Canadiens Fans: 5 Things To Do In The Off-Season

May 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fans react after the Montreal Canadiens score the tying goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. The Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Hey, Canadiens fans – missing hockey? If you’re like me, you are already going through withdrawal. Well, I should clarify – there’s hockey on, we know that. The two Conference Finals are televised every night, and there’s plenty of excitement in each series.

But I’m talking about Montreal Canadiens hockey. Because for Habs fans, what else is there? Everything else is just a filler, a bookmark until Les Glorieux return to the ice.

So what do we do? Do we watch the playoffs anyway?

I’ve watched – only because I just miss the excitement of the game. And let’s face it – when it comes down to the Final Four teams – and then the Final Two – we are being treated to some of the best hockey there is. That’s why only the best are left standing.

But I will confess: I am so envious of the fans in the stands, the ones taking in their team’s successes. I watch the games every night and sigh wistfully to see fans of all ages in the arenas who are actively rooting for their players to keep the momentum going.

And I have another confession: I’m a little torn about the Tampa Bay series; because those guys eliminated our guys and they’re still going!

Bitter? No. Envious? Definitely. And playing the woulda-shoulda-coulda game as I rethink our semi-finals against them.

But chips fall where they may, and I’ve consoled myself with every platitude there is.

However, at some point in the next few weeks, there will be no hockey for anyone. No games, no broadcasts. The NHL will go dark. And what is a fan to do to keep the Habs fires burning? Here is a guide to the off-season. And it is by no means exhaustive!

5. Anticipate the Draft

On June 26-27, the NHL Draft will take place. There are tons of websites, blogs, magazines and social media pages dedicated to the draft. You can avail yourself of all of them, familiarize yourself with who’s going to be the new Next Best Thing for teams to choose, and why.

You can learn about why prospects are rated where they are, and you can study up for a month from now when the two-day bonanza takes place.

The NHL’s Draft page is one place to read and get up to speed on the latest and greatest. Of course, you can also peruse this page as we’ll be previewing the draft, and bringing it to you as it happens.

Watching the Draft can be boring – until your GM gets up and makes his selection. This year, the Canadiens choose 26th. That’s a long time to wait for Marc Bergevin to get up to the podium. But hey, had the Canadiens made the Stanley Cup Finals, they’d be even further down the list. (Small consolation? Yeah, I thought so; looking for silver linings here)

Remember Alex Galchenyuk in the 2012 draft? The Habs picked third that year. But it doesn’t mean there won’t be anything left by the 26th pick. In fact, Zach Fucale was drafted only in the second round, 36th pick in 2013, and he’s shown incredible promise for the team’s future.

4. DVD Nourishment

Did you know there are hockey games on DVD? When just coming into this phase of my Habs fandom, my son received a 10-DVD set of Habs’ Memorable Games, dating from 1960 to 2008. Had you told me, years ago, that I’d watch old hockey games on DVD, I’d never have believed you.

But now, I can’t wait to savor this set.

Picture by Lissa Albert 2015

There are also DVDs that appeal to Habs fans, like the 100th Anniversary Set, a 4-DVD set tracing the history of the Canadiens, and including the Stanley Cup stories, hall-of-fame alumni, and everything for new and seasoned fans of this team.

It’s not quite the same – but it’s a nice way to pass the time, and enjoy history as well as sensational hockey.

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