While the Montreal Canadiens were once called "Les Glorieux" the moniker just doesn't feel like it fits anymore...especially not after the last 10 years. Since the 2010-2011 season, the Canadiens have missed the playoffs 4 times and there is a real chance that it will be the case against this season which would mean that they've missed the spring dance 50% of the time in the 2010s. Of course, there were some good times/things as well so let's focus on these rather than be too negative. So here are my top 10 moments/ players of the last decade for our Habs.
10. The Winter Classic in Foxboro January 1st, 2016
Season 2015-2016 was atrocious on many levels for the Canadiens and they did not make the playoffs that year but that 5-1 win over the Bruins on their own turf was heck of a thrill. In a season where Carey Price only played 12 games and in which Brendan Gallagher broke his hand for the first time, the Habs faithful sure needed some cheering up... They got it on January 1st when Brendan Gallagher came back from injury right in time to lead the Tricolore to a fantastic victory over the Bruins with a goal and an assist while local guy Mike Condon rocked a New England Patriots mask and made 27 saves on 28 shots. I attended that game and I must say I've never had that much fun at a game...There truly is something special about attending a Bruins fans tailgate and chanting "Go Habs Go!" as you walk through it...
9. The Philip Danault trade
None of us knew it at the time but when Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin traded Dale Weise and Thomas Fleischmann to the Chicago Blackhawks for Philip Danault and a second round draft pick in 2018, he positively fleeced the Hawks. Nearly 4 years down the line, the Hawks have got nothing to show for this trade while Danault is currently the Habs' 1st centre (yes, I know in an ideal world he'd be lower in the line-up but the fact is that he is their 1st line centre and he's doing heck of a job of it). Furthermore, Dale Weise is now back in the Habs organization (not that he plays a major role) and provides a much needed veteran presence in the AHL. As for the 2nd round pick in 2018, it turned out to be Alexander Romanov and as things stand, it does look like this is a prospect that will pan out.
8. PK Subban wins the Norris trophy
I know, Subban was far from being everyone's cup of tea but to me, he was a really entertaining player that could make the Bell Centre rise to its feet when he decided to turn it on. From the moment he joined the team in April 2010, Subban raised eyebrows by showing offensive potential, speed and determination. He seemed to love rocking the red, white and blue and played with a lot of pride. In the 2013 lockout shorten season, he was rewarded with the Norris trophy when he got 38 points in 42 games. The year after that, he registered 53 points in the regular season before putting up 14 points in 17 games during the Canadiens playoffs run. He then followed that up with seasons of 60 and 51 points before being traded to Nashville. Unfortunately, Subban was viewed as a distraction in the room and he had to be moved... While I was quite frankly upset with the trade when it happened, I'm forced to admit that right now, it looks like Bergevin did the right thing. Subban's off ice activities and one man marketing band seem to have become his number one priority and his on ice numbers reflect that.
7. The Radulov experiment
After the spectacular failure that was the Semin signing, people were rather skeptical when Bergevin decided to bring Alexander Radulov on for a one year deal. Soon enough though, everyone came to the realization that he was the kind of player who was willing to give his all for the team and do whatever it took to win. In 76 games with the Habs, he registered 54 points and became a fan favorite. That season was the last time the Canadiens qualified for the playoffs and it's not a coincidence. Radulov provided a spark to the offense as well as some much needed excitement and entertainment which was much needed in the wake of Subban's departure. While the Habs did not go far in the playoffs that year, Radulov had 7 points in 6 games as the Canadiens were eliminated by the Rangers in 6. Unfortunately for fans though, Radulov was ready to break the bank and Bergevin just wasn't willing to give him the money he was after... Radulov is now plying his trade in Dallas and has had 72 points in the last two seasons but is somewhat struggling this year with 25 points in 36 games.
6. Shea Weber's arrival
I don't remember a trade splitting up the fan base in such a way. I remember people being upset with some trades, like the time the Canadiens sent Roy to Colorado for next to nothing but this Subban for Weber 1 for 1 deal had people arguing until last season. Initially, part of the fan base felt like Weber was too old and that they were on the wrong end of the deal but now, as Subban's star seems to be fading, Weber is on pace to have his best season yet. To be fair, Weber looked slow at times in the last few years but in a way, it seems that all the injuries allowed him to rest and come back rejuvenated. This year, Weber looks as strong and efficient as ever and there's no denying that he's the rock of the defence.
