So, here we are, those are my 5 Habs related predictions for this season:
-The Canadiens WILL make the playoffs
Why? I know the team has not improved that much this offseason BUT this season, it appears that Carey Price will be Carey Price from the start of the season and for the first time (as far as I know) Carey Price has come out and said he wants to win and he wants to win now. Price has always been the leading by example type of guy but this year, he decided to speak up. If I'm Brendan Gallagher or Max Domi, that motivates me even more to win and you can be sure I will try my hardest. Those guys are all heart and they've been known to be the team's booster cables but I believe that Price joining their voice to motivate the roster will make a big difference.
-Victor Mete WILL score his first goal in the first 10 games of the season
It's been long enough, the guy deserves it. He got one waved off last season when Shaw interfered with the goalie but now that he's back in Chicago that sure won't happen anymore. Besides, with Suzuki and Fleury cracking the roster, he won't be the only one looking for his first career goal and let's face it, Poehling showed him how easy it was to do last season. The joke has gone on long enough!
-Jonathan Drouin WILL NOT be traded
Drouin is 24 years old, his value has never been as low as it is now. Will Bergevin sell low? No he will not. Bergevin believes in the player's potential and I'll add that his points output wasn't that bad last season, allow me to quote my own blog from just over 2 months ago:
Number 92 is under contract for 4 more years at $5.5 M per and what should be expected from a player with that kind of salary? There are plenty of exemples for instance TJ Oshie got 54 points while earning $5.750M BUT that was in 69 games, Nino Niederreiter notched 53 points in 82 games and made $5.250 M, Jamie Benn got a whooping $9.5 M for 53 points (just as many as Drouin) but yes, that was a massively off year for the Stars' forward and finally, Reilly Smith got 53 points in 74 games for Vegas while cashing in $5 M. When you put it all in perspective, Drouin's output really wasn't all that bad. In this day and age, points don't come cheap. Does this mean that people just expect too much of Drouin? Not necessarily, though everyone can see the potential for so much more is there.
I may be crazy but I believe that Drouin will eventually come into his own and live up to his potential.
-Keith Kinkaid WILL play around 25 games
He was brought in to allow Price to have a lighter workload and that is exactly what's going to happen. Stephane Waite is a magical worker and once he got his hands on Antti Niemi, he gave a new lease of life to his career even though it was a short one. Kinkaid has been solid in the preseason and he's given us all reasons to be hopeful.
-Max Domi WILL get a big and long extension
This is a character player who loves being in the limelight. He's a leader, a dynamo on this team and it's impossible not to like having him on your side. If Bergevin knows what's good for him and for his team, he'll sign this guy long term and waste no time doing it.
There you have it ladies and gents, my 5 predictions. Feel free to disagree with them but do share some of your own please.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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