It became a running gag. A permanent discomfort. A burden that Martin St-Louis drags to every press conference.
Martin McGuire, the Cogeco journalist, who persists in not asking real questions, but in throwing out empty assertions worthy of an introductory hockey textbook.
And today, at the Detroit hotel, the Canadian head coach once again proved that he simply couldn’t take it anymore.
As soon as McGuire opened his mouth, you could practically hear the orchestra of unease playing in the background.
The scene was surreal. St-Louis, who has never been known for his patience with journalists, did not hide his exasperation.
From the first question – or rather the first statement – the coach’s rolling eyes said it all.
McGuire, in full confidence, began his masterpiece of the day:
“Back-to-back, a few weeks ago, when you faced them. I know you’re focused on your team, but at the same time, are you preparing to face a slightly damaged team that will want to do things differently against you? »
St-Louis, imperturbable in his legendary annoyance, took a deep breath before responding by practically repeating McGuire’s question…which is not a question…
“Of course, it’s a big game. We are close in the standings, so we expect an intense match. Back-to-back, when we played against each other, it was a big game that helped us continue our momentum. But we must continue. »
To see the discomfort again on video, here is the extract:
In other words, he repeated exactly what McGuire had just said, sending him back to the ropes with a tense face.
Total discomfort in the room. Some journalists present exchanged knowing glances, while others tried to hide their embarrassment behind their notepads.
But McGuire, in his infinite perseverance (or unconsciousness), added another layer.
“Does that become the challenge for you, at this time of the year, to take it, Martin, take it for the team, knowing that, you know, it’s going to hurt, but there, the stakes are there, and you play important games, is that the challenge for you? »
St-Louis, already exhausted, did not even try to hide his exasperation. A long sigh, a piercing look, then the response, scathing and merciless:
“Yeah, there’s a price for everything, right? You know, winning hurts sometimes. »
His face said it all.
Boom. End of the exchange. Awkward silence. Martin McGuire had just been ridiculed live again, without even realizing it.
St-Louis, for his part, displayed this typical crooked smile, the one which says a lot about his lack of patience towards the journalist.
-The Detroit hotel was bathed in unease.
There was something incredible in the air. As if even the walls of the Detroit hotel felt McGuire’s monumental embarrassment.
Each sigh from St. Louis resonated like a stinging arrow for the poor journalist, condemned to a series of useless interventions and shifty glances.
The other journalists in the room had difficulty hiding their discomfort. Some did not even wait for the end of the conference to discreetly put away their equipment, aware that the discussion between St-Louis and McGuire would lead to nothing other than a new lesson in humility for the latter.
What is most striking about McGuire’s interventions is his chronic inability to ask relevant questions.
Instead of looking for interesting angles or pushing St-Louis into deeper reflection, he is content to recite obvious facts that the coach is happy to throw back in his face.
This is not the first time St. Louis has used this tactic to deal with McGuire’s surface journalism.
Since the start of the season, at each press briefing, we can observe the same process: a vague statement, a sarcastic response, a heavy silence.
Social networks were quick to comment on the exchange, with CH supporters adding a layer.
“McGuire should just bring a mirror to his press conferences, it would save him from having to repeat his own lines!” »
For the Canadiens head coach, confrontations with McGuire seem to have become an inevitable chore.
Since his arrival behind the bench, St-Louis has always had a frank and direct style with the media, but faced with interventions like those of McGuire, we feel that the limit of patience has been reached.
At each press briefing, the accumulation of these sterile exchanges seems to weigh more and more on his shoulders. St-Louis, although respectful towards journalists, no longer hides his annoyance when he has to face McGuire’s assertions, which seem more like clumsy attempts to make conversation than real professional questions.
The question that now arises is simple: how much longer can Martin McGuire continue to suffer like this, publicly and without responding?
His stubbornness in asking empty and redundant questions does not seem to weaken, despite the obvious signals from St. Louis.
Should we remind him that his role is to ask questions and not to make expert comments? CH press conferences are not armchair discussions where small talk is exchanged, and McGuire would be well advised to revise his approach before suffering even greater humiliation.
Martin McGuire has become a character in his own right in the media universe of the Montreal Canadiens. His clumsy interventions, his attempts to analyze the game with evidence, and his way of collapsing in his own assertions have now become part of a press briefing custom.
Meanwhile, Martin St-Louis continues to handle the situation his way: with a mixture of sarcasm, indifference and growing exasperation.
The Detroit hotel is witness to this, and the next press briefings promise to be just as juicy.
One thing is certain: in Montreal, the Martin circus continues, and McGuire has not finished being put in his place.
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