La reconstruction : Canadiens de Montréal

The annual Montreal Canadiens Golf Tournament kicks off the new season. Although Geoff Molson and team management are advocating patience, as usual, there is massive media and public interest for the young team and the rebuild. The first test of the season: an Original 6 season opener against the Leafs in Toronto.

If hiring Martin St-Louis seemed like a risky bet at the start, no one is doubting him anymore. The Bell Centre is a hive of activity as preparations are underway for the most anticipated night of the season: the home opener. Montrealers are more than eager to see their team in action against Chicago and rookie phenom Connor Bedard.

The first building blocks of the rebuild: the hiring of Gorton, Hughes and St-Louis. After a game for a good cause at home, the players have fun traveling to Boston with their dads to begin a five-city road trip. But the Bruins end up spoiling the evening. And news comes that the team is losing a key player for the entire season.

At this point in the season, each team is still in the race but the Habs' trip to California may be a turning point. As injuries mount, youngsters like Jayden Struble get a chance to take their place in the lineup. In Montreal, fans and media react to the team's latest partnership deal. The Penguins and "Sid the Kid" are visiting.

Time for the mid-season review. Geoff Molson still believes in his team's chances to make the playoffs; Juraj Slavkovský recalls the day his life changed; and always on the look-out for the best prospects, Montreal Canadiens scouts get down to making some choices. The hockey-mad city is abuzz with the return of a Habs legend to the Bell Centre.

An early trade shocks the Montreal hockey world. After a tough loss in New York, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes gear up for the trade deadline.