With the NHL regular season right around the corner, TSN.ca profiles each team leading up to puck drop. Next up is the Montreal Canadiens - Canadas top franchise last season with a lot of pressure to improve on last springs playoff success. Catch up on their off-season moves and the issues they face this season, as well as their analytical breakdown by TSNs Scott Cullen. Division: Atlantic GM: Marc Bergevin Head Coach: Michel Therrien 2013-14: 46-28-8 (3rd in Atlantic) Playoffs: Lost in Eastern Conference Final Goals For: 209 (21st) Goals Against: 201 (8th) PP: 17.2% (19th) PK: 85.1% (4th) That Was Then: After a 2012-13 season that saw the Canadiens capture the division title and qualify for the post-season, most of the Montreal faithful were happy with their turnaround from a last place finish in the Eastern Conference basement a year earlier. Not Marc Bergevin. "There were a many positives from last year," he told his players flatly prior to last seasons training camp. "We made the playoffs but lost in the first-round (to Ottawa). We cant be satisfied with that." The Canadiens struggled in the first quarter of the season, with a 10-9-2 record and slow starts from two of their top forwards. David Desharnais, with just one assist in his first 17 games, was chastised on social media by Montreal mayor Denis Coderre - who called for his demotion to Hamilton of the American Hockey League. Max Pacioretty, who was also struggling on the score sheet, was suddenly the subject of trade speculation. All of that came to a head on Nov. 19, when Pacioretty scored a natural hat trick and Desharnais notched two assists in the Habs 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. That victory put the Canadiens top scoring duo back on track, as well as kickstart a 9-0-1 run through Dec. 7. The rest of December and January werent particularly kind, headlined by a listless 5-0 home loss to Washington on Jan. 25 that saw the club booed mercilessly at the Bell Centre. Cue Bergevin, who saw it all first-hand and had all of his players stay in the dressing room to address the media after the game. That subtle (or not-so-subtle depending what he said to his players) reminder of accountability worked as the Habs recovered quickly and went 5-1-1 into the Olympic break. Going into the NHLs 3pm et trade deadline on Mar. 3, things looked very quiet from the front office. The team had already acquired depth players in forward Dale Weise and defenceman Mike Weaver and appeared to be standing pat. That is, until 2:59pm et when news broke that the Canadiens - who werent even rumoured to be in the running - acquired arguably the biggest name of the day in sniper Thomas Vanek. The Austrian winger, who settled in on a line with Desharnais and Pacioretty, gave the Canadiens that added offensive punch they needed to make the post-season. Which brings us to Mar. 15 and a nationally televised Saturday night game at home against Ottawa. Down 4-1 late in the third period, the Canadiens - in an NHL first - stunned the Senators with three unanswered goals in the final three-and-a-half minutes of play en route to an incredible 5-4 overtime win. As Therrien and Bergevin later admitted, that victory turned their season around and gave them the momentum to clinch a post-season berth with an 11-3-1 finish in their final 15 games. What happened in the playoffs was beyond just about everyones expectations, as the Canadiens knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning and hated Boston Bruins before losing out in six games to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final. Just two wins shy of their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993, it will be difficult for Bergevin and Therrien to temper expectations after the Habs best post-season showing of this generation. Scott Cullens Analytics Canadiens 2013-14 Stats By Quarter Games GPG GAA SH% SV% SAF% PTS% 1-20 2.55 2.10 5.9% .942 50.3% .550 21-41 2.33 2.14 7.5% .923 47.2% .683 42-62 2.62 2.76 7.9% .930 47.8% .595 63-82 2.70 2.60 9.6% .926 47.6% .625 NHL AVG 2.67 2.67 7.8% .922 50.0% .562 Key: GPG= goals per game, GAA= goals-against per game, SH%= even-strength shooting percentage, SV%= even-strength save percentage, SAF%= score-adjusted Fenwick percentage (differential of shot attempts faced vs. shot attempts, excluding blocked shots, adjusted for game score), PTS%= percentage of available points. Analysis: Games 1-20: Spectacular goaltending from Carey Price overcame a lack of finish early. Games 21-41: Percentages closer to average, possession falls, but record strong thanks to four OT/SO wins. Games 42-62: Top-shelf goaltending and improved finish kept Habs rolling, despite subpar possession stats. Games 63-82: Addition of Thomas Vanek helped elevate shooting percentage. Key 2014 Additions: