It was hardly a secret that following the events of the last two seasons, signing Tavares was Marc Bergevin’s saving throw. A coup de grace that would instantly elevate what was supposed to be an above-average-to-very-good Montreal Canadiens team, to one of the league’s elite and extend a window that some had deemed over — or at least significantly shortened — following the departures of P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov, Alexander Radulov, and Mikhail Sergachev.
But, the sight of Tavares in a Montreal uniform was a long-shot at best and utterly deluded wishful thinking at worst.