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Here are a few highlights from his press conference:
Ducharme on keeping captain Shea Weber around the team this season, even if he won't play due to injury:
He definitely wants to be around the organization. We also need to evaluate his health. But, I know that he stayed in touch with our players, like he does every summer. He's still playing his role, even if he isn't there in person.
Ducharme on the anticipated return date for goaltender Carey Price:
We expect him back at the start of training camp. He's been in Montreal for a few days. I should get more news about his status next week. We expect him to join the team fairly quickly at the start of camp.
Ducharme on beginning the season with his current lineup:
I don't think our team will be very different. We know that Shea won't be able to play this year, but we acquired a guy like David Savard, who plays a similar style. We have a guy like Jake Evans, who can fill the void left by the loss of Phillip Danault. Every year, there are players that leave the group and players that arrive. Our core group overcame a lot of different things. We expect everyone to keep progressing and certain players will assume bigger roles. That's how we'll continue to build on what we've already accomplished.
Ducharme on reintegrating Jonathan Drouin into the Canadiens' fold:
I'm not worried about it. I'm confident. He's already training at the Bell Sports Complex. The players are starting to arrive in Montreal. It's a gradual thing. The guys kept in touch with him throughout our playoff run. He's appreciated in the locker room and everybody just wants the best for him.
Ducharme on his preparation for the upcoming campaign:
We've already talked among the coaches. We don't want to change everything. We did certain things that led to our success, but there are always things to improve. It was tough last season because we didn't really have any practice time. We want to improve our game and add some details. It's a work in progress. We always evaluate things at the end of the year, but we're also evaluating on a daily basis.
