The BPM Sports studio shook.
Georges Laraque, a key figure in Quebec hockey, launched a media bombshell that made all of Montreal vibrate.
In a statement that was both scathing and disturbing, the former Canadiens player openly demanded the dismissal of Martin St-Louis.
Here are his words:
“When a staff looks at what’s going on right now, the team they’ve put in place, you’re forced to make changes when the team isn’t doing well to ensure that the development of young people stay on the right path.
Because there are bad habits that are being created. At the press conference, the coach had difficulty saying that it was a punishment to put Slaf and Dach on the fourth line.
The staff must start to reconsider whether it is still the right coach behind the bench, because the world is no longer responding.
The Canadian has a better team on paper than what we see on the ice. But that won’t solve everything. I would change it in passing. I would change the coach.”
@bpmsportsradio “I would change it” ????⚪️???? What should the CH do with the Martin St-Louis file? #stlouis #coach #canadiens ♬ original sound – BPMSPORTSRADIO
And his colleague, Stéphane Gonzalez, adds the icing on the sundae:
‘I understand the reconstruction, but here you are establishing a loser culture. That’s what you’re doing.”
A sharp critique and a straightforward analysis.
For Laraque, the problem goes beyond simple results. He is concerned about a deterioration of the culture within the locker room, a determining factor in the development of young players.
According to him, Martin St-Louis seems to have lost the authority necessary to maintain a standard of excellence. This permissive and disorganized culture could harm the progression of talents like Juraj Slafkovsky or Logan Mailloux in the long term.
Or all the other hopes that regress in a culture of losers.
Laraque goes even further, denouncing a blatant lack of structure and clarity in the coach’s decisions.
“You see Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak sent to overtime, while Joshua Roy warms up the bench. Why recall a player like Roy if it’s not to use him in key moments?”
This criticism resonates all the more since Roy, seen as one of the club’s future stars, could have benefited from crucial playing time to gain experience.
What makes Laraque’s words particularly impactful is his direct link with the players. Known to be close to several members of the Canadiens, he has inside information on the internal dynamics of the locker room.
According to him, certain players would be frustrated by the choices of St-Louis, which favors poorly performing veterans to the detriment of young talents.
Laraque also mentions the lack of real leadership in the coaching staff.
“There is no one to challenge him. It’s his friends behind the bench, not advisors who can tell him his decisions are wrong. It’s worrying.”
The specter of “loser culture”
One of Laraque’s most serious accusations is the establishment of a “loser culture” within the team.
According to him, the current complacency is toxic, and the lack of intensity displayed on the ice reflects a loss of identity for an organization historically known for its work ethic and discipline.
When you look at this team, they play without pride, without fighting spirit. You are destroying the future of these young people by exposing them to a poor environment.
Laraque’s statement literally shook the BPM Sports studio. Gonzo, usually ready to defend St. Louis, was left speechless.
Even those who criticized certain tactical choices of the coach had never considered such a public outing. The silence that followed Laraque’s remarks spoke volumes about the impact of his words.
Laraque’s words pose a crucial question: what will Kent Hughes do? The general manager, who has thus far supported St. Louis, could be forced to reevaluate his position if results do not improve quickly.
Laraque may have opened a breach in a wall of support that until now seemed impenetrable.
The message is clear: if the Canadiens continue to stagnate, fans and analysts like Laraque will demand accountability, and the first head on the chopping block could well be that of Martin St-Louis.
Laraque has sounded the alarm, and Montreal is listening.
Time is running out, and the Canadian must find a way to regain his pride and his identity, or risk sinking permanently into insignificance.
Under penalty of seeing Martin St-Louis take the exit door.
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