(Montreal) Making decisions, especially the most difficult ones, is never easy.
Posted at 9:47 p.m.
Updated at 11:33 p.m.
Because it is possible to make a mistake, and then pay the price for many years.
There are many examples: when the Canadiens drafted Doug Wickenheiser instead of Denis Savard, when the Expos traded Gary Carter, when Journey chose to replace Steve Perry with a Steve Perry impersonator. We could go on like this for hours.
But then, what does all this have to do with another loss, this time by a score of 6-3 against the Arizona Coyotes, in a rather energetic Bell Center for a Tuesday night? It has everything to do. Because right now, the 2022-2023 season is taking shape before our eyes.
We already know that Ben Chiarot will not finish this season in the same uniform, he who did not play on Tuesday for preventive reasons. But the management of this club are not in panic mode, and it shouldn’t be expected that half the club will end up elsewhere before the March 21 deadline.
“We are aware of the reality, answered Paul Byron at the end of the evening. For the players, this game was like any other game, and we try not to think about what is happening outside. Every year, at this time, there are buyers and there are sellers. But for us, the important thing is to put all our concentration on the matches. A guy like Ben [Chiarot], you want it with your team, and it’s perfect for a club trying to secure a playoff spot. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Cayden Primeau makes a save past Alex Galchenyuk in the second period.
This will not be the case for this team in blue, white and red, of course, but the goal will be to try to return to relevance next season. At least that’s what we’ve been hearing behind the scenes lately; that the club will be active in the free agent market, that no one will be offered peanuts by March 21, because general manager Kent Hughes is not at all interested in a fire sale. If a rival wants to obtain a Lehkonen or a Byron, for example, then there, it will be necessary to pay the price.
This optimistic gaze exists because there are reasons to be optimistic, first by seeing Cole Caufield go. Even separated from his friend Suzuki – he started the game with Lehkonen and Pitlick – Caufield allowed himself to shine with a night of two goals in eight seconds.
This end did not seem to impress him (“it’s pretty cool”, he replied soberly, when it was pointed out to him that he became the third Canadian player to score a goal so quickly. , at the same level as Maurice Richard), but that suggests that the young striker is gaining a little maturity.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Cole Caufield
Martin St-Louis took the opportunity to compare him to a young Steven Stamkos.
“Because of his shooting, the way he hides his gesture, explained the coach. I changed that line in the second period on Sunday in Philadelphia, and we won. Guys won’t play 82 games with the same teammates, it’s impossible. These are things that you have to manage as a coach, and I was happy with the play of these lines. When we show up and give ourselves a chance like that, we’re going to win more often than we’re going to lose. »
It’s good to say. Ordinarily, a 6-3 loss, against a bad team at that, should lead to boos at the Bell Center, and an outright explosion of the internet. But this is not the case. Because this club, despite everything, may be building something.
In details
Chiarot on his departure
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Ben Chiarot
As you read this, it’s not impossible that Ben Chiarot has already been traded. Because even if the defender is in great shape, he was left out on Tuesday: a “management decision”, according to Martin St-Louis, who confirms that number 8 will be the subject of a transaction very soon. We had known for weeks that the Canadian would trade him, but never before had it seemed so imminent. The injuries suffered by other players in demand elsewhere in the league, for example Jacob Chychrun, of the Coyotes, have undoubtedly convinced the CH to use caution with their main asset as the trade deadline approaches. . On Tuesday, the team also had to defend without forwards Josh Anderson and Ryan Poehling with lower and upper body injuries, respectively.
The Star Vejmelka
Few knew the name of Karel Vejmelka before the start of the season – and that includes the author of these lines. Hired last May, the 25-year-old Czech, who had exclusively played in his native country until then, showed up at the Coyotes’ development camp, then at the rookie camp, then at the main camp, before dropping out. a position with the big club. A few months later, here he is in the unofficial role of goalkeeper number 1 of his team. On Tuesday, he repelled 36 shots and signed his 10and victory of the season – and his second against CH. “He’s been fantastic for us this season,” defender Anton Stralman said after the game. He has consistently held the fort, and we have great confidence in him. Head coach André Tourigny, for his part, was amused by recalling that Vejmelka was “the only starter in the league who arrives at a press briefing with a development camp t-shirt”. “He’s a guy we got to know,” he said. He started out strong, then went downhill, but now he’s on the upswing. He is very good. »
A group of snipers
Only 15 shots were enough for the Coyotes to win 5-3 Monday in Ottawa. The next day in Montreal, 19 shots turned into 6 celebrations. The long five-game trip the team has just completed in the east of the continent has not only ended in a very enviable record (4-1-0), but also in a success rate out of this world. “One of the best in the league,” ventured André Tourigny. He hit the nail on the head. From March 8-15, 23.3% of Coyotes shots became goals. Almost one in four! It’s obviously a league high in the meantime. Tourigny spoke of a fair swing of the pendulum, after a catastrophic start to the season (11 defeats in a row) characterized in particular by a chronic inability to score goals. “When you believe in yourself, trust yourself, good things happen,” he said. We see the passion and character of the players. Even when they are trailing, they know they can come back. »
They said
We want to return to this team culture, to the strength of character of the group, and to return to what we do best. Even after the bad first half, we weren’t discouraged, we felt we still had a chance.
Brendan Gallagher
It’s always good to come back to the game, we were able to do that. Our play in the first period didn’t help with the momentum though. In my case, there are ups and downs, it’s part of the sport… when the puck goes in the net, you feel better.
Cole Caufield
Ben Chiarot was a good teammate for three years and it’s a bit sad to see him go, if that turns out. But that’s life and that’s hockey.
Paul Byron
They took the lead but they went 10-12 minutes without throwing… We had some really good times. We fought we won the second period and even in the third period, we had chances. The way we played overall, I’m very confident.
Martin St Louis
When the season started, everything had to be done, with a new coaching staff and a new system of play to learn. It was tough, but as the season progressed, we never lost our spirits. The atmosphere in the locker room remained good. And it pays. We’re having a lot of fun right now.
Anton Stralman
One of the beauties of our team is that we know who we are. Never, in a victory, have we dominated our opponents from one end of a match to the other. Our guys know how to defend themselves. We would like to be able to close games like the Tampa Bay Lightning do, but it’s going to take a couple of years before that happens.
André Tourigny
Rising
Cole Caufield
Two goals in eight seconds, and seven points in his last five games.
Falling
Samuel Montembeault
He certainly wasn’t helped by his defense (hello Jeff Petry), but four goals on seven shots is never ideal.
The number
11
It was the 11and times the Canadian made a change of goalies since the start of the season.