On Monday there was a rush because the majority of the ten injured were present in addition to the twenty healthy people.

A photo was also taken with the players’ family members.

It was an opportunity to have a good time with teammates and tease each other a little.

“Most of the guys were joking about Cole’s (Caufield) position,” said captain Nick Suzuki. He likes to be in the middle but doesn’t find himself between Andy (Josh Anderson) and Savy (David Savard). It sounds a bit crazy but it’s fun,” said Suzuki.

“Hooray! came for the photo too but without the sweater. It made everyone laugh even though we try to look serious in the photos,” he added.

Paul Byron was among the injured. Despite not playing the full season due to hip problems, Byron stayed in the team’s wake throughout the winter.

“He still comes to work every day even though there isn’t much light at the end of the tunnel for him,” said goaltender Jake Allen. That says a lot about the person he is. The team is important to him. »

Byron has been part of the Canadians’ top flight for the past few seasons. By his presence he was able to support Suzuki, who was in his first campaign as captain of the Habs.

“He was a huge help to me in my first few seasons in the league and a lot of people still turn to him for advice,” Suzuki said. He worked very hard to get here and he is a good example for the team.

“It’s also good that he didn’t remain isolated on the sidelines despite his injury. »

Head coach Martin St-Louis often spoke about culture during the season. Byron is one of the people who help form good habits with the Habs.

“Pauly is a pro,” St-Louis said. He helps the boys in the locker room. Sometimes I ask her for her opinion. You can trust him in many things. You can’t buy his experience.

“It’s sad that he didn’t play this season, but I’m happy that he stayed in the team’s wake. »

Players don’t give much thought to looking at their old team photos, Allen said.

“For me, I mostly think about the guys I played with, the memories we made together on the ice but also off it,” Allen said. And here it is special to wear this uniform. »

Rafaël Harvey-Pinard admitted that taking a first team photo with the Canadiens was special for him.

And who knows? Perhaps in a few years, players or fans looking at this photo will be able to tell themselves that it was year 1 of a process that put the Canadians back among the top teams in the NHL.

“There are so many important pieces of the puzzle in this photo,” Allen said. Yes, many do not play because of an injury!

“But if we look at it in a few years, we can say that there were already some important team players in this group,” he concludes.