Michel Therrien has never been afraid to say what he thinks, and this time, it’s Martin St-Louis who suffers.
The former Canadian coach, with his experience behind the bench, was merciless in analyzing the start of the CH season.
After a training camp that left Quebec wanting more, Therrien affirms that the shortcomings observed persist and that a lot of work remains to be done, particularly in terms of five-on-five play.
For Therrien, the absence of a defensive structure is alarming.
“They need to stop putting themselves in a vulnerable position and be more aggressive on the disc carrier”he insisted, adding that the team seems “chasing your tail”. (credit: TVA Sports)
This criticism strikes at the heart of the criticisms often leveled at St-Louis: its lack of tactical rigor and its inability to impose a clear defensive structure.
According to Therrien, five-on-five play is essential:
“It’s the bread and butter of a club, and it can be taught”he insisted.
St-Louis, criticized this week for its approach considered too permissive and its inability to discipline its players, is now confronted with a Therrien who reminds him that being a good coach is not only inspiring his men, but also their learn to play effectively without the puck.
“You can’t always learn to score, but you can learn to position yourself well defensively,” added Therrien, emphasizing that a good coach must transform an average group into a real contender.
Therrien also pointed the finger at the management of goalkeepers.
“Without Montembeault, we would have had a completely different speech after the first match”he said, in reference to the masterful performance of the Quebec goaltender against the Leafs.
And he did not fail to single out Cayden Primeau, whose ordinary performance against the Bruins revealed the fragility of the team at even strength.
Here again, it is up to St-Louis to make corrections, but Therrien wonders if the coach really has the capabilities.
For Therrien, the Canadian cannot just live from day to day.
“The CH must still be in the race for the playoffs at American Thanksgiving, otherwise, the season will be another failure,” at-il having you.
This statement is a stark reminder that St. Louis no longer has the immunity of eternal rebuilding. The moment of truth is approaching, and tactical adjustments must be made without delay.
As a final blow, Therrien drew a scathing comparison between the necessary development of a team and what he observes with the CH.
“The coaches’ task is to move a C team to a B team, and so on until the Stanley Cup”he proclaimed.
But according to him, this progression is non-existent under the management of St-Louis, who seems incapable of pushing his players to take this step.
In other words: inspiration is not enough, results are needed, and these results require a rigorous structure and iron discipline.
This criticism of Therrien adds to the numerous accusations already made this week, notably by Maxim Lapierre, who described the St-Louis Canadiens as a “country club”.
Therrien, without saying it explicitly, joins these growing echoes which demand more severity and less gentleness.
Michel Therrien’s message is straightforward: if Martin St-Louis does not manage to correct the trajectory of his team quickly, he risks losing control.
The former coach recalls that in professional hockey, results speak louder than inspiring speeches.
The Canadian must find a coherent defensive structure, otherwise the season could be over before it has even really started.
The days when St-Louis could rest on its status as a legendary ex-player are over.
Now he must prove that he is capable of imposing the authority and discipline necessary to help this team progress.
Because as Therrien says, “an A team does not become A+ without effort and without a coach capable of bringing out the best in each of his men”.
OUCH.
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