The future is bright

MONTREAL -- There's no way to avoid disappointment following a playoff elimination.

It's a perfectly natural feeling, especially after a series in which one team controls the majority of the shots, scoring chances, and goals, but bows out in six games.

But despite the final result of the Canadiens' playoff run, things feel a little different this time around.

No, the Canadiens are not Stanley Cup contenders.

Not yet, anyway.

But while there are many questions left to be answered, Canadiens fans were offered a glimpse into the future over the last few weeks, a future that seems much brighter now that many of their young stars have dipped their toes in the chilly waters of the NHL playoffs and quickly found their rhythm.

It wasn't very long ago that many, including myself, were bemoaning the lack of talented centers throughout the organization, and now, it's a position of strength, and more importantly, potential, given the average age of the current group of centermen is a shade under 23, including the stalwart Phillip Danault and the versatile Jake Evans.

It wasn't very long ago that many, including myself, questioned whether Carey Price still had what it took to be one of the best goaltenders on the planet. We stand corrected. The reports of Price's demise may have been greatly exaggerated.

It wasn't very long ago that many, including myself, pointed to the prospect pipeline and development process as an area that may have been holding the organization back. It's now considered one of the best in the League, and that's without the additional 14 players that will be added to the mix at the NHL Draft in October.

Of course, there are still areas of concern.

Even though the Canadiens are one of the best teams in the NHL when it comes to controlling shots and chances, there's clearly the need for more shooting talent on the roster. With a little luck, a certain 2019 first-round pick will fill that role. As is always the case when it comes to prospects, patience will be a virtue.

Improvements must be made to the power play, but there's no denying Nick Suzuki added a much-needed injection of creativity, which should only increase as he gains Big LEague experience. It's easy to forget Suzuki is only a year removed from playing in the OHL. Maybe it's because he plays with the poise and confidence of a 10-year veteran. Or maybe it's because he led the Canadiens in playoff scoring as a rookie. Either way, his presence in the lineup went from a boon to a crucial ingredient that not only fuelled the Canadiens' offense, but fuelled fans' hopes and dreams.

He's not the only conductor on the hope train.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi emerged from his shell, and not just as a defensively-responsible center. Yes, he found his scoring touch, and sure, he showed a surprisingly aggressive side to his game, and there's no denying he led the Canadiens in several key possession statistics, including shot share and goal share. But there was a certain level of confidence that was apparent to everyone watching. It was the type of confidence that allowed him to assert himself in key situations, the type of confidence that will continue to serve him well as his career advances.

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how many, if not most of the roster, reacted to the adversity thrown their way with aplomb, and dare I say, immense character. Though there were certainly rough spots throughout the playoffs, for the most part, there was a sense of belief emanating from the players, a sense of belief shared by many of the fans.

The experience gained should prove to be invaluable, especially when we take a look at past Stanley Cup winners, most of which relied on a longterm core, a group of players that grew up, rose to the occasion, and won together.

With the improvements in Laval and Montreal over the course of the last few years, it doesn't take much imagination to picture a similar scenario taking place at the Bell Centre.

Yes, it's difficult to avoid disappointment following a playoff series. But this time, things feel different.

And the best is yet to come.