Ben Chiarot already had one foot in the exit door: he was finally traded to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night. In return, the Habs get Tyler Smilanic and a pick of 1er round in 2023 and a choice of 4and round in 2022. Other exchanges could follow at the Montreal Canadiens by the deadline for transactions on Monday.
Although players asked about him over the past few days spoke of the imposing defender as if he had already left, Chiarot was part of the group of 13 players who had skated earlier at the Bell Sports Complex during a optional training.
The Canadiens’ interim head coach, Martin St-Louis, may be in his first steps in his new role in the NHL, but he has experienced many similar periods during his career and has spoken to his players about them. . “It’s hard not to talk about it, not to have feelings on that side, not to be anxious,” admitted St-Louis, who played 16 seasons in the NHL. “At least there’s one thing: when a match starts, you can flip the switch and play. It’s a bit of an outlet. »
Goaltender Jake Allen noted that there had been talk in the locker room for a few days about the trade deadline, admitting in the same breath that players weren’t just thinking about it when reporters brought it up. “Honestly, I’ve been in situations where there was no discussion about it because we knew nobody would be traded,” Allen said. This time it comes back a bit more because we understand what situation we find ourselves in. »
It’s hard not to talk about it, not to have feelings on that side
The lows of the classification
The Canadian is still last in the overall NHL standings. Even though new general manager Kent Hughes has refused to say he plans to do a full rebuild of the team, it’s only fitting that he tries to maximize his resources by trading in the bare minimum of players who could get the job. complete autonomy this summer.
Hughes could also move players in other contract situations if the offer is right, as was the case when he traded Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames on February 14.
Allen’s name is among those that have been circulating in some rumors, but the New Brunswicker isn’t worried about it. “For me, it’s something that comes with the job,” he said. You have to adapt and move on. But for many of us, we see the tide turning within the team and we would like to continue playing in blue-white-red. »
The outcome will be known around 3 p.m. Monday. The players will not have much time to recover from their emotions since they will be in action the same evening, against the Boston Bruins.
A visit to St-Louis
The Canadiens were counting on a new recruit at the Bell Sports Complex on Wednesday: Mason St-Louis. The 14-year-old boy is the youngest of Martin St-Louis’ three sons.
“He is on school break for the week,” explained the interim head coach of the Canadiens, whose spouse is also in town. “I haven’t seen them for a good five weeks. It’s nice to be with my family,” he added.
St. Louis noted that Mason was the one of his three sons who lived the least in NHL arenas during his childhood, since he was the youngest. “I took my kids to the arena so they could experience it. It’s not worth living if you can’t share your life with the people you love, St-Louis said. [Mason] love hockey. He is on a cloud, to be able to rub shoulders with the stars of the NHL. »