Everyone goes to their end-of-season balance sheet.
The Gorton/Hughes duo was quick to do theirs the day after the regular schedule. Since then, the leaders of the Canadian have seen some games of young skaters who will attract attention during the amateur auction.
Professional scouts continued their work by watching a few playoff games and a few American League meetings.
Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes headed to Finland to attend the World Hockey Championship. We wanted to have a clear idea about certain players.
Then there was the “combine”.
We have confirmed the return of Martin St-Louis, a three-year agreement.
There followed several interviews with the coveted prospects in the first round of the July 7 draft.
And discussions with many NHL counterparts continue, each looking for the right deal, each trying to pull off a smash hit.
Under review
We know the situation in which the CH finds itself. We know the worries caused by the payroll and by the generous, not to say ridiculous, contracts granted to a few athletes.
It will be said that it is the reality, but in fact, the partisans, as well as Gorton and Hughes, have nothing to wax of the reality. You have to move forward and even if the obstacles are many, they have been hired to circumvent them.
We are ready to give them time.
But in a market like Montreal, patience has its limits.
As part of the first big test, Gorton and Hughes are currently under review. They must pass it with great distinction. Gorton is well served by his experience over the past few years, particularly with the New York Rangers.
Can he demonstrate as much flair in Montreal?
Hughes made his mark negotiating lucrative contracts for his clients. His sense of negotiation brings him to the other side of the fence. Will he be able to make the right adjustments?
If we rely on the past of the two decision-makers, the relaunch of the organization seems well underway.
The next few weeks have some surprises in store for us.
Price and Richardson
A quick look at the news of the last few days.
Hey, hey, still nothing new in the Carey Price case. Are you surprised?
Does Luke Richardson have what it takes to lead an NHL team? If we rely on the comments of players who have rubbed shoulders with him in recent years, he has everything to succeed. Now it’s up to him to convince the Chicago Blackhawks.
Who could replace him with the Canadian? Would Eric Desjardins be interested? I’m just asking the question. We better understand St-Louis to have avoided a slippery slope the other day, stressing that he did not see any change in the assistants, but that you never know in this environment …
Evander Kane
What is Evander Kane’s real value in the free agent market? He will never get, unless an owner falls on his head, a contract like the one the Sharks had granted him, that is $49 million for seven years.
In this case, Doug Wilson, then general manager in San Jose, had certainly not done his homework. Otherwise, he would not have immersed his organization in such a file. Kane is one of the best power forwards in the league, everyone confirms it, except that he carries a reputation that is enough to scare any administrator.
Mystery in Boston
Patrice Bergeron denies having been involved in the decision to dismiss Bruce Cassidy and we have to believe him. Neither did David Pastrnak. How do you explain that Boston GM Don Sweeney assures his coach that he will have the opportunity to complete the last year of his contract and that, a week later, he knocks on the door of Cassidy’s home for him? announce that “it’s over”?
Question: Cam Neely, the president of the Bruins, would he have made this decision? If so, Sweeney’s powers have clearly diminished…
Earlier this week, some Boston columnists teased what the Bruins’ four lines could look like for next season’s opener. Obviously, this is without counting on Bergeron (in reflection) and Brad Marchand (operation). Defender Charlie McAvoy (operation) will also be absent.
The trios would be Taylor Hall-Erik Haula-David Pastrnak, Craig Smith-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic-Jack Studnicka-Fabian Lysell, Nick Foligno-Tomas Nosek-Oskar Steen. Um, good luck to the next coach.
The carousel of coaches
Detroit, Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Vegas, Philadelphia, Winnipeg show the same sign: looking for a coach.
Edmonton has yet to confirm Jay Woodcroft’s return.
And, have we forgotten the Florida Panthers? Andrew Brunette, after a loss in the playoffs, has very little chance of obtaining another mandate.
Moreover, the name of Bruce Cassidy was quick to circulate in the corridors of the Panthers.
He could be a very serious candidate. His time in Boston provides him with many arguments and he could find with this organization players who meet his philosophy.
The Panthers have a good group of defensemen, they have two good goaltenders, things Cassidy could count on with the Bruins over the past few seasons.
And he would highly appreciate three players like Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad.
Impressive
The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t a better roster than the last two seasons, but this team has lost none of its culture, passion and desire to win.
She trailed against the Toronto Maple Leafs, victory in the ultimate game. She was trailing against the New York Rangers and now leads the series 3-2. She eliminated the Panthers in four games without their best center, Brayden Point.
Simply impressive.