The 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets may not have the severity of a 9-2 drubbing against the Penguins, but it once again illustrates the Canadian’s persistent shortcomings under Martin St-Louis.
And if fans were hoping for a little respite, criticism of him is becoming more and more virulent, even from TVA Sports, the historically most pro-Canadian broadcaster.
This week, Michel Bergeron, nicknamed “the Tiger, intensified his campaign against St-Louis, demanding his immediate departure.
For Bergeron, St-Louis should never have reached the position of head coach without going through the traditional steps, an opinion that he hammers home with his legendary passion:
“He’s a peewee guy. The NHL is not a place to learn. »
Bergeron criticizes St-Louis for not exploiting the full potential of its players and Kent Hughes for not having established a coherent structure.
He is particularly indignant at decisions that he considers absurd.
According to him, the current situation goes beyond simple gaps on the ice:
“It’s not just a question of defeats, it’s a question of respect for the organization and the fans. St. Louis has never shown it can handle an NHL team. »
The legendary columnist Réjean Tremblay added his voice to the concert of criticism. True to his incisive style, he called St. Louis a “pastoral facilitator,” a phrase that sums up his contempt for the coach’s paternalistic and permissive approach:
“Hugs don’t make warriors. St-Louis spends more time making excuses than pushing its players to their limits. »
Tremblay believes that this “soft” mentality undermines the team’s competitiveness:
“Effort is good, but here, only victory counts. As long as St-Louis continues to manage this team as a development center, the CH will not go anywhere. »
The criticism doesn’t stop in St. Louis. Bergeron and Tremblay also target Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, whom they accuse of perpetuating a losing culture within the organization, nicknamed the “Country Club.”
For them, this attitude prevents the team from developing a true identity.
Bergeron particularly highlights the lack of competitiveness of young talents like Juraj Slafkovsky:
“Slafkovsky stagnates while Michkov and Cooley explode elsewhere. The Canadian has no clear vision. »
This observation resonates with supporters, frustrated by the lack of concrete results despite years of reconstruction.
An uncertain future for Martin St-Louis
For Michel Bergeron, the next five matches will be crucial:
“If the defeats continue to pile up, St. Louis has no chance of surviving. »
Repeated criticisms from influential figures like Bergeron and Tremblay show that St-Louis is walking on an increasingly thin line.
And if even TVA Sports, traditionally in favor of the Canadian, turns its back on the head coach, that says a lot about the urgency of the situation.
Bergeron and Tremblay’s insistence on the name of Pascal Vincent shows a collective desire for change.
Vincent, with his dominant personality and proven experience, could give the Canadian a strong identity, both on the ice and behind the scenes.
If St. Louis is unable to turn things around quickly, its reign will end sooner than expected, and the rallying cry for Pascal Vincent behind the bench will continue to resonate in the media and among fans.
The Montreal Canadiens can no longer afford to navigate by sight. It’s time to make courageous decisions to restore this team to the glory it deserves.
And for many, this decision begins with the replacement of Martin St-Louis.
As pressure mounts on the shoulders of Martin St-Louis and the Montreal Canadiens organization, Michel Bergeron, the legendary “Tiger” of the NHL, seems to be one of the rare lucid voices in the debate.
Mocked by some and treated as outdated, Bergeron nevertheless touches on essential points which show the impatience and frustration of the supporters.
Bergeron is scathing with his words when criticizing the Canadiens’ lack of identity, a shortcoming he attributes as much to Kent Hughes as to Martin St-Louis. On TVA Sports, he delivered a scathing tirade:
“What is the identity of the Canadian? No but… Zero identity! »
Bergeron’s tone, outraged and exasperated, proves a feeling shared by many fans.
For Bergeron, CH’s problems are not limited to managing players on the ice. He accuses Kent Hughes of being too cautious in his management of the reconstruction.
“Too many defensemen in the organization chart, not enough forwards, strange draft picks. It seems like they are afraid to take risks.”
The choice of David Reinbacher in the last draft, to the detriment of Matvei Michkov, symbolizes this conservative approach that Bergeron deplores.
While Michkov racks up NHL records and Cooley shines in Utah, Slafkovsky continues to disappoint in Montreal, embodying the uncertainty surrounding the organization’s long-term vision.
Bergeron does not hide his pessimism about the current direction of the Canadian:
The free fall has begun. The 9-2 loss at home was the beginning of the end. The streak of five games on the road could be fatal, especially after this defeat in Winnipeg.
With a series of mediocre performances and a ranking that continues to fall, CH seems doomed to finish among the bottom teams in the league.
While this could provide a chance to select an exceptional talent like Matthew Schaefei, James Hagens, or Porter Martone in the 2024 draft, Bergeron insists that a good draft pick won’t fix the team’s structural problems.
Bergeron’s verdict on Martin St-Louis is merciless. According to him, St-Louis has not made the necessary progress to become a true NHL coach.
“Martin St-Louis is not making progress in his learning of NHL coaching. This is worrying in the long term. »
Bergeron criticizes the fact that St-Louis never climbed the traditional ladder to coaching, going directly from the pee-wee level to the NHL.
This lack of experience results in inconsistent decisions and an inability to establish a clear identity for the team.
While some deride Michel Bergeron for his flamboyant style, it’s hard to deny that he touches some sensitive points.
The lack of identity, the conservative management of reconstruction, and the inconsistent decisions of Martin St-Louis fuel growing frustration among supporters and observers.
For Bergeron, Pascal Vincent is the man needed to bring a winning mentality and a strong identity to Montreal.
With his experience, Vincent would embody the renewal long awaited by supporters of the Canadian.
In the meantime, Bergeron is right on all counts: CH is not moving forward, neither on the ice, nor in its reconstruction process.
Fans deserve better than an organization that operates on friendship and it’s time for Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton to make courageous decisions to change the course of things.
The Tiger has roared, and this time it would be wise to listen to him.
