Patience is a virtue, they say. And Jeff Gorton wants observers, whether journalists, analysts or supporters, to be virtuous. “You have to relax and let it develop. »
The executive vice-president of hockey operations delivered a vibrant plea for patience on Friday in an interview with The Press.
Patience in the specific case of Juraj Slafkovsky, the very first pick in the 2022 draft. With 10 points in 39 games last season, the big Slovak didn’t exactly have the sensational debut that others before him had .
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Juraj Slafkovsky was the very first pick in the 2022 draft, by the Montreal Canadiens.
“He was an 18-year-old player, first choice in a market where everyone knows what he does on and off the ice. It would be a big adjustment for anyone, Gorton said. He learns and he improves. In preparatory matches and in our practices, we all see his growth. But at 18 or 19, it doesn’t happen overnight.
I don’t ask for patience for everything. But when an 18-year-old player arrives in Montreal, you have to relax and let him develop. He can become a very good player in this league.
Jeff Gorton, executive vice president of hockey operations
“I don’t want to quantify him in number of goals, but he’s a power forward who can be good on the forecheck, at scoring goals and who will be good at 200 feet. That’s a lot for the opponents. »
The impact of first overall picks is undeniable, even if we exclude the exceptional Connor McDavid. In 2022, Nathan MacKinnon led the Avalanche to great honors. But that was nine years after his selection. Last year, the Devils became one of the good teams in the East with the explosion of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, drafted in 2017 and 2019 respectively. But they simply won a playoff round.
These players, that said, haven’t been dominant from Day 1. MacKinnon had three nondescript seasons after winning the Calder Trophy. Hughes had 21 points in 61 games in his first season. Hischier was a fifty-point player per season, before piling up 80 last season.
“I had Joe Thornton in Boston,” Gorton recalled, taking us back to his time in charge of recruiting for the Bruins. Look at his stats in his first year. It wasn’t extraordinary. He had three goals and four assists [en 55 matchs]. No one talks about it anymore, now that he’s headed to the Hall of Fame. »
Let’s give him time, let him breathe. Let’s not evaluate each of his presences, each of his contacts with the puck. And let’s not follow Martin [St-Louis] if he doesn’t use it 25 minutes per game.
Jeff Gorton
Gorton assures that a stay in Laval is not in the plans for Slafkovsky, even if “never say never”.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Juraj Slafkovsky
The fact remains that a first overall pick defines a general manager’s reign. But this is a long-term process. We still cannot close the books on Gorton’s stay in New York since Alexis Lafrenière, almost 22 years old, is still trying to establish himself as a leading striker.
Engström and two Russian hopes
In recent weeks, there has been talk at length about the organization’s many prospects invited to this training camp. We have obviously talked less about the hopes that are not there.
The question to Gorton was: Who among your NCAA and European prospects are you most excited about? His first response: Adam Engström, left-handed defender requested at number 3e round (92e in total) last year, who plays in Rögle, in the Swedish first division. “He’s played really well the last two years,” Gorton said of the man who turns 20 in November. His progression curve is very good. »
Gorton says he is “hopeful” that Engström will arrive in North America in the fall of 2024.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Adam Engström, during his visit to the Canadiens’ prospects development camp, at the Brossard training complex, last July
Gorton then talked about “the two Russians we drafted this year.” He started with Yevgeni Volokhin, a goaltender who has a .927 save percentage in the MHL, a junior circuit in Russia. “The goalkeeper caught our attention. His save percentage is excellent, he is off to a very good start. »
The other Russian is Bogdan Konyushkov. Drafted at 20 years old, this one, at 4e tour last summer. Konyushkov plays in Nizhny Novgorod and, at 24:32 per game on average, he is the most used defenseman in the KHL this season. “He’s off to quite a start,” marvels Gorton.
Surprisingly, the VP said nothing about Lane Hutson, a small defender who smashed it all at Boston University last season, even though the NCAA was explicitly mentioned in the question.
Roy and Reinbacher
And at camp, who are the prospects who stand out the most?
” There are several of them. David Reinbacher was very good for an 18-year-old coming in under these circumstances. [Lundi] evening, there were moments when he showed a lot of calm. »
Gorton added that “Joshua Roy’s value is rising. He has been playing big hockey since the World Junior Championship. His success with Connor Bedard was huge for him.”
Gorton added an honorable mention to Justin Barron, “who is playing very well.”
Three goalkeepers?
Jeff Gorton does not rule out a three-goalie lineup to start the season. “If we have to do it, we will do it,” he said. People have ideas, but we’ll see. »
The Habs could opt for this route if they fear losing Cayden Primeau on waivers. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has reached the stage where he must go through waivers before being sold to Laval.
The future of Houle
Speaking from Laval, Jean-François Houle is entering the last year of his contract. With the number of prospects who will arrive at Place Bell this season and next year, the position of head coach of the farm club will become crucial. Houle’s work seems appreciated.
“We will talk about it very soon,” assures Gorton. I don’t have a timeline. Every year, we have employees whose contracts we have to manage. It’s not something that’s openly discussed. JF does a very good job. We’ll talk to him soon, I hope, and sort this out. »
One more role for Gorton
Finally, with the departure of Michael Andlauer for Ottawa, Gorton inherited a new responsibility: that of deputy governor. This means that he will be able to represent the Canadian at meetings of the NHL board of governors.
Geoff Molson holds the title of governor of the Canadian, while Gorton and France Margaret Bélanger are deputy governors.