Marc Bergevin has once again been talked about, but not for the reasons hoped for.
While in Quebec, the former general manager of the Montreal Canadiens refused to sign autographs when leaving the plane, leaving several fans disappointed.
Those who hoped for a moment of proximity with one of the notable figures of Quebec hockey left empty-handed, while Bergevin, true to himself, ignored the Quebec media, a habit well ingrained since his departure from Montreal.
His discretion and his systematic refusal to grant interviews or answer questions are beginning to raise questions.
Ignoring fans is even worse.
You would think that a visit to the provincial capital might make it more accessible, but that is not the case.
Bergevin seems as distant as when he was in Vegas, refusing to open up to the press and the Quebec public.
His time in Las Vegas during the draft had already left a bitter taste, as he avoided Quebec journalists, leading to frustration and incomprehension.
Since his departure from the Canadiens, Marc Bergevin has adopted a silent, almost contemptuous posture.
Unlike when he was in the constant spotlight in Montreal, he now prefers to stay in the shadows, refusing any interviews and limiting his public appearances.
This behavior contrasts radically with his past, and this transformation is uncomfortable as can be.
One of the visible wounds of his recent career is certainly the non-appointment at the head of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team which nevertheless seemed cut out for him.
Tony Marinaro did not hesitate to openly criticize Bergevin’s attitude, accusing him of fleeing the media and of blaming them for his departure from Montreal.
“Marc pretends not to know us”, said Marinaro, present in Vegas, adding ironically that the media had probably contributed to prolonging his mandate with the Canadiens rather than bringing him down.
This type of criticism is more and more frequent, and Quebec journalists will not fail to criticize Bergevin’s contemptuous attitude.
At some point, Marc Bergevin will have to face these difficult questions. After more than two years of silence, he remains the only general manager in recent NHL history to have refused to speak for so long after his dismissal.
This silence cannot last forever, and one day he will have to speak. Until then, his stubborn refusal to speak to the media, even during events as significant as his visit to Quebec, only worsens his already tarnished image.
And to add insult to injury. The mayor of Clermont, Luc Cauchon, confirmed that the Los Angeles Kings will hold a free training session in his arena on October 7, but without an autograph session.
A new disappointment for fans, who were hoping for a more personal moment with the players. However, despite this absence, Cauchon says he is confident that Charlevoisians will be there to admire the rising stars of the Kings, a rare opportunity in this region.
7 million dollars from our taxes…but no autograph, neither from Bergevin, nor from the Kings players. A real shame.
Marc Bergevin, for his part, seems to be sinking deeper into his silence, and the criticism will continue to multiply as long as he refuses to face his demons and re-establish a dialogue with the Quebec media and fans.
Especially since Rob Blake is threatened with losing his job and Bergevin is the favorite to replace him.
It is clear that Marc Bergevin now finds himself at the center of rumors, being tipped to succeed the GM at the head of the Los Angeles Kings.
This situation puts Bergevin in a delicate position, as his return to prominence would be accompanied by high expectations and enormous pressure on a man who has already experienced a lot of stress, both within the Kings organization and in the media Quebecois, whom he has avoided at all costs since his departure from Montreal.
Rob Blake, meanwhile, is in hot water after the Kings suffered a third straight elimination in the first round of the playoffs last spring.
The team is not moving forward, despite a three-year rebuilding effort. Of particular concern is that only two internally developed draft picks under the age of 23, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferrière, are on the roster.
This shows a glaring lack of depth among young players, and other than Brandt Clarke, who hopes to take over alongside Drew Doughty, the prospect pool is mediocre in Los Angeles.
Blake has made some difficult decisions in recent years, including trading Kevin Fiala for Brock Faber, the catastrophic acquisition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, and handling the goalie position.
If Blake were to be fired, Bergevin would find himself on the front line to take the reins of the Kings, a scenario which would finally force him to come out of his media silence.
Resumption of such a prestigious position would require him to reconnect with the Quebec press, which he has so far ignored. One thing is certain: the Quebec media will never forget his prolonged silence.
And the fans will never forgive him for ignoring them…for a simple autograph…
