1998-99 record: 32-39-11, 75 points, 5th Northeast Division
Coach: Alain Vigneault (69-71-24, two years as Canadiens' coach)
New faces: C Trevor Linden, RW Jim Cummins, D Miloslav Guren, RW Oleg Petrov, D Barry Richter, G Mathieu Garon, C Eric Chouinard, RW Arron Asham
Losses: Team president Ronald Corey, D Brett Clark, D Stephane Quintal, RW Jonas Hoglund, RW Jason Dawe
Strengths: G Jeff Hackett is coming off the best season of his career. Playing for a pair of non-playoff teams in Chicago and Montreal, he was a combined 26-26-10 with a 2.49 goals-against average. C Saku Koivu remains one of the most talented players in the world, when healthy. Players like LWs Shayne Corson and Martin Rucinsky and RW Brian Savage are former 20-goal scorers capable of big offensive contributions. The acquisition of Linden from the New York Islanders for a first-round draft pick gives the Canadiens leadership, something that was sorely lacking last season.
Weaknesses: While Corson, Rucinsky and Savage have the potential to find the net, the Canadiens stunningly were the only NHL team without a 20-goal scorer. The last time that happened in a uninterrupted season was 1940-41, when John Quilty had 18. As good as Hackett was, the pickings behind him are slim with Frederic Chabot, Jose Theodore and youngster Mathieu Garon battling for the backup role. The Canadiens invested heavily in players like Koivu, Corson, Savage, D Vladimir Malakhov, RW Mark Recchi and C Vincent Damphousse last season. Only Malakhov played to his potential but he will miss at least four months with a torn knee ligament. While Linden brings leadership, it has been four seasons since he enjoyed a solid campaign on the ice. And under the microscope that is hockey in Montreal, he will be the subject of intense scrutiny. There are those who believe Vigneault and GM Rejean Houle were lucky to keep their jobs after last season. A tough start has the Canadiens making two West Coast trips before the end of November.
Vigneault says: "We have to take advantage of our chances. We've got to improve our power play. We've got to improve the shorthanded situations. Talent has no age. But our young players need experience. We've got a lot of final touches to do. I'm going to depend a lot more on the younger players to play better and the veterans to produce more. The young and the old will carry us this season."