The term "clean slate" is constantly thrown around in hockey, but for the Montreal Canadiens and newcomers Tomas Tatar and Nick Suzuki, it fits perfectly.
GM Marc Bergevin can now start fresh with a new captain and lineup. Tatar can put behind him a year that saw him traded and double-digit games where he was a healthy scratch. And for Suzuki, who was told he was a year or two from cracking the Golden Knights' lineup, he now has a legitimate chance of making an NHL roster.
"That's my goal, to make the NHL and I'm going to do everything I can to make Montreal," said the 19-year-old from London, Ont. on a conference call Tuesday "[I'm going to] show them that I can play in the NHL...that I can play with NHL players and do my best."
Suzuki, who was the 13th overall pick by Vegas in the 2017 draft, brings a skill set that could help the Canadiens down the middle.
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"I think the style of play I like to play is a good two-way," noted Suzuki, who models his game after Bruins veteran Patrice Bergeron. "I think I'm a great playmaker. I can shoot the puck. I like to put up the points."
Suzuki definitely has all those skills and more. In his last two seasons with Owen Sound of the OHL, he had 196 points (87 goals, 109 assists) in 129 games with a plus/minus of plus-81.
"I got called into the GM's office and he told me I was traded to Montreal, and I was kind of shocked at first," recalled Suzuki, who will wear No. 88. "[But], it sinks in and I'm excited about the new opportunity. I've just been thinking about getting to Montreal and finally showing what I can do. "
Compared to Suzuki, the shift to the Habs could be a boost for Tatar. A skilled center who consistently puts up 20-goal seasons, Tatar saw limited action in the postseason following his trade to Vegas.
Tomas Tatar à propos de la transaction qui l'envoie à Montréal.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2018
Tomas Tatar on being traded to Montreal.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZoEkld8rtm
"It wasn't easy, it was my first trade," acknowledged Tatar, who has 222 points in 407 career games - mostly with Detroit. "When you arrive in Vegas like you just saw, everyone played very confident. Obviously, I knew I should be better...if you don't play, you just support the team."
Now in Montreal, Tatar should see plenty of playing time. He mentioned on the conference call that he's got a little chip on his shoulder and wants to prove he can still be a top player.
"You always are [taken by surprise]," Tatar said, adding he waived a no-trade clause to seal the move. "It took me five minutes to realize what happened but then after the excitement took over and I was really excited to join Montreal.
"When they want to trade you so hard it just means you're not wanted there. But the team who wants to trade for you they want you to help the organization and the team...Obviously, you want to help the team as much as you can."
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At 27 years old, Tatar is ready to break out. He's worked on his skating for the last few years, which he discloses is one of his weaker skills, and is looking to once again contribute to a lineup that needs goals. The Canadiens finished last season 29th overall with only 207 goals for.
"Hockey is a game - it can go good for you, it can go wrong," said Tatar, who will wear No. 90. "So, in hockey, you grab the perfect situation for a player and obviously every player wants to be productive and help as much as you can. [I'm] really excited to join Montreal and I want to prove I can be on the top lines, and be productive and I can score maybe 30 goals."
For Tatar, who came *thisclose* to lifting Lord Stanley's Cup last season, and who sees a roster that includes Carey Price between the pipes, he has his eyes set on returning to the postseason.
"It's the start of the season and every team has the goal to make it to the playoffs," he said. "You have to go through the season, through different stages and battle for that spot and I think that should be our goal as well...Our goal is to make it."