Banged up Montreal Canadiens look to future after early playoff exit

BROSSARD, Que. - The Montreal Canadiens tried to focus on the positive on Saturday after a roller-coaster season that saw the team finish a surprising second in the Eastern Conference, then quickly bow out in the playoffs.

Despite getting knocked out by the Ottawa Senators in five games, Habs players said there is much to build on for next year with a strong core group and the emergence of youngsters like Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk.

Gallagher is nominated for the Calder Trophy for best rookie while Galchenyuk, only 19, showed flashes of brilliance in his first year in the league.

P.K. Subban, meanwhile, is nominated for the Norris Trophy for best defenceman after a breakout year.

"We've got some great young talent," said defenceman Josh Gorges.

"We've gotta make sure that we really learn from this year and we keep growing, and then next year we'll have to pull it together."

First, though, many players will need to set aside some time to heal.

The team offered up more information on Saturday about the long list of injuries that piled up during its short playoff stint.

Ryan White said he punctured a lung during Game 3 of the series, while Francis Bouillon revealed he was playing with a broken finger suffered in an April 11 fight against the Sabres’ Steve Ott.

Forward Brandon Prust suffered an injury to his ribs in Game 4 against the Senators. He will also undergo an MRI on his shoulder in the coming days.

Goaltender Carey Price suffered a sprained MCL in his knee in Game 4, which will take about six weeks to recover.

It's the second year in a row that Price has finished the season with an injury. Last year he sat out with a concussion.

Price, who became a lightning rod for criticism as he slumped through the final weeks of the season, admitted it was a challenge to take on the Sens' hot-handed goalie Craig Anderson.

"The way it ended leaves a bad taste in your mouth," Price said.

"We'll just have to use that motivation to make bigger strides next year."

Price said he wants to come back stronger next year, with his eye on earning a spot on the Canadian Olympic team in Sochi, Russia.

"There's a lot of positives to take out of this season," Price said.

"We want to find the areas we need to improve to make this team a champion."

For now, Habs players will seek out glory at the international level.

Several Habs are joining their national teams at the World Championships underway in Sweden.

Galchenyuk will play for the United States and Tomas Plekanec will play for the Czech Republic, while Raphael Diaz plans to join the Swiss team once he gets a green light from the Habs' medical staff.

Subban hasn't received a call to join Team Canada. General manager Steve Yzerman has said he doesn't plan to add more players to the team.

After missing the start of the season before signing a two-year, $5.75-million contract, Subban attributed his own strong year to the team's improved play.

"We do it as a committee, we do it as a team," he said.

"I think you see individual success when you focus on the team."

Meanwhile, Lars Eller, who left Game 1 on a stretcher after an illegal hit to the head from Eric Gryba, said he's had no symptoms for three or four days. Eller said he'll be ready for next season.

Note: GM Marc Bergevin will address the media on Monday — the final team function of the season.