5. Jeff Petry
When Bergevin acquired him at the trade deadline in 2015 for a couple pf picks, there was a risk he'd just be a rental player as his contract was due to expire at the end of the season. Thankfully though, Petry enjoyed himself so much in Montreal and decided to sign a long term deal worth 33 millions for 6 years. While he can make us curse his name at times, it's safe to say that without Petry, the Canadiens would have looked even worse during the Weber injuries. Furthermore, when he got to Montreal, his career high in points was 25 but since then, he's improved on that several times since and his new best is 46 points, a mark which he could probably beat this season.
4. The Galchenyuk - Domi swap
Glachenyuk was the first draft pick of the Marc Bergevin era, taken 3rd overall in the 2012 draft, it was believed that the American would do big things with the Habs but unfortunately, he never became the 1st line centre the Canadiens had hoped for. You have to give credit to Bergevin for knowing when to call it quits though, in the summer of 2018 he sent Chucky packing and got Domi back from Arizona for it. A year and a half into the deal, Domi has established himself as a fan favourite in Montreal and while he has struggled at times this season, he looks to have come back on the right path lately. It doesn't look like he'll match his 72 points from last season but hey, at least he won't cost as much to resign and meanwhile, the Coyotes have already given up on Galchenyuk by sending him to Pittsburgh after a single season in the desert.
3. Carey Price
The decade started on the back of the Price or Halak debate and while the Halak trade wasn't exactly well received at the time, it's hard to not like it now. 9 and a half years down the line, Carey Price has rewritten the Montreal Canadiens record book and has showed himself to be a dominating goaltender. Who could forget his multiple trophy winning season of 2014-2015 when he received the Hart, the Vezina, the Ted Lindsay and the William M. Jennings? The year he established the record for most wins in a season by a Canadiens goaltender with 44, beating Plante's record of 42. Since then, he's become the all-time wins leader with the Habs and hopefully, he's not done rewriting the record book. Of course, the lack of Stanley Cup win will hurt his legacy if he calls it quit on his career before winning hockey's ultimate prize but there's no arguing that Price is an excellent goaltender and a winner (ask anyone on Team Canada).
Somewhere, Dominik Hasek is laughing like an evil villain watching this Carey Price barrel-roll save. pic.twitter.com/UNU38z6gdH
2. Brendan Gallagher
Yes, I'm putting the little warrior ahead of Price. Why? Well, to me, Gallagher is the very definition of dedication. He's got skills, he's got grit and he's fearless. Nobody expected the 147th pick overall of the entry draft to become such an important part of the Montreal Canadiens. In 526 career games, Gallagher has gathered 323 points, 166 of which were goals. On a team that has had its struggles to score at times, he has been a blessing. His goals might not be pretty, many will say that they are garbage goals but guess what? They're worth the same as sweet breakaway dangle goals. Furthermore, to me, Gallagher is the Habs next captain. When Weber decides to hang his skates, the C will have to be given to Gally. The man bleeds red, white and blue and would do just about anything for this team.
KIDS: If you want to score goals...get to the dirty areas and be ready/willing to feel some pain.
Watch Brendan Gallagher on this goal. Takes a full on clapper from the defenseman...then gets right back to the dirty area and ends up with a great tip for a goal. Great job!! pic.twitter.com/LxrlUuGtEd
1. The 2013-2014 playoffs run
It's hard to think of that year with saying what if... In a season where they finished with 100 points and in which Carey Price was in top form, the Canadiens looked like they meant business and that they could go all the way. It started rather well when they swept the Lightning (admittedly the Bolts' number 1 goaltender was injured but still) before getting rid of Boston in 7 games. Who could forget that dominating performance in game 7 in Boston? The Habs went in TD Garden and just owned the Bruins, beating them 3-1 and moving on to face the Rangers. For the first time since the 2009-2010 season, the Canadiens were in the final four and the fans were elated. But then... Kris Kreider crashed into Carey Price during game 1 of the Conference finals and just like that, the dream was over. There was just no way the Canadiens could beat the Rangers with Dustin Tokarski in net. While the Habs didn't make it to the final, that Spring remains my best memory of the last decade, the sweeping of the Bolts and the 7 oh so intense games against the Bruins made for a magical Spring.
There you have it, my top 10 of the last decade! What or who would be in yours? Are you hopeful that the next decade will be better?
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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