Top 25 Montreal Sports Moments Of 2014: 15-11

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Nov 11, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens general manager

Marc Bergevin

speaks at a press conference before the game against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

15. Extreme Makeover: Habs Edition

Nothing will beat July 1, 2009 when it comes to shake ups by the Montreal Canadiens. That was the day they gotBrian Gionta,Mike Cammalleri,Jaroslav SpacekandHal Gilland goodbye to – among others –Alex KovalevandSaku Koivu.

However, that was a team that had an absolute collapse and needed a change. This July, the Canadiens were coming off of an appearance in the Eastern Conference semi-final but General Manager Marc Bergevin was not satisfied.

First, he attributed the playoff run to a bit of luck, and then he realized the team could still be improved – and that’s what he did.

By July 1, it was known thatDouglas Murray,George Parros,Thomas Vanek(expiring contracts) andDaniel Briere(traded to Colorado forP.A. Parenteau) would not return to the Canadiens. All four of those players were acquired by Bergevin the previous year.

Then, when free-agency started, he replaced them.Manny Malhotrawas signed as the fourth line center.Josh Gorgeswas traded to Buffalo and then immediately replaced withTom Gilbert.Mike Weaverwas re-signed. And perhaps the biggest coup of all, an unknown Czech forward namedJiri Sekacdecided to sign with Montreal.

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A GM like Bergevin could have seen his team’s playoff performance and stood pat. But good general managers are never satisfied. It was the most positive performance by a GM that I can recall. Regardless of the results, his process was correct.

The Canadiens also madeP.K. Subbanthe highest paid player in team history and avoided an arbitration settlement. I’m not sure what changed in the hours after the hearing, but I think everyone is happy a deal got done.

When the season started, Bergevin wasn’t satisfied still. He shipped offTravis MoenandRene Bourquewithin a week and a half of each other for expiring contracts. It also gave room for Jiri Sekac to play a regular role which he so rightly deserves.

He finished the year off by signingBrendan Gallagherto a 6 year, $22.5 million extension which is great value for a core piece of the future of the franchise. And, finally, the team decided to startAlex Galchenyukat center on a line with Gallagher andMax Pacioretty. There were questions as to whether he was ready, but there are questions no more.

The future is now in Montreal, and the reality is with Artturi Lehkonen, Mike McCarron, Nikita Scherbak and Jacob De La Rose on the horizon (not even mentioning Martin Reway,Sven Andrighetto, Charles Hudon and others) the future may be even brighter. And it’s not like the Canadiens are an aging bunch to begin with.

-Jared Book

Next: No. 14: An Incredible Turn-Around

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