The situation is serious for Martin St-Louis in Montreal.
Supporters, increasingly vocal, are calling for his departure, and the name of Pascal Vincent is circulating throughout Quebec as a potential replacement.
The gap between the successes of the Laval Rocket, led by an experienced and methodical coach, and the failures of the Canadians under the direction of a coach who is still “pee-wee” in his role continues to fuel criticism.
On social networks, fans no longer hesitate to highlight what they see as a glaring imbalance.
Some cruelly compare the experience of Vincent, who won games and forged solid teams in the AHL, with that of St-Louis, an amateur coach struggling with misunderstood defensive systems and strategies without meaning.
“At the same time, we brought it back to basics. A coach with real experience wins in a lesser league. A coach with little, if any, NHL experience has difficulty putting together wins. In my opinion, but since it was each other’s boyfriend between two cognacs, they may have said to each other…”
Ouch.
The irony is biting: St-Louis, the former star player, finds himself incapable of mastering the basics of organizing a professional team.
For two years, we have been waiting for progress, we are hoping for an effective defensive system, but everything remains chaotic. And during this time, the Rocket accumulates victories, with young people trained in a structured tactical framework.
“One is a career coach, the other comes from pee-wee…”
Fans also question the very foundations of the St. Louis system. Arpon Basu, renowned analyst for The Athletic, detailed the confusions in the Canadiens’ defensive strategy, describing a zone plan that neither players nor observers seem to understand.
The defensive zone is a minefield, with no real coordination, while Laval shines with a clear structure and incredible results.
“Logan Mailloux told Anthony Martineau that he had never played the MSL system. So the Rocket and the wouldn’t play the same defensive system? » asks journalist Maxime Truman.
Comments on social networks explode: St-Louis seems lost in a League that requires experience and strategic finesse.
In addition, fans’ patience is running out in the face of CH’s anemic performances and the statements of a coach who prefers to ignore criticism.
The famous “Why would I listen to criticism from someone I would never ask for advice from?” » sounds like a clumsy attempt to cover up the obvious: St-Louis simply does not have the makings of an NHL coach.
The comparison with Vincent is now inevitable. Where Vincent has a vision and concrete results, St-Louis seems to navigate as if he is improvising, and his frustration can be read in his hasty decisions, his inconsistent player choices, and his inability to change his team’s play.
The conclusion that emerges is merciless: the Canadian needs a coach with a real CV to get back on the path to victory, and Pascal Vincent, with his experience, his ability to create a clear system and his talent as a trainer , embodies everything that St. Louis is not.
Is it time for the Canadian to draw a line and call Vincent back to Montreal?
At worst we make a trade and send St-Louis to Laval.
The Gazette, under the pen of Brendan Kelly, approves this idea.
The journalist claims that although St-Louis had a brilliant playing career, his coaching career is marred by shortcomings and questionable decisions.
In two and a half years at the helm of the Canadiens, the team remained stuck in the depths of the Atlantic Division standings.
This lack of progress is worrying, and the journalist questions his ability to help the team progress as part of a reconstruction.
St. Louis has been accused of clinging to ineffective playing concepts, particularly its hybrid defensive system, a clumsy mix of individual marking and zone defense, which regularly left defenders lost and overwhelmed on the ice.
Despite glaring errors on defense in the game against the Seattle Kraken, where the team suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss, St. Louis seems to refuse to adjust its approach.
This demonstrates a rigidity in his thinking which contrasts with the image of the “innovative” coach that he aspires to embody.
His fear of listening to criticism and adjusting his approach is one of the main points that the journalist criticizes, adding that this attitude could well harm the team in the long term.
The article also quotes a statement from St. Louis in which he states:
“Why would I listen to criticism from someone I would never ask for advice from? »
This comment, according to the author, reflects an arrogant mentality and suggests that St. Louis is unreceptive to outside opinions, even when they come from those who follow hockey closely.
This resistance to criticism, although it may have been a strength during his playing career, is seen here as a handicap in his role as coach, where listening and adaptation are essential.
In his analysis, the journalist compares St-Louis to more experienced coaches who might have the courage to make more drastic choices, including benching underperforming veterans like Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia .
The Gazette concludes that St. Louis should perhaps rethink its coaching style…before it’s too late.
Before Pascal Vincent…comes to replace him…
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