Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Previewing The Montreal Canadiens

08/21/2014 at 7:34am EDT

from Arpon Basu of NHL.com,

Entering this season, as much as Bergevin and Therrien might try, it will be difficult to temper expectations in Montreal.

The Canadiens are built around a young star at each of the three positions in goaltender Carey Price, 27, left wing Max Pacioretty, 25, and defenseman P.K. Subban, who is also 25 and signed the richest contract in franchise history over the offseason at eight years and $72 million, making him the defenseman with the highest salary-cap charge in the NHL.

All three of those cornerstone players are signed at least through the 2017-18 season, when Price is due to become an unrestricted free agent, and they are supported by emerging young forwards Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk.

The Canadiens' clock to contend, while far from expiring, has begun to tick.

"I like the progression of our team, I like the direction our team is taking," Therrien said. "We had an enormous challenge when we arrived here two years ago, but I like the commitment and the way things have gone so far. But we haven't reached the goal yet."

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Watch below as E.J. Hradek and Don Rosen of NHL.com take a look at the Canadiens...

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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