F P-A Parenteau, F Manny Malhotra, F Jiri Sekac, D Tom Gilbert Key 2014 Subtractions: F Daniel Briere, F Brian Gionta, D Josh Gorges, D Francis Bouillon, F Ryan White, D Douglas Murray, F Louis Leblanc, F Thomas Vanek, F George Parros This Is Now: Daniel Brieres tenure with the Canadiens lasted just one season, as the veteran centre was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche for a younger, bigger and more productive P-A Parenteau. Bergevin also parted ways with captain Brian Gionta and shot-blocking blueliner Josh Gorges, as both headed to the Buffalo Sabres through free agency and a trade. On July 1, the Canadiens added faceoff specialist Manny Malhotra, who should take some of the defensive zone responsibilities off two-way centres Tomas Plekanec and Lars Eller. Free agent defenceman Tom Gilbert was also brought in, providing power play help and a valuable right-handed shot behind Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban. Markov appears to be a career Canadien after signing a new three-year contract prior to July 1, while Subban - much to the delight of Canadiens fans - signed an eight-year, $72 million contract. Giontas absence leaves the Canadiens with two roles to fill - a stable second/third line right winger and a leader in the dressing room. Parenteau believes he can take the role on the second line, while free agent signing Jiri Sekac will also get a look. Where the leadership element is concerned, Giontas (and Gorges) departure means the torch will be passed to a core headlined by younger players like Pacioretty, Subban and Brendan Gallagher. TSN Montreal reporter John Lus Five Key Storylines heading into training camp: 1. How is Carey Prices left knee (injured in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final in a collision with Chris Kreider) and can he replicate his (non-Olympic) success? 2. Will a bigger contract mean bigger responsibilities for P.K. Subban? 3. Who will win the battle at right wing on the second and third lines? 4. Who will be the Canadiens captain after losing two key leaders in Gorges and Gionta? 5. Young defenders contending to be full-time NHLers - how will Nathan Beaulieu, Jarred Tinordi and Greg Pateryn fit in? DEPTH CHART Forwards Left Wing Centre Right Wing Max Pacioretty David Desharnais Brendan Gallagher Alex Galchenyuk Tomas Plekanec PA Parenteau Rene Bourque Lars Eller Dale Weise Brandon Prust Manny Malhotra Jiri Sekac Travis Moen Michael Bournival Sven Andrighetto Jacob De la Rose Gabriel Dumont Patrick Holland Defence Left Right Andrei Markov P.K. Subban Alexei Emelin Tom Gilbert Nathan Beaulieu Mike Weaver Jarred Tinordi Greg Pateryn Davis Drewiske Morgan Ellis Mac Bennett Darren Dietz Goaltenders Carey Price Peter Budaj Dustin Tokarski Craigs List A list of the Canadiens top prospects as ranked by TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button. A-Level Prospects No. Name Pos. 2013-14 Club 1 Jacob de la Rose LW Leksands (SWE) 2 Zach Fucale G Halifax (QMJHL) 3 Nikita Scherbak RW Saskatoon (WHL) 4 Artturi Lehkonen LW KalPa (FIN) B-Level Prospects No. Name Pos. 2013-14 Club 5 Jiri Sekac LW Lev Praha (KHL) 6 Jeremy Gregoire C Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 7 Charles Hudon LW Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 8 Sven Andrighetto RW Hamilton (AHL) 9 Greg Pateryn D Hamilton (AHL) 10 Mac Bennett D Michigan (NCAA) A-Level prospects are prospective starting goaltenders, top four defencemen and top six forwards. B-Level prospects are prospective backup goaltenders, bottom pairing defencemen and bottom six forwards. Fantasy - Cullens Player to Watch Alex Galchenyuk The third overall pick in 2012 has shown flashes of talent in two pro campaigns, but struggled during his sophomore season, particularly after missing time with a broken hand, scoring three goals and eight points in 21 games after returning from the injury. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old has the size and skill to be a difference maker for the Habs, provided he is utilized in a sufficiently prominent offensive role. Through his first two years, there have been some ups and down when it comes to ice time, as Galchenyuk has averaged 13:30 per game over his first 113 NHL games, but if he stays healthy, and plays a top-six role this season, Galchenyuk could be poised for a breakthrough season. Ronald Guzman Rangers Jersey .com) - Oregon wasnt going to let Arizona ruin its national title dreams for a second straight season. Jason Grilli Jersey . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/248...ey-rangers.html. -- The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Brandon Lyon that includes an invitation to their big league camp for spring training. 