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After making the trade that shook the hockey world over the summer, the Montreal Canadiens are glad to have rock-solid defenseman Shea Weber and goaltender Carey Price as they try to get back to the playoffs.In June, the Canadiens traded flashy, risk-reward defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators straight up for Weber, a steady presence on the blue line who could fit better with coach Michel Therriens conservative style. Montreal is counting on Weber bringing his size, physicality, heavy shot and stability to bear in front of Price, arguably the best goalie in the world whos back after missing almost all of last season with a knee injury.General manager Marc Bergevin said having the 6-foot-4, 236-pound Weber around makes a difference on and off the ice.Hes a player that is very tough to play against -- hes responsible and makes the opposing forwards lives very difficult, Bergevin said. A team that brings in a player of Shea Webers caliber, with his leadership, his presence and the way he is a real pro, your young players are going to benefit from his presence.No one benefits more from Webers presence than Price, who won the Hart Trophy as MVP and Vezina Trophy as top goaltender in 2014-15 but injured his right knee Nov. 25 and hasnt played an NHL game since. While they were on the way to winning the World Cup of Hockey together for Canada, Price said of Weber: Hes a big body and definitely makes it easier on me to see the puck. Its always good to have a man mountain in front of you.Weber was a man mountain in Nashville for 11 seasons, serving as captain for the past six. If anyone knows how much Price will enjoy Weber playing in front of him its Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, who thinks every GM would want someone like the 31-year-old defenseman on his team.Theres not a similar player in the league whos as physical, as good of a shot, a big guy who can skate, Rinne said. Im 100 percent sure that Careys going to like to play behind Weber. Hes a modern defenseman whos extremely tough in front of your net but also offensively he can do some damage.Weber and Subban are two drastically different players but had the same number of points last season. The key for Montreal is getting enough offense from captain Max Pacioretty, center Tomas Plekanec and others without sacrificing the solid play around Price that led to trips to the playoffs in 2013, 2014 and 2015.Here are some other things to watch with the Canadiens this season:PATCHING THINGS UP: If there was any kind of rift in the locker room between players last season when Subban was around or between Pacioretty and Therrien, now is the time to fix it. Pacioretty has the C, with Weber brought in as an alternate to help out, and this is his team to lead.Ive spoken to players on the team and were all on the same page, Pacioretty said. Were going to show this year that were all on the same page -- coaches, management, players.RADULOV FACTOR: The Canadiens took a risk in signing Alexander Radulov to a $5.75 million, one-year deal in the hopes the Russian winger can recapture past scoring prowess after the last four-plus seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. This isnt like signing Alexander Semin for cheap a year ago, as Montreal needs Radulov to produce with that kind of salary-cap hit.SANDPAPER SHAW: At the draft Montreal traded center Lars Eller to Washington and acquired versatile agitating forward Andrew Shaw from Chicago. Shaw is a pest who can hit, defend and also put up points, but most importantly he plays with the kind of edge the Canadiens have lacked in recent years.THERRIENS WARM SEAT: Bergevin has doubled down on Therrien, even though his coaching style is old-school and counter to the NHLs trend of going smaller, faster and more offensive. Therrien can feel safe in his job unless the Canadiens miss the playoffs again.BLUE LINE BLUES: After Weber, Montreals blue line includes Jeff Petry, Nathan Beaulieu, Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov and a handful of unheralded defensemen. Petry has the potential to get even better after an injury ended last season, but Montreal also needs more from Beaulieu and Emelin.---Follow Stephen Whyno on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SWhyno . C. J. Cron Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. C. J. Cron Twins Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. https://www.cheaptwins.com/392t-sergio-romo-jersey-twins.html . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Kent Hrbek Jersey . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Custom Minnesota Twins Jerseys . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Eli Manning isnt worried about the New York Giants offense despite an awful preseason.The 35-year-old, two-time Super Bowl MVP has been around long enough to know the preseason means nothing heading into the regular-season opener at Dallas against the Cowboys on Sunday.As far as Manning is concerned, the Giants have practiced well in training camp under new coach Ben McAdoo. Its the same offense that put up big numbers the past two seasons, and the talent is still there, particularly at wide receiver with second-round pick Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz joining Odell Beckham Jr.Still, the preseason was ugly, especially the two games in which Manning played. He was on the field for 12 series and hit 14 of 24 passes for 109 yards, one interception and no points.Feel good about where we are right now and what we can do, Manning said Monday after the Giants started preparations for Dallas. So weve just got to go and obviously do it on Sundays and do it when it counts. And so, I feel good about where we are, how I feel within the offense, the players that we have, and I think well be able to go out there and move the ball.While the preseason was awful, Manning said there are playmakers on the Giants who are going to benefit when the team starts game planning.Beckham has been the Giants go-to guy for the past two seasons, and he should have a chance to be even better if Shepard and Cruz give Manning more options.Manning laughed about his lack of playing time in the preseason.Ive got 13 years of a lot of regular-season games and preseason, playoff games, Manning said. So Ive got a lot of snaps under my belt and, you know, you want to get into preseason and get into a little rhythm, but ultimately the goal is to get out healthy and get used to moving in the pocket, those types of things, but yeah, ready to go now.ddddddddddddOne thing that has not changed for Manning is the excitement of a new season, one in which the Giants hope to end a four-year playoff drought.You dont know what the possibilities are, but everybody starts in the same spot, and weve got a chance to do something special this season, and it starts right here, Manning said. This week, having a great week of preparation and going to Dallas and playing smart football, and well see if we can get a win.Game notes The Giants signed 30-year-old quarterback Josh Johnson and waived middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Coach Ben McAdoo thinks Johnson can push backup quarterback Ryan Nassib. Hes been trained in a version of the system, McAdoo said. He plays with his cleats in the ground, has a natural throwing motion, and has some good experience. ...CB Leon Hall and LB B.J. Goodson are still going through the concussion protocol. ...S Darian Thompson (shoulder) and LB Jonathan Casillas (ribs) practiced on a limited basis. ... McAdoo on DT Robert Thomas, who was awarded to the Giants on waivers: He plays with great energy. Leverage, he stays on his feet. Tremendous balance and he uses his hands well. Hes active.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '