On this day of the opening of the free agent market, the Montreal Canadiens are, as expected, very discreet.
Apart from the signing of Alex Barré-Boulet, Kent Hughes and his team are keeping quiet.
However, this does not mean that the CH management is doing nothing. On the contrary, it is making calls and also making offers to some free agents.
Moreover, we learned in the last few hours that Quebec forward Jonathan Marchessault, who signed with the Nashville Predators, had received an offer from the Montreal Canadiens, an offer he greatly considered before receiving a call from Steven Stamkos.
The Canadiens were therefore second behind Nashville, while Stamkos’ call seems to have tipped the balance.
However, Marchessault later said in a television interview with TVA Sports that the pressure of the Montreal market was another factor he considered in his decision.
Indeed, the Quebec forward explained that he was not very keen on the idea of being constantly in the spotlight and under pressure in Montreal.
We therefore understand that Marchessault liked Montreal’s offer and the idea of playing at home, but that in the end, the pressure of the Montreal market did not interest him.
“There’s so much media and pressure. When an offensive player has a bad patch in Montreal, he quickly finds himself in trade rumors.” – Jonathan Marchessault
The Quebecer also said with a smile that one visit to the Bell Centre in Montreal per year was enough and that it was quite okay.
Marchessault was not fond of seeing his name in the newspaper almost every day.
“I also wondered if it was worth it for my name to be in the newspaper every day or every other day. You’re either a king or you’re a zero.” – Jonathan Marchessault
The new Nashville Preds forward also addressed the topic of his kids, who weren’t at all disgusted at school based on his performance with the Golden Knights, and that will continue in Nashville.
In Montreal, the Quebecer believes that things could have been different.
In short, the CH really tried to acquire Marchessault, but in the end, once again, the Tricolore came in a good second in such a race for a signing.
The pressure from Montreal will once again have weighed in the balance.
Let us mention that during his press briefing today, Kent Hughes confirmed having spoken to the Quebecer, but that he was not ready to go as far as four or five years with him.
It is not a surprise.
A lot of
– Vincent Desharnais in Vancouver.
– Nice contract.
– Small contract.
