• 2009-10: 39-33-10, 88 points, lost in Eastern Conference Finals to Philadelphia

• Key additions: G Curtis Sanford, G Alex Auld

• Key losses: G Jaroslav Halak, F Sergei Kostitsyn, F Glen Metropolit, C Dominic Moore

• Overview:
It wasn't until the playoffs that Habs fans were rewarded, seeing their eighth-seeded team advance all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they finally faltered against the Philadelphia Flyers. After that success, general manager Pierre Gauthier made several roster moves with mixed results. Sending trouble-making winger Sergei Kostitsyn to the Nashville Predators certainly seemed smart; Kostitsyn was a liability on the ice and a distraction in the dressing room. There may be an added bonus if his more talented brother, Andrei, responds well to the separation. Conversely, trading Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues was mystifying. Halak’s hot glove had carried the Canadiens throughout the playoffs. With the young Slovakian gone, shaky Carey Price once again becomes the leading goaltender in Montreal after ending his contract holdout Thursday. Adding veteran back-up goalies Alex Auld and Curtis Sanford at least provide coach Jacques Martin with alternatives if and when Price needs to be pulled.

• What they’re missing:
As usual, Montreal needs a big body or two to stand in the slot while undersized forwards like Brian Gionta, Scott Gomez and Mike Cammalleri buzz around the ice. Trading Halak created question marks around the net, but the three-headed goalie hydra of Price, Auld and Sanford should be able to get the Canadiens back into the playoffs.

• Players to watch in camp: Habs fans should have their eyes glued to defensive prospect P.K. Subban as he prepares for his first full year in the NHL. A lot has been made of winger Maxim Lapierre’s more intensive offseason workout routine, and camp will be an opportunity to see if it was worth the effort. Andrei Kostitsyn’s attitude on and off the ice without his brother’s influence will undoubtedly be scrutinized by Montreal’s press corps.

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