By J.D. Lagrange, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PENTICTON, BC. — Here are a few thoughts on different topics surrounding the Canadiens and the NHL as Montreal is desperately trying to rebound from two consecutive losses to the Buffalo Sabres. Feel free to post your comments as they are always welcomed.

1- Habs’ GM Marc Bergevin took everyone by surprise when announcing a six-year contract extension to right winger Brendan Gallagher, contract worth $22.5 million in total, with a $3.75 million annual cap hit. The contract does not have any no-trade or no-movement clause. This news was very well received by the fan base and clearly trumps the conspiracy theory that Bergevin is implementing a mandatory bridge deal for every player in spite of him repeating that it was a case-by-case situation.

2- There are many people, myself included, who feel like this new Gallagher signing is quite telling about how management felt about P.K. Subban and their uncertainty about something related to his game, his attitude and/or his contractual demands. We will remember that Subban insisted on a long term deal and Bergevin wanted a bridge contract. Seeing how the star defenseman has been performing since signing this new long term deal making him the best paid defenseman in the NHL, some people wonder if he has lost his motivation. Others claim that it’s a matter of the coaching staff holding him back but that’s the same coaching staff as before. The Canadiens are certainly hoping that Subban gets back to the player he was and that he was projected to become.

3- Watching the interaction between Habs former captain Brian Gionta and defenseman Alexei Emelin in the last home and home series between the Sabres and the Canadiens was interesting. After Emelin went after Gionta’s head on a hit (fined just over $11,000 by the NHL), bad blood sure seemed to be brewing between the two in the second game and one has to wonder if that was just because of the hit or if there was something more dating to the days when both were in Montreal. From talking to some people, it almost seemed personal.

4- With Travis Moen and Rene Bourque traded, and with Tom Gilbert out of the line-up, some fans have now turned against newly acquired giant defenseman Bryan Allen. It’s almost like the fan base is expecting everyone on the team to be a top-six forward or a top-four defenseman on this team as the expectation are truly unrealistic. There’s a reason why GM Bergevin went out and traded for Allen (and Gonchar) and that’s because Jarred Tinordi (and Nathan Beaulieu) did not seize the opportunity they were given in the first quarter of the season. Allen is doing what management is asking of him as a sixth defenseman, no more, no less. I’ve read comparisons to Douglas Murray which shows how this fan base can tend to exaggerate to get their point across.

5- Many including myself were a bit sceptical when Bergevin acquired 40-year-old defenseman Sergei Gonchar from the Stars in return for Travis Moen but he is doing a fine job so far. While a case could be made that Beaulieu or Tinordi should be given a chance instead of Allen, Gonchar is far ahead of the two rookies and knowing that Bergevin is a strong believer in having depth at that position, things aren’t likely to change this season pending injuries. Still though, if Beaulieu keeps a good attitude and keeps on improving his overall game, he should take over that role next season.

6- David Desharnais’ name has come up in a few trade rumours lately and the diminutive centre had to answer to the media this past week saying that he was surprised by the rumours. Why David? I take pride in going against the flow and defending the underdog and I was thrilled to see Desharnais turn his season around last year and prove his detractors wrong, but the last thing that he needed was yet another slow start. True that at $3.5 million per season, we shouldn’t be expecting a point per game player but since he’s playing top line minutes, he must show much more that what he has shown so far. Here’s hoping that he turns things around soon or I’ll join the club of those hoping for David Perron in Montreal.

7- It’s only been two games but we must admit that Eric Tangradi has been a pleasant surprise so far. Big body, he uses it well and is not a liability out there. He’s a good presence along the boards and he keeps things simple and doing the details well like getting the puck out of his zone. It would be interesting to see if he can develop some chemistry with Malhotra and Weise if Prust remains on the third line.

8- While he hasn’t necessarily been bad, Dustin Tokarski is learning how to be a backup to one of the league’s top starter in Carey Price. He’s finding out that it’s much easier to be a starter, to prepare for each game, than it is to stay sharp when only playing once every seven to ten days. Here’s hoping that he can learn to do that quickly as the Canadiens need the two points whether it’s Price or Tokarski starting in net.

9- Watching him play in Vancouver and even more so with the Canadiens, I’m questioning John Tortorella for his dislike for Dale Weise. He’s a great skater who, in spite of limited abilities, does the little things well. Perhaps what surprises me most is his passing abilities, his vision of the play, and setting up scoring opportunities for his linemates. With Therrien using him on the penalty kill from time to time, Weise is happy in Montreal where he has finally found a role to fill on a team. In the meantime, the Canucks had to go on the free agent market to replace Weise when they signed Derek Dorsett.

10- Tom Gilbert was a healthy scratch for both games against the Sabres and this likely doesn’t sit well for the veteran defenseman who signed as an unrestricted free agent last summer. Coach Michel Therrien wants more consistency from Gilbert who has had that problem for his entire career. Many think that playing alongside Brian Campbell in Florida last year had a lot to do with his good season and he doesn’t have that luxury with the Habs. Personally, I think that he and Gonchar should form the second pairing, moving Emelin to the third pair with Weaver, with Allen rotating in and out of the line-up depending on the team the Canadiens are facing.

11- There were many around the NHL questioning Marc Bergevin’s decision to re-sign Andrei Markov to a three-year contract extension, mostly due to his injury problems, questioning if the veteran defenseman could come back to have an impact. Markov is doing a pretty good job at proving his GM right so far, playing over 24 minutes per game on average and his 10 points are only four away from team leading Subban. The most telling story about Markov is the fact that he’s only missed one game since the start of the 2012-2013 season, even playing 21 games in the KHL during the lockout and participating in the last Winter Olympics!

12- There’s someone down in Hamilton making a strong case to get a call-up if or when one is needed and no, it’s not Christian Thomas, one of the last players cut from the main camp. Charles Hudon is up to a great start to the season for the Bulldogs, the 20 year old Alma native has racked up seven goals and 21 points in only 20 games played, and shows an excellent differential of plus – 9 to lead his team. Another surprise might also be the play of defenseman Magnus Nygren. Although he’s only played 15 games so far for the Bulldogs, the Swedish offensive defenseman is leading the team with 10 points, with a differential of plus-2. It will be interesting to see who is called up when the Canadiens need some reinforcement from its farm team.

While the team has not been overly sharp lately, there is no room for panic just yet. It is fun to watch Marc Bergevin manage the Canadiens like an old veteran as we tend to forget, with all of his great moves, that he’s only in season three as an NHL GM. The future looks bright folks and instead of looking for fleas where there are none, let’s sit back and enjoy the ride! Go Habs Go!!!