by Chris G, Staff Writer & Podcast Host, All Habs Hockey Magazine

LAVAL, QC. — Prior to the start of the 2013-14 NHL season, no one predicted the Montreal Canadiens to be two wins short of making an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. The majority of Canadiens fans and experts, including yours truly, had the Canadiens battling for a wild card spot.

How did they do it? Below you will find my evaluation of the Habs players, head coach and general manager.

Note: The grades are based on my personal expectations of the individual. A grade in the “As” , my expectations were exceeded, “Bs” my expectations were met, “Cs” means that performance was below my expectations and “F” signifies that he should get the F*** out of here!

Forwards

Dale Weise – A

When the Canadiens announced his acquisition prior to trade deadline, I was wondering why Marc Bergevin traded their only right handed defensemen, Raphael Diaz, for another 4^th line player that wasn’t a regular started on a struggling Vancouver Canucks roster. After his first couple of games, I was able to tell the reason he was acquired. He is a character player that gives 100 per cent on every single shift. In the postseason, he was arguably one of the best and most consistent players of his team. The statistics show that he scored “only” three goals during the playoffs, but if you look closely that he scored an overtime winner against Tampa Bay in Round 1, the game winning goal in Game 3 against the Bruins, and the first goal in the important game 7 between Montreal and Boston. He was recently rewarded with a well deserved 2 year contract extension.

Max Pacioretty – A-

Everyone knew that Max Pacioretty had the skills and the talent to be a regular 30 goal scorer in the NHL. During the 2013-14 season, Pacioretty showed that he can be an elite goal scorer in the NHL.  After starting the season with two goals in the first 12 games of the season, Max was one goal shy of hitting the 40 goal mark. Eleven of his goals scored in the regular season were game winning goals. Pacioretty’s playoff performance (5G 6A) drew some criticism that I believe are not deserved.

Brendan Gallagher – A-

For a second consecutive season, Gallagher played a lot bigger then the 5’9” that he is listed. He is the only player of the team that is always in front of the opposing goalie and became a nuisance to the opponents. On the other hand, the argument can be made that he is building a reputation with the officials and they are becoming stricter against him when he is in the crease. How can you forget the incident against the Jets on Super Bowl weekend?  Brendan’s effort level was always high during the entire season. Eller and Galchenyuk’s offensive production went down when Gallagher was moved to play with Pacioretty and Desharnais. Coincidence that the Canadiens best offensive lines were lines that had Gallagher playing on the Right Wing? I don’t think so.

Tomas Plekanec – B+

In terms of goals and assists, the 2013-14 season was not Plekanec’s best season. His contribution to the Canadiens success was his solid play on both sides of the rink. He would face the opposing team’s best players and succeed in shutting them down. Tomas was the Habs forward with the most ice team as he was used on the power play and the penalty kill.  He was a threat offensively when the Canadiens were shorthanded. He scored three goals in those situations, but it seemed like he would get a breakaway during every game.

Thomas Vanek – B+

The biggest impact player that was traded on trade deadline day. In the 18 regular season games that he played with the Habs, the 5-on-5 scoring was greatly improved.  He was known for his goal scoring ability but Thomas showed that he can be an excellent passer. In the playoffs, Vanek was separated from Pacioretty and Desharnais and as a result his offensive production suffered. Based on his comments during garbage bag day, it seemed like he wasn’t happy playing with Plekanec before being forced down to the fourth line. I doubt that Vanek will return with the Habs, but his capability of scoring 40 goals will be missed.

David Desharnais – B

He started the season by getting one point after the first 19 games. It infuriated many Habs fans including the mayor of the city of Montreal.  Desharnais went on to collect 51 points in the last 60 games. He is not an elite number one centre but he has great chemistry with Pacioretty and was an important element in his winger’s 39 goal season.

Alex Galchenyuk – B

Started off the season by collecting seven points in the first four games of the season playing with Lars Eller and Brendan Gallagher. He was not the same when Gallagher was moved off that line, but watching him play, you know that he will be a great NHL player. Galchenyuk will play centre sooner than later.

Michael Bournival – B

He played 60 games in his rookie season and collected 14 points. Spent most of the time on the fourth line but also did get some top six responsibilities by playing with Plekanec and Gionta. Bournival showed that he has speed and had the opportunity to kill penalties.

Brian Gionta – B-

The team captain was under scrutiny this season as it was the last year of his current contract. Gionta was the second highest use forward of the team behind Plekanec. He did a good job shutting down opposing team top players. Gionta’s power play time was reduced (with reason) when Thomas Vanek was acquired. Gionta seems more comfortable as a 3^rd line player then when he was playing in the top 6.

Brandon Prust – B-

He was not the same player that we saw in his first season with the team. Was not the heart and soul of the team and didn’t have as much of an impact.

Lars Eller – B-

Eller was inconsistent throughout the entire season. There was stretches that he looked like the team’s best centre and other instances where it seemed like he didn’t belong in the NHL. And in the playoffs, he was one of the team’s best players.

