A heated altercation broke out in the Cogeco studios between host Mario Langlois and the former Canadiens goalkeeper coach, Stéphane Waite.
At the heart of the debate: who, Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau, is the best goalie for the Montreal Canadiens.
Known to be an ardent defender of Primeau, Stéphane Waite did not hesitate to criticize Montembeault, which was not to the taste of Mario Langlois. The tone quickly rose between the two men.
This spat between Langlois and Waite comes shortly after another notable altercation on 98.5 FM.
Nathalie Normandeau and Luc Ferrandez, co-hosts of the midday show, had a heated exchange during a discussion on Justin Trudeau’s visit to Mar-a-Lago and the beginnings of Santé Québec, the new health agency set up place by Minister Christian Dubé.
The debate heated up to the point that Luc Ferrandez left the studio in the middle of the show
@985fm When tensions rise live… ????️???????? In a heated discussion about Justin Trudeau’s visit to Mar-a-Lago, the tone rose between our two hosts to such an extent that Luc decided to leave the studio in full broadcast. Despite their differences of opinion and styles, Nathalie Normandeau and Luc Ferrandez prove that even two strong heads can reconcile! ???? Their professional couple remains strong, ready to offer debates that are as enriching as they are passionate. ????️???? #NathalieNormandeau #LucFerrandez #TêtesFortes #Débats #DiscussionsPassionnées #Réconciliation #Couple #Tensions #endirect #Radio #Animateurs #DuoChoc #985fm#lacommission #assnat #polqc ♬ original sound – 98.5 FM
Then, the day after a difficult weekend marked by two defeats for the Canadian against the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins, Mario Langlois convened a round table to discuss the team’s situation.
Among the guests were Stéphane Waite, hockey analyst at 98.5 FM, Arpon Basu, journalist for The Athletic, and Stéphane Leroux, QMJHL specialist at RDS and describer of Laval Rocket matches.
From the start, tension was at its peak.
Arpon Basu shared an anecdote about the reaction of the Canadiens’ executive vice-president of hockey operations.
“I’ve never seen him so angry. After the match, we were in the elevator and we saw Jeff Gorton coming. He was on fire. Instead of getting into the elevator, he punched the wall and made a comment about the officials’ performance that I won’t repeat. It wasn’t very polite.”
Stéphane Waite expressed his opinion on the Canadian head coach’s repeated and derogatory comments about referees.
“Martin doesn’t help himself with the referees. The referees won’t give him a free pass. They have the last word. As a coach, you don’t help your team by doing this.”
Waite added that “The reconstruction has a good back. It does not prevent you from showing up and giving your best in every match.”
Stéphane Leroux added by emphasizing:
“We were promised rigorous supervision before the start of the season. Too often, we don’t see that. There are players who are not held responsible for their performances.”
Leroux questioned the young striker’s playing time.
“Couldn’t Roy have had a chance on the second wave of the power play?”
Harpoon Basu responded: “Because he played without emotion.”
Already, misunderstandings were raging in the studio.
It was on the subject of goalkeepers that tempers flared.
Stéphane Waite said:
“Montembeault got the number one job almost by default. He’s one of the worst number ones in the league right now.”
This remark provoked a strong reaction from Mario Langlois, who replied:
“I don’t see why those who want to defend Primeau feel obliged to attack Montembeault.”
Tensions rose as both men ardently defended their positions. Waite, faithful to his support for Primeau, highlighted the potential and the career of the young goalkeeper, recalling his past successes at the university level.
Langlois, for his part, highlighted Montembeault’s current performances and criticized Primeau’s lack of progress.
The discussion also focused on Primeau’s statistics. After nearly six years in the Canadiens organization, he passed the 50-game mark in the NHL. However, its performance leaves something to be desired:
217th of 218 in save percentage since the 2000-2001 season (ahead of only Spencer Martin).
217th out of 218 for goals allowed average (ahead of Arvid Söderblom).
These alarming figures have fueled the debate. Mario Langlois noted that Primeau seemed to be regressing rather than progressing, with his save percentage dropping to 84.4%, the worst in the league for goalies who played at least five games.
Waite defended Primeau by discussing the obstacles he encountered in his development.
“We compromised his development, not intentionally. There were injuries, COVID. He was often called to Montreal without playing for long periods.
To assess whether he can do the job, you have to play him. At the moment, it is not providing the expected services. I think we would do him a favor by sending him to Laval for two weeks.”
He also recalled that other goalies, such as Samuel Montembeault, Corey Crawford or Adin Hill, had not established themselves in the NHL before the age of 25, suggesting that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions on Primeau.
Langlois maintained that the time for patience was over
“We’ve been waiting for Primeau for almost six years. The Canadian can’t afford to wait forever. Montembeault has proven he can hold the fort, and he deserves our support rather than our criticism. “
The confrontation between Mario Langlois and Stéphane Waite reflects the frustrations and hopes surrounding the goaltender position within the Montreal Canadiens.
While some still believe in Cayden Primeau’s potential, others believe it is time to turn the page and trust those who are currently performing.
This lively discussion testifies to the passion that surrounds hockey in Montreal, but above all that everyone is fed up with this damn reconstruction.
Stéphane Waite today finds himself confronted with a reality that is difficult to accept. After years of promoting Primeau as the Canadiens’ future star goaltender, Waite has to admit that the young prospect has not reached the level he predicted.
But he is too proud.
This is not the first time that Stéphane Waite has expressed reservations about Samuel Montembeault. Since the Quebec goalkeeper joined the Canadian, Waite has often downplayed his performances while highlighting the potential of Cayden Primeau.
He regularly pointed out what he perceived to be limitations in Montembeault’s game, suggesting he would not be able to become a dominant goaltender in the NHL.
Waite previously said:
“I don’t think Samuel Montembeault is a number one goalie. I think Cayden Primeau has more talent.”
These comments fueled the idea that Waite was biased in favor of Primeau, whom he had coached and supported since his professional debut.
Perhaps it is time for Stéphane Waite to put some water in his wine. Even his colleagues are fed up with his attitude.
