With the NHL regular season right around the corner, TSN. Wil Lutz Saints Jersey .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: RW P-A Parenteau, C Manny Malhotra, LW Jiri Sekac, DTom Gilbert Key 2014 Subtractions: C Daniel Briere, RW Brian Gionta, D Josh Gorges, DFrancis Bouillon, C Ryan White, D Douglas Murray, C Louis Leblanc, LW Thomas Vanek, RW 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 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) 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. Ted Ginn Jr Youth Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Thomas Morstead Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.com/saints-sheldon-rankins-gold-jersey/ . 3. Trevor Ariza left them talkin about 40. Ariza made eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 40 points to help the Washington Wizards win their sixth straight game, 122-103 over Philadelphia on Saturday night.DETROIT -- Even by the Detroit Pistons recent standards, this was an abrupt change. Detroit fired coach Maurice Cheeks on Sunday after less than a year as coach, with the Pistons languishing well below .500 despite off-season moves aimed at putting the struggling franchise back in contention. Detroit is 21-29, and although the Pistons still have a decent chance to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, their new roster has performed erratically. "This was a difficult decision for the organization to make but we needed to make a change," team president Joe Dumars said in a statement. "We have great respect for Maurice and appreciate his hard work." A person with knowledge of Detroits plans said assistant John Loyer will take over as interim coach. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced an interim coach yet. The Pistons havent made the playoffs since being swept in the first round in 2009 -- in Michael Currys only season as their coach. Since then, Detroit has gone through two seasons under John Kuester and two under Lawrence Frank. After neither of them could make any real progress, Cheeks was brought in as Detroits ninth coach since the 1999-2000 season. In addition to hiring Cheeks last off-season, Detroit signed forward Josh Smith and traded for point guard Brandon Jennings, trying to bolster a roster that already included young big men Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. But the mix has been uninspiring for the most part. The Pistons have had problems defensively and have struggled to close out games in the fourth quarter. The poor attendance thats become commonplace at The Palace hasnt really improved -- and Detroits 11-15 home record hasnt helped. "Our record does not reflect our talent and we simply need a change," Pistons owner Tom Gores said Sunday. "We have not made the kind of progress that we should have over the first half of the season. This is a young team and we knew there would be growing pains, but we can be patient only as long as there is progress." Detroit is only a half-game out of the final playoff spot in the East, but thats largely because so many teams in the conference are having similar problems. The Pistons are only three games better than they were after 50 games last season. Cheeks became the first coach to leave or be fired after 50 games or fewer with an NBA team since Bob Weiss, who coached only 30 games forr Seattle in 2005-06, according to STATS. Bobby Hebert Womens Jersey. That does not include interim coaches. "The responsibility does not fall squarely on any one individual, but right now this change is a necessary step toward turning this thing around," Gores said. "I still have a lot of hope for this season and I expect our players to step up. I respect and appreciate Maurice Cheeks and thank him for his efforts; we just require a different approach." The Pistons have won four of six, including back-to-back blowouts at home against Brooklyn and Denver on Friday and Saturday. They host San Antonio on Monday night, and the team has not made any announcement about who will coach that game. Cheeks previously coached Portland and Philadelphia, a team he won an NBA title with as a point guard. The Pistons gave him his third shot to be an NBA head coach in June. Gores was in attendance at a recent game and said he thought the team was better than its record. "Im not satisfied. Our job is to make sure that our players are at their maximum," Gores said after that Feb. 1 game against Philadelphia. "Im not satisfied with the job Im doing. Im not satisfied with the job anyone is doing." At that point, speculation centred around the upcoming trade deadline and the possibility that Detroit might shake up its roster again. Now, the Pistons are hoping another coaching change can improve the franchises outlook. Detroit made the conference finals six straight years from 2003-08, but the teams fall was swift after that, and rebuilding has been difficult. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Pistons championship in 2004 -- and the atmosphere at The Palace could hardly be more different. "Were focused on how to make our players the best," Gores said earlier this month. "I dont think weve done our best job of making sure they are at their best. They are working at 100 per cent, but these are young men who need a lot of preparation." The Pistons became the third major pro team in Detroit to make a coaching or managerial change in the past six months. Jim Leyland of the Tigers stepped down and was replaced by Brad Ausmus after last season, and the Lions fired Jim Schwartz in late December, eventually replacing him with Jim Caldwell. So Ausmus, who has yet to manage a game, is now the second-longest tenured manager or coach of the citys four major pro teams. Yahoo Sports first reported Cheeks firing. ' ' '