MONTREAL CANADIENS: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 47-25-18 104 points
DIVISION: 1st
CONFERENCE: 1st
RESULT: Lost in 2nd round

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: LW Alex Tanguay(CGY), LW George Laraque(PITT), D Alex Henry(NAS), D Shawn Belle(STL), G Marc Denis(TB), C Robert Lang(CHI)
DEPARTURES: C Mikhail Grabovksi, RW Michael Ryder, C Bryan Smolinski, D Mark Streit

The Canadiens didn't have to do a whole lot in the off-season after their surprising 104 point, 1st place finish. But after their disappointing 2nd round playoff loss to the Flyers, there were a few things that needed to be addressed. GM Bob Gainey started by acquiring LW Alex Tanguay from the Flames on draft day. Tanguay will bring even more depth up front for the Canadiens and if he plays alongside Chris Higgins, it could help Higgins become a 30 goal scorer. From the Canadiens loss to the Flyers, toughness was the glaring hole the Canadiens needed to address. The Canadiens went out and signed home-boy George Laraque who will bring more than enough toughness. To finish off the off-season the Canadiens acquired C Robert Lang from the Blackhawks to add depth and size down the middle.

CAP HIT: 54.89 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- A.KOSTITSYN-T.PLEKANEC-A.KOVALEV
2- A.TANGUAY-S.KOIVU-C.HIGGINS
3- G.LATENDRESSE-R.LANG-S.KOSTITSYN
4- G.LARAQUE-K.CHIPCHURA-M.LAPIERRE
E- M.DANDENAULT-S.BEGIN-T.KOSTOPOULOS

The Canadiens have depth throughout all three positions especially with the acquisition of Lang. Lead by their top line of Andrei Kostitsyn, Tomas Plekanec and come-back player of the year Alex Kovalev the Canadiens will score alot of goals this season. Tanguay and Higgins will be centered by captain Saku Koivu to form a very solid second line. The Canadiens third line shouldn't have a problem scoring either. Guillaume Latendresse. Lang and Sergei Kostitsyn will bring yet another line of scoring while helping the Canadiens defensively. Laraque, rookie Kyle Chipchura and Maxim Lapierre will bring the grit and toughness on the 4th line. Steve Begin, Mathieu Dandenault and Tom Kostopoulos are hard pressed to make the team but can fill in for injuries without a problem.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- A.MARKOV-M.KOMISAREK
2- F.BOULLION-R.HAMRLIK
3- P.BRISEBOIS-J.GORGES
E- R.O'BRYNE-M.CARLE

The Canadiens have a solid top-6 but will look for repeat performances by Roman Hamrlik and Patrice Brisebois who both played surprisingly well. Andrei Markov leads the group alongside Mike Komisarek to form one of the best pairings in the league. They bring a equal mix of offense and defense while not forgetting about one or the other. Markov will be looked upon even more on the PP with the loss of PP specialists Mark Streit. Francois Boullion is very steady and has become a solid top-4 defensemen. Josh Gorges really started to make strides last last season and will continue his development into an everyday defensemen. Ryan O'Bryne brings the depth to the group and is a solid injury replacement.

GOALIES:
1- C.PRICE
2- J.HALAK
3- M.DENIS

Last season Carey Price came into camp just looking to make the team. What a difference a season makes with Price now the teams starting goaltender for this year and the future. Price will be a star goaltender but had some problems last season but that is expected being a rookie goalie. Price made amazing strides last season especially when you look at other young goalies like M-A Fleury who took a little longer to be the caliber of goaltender Price has already become. Jaroslav Halak is a solid back-up but dont expect him to play very many games.

OVERALL:

The Canadiens are solid from top to bottom and baring any injuries they will be tough to beat coming out of the east. GM Bob Gainey added some toughness and some scoring depth in the off-season and it should be what pushes the Canadiens deep into the playoffs. In their 100th season, the Canadiens are hoping they capture their 25th Cup.

PREDICTION: 1st Division, 1st Conference