost ground this summer to the aggressive Tampa Bay Lightning, but the Canadiens are still a competitive group.
Breakthrough candidate: C Alex Galchenyuk, 20, could double his point total, going from 31 points to about 60. The Canadiens would be happy if he had 20 goals and 45 to 50 points.
Youngster to watch: D Jarred Tinordi, 22, might get a chance to play regularly. Tinordi, whose dad , Mark, played 12 NHL seasons, is a 6-6 stay-at-home defenseman who has played 30 games over the past two seasons.
What the team really needs: An offensive star like they used to have with Guy Lafleur or Rocket Richard. Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec are very good, but they are not stars. The city deserves a player who can bring fans out of their seats.
Key question: Will the Canadiens' decision to go without a captain work? It's better to have a single voice as leader, but appointing four alternates might be the best way to ease Subban and Pacioretty into their leadership roles.
Forecast: Under coach Michel Therrien, the Canadiens finished fourth overall in 2012-13 and ninth in 2013-14. Of course they will make the playoffs.
Top returning leaders
Goals: Max Pacioretty, 39
Assists: P.K. Subban, 43
Points: Pacioretty, 60
Plus-minus: Andrei Markov, +12
Penalty minutes: Brandon Prust, 121
Shots: Pacioretty, 270
Projected Eastern Conference standings
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