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 got Brian Gionta, Mike Cammalleri, Jaroslav Spacek and Hal Gill and goodbye to – among others – Alex Kovalev and Saku 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 that Douglas Murray, George Parros, Thomas Vanek (expiring contracts) and Daniel Briere (traded to Colorado for P.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 Malhotra was signed as the fourth line center. Josh Gorges was traded to Buffalo and then immediately replaced with Tom Gilbert. Mike Weaver was re-signed. And perhaps the biggest coup of all, an unknown Czech forward named Jiri Sekac decided to sign with Montreal.