GM setting bar high for bigger, badder Habs
Veteran newcomers bolster roster with influx of size and grit, Bergevin says
While Marc Bergevin likes the team he has assembled on paper, and admitted expectations will be higher this season, he won't predict a Stanley Cup's on the horizon for the Canadiens.
At least, not until the team has played some regular-season games.
“We like our team,” the Canadiens' general manager said on Monday during a lengthy interview on TSN Radio 690. “A lot of times you want to make changes, bring some people (in) and you're not able to do it.
“While (a championship is) the goal, we haven't played one game yet.”
The Canadiens launch their regular-season on Wednesday night at Toronto (7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690) against the Maple Leafs, the first of 56 games competing in an all-canadian division due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If the NHL schedule looks different, so too will the team head coach Claude Julien has at his disposal this season following the additions of goaltender Jake Allen, defencemen Joel Edmundson and draft choice Alexander Romanov, along with forwards Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli, Michael Frolik and Corey Perry — although the latter two were placed on waivers Monday so the club could get below the Us$81.5-million salary cap by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
While there's no doubt the Canadiens will be bigger, and potentially better, Bergevin denied there was a concerted effort by management to make changes now after the team qualified for the expanded playoff pool and upset Pittsburgh in the play-in round before being eliminated by Philadelphia in the opening round.
“If Columbus doesn't need a centre (Max Domi), Josh Anderson isn't a Montreal Canadien, I can guarantee you that,” Bergevin said. “There was a match. I know for a fact there were teams after Josh Anderson but didn't have the match Columbus was looking for. People don't understand. That's the business you're in. You need a match.
“We were looking to add some size on the wing,” he added. “It (adding size) was something we knew (the team required) all along. Guys like Anderson, there's not a lot of them in the league. The teams that do have (similar players) end up keeping them. I'm not sure what happened (in Columbus), but there was a need for us. I tried to get him in the past.”
It was much the same scenario, Bergevin explained, leading to the signing in October of free agent forward Tyler Toffoli from Vancouver.
Bergevin realized the market was going to change due to potential revenue streams teams lost when the health crisis struck in mid-march and play was halted, but he figured space could be found to incorporate Toffoli's salary. He subsequently signed Toffoli to a four-year, US$17 million contract.
Bergevin also admitted the time has come in Jonathan Drouin's career for him to take the next step. The hope obviously is Drouin will become more of an offensive force while proving to be committed and engaged.
Drouin was performing admirably last season until being sidelined with a wrist injury that required surgery. He returned and produced a goal and six assists in 10 playoff games.
“The bar is high,” Bergevin said. “Our expectations are high internally. It's up to him. I've watched him walk around the room. I've watched him in practice and scrimmages. He's engaged and dialed in. I expect big things from Jo this year.”
Bergevin also remains convinced the special team units will vastly improve, and knows they must if the Canadiens are to be competitive.
Montreal's power play struggled with a 17.7 per cent success rate, ranking 22nd in the NHL. During the playoffs, that total dipped to 15.2 per cent.
“I think we held onto the puck too much, massaging the puck before you move it, forcing plays instead of taking what was available to us,” Bergevin said. “The (coaching) staff is aware. We've changed our personnel. I expect, without a doubt, to have a lot better power play this year.”
The GM would also like to see the team become more aggressive while killing penalties, using its speed to its advantage. Bergevin realizes that could result in some scoring opportunities, but with a bigger defence corps capable of moving players from in front of the net, believes Carey Price and Allen will make the save as long as they can see the puck.
Finally, despite the threat of COVID-19 hanging over the players' heads, and despite the fact a bubble environment no longer is in play, Bergevin is confident the season will play out with few interruptions, noting provisions are in place to accommodate postponed games.
“I don't think about what I can't control,” he said. “I'm sure there will be more cases. We all know we need to be careful.”