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Expectations on Their Way Back Down for the New Montreal Canadiens |
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With much talk regarding the diminutive nature of Montreal’s top line, the unsteadiness of their top-4 defensemen, and a centennial celebration that had the atmosphere of a funeral, the expectations for Bob Gainey’s new Canadiens are quite low. Not that all the pundits have weighed in yet, but be assured, it won’t be long before they predict a bumpy struggle for “Les Glorieux” to make the playoffs, let alone challenge for a Stanley Cup.
And that’s a situation that the returning members of last year’s Canadiens should be welcoming. After all, their memories aren’t short enough to erase an extremely successful campaign in ’07-08 in light of bottom-expectations.
Needless to say certain players were severely affected by high expectations leading into last season. Tomas Plekanec went from a career-high 69 points, to a sad 39, in a year where he was expected to be the team’s number-1 centre. Sergei Kostitsyn, who was a catalyst to success in his rookie campaign, came back to the Canadiens last year, convinced he had paid his dues. After a great season, Roman Hamrlik spent most of last year convincing people he’s on the wrong side of his prime.
A lot to prove for all these players, but not much expected from them. Will flying back under the radar enable Plekanec to regain his confidence? Sergei Kostitsyn was recently quoted, claiming the only reason for his demotion to Hamilton last season was because of the stories about his association to Pascale Mangiola. How long into training camp will it be before this kid gets a rude awakening? Can Hamrlik embrace what will be an unbelievably crucial role to fill if the Canadiens hope to hold a place in the playoff picture throughout the season?
Expectations are low for three players critics are calling the “Smurf line”. As if Gomez, Gionta, and Cammelleri haven’t faced those criticisms throughout every level of hockey? Three players with a new page to write a new story on will have ample pressure on them to succeed on a nightly basis. Of them, Gomez has the most to prove, as he takes over for Saku Koivu, after two poor seasons under a deal that pays him at the upper echelon of the league. Brian Gionta will hope to rekindle the magic with Gomez after a few seasons where he’s produced less than expected. Mike Cammelleri will aim to prove that another high-scoring season wasn’t just the product of playing with Iginla, but the mark of a trend for a player who can fill the net and help others fill it as well.
A trio of defensemen are met with questions regarding their ability to change Montreal’s soft image. Bob Gainey has taken plenty of criticism concerning the term of Spacek’s contract, and though there should be little doubt about the offensive support he’ll be lending Markov, there’s plenty of doubt about his ability to play a physical game. Paul Mara rounds out the top-4, and he’ll be expected to be a physical force for the Canadiens—something they lack with the exile of Mike Komisarek to Toronto. And what about Hal Gill, who coming off a Stanley Cup win, provokes doubt regarding his stability and endurance?
The biggest question is whether or not Carey Price can redeem himself after lending credence to every doubt expressed about him before he began his NHL career? Does he have a better team in front of him? Will he have a better system in front of him? Will he receive the protection he so clearly needed and didn’t receive last season?
There are so many questions about these Canadiens, it seems hard to imagine anyone will pick them as a bonafide playoff contender. The question is; do you think that helps or hurts them?
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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