The Canadians’ management of the Evgenii Dadonov file has drawn much media attention in recent days, but how did the Montreal team’s coaching staff handle the situation?

In an interview with Jean-Charles Lajoie on Thursday, Alex Burrows admitted that dealing with such a high number of attackers isn’t easy, but coaches do their best to adequately oversee players in the process.

“It is certain that there is disappointment when a player is out of alignment. All players want to play every game. I don’t feel any inner tension. We know we want the players who give us the best chance of winning every game. So far the message has been clear to everyone. As coaches we manage the players we have. We try to help them improve and be more successful. We do that and so far the recipe is good.

The Canadians’ assistant coach also praised the team’s pilot, Martin St-Louis, for ensuring good communication between all members of the organization.

“I think he has a very good line of communication with the group in general. Whether collectively or individually, each player knows a little bit about how we want to play and what concepts we want to use as much as possible. He has so much experience in the NHL that he can identify what we want to improve on every day. I find his communication excellent. He’s been through so much in his career that he can pass that on to the players.”

The former Canucks and Senators player also believes the line from Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach ranks among the best lines on the entire Bettman Tour.

“Right now they are doing a great job. Our top line plays like an NHL top line. Successful teams have a top line that works at full speed every night. Since we reunited Dach with Cole and Nick, we have nothing to say. What impresses me the most is that I don’t find them cheating to get their points. You’re playing right.”

Burrows is optimistic about the future, even if he wants to remind people that his training is still in a transition phase.

“In the situation we are in with several young players, we can live with certain mistakes. Everyone now knows which foot to dance on. We have a good group, we have a group that wants to improve. Everyone works hard to be successful as a team. It takes time to develop the chemistry and everything, but so far we’re working hard. We want to keep improving in order to be successful in the short, medium and long term.

Watch the interview in question in the video above.