The biggest news, from Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin is that Alex Galchenyuk will start the season at wing, barring a change.
Bergevin: “À moins d’un changement Galchenyuk va commencer à l’aile.”
— Marc Antoine Godin (@MAGodin) September 11, 2017
And part of it is due to the acquisition of Jonathan Drouin.
Bergevin says Drouin at C was decided as an experiment when the trade was made. #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
#Habs Bergevin: “Until further notice Galchenyuk will play wing and we will experiment with Drouin at centre.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) September 11, 2017
Bergevin said possibly Galchenyuk will develop into a centre, but it’s clear to him he can’t handle defensive side of the position right now
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 11, 2017
I asked if Galchenyuk can learn the centre position while playing wing, Bergevin said yes. But also said it’s possible he never does.
— Аrpon Basu (@ArponBasu) September 11, 2017
The Habs GM also talked about the cap space the team has.
“I’m not going to spend just for the sake of it.” -Bergevin on the Canadiens’ cap space pic.twitter.com/mONhhte2Fx
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Bergevin, re cap space: “I will always look to improve the team. Cap space is definitely an asset.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Bergevin: “If we have $8.5M in cap space now, it’s $34M at the trade deadline but it needs players to fill it.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Bergevin also talked about the departures of Alex Radulov and Andrei Markov.
Bergevin: “I am surprised [to lose Radulov and Markov].” He said #Habs made same offer as Dallas before Dallas did.
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Bergevin says #Habs made an offer to Markov before he left to go to Russia.
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
MBergevin tells me Markov wanted $6M. Says his offer plus bonuses was $5M. Markov replied he was going to go in different direction #TSN690
— Tony Marinaro (@TonyMarinaro) September 11, 2017
He also talked about the front office changes.
Bergevin: Trevor Timmins’s promotion to assistant GM won’t change his role. #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
He also talked about Michel Therrien’s scouting, says it won’t be full time and that Therrien proposed to help the team.
“Michel ne sera pas un dépisteur à temps plein. Il vit en Floride, il a proposé de nous aider. Je respecte l’homme de hockey qu’il est.”#ch
— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) September 11, 2017
He also talked about the makeover on defence.
Bergevin: “We had a lot of changes on defence but I believe we have improved there.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
The team’s goaltender had a party with him on his way to the tournament.
#Habs Price did the environmentally conscious ride to the golf tournament, carpooling with Weber and Petry.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) September 11, 2017
Geoff Molson spoke about the upcoming season as well.
Molson: “I think every year there’s always reason to be optimistic. I think Marc did his best to put the best team together.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Molson: “We are grateful for everything Markov did but he made his decision to go [to Russia.] #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
“Once you (make the playoffs), I think we have a team that can do anything.” -Geoff Molson pic.twitter.com/yxe1QfGuQ0
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Molson said he spoke to Markov: “I reminded him he’ll always be a MTL Canadien & he’s always welcome here” #Habs #TSN690
— Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) September 11, 2017
Claude Julien also spoke to the media, and his GM said that although it’s ultimately Julien’s decision, he thinks Alex Galchenyuk will fit on the right wing.
C. Julien prendra la décision finale, mais Bergevin verrait d’un bon oeil que Galchenyuk joue à droite, avec ses qualités de tireur #RDS #CH
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 11, 2017
Julien thinks Galchenyuk can play the right wing as well.
Concernant Galchenyuk à l’aile DROITE, Julien croit qu’il a le talent pour s’ajuster et être efficace à cette position #CH #RDS
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 11, 2017
Bergevin named certain young players he wanted to see impress at training camp.
Bergevin a nommé Scherbak, Hudon, McCarron et De La Rose comme joueurs qu’il aimerait voir causer des surprises au camp #CH #RDS
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 11, 2017
The coach likes the biggest addition to the team and that he has a bright future.
Julien:”Drouin a bcp de talent, il a un beau futur. Il ne faut pas le menotter, mais il y a une façon de jouer dans la LNH.”#ch #habs
— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) September 11, 2017
Julien: I’m not committing to anything, but Jonathan Drouin deserves a chance at C #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Julien: Drouin is playing C because we believe he can be a good C. Doesn’t mean he won’t move around if needed. #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Julien says that with 8 pre-season games, there will be plenty of opportunity for young players to earn a spot on the team.
“With 8 exhibition games, the players will have lots of opportunities to show they belong on the team.” -Julien pic.twitter.com/sYpkOIQgF4
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Charles Hudon also spoke to the media.
Charles Hudon: “I’m here to do a job. I’m here to claim a spot on the team.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
Carey Price spoke to the media as well.
Price: [Markov] has done a lot for my career. #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
«Je veux mériter chaque dollar que j’empoche» – @CP0031
“I want to deserve every penny I earn.” – Price pic.twitter.com/9bH1kd6hKv
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Newcomer Karl Alzner said don’t expect to him replace Markov, or at least not his 15 goals.
Alzner en rigolant:”Si je veux remplacer Markov, je vais devoir marquer 15 buts par saison!”#ch #habs
— Jonathan Bernier (@JBernierJDM) September 11, 2017
Phillip Danault says fans will love the newest addition.
«Les partisans vont aimer Drouin.»
“The fans are going to love Drouin.” -Danault #gohabsgo pic.twitter.com/L5Yg9HXU6W
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Jonathan Drouin also talked to the media.
Drouin: “I played centre all my life.” #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
He says he’s a player who likes to pass first, and that him and Max Pacioretty have developed chemistry quickly in off-season skating.
Drouin se décrit comme un joueur qui aime passer la rondelle en premier et indique que lui et Pacioretty ont cliqué rapidement” #CH #RDS
— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) September 11, 2017
Shea Weber says that he is more comfortable in his second year with the team.
«Je suis content d’être de retour, je connais mieux l’équipe, mes coéquipiers. Je suis plus confortable» https://t.co/GZ6F69YXtH pic.twitter.com/WM6JK3ZtqV
— Hockey 360 (@hockey360) September 11, 2017
“Having a bunch of new players doesnt necessarily mean we’ll have to make a lot of changes, in my opinion.” -S. Weber pic.twitter.com/U60hKj26EO
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Alex Galchenyuk spoke the media.
“My goal is to be the best player I can be to help the team” – Alex Galchenyuk #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
“When I’m asked about being C, I know I’m back in Montreal… I’m trying to find a new answer” – Alex Galchenyuk #Habs
— Jared Book (@jaredbook) September 11, 2017
“Taking a mental break and getting physically ready were my priorities this offseason.” -A. Galchenyuk pic.twitter.com/cYgJZKygbp
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
Max Pacioretty talked about his relationship with the fans.
“I see how much the fans love me & it’s a 2-way road. I have a great relationship with the fans. It’s a privilege to play here.” -Pacioretty pic.twitter.com/2aRUiSkZPa
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2017
