Nothing is going well between Martin St-Louis and Michael Pezzetta.
The man too weak to be a strong man is at a crucial turning point in his career.
According to rumors, the Ontario forward of the Montreal Canadiens is considering requesting a trade, tired of being constantly relegated to the background.
And who could blame him? Since the start of the season, Pezzetta has been left out of the lineup many times, a choice that coach Martin St-Louis seems to take without any consideration for his poor attacker, even preferring a player like Lucas Condotta, who will be in uniform against the Devils.
Pezzetta reportedly made a heartfelt cry to Kent Hughes to be traded.
But nightmare for him, Antoine Roussel affirms on the airwaves of 98.5 FM that there is no chance that a team will be interested.
“I’m not sure Pezzetta plays on another NHL team. If I’m his agent, I tell him to be patient.”
Remember that certain rumors linked him to the Devils, CH’s opponents this evening.
The absence of Pezzetta, who watches the action from the stands, leaves a feeling of injustice, him who gets high and eats the tapes during every training session.
This season, Pezzetta has only made three appearances in the lineup, each time replacing Juraj Slafkovsky when he was injured.
And even if his performances were not exceptional, the Canadian still won two victories with him on the ice.
Pezzetta may not have stood out, but it’s clear his absence continues to raise questions, particularly about Martin St-Louis’ vision for the identity of his team.
The Montreal Canadiens, in full reconstruction, seemed to turn their backs on players with a more physical style, favoring speed and finesse.
But Condotta’s dressing down really sends the message to Pezzetta that he’s been made undesirable.
Pezzetta is more and more incompatible with the evolution of the team. Not only does he not have the NHL level according to St-Louis, but above all, he doesn’t scare anyone.
However, his impact is not measured only in terms of points or technique, but in terms of heart and commitment.
But is it still enough? With a ridiculous $812,500 contract ending this summer, Pezzetta knows every moment on the ice could be his last in the NHL.
His loved ones are worried. Every check, every hit taken is a risk to his health, a potential addition to the list of injuries that haunt players of his caliber, very small, but forced to fight against bigger than him.
The specter of serious illnesses, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, constantly looms over athletes who play with such intensity. Pezzetta, despite his courage, cannot ignore these risks.
His message is clear: “I sacrifice myself for everyone here, but they don’t make me play, even when there are injured.”
Michael Pezzetta’s frustration is obvious and understandable.
For a player like him, used to giving of himself every time he is on the ice, this public humiliation almost seems like a form of punishment.
Seeing yourself overtaken in the pecking order by players like Lucas Condotta – a player who hasn’t even proven himself yet – sends a devastating message.
In reality, Pezzetta is fighting not only for his spot on the roster, but also for his identity as a player.
The psychological impact of this decision should not be underestimated. By choosing to sideline Pezzetta in favor of younger players, the organization is sending a strong message to its veterans: sacrifice and loyalty are less important than Condotta’s size.
This lack of security is all the more difficult to accept for a player who has always given everything for this team. At just 25 years old, Pezzetta saw his NHL dream crumble.
On a personal level, this situation becomes unbearable for him and his loved ones. Pezzetta is aware of the risks associated with his style of play, including frequent injuries and head trauma.
His crushing defeat against Ryan Reaves at the end of last season left deep marks, both physical and psychological.
This confrontation, brutal and merciless, reminded Pezzetta and his family of the dangers that await him in every match.
Those close to him begin to fear that, like so many other athletes before him, Pezzetta is pushing his body beyond its limits.
The risks of concussions and neurodegenerative diseases, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), are very real for players of his caliber.
For his family, each check, each fight, is a cruel reminder of the potential consequences of such a demanding sport.
Pezzetta’s case also raises an ethical question in the world of the NHL: to what extent are teams ready to use small players with an aggressive and physical style, knowing the dangers this represents for their health?
Pezzetta is a loyal and dedicated player, but that loyalty could end up costing him dearly. The National Hockey League is just beginning to recognize the long-term effects of concussions, and Pezzetta is at the heart of that debate.
For him, the decision to continue playing despite the risks is driven by his love of the game, but also by his need to prove that he deserves his place in the league.
However, his family and friends fear seeing him, like so many others before him, sink into irreversible health problems.
The emotional weight of this situation is immense for Pezzetta. With each match where he is sidelined, each time a player like Lucas Condotta, much bigger, is prioritized, he feels humiliation and doubt setting in.
But beyond the frustration, there is an intense inner struggle: that of remaining true to himself while protecting his future.
it is increasingly obvious that his fight goes beyond hockey. Pezzetta is playing not only for his place in the NHL, but also for his health, his integrity and, ultimately, his future.
Pezzetta embodies a tragic reality: a player ready to give everything for his team, but who must also learn to protect himself.
And as the Canadiens continue their rebuild, Michael Pezzetta knows he’ll likely have to face a difficult reality: Maybe his future isn’t with this team…and just not in the NHL.
Perhaps, for his own sake, it would be time to move on.
He may well ask for a transaction, but who wants a weak man among strong men?
To ask the question is to answer it.
