BT's 2009/10 NHL Season Preview: Montreal Canadiens

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

As we approach the halfway point of the Northeast division, we come to a team that went through wholesale change.

While the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres didn't change much about their team's appearance, settling more on replacing missing players from within and integrating youth into the NHL game, the Montreal Canadiens pulled a Tampa Bay Lightning (Circa 2007/08) and remodeled the entire team.

Now they have a whole new first line, a few new faces on defense, and an untouched goaltending scenario (although there was one minor move that got blown out of proportion over the summer).

Montreal Canadiens

2008/09 Record: 41-30-11, 93 points, 8th in East—Swept in first round by Boston Bruins

Additions: Jaroslav Spacek—D (3 years/$11.5 mil), Hal Gill—D (2 years/$4.5 mil), Mike Cammalleri—F (5 years/$30 mil), Brian Gionta—F (5 years/$25 mil), Paul Mara—D (1 year/$1.675 mil), Travis Moen—F (3 years/$4.5 mil), Scott Gomez—F (Trade w/New York Rangers)

Subtractions: Mathieu Schneider—D (FA), Patrice Briesbois—D (FA), Marc Denis—G (FA), Saku Koivu—F (FA), Alex Tanguay—F (FA), Robert Lang—F (FA), Francis Bouillon—D (FA), Alex Kovalev—F (FA), Tom Kostopoulos—F (FA), Mike Komisarek—D (FA), Chris Higgins—F (Trade w/New York), Doug Janik—D (FA)

With a disappointing 2008/09 in the books, the Montreal Canadiens knew they needed change, and change is what they got.

Former Northeastern rival Jacques Martin was lured away from the Florida Panthers to return behind the bench in hopes that he could revive a team that slowed after a powerful 2008.

After that, the Habs were a boob job away from being Pamela Anderson: They got a fresh pair of legs (well…a few), a new face of the franchise, and something around 6% of what the original product was still remains.

Does this mean I’m saying Anderson is 94% plastic? You’re damn right I am. Who knew Aqua’s one hit song was biographical.

Sorry....I just got caught watching it...

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