Geoff Molson has no hesitation in admitting that before the Canadian returns to the top, he has something to lose.
The Canadian’s owner said Tuesday afternoon at the Bell Center on the sidelines of a dinner organized by the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.
According to the Montreal leader, the Canadian was left with no choice: he had to go through the rebuilding phase to hope for better days.
“I think this is the first time the Canadiens have announced a rebuild like we’ve done,” Geoff Molson said on Tuesday. In the 1970s this was not necessary. We won the trophy in the 1980s and 1990s and we never had to change our squad. »
The Montreal club owner added that “it’s pretty clear it’s difficult to win early in a rebuild,” suggesting the next Stanley Cup is unlikely to be forthcoming for now.
In his view, the situation is different from a few years ago when the club opted to swap out veterans like PK Subban and then Max Pacioretty.
“It was a minor rebuild, not a full rebuild… We got a lot of draft picks in those trades, and you see some of those picks are coming with the team now.”
So I think it takes a rebuild to revive a team. It’s a word you don’t want to say because it’s no fun to say that you’re starting over. But it takes some courage and leadership changes to get there. Next season we will begin the second year of our rebuild.
Geoff Molson
The recent departures of Canadian clubs like the Toronto Maple Leafs and then the Edmonton Oilers, both eliminated from the NHL playoff table, have also brought to light another harsh reality: the Canadian’s recent win remains the last win by a Canadian club at all. suggesting that the teams in the country of the maple leaf are at a disadvantage compared to their American rivals.
But Geoff Molson disagrees at all.
“I don’t believe that theory… We’ve seen big changes in our league over the years; There have been expansions, a salary cap, the management of that salary cap, and it takes a rebuild to have a team capable of winning. It’s a good system that has nothing to do with whether a team is Canadian or American. »
Geoff Molson, who is also optimistic about Cole Caufield’s future contract (‘it will happen, and it will happen at the right time with a good deal, we’re not worried’), also believes the best is yet to come his club.
“Our team has a lot more talent than it did a year ago…it’s going well. Our fans won’t have to wait too long and I’m encouraged by their support this season and last. »
Over $900,000 in donations from the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation
The Canadian on Tuesday at the Bell Center confirmed financial support of $943,000 in donations to encourage the practice of sports among young people through his Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. This amount will be offered to 65 community organizations across the province. The initiative enables the funding of sports projects aimed at promoting the practice of sport among young people aged 4 to 17. According to the Canadian’s executive, the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, established in 2000, has since raised more than $20.6 million, which has been donated to more than 900 organizations across the province.
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