The name of Martin St-Louis is circulating more and more in discussions surrounding the Anaheim Ducks.
According to several well-informed California journalists, general manager Pat Verbeek is waiting for the Montreal Canadiens to make a decision regarding the future of St. Louis before firing his own head coach, Greg Cronin.
The Ducks’ patience seems linked to the hope that St-Louis becomes available, he who perfectly matches the profile sought to turn around this organization in crisis.
The echoes coming from the Ducks locker room are overwhelming. According to former NHL players Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette, hosts of the popular podcast Spittin’ Chiclets, Greg Cronin lost the trust and respect of his players.
“Cronin is absolutely hated by the Ducks players. It creates an atmosphere that feels like hell on Earth for these guys.”Whitney said.
Cronin’s authoritarian method would be out of step with the younger generation of the Ducks, made up of young talents who are tired of being yelled at all the time.
“My understanding is that several of them have indicated that this guy is not the answer. That they need someone different to show them how to be professionals without yelling at them all the time.” said Bissonnette.
“It’s gotten to the point where I hear it’s one of the most dysfunctional locker rooms in the NHL.”
You read that right. Critics abound: Cronin would constantly shout at his players, making daily life unbearable and slowing down their progress.
“Several players indicated during the end-of-season meetings that they needed someone different, capable of guiding them with patience and understanding. It’s a dysfunctional locker room, perhaps one of the worst in the NHL.”added Bissonnette.
For Pat Verbeek, Martin St-Louis represents the perfect counterweight to Greg Cronin. Renowned for his gentle approach focused on individual development, St-Louis is a “coach player” capable of protecting his players and restoring their confidence.
His style fits what Anaheim appears to desperately need to jumpstart its rebuilding project.
The progress of several talented young players has stalled under Cronin. Trevor Zegras, once considered one of the future faces of the NHL, is struggling to find his comfort zone.
Mason McTavish, meanwhile, shows flashes of talent, but lacks consistency. Troy Terry, supposed to be an offensive pillar, stagnates at 12 points in 19 games. These problems are the symbol of a coach who has lost his room.
With St-Louis, the Ducks dream of offering their young people a positive and motivating work environment, which will help them reach their full potential.
The Anaheim Ducks are going through a dark period. With only eight wins in 19 games and a moribund ranking in the Pacific Division, the franchise is looking for answers.
Verbeek’s patience with Cronin could quickly reach its limits if results don’t improve.
Ryan Whitney sums it up well:
“The team is not good, the guys are miserable, and it is clear that Cronin is not the man for the job. »
The question burning on the lips in Anaheim is therefore this: Could Martin St-Louis become available? While the Montreal Canadiens also went through a dark period, things are getting better.
Even uncertainty hovered over the future of St-Louis in the Quebec metropolis, it is clear that it is now protected for a part.
According to what is circulating, Kent Hughes has no intention of firing St-Louis, regardless of the results that come.
If CH decides to move on, Anaheim could jump at the opportunity to try to seduce the former star player.
But they will wait a long time.
For the Ducks, it would not only be a question of finding a new coach, but of laying the foundations for a real change in culture, an essential shift to revive this rebuilding team.
St. Louis was the man the Ducks wanted. But we have to face reality: St-Louis is in Montreal to stay there.
The Ducks will have to find another soft-spoken coach.
Because the CH players are all behind St-Louis.
Players were quick to express relief that St-Louis will not be dismissed in Montreal.
For Mike Matheson, the question does not even arise. We can understand. St-Louis continues to favor him before Lane Hutson, despite criticism from the Quebec population.
“I don’t know if there was ever any doubt, but there wasn’t any for me. He’s an important part of our team.”said Matheson, who sees St. Louis as an essential engine for the group’s progress.
Juraj Slafkovsky, still in the early stages of his NHL career, enthusiastically expressed his admiration for St. Louis and the impact it has on young players, despite the fact that St. Louis made him warm up the bench.
“We all love him. He’s so intelligent, with his ideas and his way of seeing the game. It’s wonderful to have someone like him as a coach.
He brings new ideas every day. I expected nothing other than his agreement to be extended with us,” said Slafkovsky, visibly delighted to continue to evolve under the orders of St-Louis.
Even more experienced players, such as Brendan Gallagher, have welcomed the fact that he is in no danger of losing his job.
“Marty is unique in the way he speaks to each of us. He understands what it’s like to be a player in this league, but also in Montreal. He pushes us to be better every day, without ever crushing us”declared the veteran, who particularly appreciates the human approach of his coach.
For several CH players, Martin St-Louis embodies patience and perseverance, two essential qualities in a reconstruction phase.
His playing journey from undrafted to superstar inspires not only rookies, but veterans as well.
His unique approach, where he mixes modernity and respect for the basics of hockey, seems to be a perfect fit for a team in full transition.
“He understands us because he’s been there. He knows how we feel after a bad streak, but he also knows when to tell us the truth, even if it hurts.”confided Nick Suzuki, captain of the Habs.
Samuel Montembeault, for his part, highlighted the influence of St-Louis on the team dynamic.
“Marty pushes us to take responsibility. He gives us the tools to succeed, but he expects us to do the work. That’s what a true leader is.”he declared.
With the unfailing support of his players, Martin St-Louis now has the time necessary to continue the transformation of the Canadian.
This strong bond between the coach and his men is a precious asset in a city like Montreal, where pressure from the media and fans can quickly become unbearable.
St-Louis, with this support, will have the freedom to shape the future of the team in his image, even if more and more journalists want him fired.
In such a demanding market, seeing players stand so firmly behind their coach speaks volumes about his impact in the room.
Martin St-Louis is here to stay. For better and for worse.
Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens send a clear message to the NHL: Martin St-Louis is not on the market.
As his name circulates more and more around Anaheim, the Ducks will have to turn to another solution for their dysfunctional locker room.
Despite all its faults, St-Louis shows us the importance of a healthy relationship between a coach and his team.
Anaheim, which is desperately looking for a coach capable of rallying a fragmented group, could well see this gentle method as a model to follow, but it will not be with St-Louis.
The players’ loyalty and admiration for their coach sends a warning: the Ducks will need to find another savior to turn their team around.
In Montreal, the door is now closed.
