MONTREAL – To hear Martin St-Louis talk, forward Michael Pezzetta doesn’t have much to be ashamed of.
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“Warrior,” dropped the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens when asked to describe Pezzetta’s attitude on Tuesday, a few hours before the duel against the New Jersey Devils.
“He shows up and he’s a pro. He is a culture and team guy. I have nothing to reproach him for. He always has a good attitude. Even with the situation he’s in right now, he’s having fun in the arena. When he has a chance to play, he always gives everything he has.
The “situation” of which St-Louis speaks is that the 24-year-old winger will play only his third game of the season during the Devils’ visit to the Bell Centre. He has therefore been excluded from CH training 13 times since the start of hostilities in 2022-2023.
“When I’m not playing, I’m not sulking and focusing on the negative. Rather, I try to see the glass half full and make sure I’m ready if my number is called,” Pezzetta said, before elaborating on his state of mind knowing he will play.
“There’s a little more pressure on my shoulders, because I want to do well and stay in training.”
Cards on the table
If Pezzetta manages to stay positive despite the fact that he plays only very rarely, it is because he cherishes his relationship with his coach and he appreciates being given the straight facts.
“They don’t hide from me and they are honest with me about my situation. It helps me keep a good frame of mind. It’s very difficult not to play like it is for me at the moment. Even if it sucks sometimes, I appreciate being in communication [avec mes entraîneurs] and there seems to be a plan for me.”
St. Louis wouldn’t elaborate on the plan for Pezzetta, but made it clear he wanted to see him make better decisions with the puck.
“Pezzetta maybe keeps things a little simpler than other players and that’s okay. However, I don’t want him to be afraid to play the “game”. Sometimes you have space to make a play and it’s not time to clear the puck in the back of the opponent’s zone. You have to be able to read the game.”
“I know it’s part of his style to put the puck in the back and go hit. Does he have to do this 100% of the time? No, he must recognize the game he must play. If a teammate is open, he must take advantage of it and create a two against one.
Circumstances”
The Habs pilot also cited the surplus of forward players in his organization to explain the use of Pezzetta, who recently earned a one-way National League contract after playing 51 games with the Canadiens last year. .
“There are also the circumstances. We had 15 forwards to start the season, recalled St-Louis. Pezzetta is aware of this. This evening [mardi], it is in our formation. Sometimes it’s not because of the circumstances, but never because of his work ethic.”
It was also the upper body injuries of Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia that freed up a place in the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge squad. For the moment, the organization does not know the duration of the absence of the two attackers. It’s up to Pezzetta to take advantage of it.