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BROSSARD, Que. - Marc Bergevin feels that Carey Price will get over a "so-so" playoff performance and any anxiety he feels about tending goal in a hot hockey market like Montreal. Bergevin defended his goaltender at a news conference Monday following the Canadiens first-round elimination from the NHL post-season by the Ottawa Senators. "Im not worried at all," Bergevin said. "For sure, even Carey would say there are things he can improve, that he can be better, and Im 100 per cent behind him. "I believe in him. We will support him and well help him." Bergevin was asked repeatedly about Price after the 25-year-old spoke openly on the weekend about the pressure of playing in Montreal. He said he would no longer even go to a grocery store to avoid grilling from fans over his performances and that he sometimes felt like a "hobbit in a hole." But he also expressed confidence that he had the talent and the mentality to win a Stanley Cup. Some wondered if Price was suggesting he would rather to be traded to another team, but Bergevin wouldnt hear of it. "Its normal in a market like Montreal or Toronto or Vancouver, or even Chicago or Philadelphia," Bergevin said. "Goaltendings a difficult position, very demanding. So its normal that a young player feels pressure. "Well do everything we can to make sure he gets through this stage." Then, unable to resist a joke, the first-year GM added: "Maybe I can do his groceries for him." Price, drafted fifth overall in 2005, was having a solid season until he and the team slumped late in the 2013 campaign. While he went 21-13-4, he ended up out of the top 40 in the league with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. His woes continued in the playoffs, where he was outduelled by Ottawas Craig Anderson until he injured a knee late in Game 4 and was replaced by Peter Budaj, who was bombed for six goals on 29 shots in the final game. Questions about the Canadiens size also came up during the playoffs, as the smaller Montreal forwards did little against the big, rugged Ottawa blue-line. The Canadiens scored only nine goals in five games, while conceding 20. Bergevin acknowledged that it would be better to be bigger, but hes not ready to tear his team apart to add size and muscle. And there are not a lot of free agents available this summer who fit the mould, except perhaps New Jerseys David Clarkson who is likely to be courted by several teams. He said the ideal way for a team to build is through drafting and developing its own players, but that takes time. "I believe in balance," he said. "We do have a small team, but were a fast and young team. "You dont change the makeup of a team overnight. There are 29 other teams that want to be big, fast and strong, but thats easier said than done. Balance is very important. Character comes into play." He mentioned Calder Trophy candidate Brendan Gallagher, one of the teams smallest forwards, who has "character thats off the charts." When asked what the team needed most, Bergevin did not mention size, but depth. The Canadiens were caught short when top-four rearguard Alexei Emelin was injured late in the regular season and their depth was tested when four forwards went down against Ottawa. "Thats what gets you through the playoffs. and you dont bring in depth at the (trade) deadline, youve got to bring it through the draft, through your young prospects coming through," he said. "So the mindset stays the same. Im standing pat. I made it clear from Day One I want to make this team good for years to come, not just for one year. You always look at all the options, but depth and character and speed is what you need to reach your ultimate goal." The Emelin injury gave a chance for six-foot-six defenceman Jarred Tinordi to show what he can do, and they have some promising blue-liners in the minors, starting with Nathan Beaulieu and Greg Pateryn. Gallagher and third overall draft pick Alex Galchenyuk both impressed as rookie forwards. And they have six picks in the first three rounds of this years draft. Bergevin did not tip his hat on what off-season moves he will make. It is widely expected he will buy out unused defenceman Tomas Kaberle, who has one season left on his contract at US$4.2 million. But the GM said he may first try to trade Kaberle. Decisions are still to be made on impending unrestricted free agents Michael Ryder, Colby Armstrong, Jeff Halpern, Petteri Nokelainen and Davis Drewiske. Restricted free agents are Ryan White, Yannick Weber, Michael Blunden and Gabriel Dumont. He said no decision has been made on whether to negotiate a new deal right away with P.K. Subban, who had a standout campaign that made him a candidate for the Norris Trophy as the leagues top defenceman, or wait until next season. Subban missed the first six games of the season while working a two-year contract worth $2.85 million per season, which was considered a "bridge" deal before he signs long-term for top dollars. "P.K. had a really good season and he earned the nomination for the Norris," said Bergevin. "But hes still a young defenceman. "He still has a lot to learn. Hes really good, but he can be even better. So its a work in progress with him. This year, were happy with the direction he went." Bergevin is up for an award of his own. The former NHL defenceman was named as one of the three finalists as general manager of the year after taking the Canadiens from last place to second in the Eastern Conference. He brought Michel Therrien back to Montreal as head coach with success and boosted the