For some time now I have had the clear impression that the honeymoon between Martin Saint-Louis and you, the Canadian’s supporters, has reached the end of its very tasteful nectar.

The criticism of Martin and his management of the Canadian is becoming increasingly numerous and harsh.

In today’s question I asked you whether you think Martin Saint-Louis is far superior, equal or inferior to the team’s record. They also had the opportunity to respond that his work was simply perfect.

The exercise I am doing here is complex for me. Complex because I really like Martin Saint-Louis.

This man’s charisma is undeniable, his way of addressing the team’s situations during his press conferences is delicious to say the least.

When I have the opportunity to sit down with Martin for an interview, his generosity honors him as much as it honors you, the audience it serves.

Martin respects the media process surrounding his work. This is the best proof that he respects you, the public, because he knows very well that his connection with you is through us in the traditional media.

Once I figure all of this out, do I think Martin is doing an exceptional job at the helm of the Canadiens? Unfortunately the answer is no.

Is Martin a prisoner of the formula adopted by management, which wants to see the individual development of players at the expense of collective development and results?

It’s entirely possible that the answer to that last question is, unfortunately, yes. In this case, that absolves Martin of almost all blame.

Which doesn’t mean everything is fine.

Last year, Connor Bédard’s mirage repelled a large majority of supporters who shouted that it would be good to rebuild properly and be relegated to the bottom of the rankings for as long as necessary.

The least embarrassed of those who shouted very loudly a year ago continue to extol the virtues of the grand plan that begins with the basement of the 4-5 year classification.

The most embarrassed have changed their minds and are now demanding faster results. For what ? Because the truth about their acceptance of last season’s reconstruction plan lay in Connor Bédard’s mirage.

With no Bédard this season, they want faster results.

In my opinion rightly so. Losing all the time is boring. It’s no fun not having a winning season.

And even if it happens through another sport, the contagion of the Alouettes’ victory in the Gray Cup and the Carabins’ victory in the Vanier Cup is clear and palpable.

These two great triumphs restored the confidence of sports fans and gave them hope that Montreal would be a champion city.

The association with the Canadian in this case is not a shortcut, it is commendable and normal.

The Alouettes saved the Titanic from its inevitable demise, winning the Gray Cup in 8 months and with goodwill and excellent management from the top of the pyramid.

The Canadian can get out of the twists and turns if he wants, and not into three more seasons of misery.

But does the Canadian really want that?

That brings us back to Martin and the plan because the current plan keeps Martin away from the more traditional coaching where we try to win every game we play.

I would summarize it all in a few simple questions:

Why not get the 6 best attackers from the first two lines together and pray to little Jesus for the rest?

Why not identify a number one goalie, hear Montembeault here and give him the most starts?

Why not introduce a less permeable defensive system or concept that aims to stabilize everyone’s game?

Small details that make a big difference in the end.

But what exactly does the Canadian want in the end? Because as long as Geoff Molson looks like he’s feeding Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes over collective results when it comes to individual development, the latter will be able to cash his paycheck while working with peace of mind.

Because it is much easier to judge a person’s work by doing it based on the results columns in the form of wins and losses than by trying to measure the progress curve of a hopeful organization.