During his most recent press conference, Martin St-Louis seemed lost and unable to deliver a clear message, leaving reporters perplexed as to the direction of the team.
The Canadiens coach launched into a series of confusing statements, alternating between the idea of a “reconstruction” and a “transition”, while insisting on the need to win despite everything.
“Um… well, it’s… you know, we continue to progress, but we have to remain realistic. I am a development coach too.
And that involves making decisions based on our progress, even if we have to continue to learn. I do this without being too harsh, but I still have to evaluate what is working and what is not. »
“As a team, we are in transition. As a coach, I am also in transition. The players know I’m in transition.”
“If the team is in transition, so am I. We are no longer at the stage of a year or two ago, we are taking a new step. And that comes with a transition on several levels – that it’s the players, the expectations, or even the staff.”
This incoherent speech highlighted the confusion that seems to reign in the mind of St-Louis, which is struggling more and more to justify the current state of the club.
These comments reveal a blurred vision and unconvincing explanations on the part of St-Louis, who seems increasingly lost in the face of the challenges of his role.
The situation was further complicated when St-Louis revealed that the recent appointment of Marc Bureau to help players with faceoffs was not even his choice.
“Listen, it’s to give resources to our young players, to allow them to improve in an area where Marc excels.”
“I played with Marc, maybe during my first year in Calgary… well, I don’t really know. It wasn’t my decision, it was Kent who chose him. I didn’t even know what he was doing today.
In reality, this decision came from Kent Hughes, the general manager, who imposed this initiative without consulting the coach.
St. Louis, visibly uncomfortable, tried to rationalize Bureau’s arrival by citing “additional expertise” to help young players, but the discomfort was uncomfortable.
“It wasn’t my choice, it was Kent”he admitted, emphasizing the extent to which decision-making is out of his control, reinforcing the impression that he is suffering rather than leading.
St-Louis’ disconcerting comments and clumsy repetitions gave the impression of a coach overwhelmed and overwhelmed by pressure.
“We have to accept the grind… and we work with that”he repeated several times without it really making sense, as if he was trying to convince himself.
“Yes, I know, there are statistics that are not favorable, but it could be much worse. I know exactly why our offensive play has declined, but we need to adjust our defensive play too.
It’s a balance, and it takes time. It will oscillate, it will stabilize eventually… but, for now, it is… it is what it is. »
This disjointed speech contrasts with the image of a clear-sighted leader and seems to be a reflection of deeper confusion within the organization.
As for player management, St. Louis discussed the personal “transition” he’s going through as coach, a statement that left reporters scratching their heads.
Instead of showing an evolution in his vision, this “transition” seems to reflect a loss of control and a lack of clarity.
If fans and analysts expect to see a solid and structured reconstruction project, the current state of the team instead suggests a lack of direction that is only getting stronger.
Finally, the promotion of Jake Evans to second center, a move that seems to confirm the failure of Kirby Dach as a vital piece of the rebuild, is seen as a total failure.
The decisions seem improvised and, for many, the message from St. Louis betrays frustration directed at the general manager.
Desperate to find temporary solutions, St. Louis may be pointing the finger at Kent Hughes’ shortcomings, exposing the management errors, questionable personnel decisions and structural flaws holding the team back.
In this state of confusion, the confidence of the team and the public collapses a little more every day.
Martin St-Louis seems more and more isolated and helpless, while the expectations of the season become more and more of a burden that he struggles to carry.
It hurts to see him sinking like this. Meanwhile, Kent Hughes hides and imposes his decisions on his early coach.
Nothing is going well anymore.
