In his early years as GM, it was impressive how much of a relationship Marc Bergevin seemed to have with just about everyone in hockey. Because he played 20 years in the NHL, for 8 different teams, because he then held several roles in Chicago, he had his entries all over the place.
Hockey is indeed a small world, but sometimes two individuals know each other only by name or reputation. This is the case of Dominique Ducharme and Jeff Gorton, respectively head coach and new vice-president of hockey operations for the Canadiens.
“I know what he did, I spoke to him for a few minutes, but I don’t know him at all. I can’t wait to meet him, ”Ducharme replied candidly on Monday afternoon, during his first meeting with the media since the Great Schism on rue Saint-Antoine.
We can see that their destinies have never crossed paths. Before arriving in Montreal, Ducharme worked for Hockey Canada. But Gorton is American. Ducharme was also head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads and the Drummondville Voltigeurs, in addition to being an assistant with the Montreal Juniors. But the new CH hockey boss never drafted a player in Ducharme’s teams during his years in Boston and New York.
What does he know about Gorton? “He’s a smart, calm person who has experience. But I spoke with him on the phone for two minutes. I will get to know him more in the coming days and weeks. ”
It is therefore in particular with this man whom Ducharme knows very little that he will now have to come to an understanding. Sooner or later, the question of the future of Joliettain will arise, since the arrival of a new administration is often accompanied by changes behind the bench.
It is not automatic either, however. Ducharme’s predecessor, Claude Julien, for example, had survived 21 months after Don Sweeney replaced Peter Chiarelli as Bruins GM. Jeff Blashill is still stationed in Detroit, two and a half years after the arrival of Steve Yzerman.
Blashill does not have a brilliant record, but his team are at the heart of an assumed process of reconstruction, unlike the CH. Ducharme saw his team reach the Stanley Cup final last summer, but in season Montreal comes to 28e rank in the NHL for the percentage of points obtained (.418) since arriving behind the bench.
Ducharme, let’s remember, signed a three-year contract extension last summer. As a good coach, he refused to place his personal future at the heart of the current situation.
“I remain the same. I never played in the National League, I made my way in coaching and I faced challenges, I had to prove myself at all levels, replied Ducharme. It will be the same. He will get to know me, I will know him. The team will hire a GM. We’ll see where it goes. ”
An effect on the players?
It will now be interesting to see if the end of the thorny Bergevin file will have an effect on the Habs players.
Quite a bit all leads have been used to try to figure out why this team has been unable to win two straight games so far and was 6-15-2 going into Monday’s game against the Canucks. One of these leads: the distraction caused by uncertainty at 7e stage. With the exception of a mention from Josh Anderson, players never really hinted at this as a distraction. Ducharme either.
“In hockey, you have to prove yourself every day, especially in the National League. The same goes for gamers. Geoff spoke of a fresh start. Without this being a dramatic change, we are a little used to proving ourselves on a daily basis.
“It’s not a usual day, but at the same time, when the puck falls, you have to be ready to play. ”
Words for Bergevin
With the departure of Bergevin, Ducharme therefore saw the departure of the man who gave him his first chance as head coach in the NHL, by firing Julien last February.
“I spoke to him a few times yesterday [dimanche]. Seeing someone leaving is never fun. There is hockey, but there are also the people we work with every day. ”
“In the past 10 months, we’ve been talking to each other at least once a day, sometimes two or three. He is passionate, honest. I have always had a good relationship with him. ”