Last season was devastating for the Montreal Canadiens. The loss of goaltender Carey Price, who suffered a season-ending MCL injury to his right knee on Nov. 25, sent the team into a tailspin after a 9-0-0 start. The Canadiens never recovered, finished sixth in the Atlantic Division and missed the playoffs for only the second time in nine seasons.
The offseason brought more change. Actually, describing it as "change" doesn't do it justice. In a blockbuster, GM Marc Bergevin traded star defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for fellow blueliner Shea Weber. Many observers believe the Canadiens came out on top from a pure hockey standpoint, and will now be more unified. We'll see how it all plays out by April.
Best new faces
The addition of Weber, a 31-year-old, steady blueliner who had spent his entire career with the Predators and is a four-time All-Star, will bring balance on the back end, at least in the short term. Although Subban is more dynamic, Weber is more stable. The chemistry between Weber and Price was evident as the two helped lead Team Canada to a World Cup of Hockey championship in September.
Weber wasn't the only solid addition. The Canadiens acquired two-time Stanley Cup-winning forward Andrew Shaw from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a pair of second-round picks in last June's draft. Shaw's tenacity, along with that of the Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher, will drive opponents to their breaking points. Shaw wasted no time making his presence felt, getting suspended for three preseason games for boarding Washington Capitals prospect Connor Hobbs.
As insurance for Price, the Canadiens signed goalie Al Montoya to battle Mike Condon for the backup role.
Biggest unknowns
It's hard to not focus on Price. He was healthy in time to start for Team Canada at the World Cup, and he looked sharp in the five games he played, with a 1.40 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. He was calm and showed no ill effects from MCL injury. After winning the World Cup, Price said he was ready for the regular season.
The Canadiens' signing of forward Alexander Radulov is interesting. The former Predator played only three seasons (two different stints) in the NHL before heading back to the KHL. Radulov has a checkered reputation -- in 2012, he was suspended by Nashville for breaking curfew on the eve of a Stanley Cup playoff game -- but the-30-year-old is out to show he has matured and can become a low-risk, high-reward venture for Montreal.
What type of season will captain Max Pacioretty have? The veteran forward produced his fourth 30-goal season in 2015-16 and finished with 64 points in 82 games. His experience as a member of Team USA, which was eliminated in the round-robin phase of the World Cup of Hockey, should motivate him to improve.
If the Canadiens struggle early in the season and are not in the playoff picture come Dec. 1, how much longer will coach Michel Therrien last?
Sure things
A season ago, Alex Galchenyuk proved to be a standout center for the Canadiens. The 22-year-old from Milwaukee was a lone bright spot last season, when he posted 30 goals and 26 assists for 56 points in 82 games. He has proven to be reliable and durable in his first four seasons.
Forward Tomas Plekanec, 33, returns for his 13th season with the Canadiens. He recently served as captain for the Czech Republic at the World Cup. He averages 50 points per season, and that should continue in 2016-17.
Prediction
The Canadiens will have a healthy season and contend for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Second in the Atlantic.