There seems to be a perception that the current edition of the Canadiens are having a dissapointing and under acheiving season. The question is, is this team simply playing to its capabilities? Coming into the season the so called experts predicted the Habs to finish no better than 6th, but more realisitically fighting to make the final playoff spot, a position the team is in right now with 15 games to go.

     Montreal came into the season without a legitimate top 20 scorer, and they still don't have one. The team was lacking a true number one defenceman (Markov is closer to a number two dman at this point) the club was and still is lacking a physical presence up front. Bonk was supposed to be a shut down checking center the team needed, and the team still lacks in that area. Goal scoring was perceived to be a problem, and obviously it still is.

      Certainly there was expectations that younger talent would contribute, and that has happened, but the deficiencies that were evident coming into the season are still there. So should it be a surprise that the Canadiens are on pace to come in around the same total points as in 03-04? Some players have had a stronger season such as Rivet,Bulis,Bouillon. Other players have underacheived, but realsitically when one looks at the roster where was the big break out season from one or two players going to come from that would radically improve the team above pre season prognostications? This team came into the season missing some parts and it will take  a year or more to fix those parts.