Daniel Brière – B-

A lot of pressure was placed on Brière and it all started in the home opener when he was handed the torch by Guy Lafleur.  I believe that anyone thinking that he had a bad season is because the expectations were set too high.  He had good numbers in the regular season and in the playoffs considering the ice time that he was given.

Ryan White – B-

It looks like Therrien tried so hard to make him be more disciplined compared to last season that he may have made White lose his physical presence. He doesn’t seem to be in the team’s plans any longer, but I think he did his job when he was used.

Rene Bourque – F

The Rene Bourque that we saw in the playoffs was not the one that we saw in the regular season. If the post season version was on the ice for the 82 game regular season, he would be a key player on the team. But he wasn’t and not worth wasting any more energy on him.

George Parros – F

Seems like a great guy off the ice and in the dressing room but didn’t bring much to the team. The Parros type of players are no longer needed in the NHL and I doubt that he will be back with the Canadiens next season.

Defensemen

P.K. Subban – A-

Subban had a great year to follow up his 2013 Norris trophy season, which included an invitation to the Sochi Olympics.  A lot of attention was put into his relationship with Michel Therrien, but I think that the media and fans made it a bigger story than it actually is. P.K.’s next contract with the team will give us a better indication. You know what you get with him: offensive production and defensive mistakes. At the end of the regular season and throughout the playoffs, Subban’s ice time significantly increased including playing almost entire sequences on the power play.  He was one of the key players that allowed the Canadiens to beat the Lightning and Bruins in the post season. He also scored a goal that made the Bell Centre the loudest that I ever remember.

Andrei Markov – A-

My main concern at the beginning of the season was that Markov would be fatigued after the 70-game mark of an Olympic season. I was wrong. I should not have been concerned. He missed one game and that was at the end of the season in preparation for the playoffs. Markov is still the general of the Canadiens blue line. Young defensemen like Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi would benefit from Markov’s presence with the team.

Mike Weaver – A-

Acquired at the trade deadline from the Panthers, not many knew or heard about Mike Weaver. He ended up being a solid defenseman that blocked lots of shots and was great on the penalty kill. Weaver (@mikeweaver_43) is also a great follow on Twitter! The Habs should try to resign him during the offseason.

Josh Gorges – B

Discreetly did his job on defence. If he wouldn’t have missed 16 games due to injury, Gorges would lead the team in blocked shots again. His defence partner, P.K. Subban, struggled during his injury. Coincidence? No.

Francis Bouillon – B

The veteran didn’t have a regular spot in the lineup, but when the coach would put him in, Bouillon did his job.

Nathan Beaulieu – B

Beaulieu’s performance on the ice was better than his attitude that was reported when he was returned to Hamilton during the Olympic break. Beaulieu did show that he is ready for a regular role in the NHL and on the power play.

Jarred Tinordi – B-

Even though, he did not play in the playoffs, I think that Tinordi showed that he is ready for a regular spot in the NHL. He didn’t use his body as much as he should have to make a bigger impact.

Alexei Emelin- C+

He was not the same threat for the opponents as he was in the 2013 season. It even led to him being a healthy scratch during a couple of games in the regular season and playoffs. Alexei could still be recovering from the injury suffered during the 2013 season.

Douglas Murray – C+

Murray was not playing on a regular basis but when he did we got what was expected: physical presence and slow skater. He was quite effective on the penalty kill as the team did not allow many goals in those situations when he was on the ice.

Goalies

Carey Price – A+

Without a doubt the best season of his NHL career and was rewarded with the starting goaltending position for Team Canada at the Olympics. Contrary to other seasons, Price’s body language wasn’t negative when his team was trailing. He was always calm on the ice and his technique was perfect. If there was any doubt, Price’s value to the team was evident when he missed some time due to injury after the Olympic break and during the Conference final against the Rangers.

Peter Budaj – B

Budaj gave his team a chance to win when he was used. A person that is appreciated by his teammates, but he has shown that he is not mentally capable of being a number 1 goalie with some shaky starts during Price’s injury after the Olympic break.

Management

Michel Therrien – A-

He made a lot of decisions that were not unanimous by Habs fans, but it is hard to not give Therrien credit when he led the team to the Conference finals. He was recently rewarded with a deserved contract extension.

Marc Bergevin – A-

Bergevin hit a home run at the trade deadline with the acquisitions of Dale Weise, Mike Weaver and Thomas Vanek. The acquisition that doesn’t get talked about is the hiring of goalie coach Stephen Waite. Waite was an important factor of Price’s success.  The players relate to Bergevin and play for him.

The Canadiens have set the expectations high for the upcoming season.  A busy off season for the Canadiens as Andrei Markov, Brian Gionta, and P.K. Subban are all looking for new contracts.

You can follow me on Twitter @chrisg1980 and follow @Habs360 for the latest info on podcast.