team by signing tough winger Brandon Prust, among others. "Id have to be a GM to get an award, I never won one as a player," he said with a laugh. "It doesnt say much about me as a player. "But I wouldnt have this honour if it wasnt for the job Michel and the players did this year. Im flattered because Bob Murray (Anaheim) and Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) are bright hockey people." He declared himself "very satisfied" with Therrien and the coaching staff. He said that even when losing in the playoffs, the team always started strong, which showed the coach had them ready to compete. The Canadiens took a step forward by making the playoffs this season, but doing it again will be another test for a team that is still in rebuilding mode. "It will be difficult and expectations will be higher," he said. "We made progress, but next year teams will be ready for us and well have to be ready for them." Colorado Avalanche Shirts . 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Jabrill Peppers unquestionably is one of the most athletic college football players in the nation.The Michigan sophomore also is inserting himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation.Peppers all-around talents will be on display again when the No. 4 Wolverines (3-0) open Big Ten play by hosting Penn State (2-1) on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).Once again, Peppers is expected to line up all over the field in the same fashion as last Saturdays victory over Colorado when he recorded a career-high nine tackles and totaled 204 all-purpose yards -- including a 54-yard punt-return touchdown.Peppers was a strong safety on defense last season before Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown elected to move him to strong-side linebacker. The switch is allowing Peppers to roam freely around the back end and even creep into the box. The Wolverines are also incorporating him into the offense just as they did last season.I cant think of another player like Jabrill -- I know theres not another player that Ive coached like him, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said at a press conference. The unique thing is all the positions he can play.You start counting them: It would be safety, corner, nickel, outside linebacker. It would be slot receiver, wildcat quarterback, running back, kick returner, punt returner, gunner, hold-up.Thats 11 right there, and I know theres others he could do. But those are all the things hes done already here for us. And hes done them all well. Hes a special type of athlete and special football player.Peppers hears those types of compliments all the time and just takes them in stride.But finding out his all-purpose yardage was over 200 yards? Now that is the type of production that impresses him.That was me? Peppers asked, pointing a finger at himself. Wow ... really? Two hundred and four yards, wow. Wow! Thats crazy. I didnt even think about it like that. I just tried to do whatever I could, man.We were down, and when you are one of the playmakers, one of the guys who makes the team go, youve got to take it upon yourself to just try to make something happen.The Wolverines are averaging 53 points per game as they entertain a Penn State squad that has allowed an average of 34.5 over the past two games.The Nittany Lions possted a 34-27 victory over Temple last week after losing a 42-39 shootout to Pittsburgh the previous weekend.ddddddddddddPenn State lost one of its better defenders in the win over Temple when senior linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White sustained a season-ending knee injury. It marks the second straight season in which Wartman-White, who has a team-high 3 1/2 tackles for losses, experienced an early-season injury.Feel terrible for Nyeem Wartman-White, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said at a press conference. He will be out for the season, which is obviously significant. I feel for Nyeem because hes had two years in a row now where hes missed the season and has worked really, really hard and has had an unbelievable attitude from a leadership standpoint as well.The unit will attempt to move forward behind junior safety Marcus Allen, who leads the squad with 21 tackles.Offensively, sophomore running back Saquon Barkley has rushed for 258 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley has shown promise by passing for 828 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions as the replacement for NFL second-round pick Christian Hackenberg.The Nittany Lions are aware they are viewed as huge underdogs as they head into Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines hold a 12-7 edge in the series and are 6-3 in the venerable facility.Ive gone to some away games that were pretty hostile, junior linebacker Brandon Smith said at a press conference. I think it just gets the guys even more excited sometimes when people are jeering you and mocking you and all sorts of things. You know, you can either get distracted by it or it can increase your intensity and your focus.Michigan is hoping to have standout senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis on the field for the first time this season. Lewis has been sidelined by back, hamstring and quadriceps injuries.Wolverines sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight has put together three straight strong outings and has passed for 686 yards and eight touchdowns against one interception. Senior receiver Amara Darboh is averaging 20.4 yards with four of his 10 catches going for touchdowns. ' ' '