I don't think that the Montreal rebuild pattern is a successful one. Last year's success will be an aberration.
The Flames tried the small skilled approach last year and have made a huge big shift to the more standard (sane) grittier style.
The Canadians are small and very easy to play against. Their "big" acquisition was Briere. That was a mistake for that team. Wideman went out of his way to punish Briere for crossing the blue line.
They were made their big move last year in the shortened season. Ottawa totally dominated them in their 5 playoff games.
Gallagher is spunky and is liable to get beat up pretty bad unless they move Prust up from the 4th line.
Maybe Emelin makes the Canadians that much bigger as a team.
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