Patrick Roy’s departure symbolized a shift away from the excellence that once defined the Canadiens – a standard of greatness not aligned with branding but with unyielding expectations. 28 years later, they haven’t gotten close to getting back to that standard.

Corey Perry’s abrupt end to his time with Chicago surprised many across the hockey world, especially when it’s compared to his single season with Montreal, one where he made strong contributions both on and off the ice.

On Friday, Samuel Montembeault received a three-year contract extension worth $9.45 million in total. As one of the better goalies from his 2015 draft class, it’s a well-earned deal for the netminder.

In the late 1960s, former GM Sam Pollock lamented a lack of physicality in his team. Today, Martin St. Louis hasn’t made such a statement but it’s an element in Montreal’s game that needs to be addressed.

Alex Galchenyuk had his best years under Michel Therrien and an older-school approach to prospects. With Galchenyuk now in the KHL with a failed career, the Habs need to not let history repeat itself when it comes to Juraj Slafkovsky. Would their approach today have helped Galchenyuk then?

Jonathan Huberdeau’s struggles in Calgary have led some to wonder if the Flames might be looking to offload their highest-paid player. However, he might not be a good fit with this current version of the Habs.

Three strands from the first five games of the preseason have caught my seasoned eye, suggesting that perhaps, just maybe, the Habs are on the brink of something unique.