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Nicklaus was referring to his record 18 majors, and the major championship venues that favoured Woods - Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, all courses where he had won before. Woods never had a serious chance on the back nine of any major that year. His tally remains at 14. And that makes 2014 even bigger. Woods is facing another favourable menu of major championship sites. He already has won majors at Augusta, Royal Liverpool (British Open) and Valhalla (PGA Championship). The U.S. Open is at Pinehurst No. 2, were Woods was third in 1999 and runner-up in 2005. "Im trending in the right way," Woods said recently. "Ive finished third, second ... you get the picture, right? OK." A new year begins Friday at the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and while Woods is among PGA Tour winners who chose to sit this one out, his performance in the majors this year figures to be a major topic of conversation over the next eight months. "I always think that the Masters signals a lot with Tiger," NBC analyst Johnny Miller said during a conference call. "If he doesnt win the Masters, I think it gives a great, big Uh-oh, because that course is so perfect for his game. Ill leave it at that. But if he wants to get off on the right foot, I think he needs to get off at the Masters." Theres a big difference with Woods the last time he faced such a tantalizing rotation of majors. Nicklaus spoke of a "big year" when Woods was more of a mystery than ever. No one had seen Woods in more than a month going into 2010 and didnt even know where he was. His personal life at home, his mystique in golf and his appeal in the corporate world were crumbling in spectacular fashion. Now, he is No. 1 in the world. He won five times last year against some of the strongest fields. He won the Vardon Trophy for the ninth time, the PGA Tour money title for the 10th time and was voted PGA Tour player of the year for the 11th time. Still, there remains an uncertainty about Woods, mainly because he hasnt won a major since 2008 and he hasnt broken 70 on the weekend of any major since the 2011 Masters. Thats a startling statistic for a guy who has built a reputation as golfs greatest closer. "Its getting much harder for Tiger because guys are not wilting on him," Miller said. &qquot;So hes got a double whammy in that hes not able to close as well as he used to, and then the guys are more heroic against him like they never were before.dddddddddddd ... Guys are saying, Yeah, youre Tiger Woods and youre the greatest ever, but now at your age, I can beat you. He needs to do it in the majors." Will familiar venues help? Not necessarily. Woods forever is linked with Augusta National because of his record score (270) and margin of victory (12 shots) in the 1997 Masters, his back-to-back wins (2001-02) and that magic moment with his chip on the 16th hole that led to his playoff win in 2005. But he has not added to his wardrobe of green jackets in eight years, his longest drought in any major. Who saw that coming? And while he is trending in the right direction at Pinehurst No. 2, the Donald Ross design has gone through a restoration project that eliminated rough and replaced it with sandy dunes, pine straw and wire grass. Woods won the 2006 British Open at Royal Liverpool when it was firm and fiery, a links that was more yellow than green because of a dry summer. Woods hit only one driver the entire week. It might not be the same course if England gets a wet summer — and yes, it does rain in England — and players see Hoylake green, lush and longer. Valhalla is where Woods made what he considers the biggest putt of his career, a 6-footer on the final hole for birdie to force a playoff that he won over Bob May in the PGA Championship. It gave Woods his third straight major in that amazing summer of 2000. If that seems like a long time ago, it was. Woods will not have seen Valhalla in 14 years when he returns this summer. The best gauge of Woods and his pursuit of Nicklaus is more about him than the course he is playing. More than St. Andrews or Pebble Beach, more than Hoylake or Valhalla, its best to consider Southern Hills. Thats the course that supposedly gave Woods fits because of its tight, bending, tree-lined fairways. Woods won the 2007 PGA Championship that year, proof that when hes on his game and in the right frame of mind, he can win any major on any course. More significant than where the majors are played in 2014 is the fact Woods turned 38 on Monday. By age alone, Woods has been ahead of Nicklaus pace in the majors since winning his seventh major in 2002 Masters at age 26. They are tied now. Nicklaus also had 14 majors when he turned 38, and then he added his 15th major that summer in the British Open. Thats what makes this a big year for Woods. ' ' '