2005 MONTREAL CANADIENS PREVIEW

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2005-06 Montreal Canadiens preview

(MySportsbook.com) - The Montreal Canadiens were a legitimate playoff club before the lockout. Now it's a matter of whether not they will still be one, or take the proverbial two steps back for one step forward.

The Habs didn't make a ton of noise during this summer's free agent frenzy, and they lost some key components in the process. Gone are defensemen Patrice Brisebois, Karl Dykhuis and Stephane Quintal, while the only significant addition was blueliner Mathieu Dandenault.

The club also made somewhat of a surprising move by re-signing sniper Alexei Kovalev, who was obtained in a deadline deal a year and a half ago. Kovalev was terrific for Montreal in the postseason and the leveling of the financial playing field this summer made him affordable.

Of course, the anchor of the Canadiens' success will still lie in net, where Jose Theodore is back to patrol. The former Hart and Vezina winner bounced back from an off year in 03-04 and hopes to string together another effort worthy of an elite backstop.

Overall, a lot of weight will be placed on the Canadiens' younger players this season. GM Bob Gainey let go several dependable veterans with the expectation that his guys in their early 20s can come through.

FORWARDS - Saku Koivu was the feel-good story in the NHL a few years back, but now he is simply the Habs' captain and center of their top line. While he isn't quite a superstar, Koivu does everything well and hopes to approach the 21 goals and 50 assists he recorded in 02-03.

Koivu is the spearhead of an upgraded center rotation that also includes the newly-acquired Radek Bonk and 03-04 leading scorer Mike Ribeiro. Bonk often received a bad rap in Ottawa due to his lack of playoff production, but he has the ability and resume to expect between 60 and 70 points from him. Ribeiro erupted with a career season in 03-04, potting 20 goals with 45 assists, and it will be up to him to maintain that second-line center spot ahead of Bonk.

Where the wings are concerned, Kovalev and Richard Zednik will likely be grouped with Koivu to compile an extremely dangerous top line. With the new rules a player like Kovalev could get back to that mid-high 30s range in terms of goals, while Zednik tries to again lead the club in tallies. The latter player's career has blossomed since being obtained by the Canadiens late in the 2000-01 season.

The Habs have a nice group of other wingers who have or are ready to make significant contributions. Michael Ryder tallied 25 goals and 38 assists as a rookie in 03-04, while Jan Bulis and Pierre Dagenais have become solid scorers since entering the team's fold. Dagenais was a bust with New Jersey and Florida, but tallied 17 goals and 10 assists in 50 games with Montreal last time out.

Marcel Hossa is a guy whom the team is growing impatient with. He has produced in the AHL, but hasn't played well enough to stick with the big club.

DEFENSE - With the departures on defense, look for returning vets Sheldon Souray and Craig Rivet to pick up the slack. Souray is stout at 6-4. 227 pounds and he turned into an offensive machine in 03-04. After missing the previous season with a serious wrist injury, he posted 15 goals and 20 assists in 63 games.

Rivet, meanwhile, has been a mainstay for some time. He doesn't provide much from an offensive standpoint, but he is aggressive and doesn't shy away from the physical stuff. Andrei Markov is an offensive threat, having scored 14 goals in 02-03. Last time out he posted six goals and 22 assists in 69 games.

As for youngsters trying to make an impact, former first-round pick Mike Komisarek stands at 6-4, 237 pounds. He split the last NHL season between the Habs and the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, but the time has come for him to become a regular.

Dandenault has spent most of the last decade with the Detroit Red Wings, and his versatility will be counted on with the losses of Brisebois and Quintal.

GOALTENDING - Theodore is among the league's elite, but he cannot have a down year like he did in 02-03. He is a game-stealer, and how many contest he takes from the opposition could determine how long the Habs will remain in playoff contention. Perhaps his best asset is the ability to be a workhorse, as he has appeared in 67 games in two of the last three NHL seasons.

Cristobal Huet will likely serve as the backup. after spending his brief NHL career with the LA Kings. Injuries forced him into action during the 03-04 campaign, and he went 10-16-10 with a 2.43 GAA in 42 appearances for LA. He should expect a much lighter workload in Montreal.

WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE - Like most teams in this post-lockout era, the Habs' success might be determined by how their youngsters respond to increased pressure on their backs. Because of that, this could be a developmental season in Montreal, one that has the team in contention until the very end. Unfortunately, growing pains may leave them falling short.

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