The Antichambre studio vibrated last night under the weight of the words of Benoît Brunet, visibly exasperated by Martin St-Louis’ decisions in overtime during the Canadian’s last defeat.
With scathing frankness, Brunet castigated the head coach for his management which he described as cautious and devoid of long-term vision.
It was a landmark moment where a former player and analyst’s frustrations came to light.
Here are the words of Benoît Brunet, delivered with an intensity that left the RDS studio in turmoil:
“Martin, this evening, he put himself in his slippers, especially in overtime. It’s easy to understand. You don’t want to lose the match, so you go with your “sure values”.
But these sure values make you lose the match. Jake Evans, I love him, he’s not a bad hockey player, but he’s the one who escaped his guy in front of the net.
And Montembeault could have cut off this pass with his stick, but your job is not to lose your guy. If you’re still here when the team is good, you’ll have to do your job defensively, and tonight, that wasn’t the case. »
Brunet then pointed out the absence of Joshua Roy in the decisive moments, in particular three against three in overtime, a perfect context for the young player to express himself and progress:
“Me, Roy, you put it there in overtime. Three against three, that’s where you have to put it. That’s where he’s going to make you win the match, that’s where he’s going to progress, that’s where he’s going to develop. And you already have your point, too! So why go there with your slippers like Evans, Dvorak, or even Heineman?
Yes, Dvorak wins faceoffs, I understand. But at that moment, it’s Roy you have to send, not players who don’t bring anything offensively. »
What emerges from Brunet’s remarks is a sharp criticism of Martin St-Louis’ reluctance. The coach, who promised to redefine the way young players are developed in Montreal, sometimes seems trapped by his own conservative instincts.
Rather than giving responsibilities to prospects like Joshua Roy, St-Louis relies on veterans like Jake Evans or Christian Dvorak to manage crucial moments, even if these choices lead to repeated failures.
Brunet underlines a crucial point: three against three in overtime is the ideal moment to allow a young talent to express itself.
This format promotes creativity, speed and offensive skills, qualities that perfectly match the profile of Joshua Roy.
However, St. Louis preferred to send defensive players like Evans and Dvorak, with the predictable result of a defeat.
Brunet’s reaction hit the nerves of the Quebecer. For the first time, it is not only the lack of results that is called into question, but the very philosophy of St. Louis.
The latter seems trapped between his desire to establish a culture based on development and his fear of losing matches, a fear which pushes him to rely on conservative, even anachronistic, choices.
The RDS studio was unanimous: this approach, if it continues, could compromise not only the progress of young players, but also the credibility of St-Louis as a leader.
The fans’ patience has its limits, and the inconsistencies between the coach’s speech and his decisions on the ice are starting to annoy.
Brunet’s most biting criticism lies in his “slippers” metaphor.
By relying on its “sure values”, St-Louis embodies a form of comfort which, paradoxically, only leads to failure.
This image perfectly sums up the coach’s dilemma: playing it safe to avoid taking risks, while sacrificing opportunities for growth and success.
Benoît Brunet concluded with an unequivocal message: if the Canadian wants to progress, he must embrace change and dare to trust his young talents.
Development does not only take place in secure contexts; it is forged in pressure and decisive moments.
For Martin St-Louis, the challenge is clear: he must demonstrate that he is capable of overcoming his conservative instincts and truly adopting a forward-looking approach.
Otherwise, Brunet’s criticism could well become the starting point of a broader movement questioning the current management of the team.
The Montreal Canadiens can no longer afford to rest on worn out slippers. The future requires courage, creativity and a willingness to go beyond comfort.
Time is running out, and the decisions made today will determine whether the team can finally break out of its cycle of failure.
We were promised a modern coach. Finally, Martin St-Louis coaches like a grandfather. With the fear of losing everything.
In the end, he will lose everything.
