"Definitely some steps in the right direction, that's for sure and just the fact the owners are finally talking to us is great," says Brandon Prust, having slept on the Bettman Plan.  

"We're definitely optimistic right now," confirmed Prust, who will wear #8 for the Canadiens whenever the season begins.

Even before the newbie awaiting to make his Canadiens debut hears the NHLPA party line, Prust is not shy about speaking his mind a day after going on his own PR powerplay by tweeting a public invitation to play some ballhockey outside the Bell Centre.

Is he ready for a compressed 82-game grind?   Will he bang along the boards or can the former Ranger listed officially as a LW on the Canadiens website have a heavier impact at centre for new coach Michel Therrien?