Bergevin: Excitement and enthusiasm

MONTREAL - Like Habs fans the world over, Marc Bergevin is champing at the bit to watch his players open the campaign on January 13 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The offseason, however, wasn't quiet by any means for the Canadiens' general manager, who completed multiple trades and signings over the last few months in order to make this edition of the club a real success story.
With the first on-ice sessions of training camp set to begin on Monday at the Bell Sports Complex, Bergevin is enthusiastic about the weeks and months ahead.
"I'm excited. Whenever you start a new season, you're always excited. But I watched a little bit of the [informal] skate this morning and I like what we've done. You could put anything on paper and it doesn't matter until you start playing games and getting the results, but just the fact that our players are excited, that tells me that their minds are in the right place," mentioned Bergevin, who met the media via Zoom on Sunday afternoon. "Also the way we could play the game - we still have a fast team and we have a bigger team. We could play pretty much any way you want. We're still going to play our game, but I think we're well-equipped to play against bigger teams now than we were in the past."
Bergevin is especially eager to see several newcomers at work, including forwards Josh Anderson and Tyler Toffoli, defenseman Joel Edmundson, and goaltender Jake Allen.
He fully expects each one of them to play a key role in the lineup.
"Based on our schedule, I think Jake is going to be a big plus. Bringing in size up front, too, with Josh. He brings some size and some skill. Tyler brings some scoring touch, and we've got Eddy back there which gives you presence. There's also Romy [Alexander Romanov] coming in," stressed Bergevin. "I just like our team. We will have some guys that get banged up, but I hope we don't get any major injuries where it will make our team a little weaker. If we stay healthy, I really like our team."

Bergevin was active most recently in December with the signings of forwards Michael Frolik and Corey Perry.
The pair boast 1,895 combined games of regular season experience in the NHL ranks, along with 192 games of playoff experience as well.
Perry, 35, won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and claimed the Hart Trophy and Maurice Richard Trophy following a remarkable 98-point season (50g, 48a) in 2010-11.
Bringing Perry on board was a clear indication that the Canadiens shouldn't be taken lightly.
"I think it sends a message to the whole league and our own players that we mean business," explained Bergevin. "We're here to win, and we could play any way you want to play, so guys are excited. That I could tell you right now."

That enthusiasm comes with expectations, of course, and the Habs will be playing in a challenging seven-team Canadian division that affords postseason berths to the top four teams alone.
Even if a tall task awaits, though, the organization has high hopes going forward.
"We have high expectations internally. We won't hide that. We have to perform," said Bergevin. "I really like the team we've put together. I fully expect us to be prepared for the season-opener."