Habs get ready to build on last season’s success
Uncertainties over Subban’s deal, defence and the coaching staff need attention
Michel Therrien said he’s pleased with the progress the Canadiens have made over his two seasons as head coach, but added there’s a lingering sense of disappointment after the team’s loss to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final.
“We’re pleased with the way we played, but it’s still disappointing to know that we were two games away from the Stanley Cup final,” said Therrien, whose team was eliminated by the Rangers in six games.
The Canadiens exceeded expectations with their run to the final four, but Therrien hedged when asked before Friday night’s NHL draft whether the team was ahead of schedule in the rebuilding project that began with the hiring of general manager Marc Bergevin in 2012.
Therrien said although the Canadiens had a good year, they will have to prove themselves all over again next season.
“Our goal next season will be make the playoffs and that depends on a lot of factors,” Therrien said. “You have to avoid injuries. Last year, our depth came through for us and we had players step up at the right time.”
One of those players was P.K. Subban. The defenceman found himself riding the pine on a few occasions during the regular season, but Therrien noted Subban played his best hockey during the playoff run that saw the Canadiens sweep Tampa Bay in the first round before eliminating Boston in seven games.
Negotiations are continuing on a new contract for Subban, who is a restricted free agent, but Therrien said he was pleased Bergevin signed defenceman Andrei Markov to a new three-year deal.
Markov and Subban will play key roles in a defensive corps that will likely feature an influx of young players with Jarred Tinordi, Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn all hoping to earn regular employment in the NHL.
Therrien said the organization was pleased with the youngsters’ progress over the past two seasons, but added they will have to earn jobs at training camp.
The coach hedged when asked about the future of Peter Budaj after the backup goaltender was passed over in favour of Dustin Tokarski when Carey Price was injured in Game 1 of the Rangers series. Therrien noted that Budaj, who has one year left on his contract, has been an excellent backup, but the reality is that the Canadiens might have one NHL-calibre goaltender too many.
Therrien, who took some time off in Florida before joining the Canadiens’ delegation at the NHL draft, has one immediate task. He has to fill the vacancy on his coaching staff created by the departure of Gerard Gallant, who left to become head coach of the Florida Panthers.
“I had mixed feelings when I heard the news,” Therrien said. “I’m happy to see Gerard get a chance to be a head coach in the NHL, but we’ll miss him because he did a good job for us.”
Therrien and Bergevin have already begun reviewing the list of possible replacements. Therrien said there are some good candidates available and that the organization will start by looking within.