New Canadiens Connection: Lofty Expectations

With the Montreal Canadiens opening the preseason schedule with two split-squad wins on Saturday night, we’re starting to discover what this team is really made of. One thing that’s become pretty clear over the course of the offseason, however, is that the Montreal Canadiens expectations around this team have changed.

There are plenty of national analysts who aren’t just predicting that Montreal will make the playoffs this season. Some experts are putting the Canadiens right near the top of the league when it comes to their expectations for the regular season, and Stanley Cup chatter is already ramping up.

Whether you agree with those expectations or not, these narratives represent a marked shift. This conversation is very different from what we had a year or two ago.

And you can already hear the players talking about it, too. As training camp progresses there has been a noticeable effort to keep expectations in check. The focus is on what players must do to reach their goals.

This Week’s Show

Staying focused is hard when Montreal Canadiens expectations rise.

Moreover, on this week’s Canadiens Connection podcast, we examine what those heightened expectations mean for the team. We will explore where they come from and whether the team is ready to handle the pressure.

Media and fans regard the Canadiens as more than just an up-and-coming team, which creates pressure.

NEW PODCAST: Are the Canadiens Equipped to Manage the Weight of Higher Expectations? | Canadiens Connection ep 418

We also discussed these important topics on this week’s episode of the podcast:

• Canadiens announce signings for four players and their head coach this week.
• Montreal training camp opens with some answers about lines and defense pairings.
• The team provides it’s first medical update of the season and the news is not good.

CC Question of the Week: What are your expectations for the Canadiens this season? Are you ready to say that the Canadiens are firmly among the NHL’s elite?

It is our ninth season, with a new episode of the podcast dropping every Saturday afternoon. Be sure to subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Or watch our episodes on YouTube.

Canadiens Connection Podcast: Managing Higher Expectations

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