I still remember Martin St-Louis, the athlete, a great competitor. Then, after Wednesday’s loss to the Lightning, I hear him say he’s happy with his team’s performance.

Such remarks lead me to believe that St-Louis is not telling the reason for his thoughts.

If he says he’s been content lately, it’s because he’s isolating moments from a game. The Canadian could have put in a good performance in the second half. But deep down, St-Louis must know that’s not enough.

On the one hand, the manager says he sees good things in his players and there are a few things to correct. He did it after the Tampa meeting.

On the other hand, Nick Suzuki, the captain, says the club’s style of play bothers him. That he feels uncomfortable before these performances.

They’re waiting for the phone

The truth is Canadians play bad hockey. The two games in Florida were painful.

I said it earlier this week: The problem in this team is not the young people. On the contrary, the top three scorers in the formation are Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Kirby Dach. None of the three is older than 23 years.

But veterans expect the phone to ring. They tell themselves that they will probably be better off somewhere else. I don’t think they bother the rest of the team, be negative. But they expect to leave Montreal.

We use the youth of the team to explain defeats, but the problem is their experienced players. In Florida, there were five young defenders in the lineup. But the worst on the blue line was Joel Edmundson.

Poor Kaiden Guhle, who has to play with him… In the end he has twice as much work.

What hurts the most about all of this is that it’s the Montreal Canadiens. From an institution. It’s been running for two years. The team finished 32nd last season^e rank, the last. This year players will not play with hearts for 60 minutes.

Not for merit

Alongside the veterans’ lack of effort, comical decisions are made. One thing I don’t understand is that the Canadians recalled Anthony Richard from the Laval Rocket. They made that decision because Richard was the leading scorer.

Except that when he got to Montreal he was playing on the fourth row and wasn’t given a spot on the power play.

In any case, we’re not working to award game time on the power play with the Canadiens. Some get it without scoring a single goal this season…

It’s obvious that internally they have their reason for giving Evgenii Dadonov Eiszeit. Even if he is sure that his bags are already packed and he is ready to leave! However, it is difficult to understand from the outside. He just puts on the uniform.

Normally in a club we rely on veterans accompanying the youngest. But right now, no one can serve as a big brother. It scares me.

I respect his patience

I’m sure there are internal discussions between St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton about training. It’s obvious that they don’t like it when losses pile up on their record. Her resume doesn’t look good.

It’s clear that Martin St-Louis is not satisfied. He needs to speak to his family about this. I don’t know how it is internally. He seems like a cool guy who talks a lot.

St-Louis, the player, was intense and committed. A hard worker, persevering, who in no way gave up.

Publicly, however, he keeps coming back with the same words. The concept, the group spirit.

His patience does him credit. But I want Hughes, his general manager, to come out of his office and say that the effort the veterans are showing is unacceptable.

At the risk of repeating myself, it’s the Montreal Canadiens. an institution. What is happening is not normal.

– Interview by Jessica Lapinski

Tiger’s Corner

2022 robbed us of two big ones

When I think back over the past year, I can’t help but think first of the early departures of Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy.

Two great players who shaped hockey, but also two great men.

Guy, I directed him, I worked with him for so many years. I had the opportunity to get to know him beyond the athlete.

Mike, I met him in the junior ranks and in the NHL when I was a coach. He became a staff member at TVA Sports.

As the year draws to a close, we often talk about these two big losses. It testifies to the impact they had on our lives and also the legacy they left behind.

Congratulations to Félix and Marie-Philip

The achievements of Félix Auger-Aliassime and Marie-Philip Poulin have been rewarded with various prizes in recent weeks. I congratulate you. Their successes resonate around the world.

When we talk about Quebec abroad, it’s often because of sporting success. Reminds me of the Nordics back then. We’ve promoted Quebec throughout North America.

These two athletes are respected around the world. For her talent and also for her personality.

health for all!

I take this opportunity to wish you all, dear readers, a Happy New Year 2023. Health and happiness to each of you.