After spending the season working on the development of Laval Rocket players, head coach Jean-François Houle now wants to focus on winning.
The Rocket will start the first run in its playoff history on Friday. He will be in Syracuse for the first game of a best-of-five series against the Crunch.
Houle got playoff reinforcements, as defenseman Mattias Norlinder joined the team this week. However, he was not yet sure whether or not to include Norlinder in his training for the start of the series against the Crunch.
“We want to win, but he’s a big asset to the organization,” Houle said Wednesday of his thoughts on using Norlinder. We have not yet decided whether he will immediately return to training. We have 30 other players to manage, and it’s important to take care of everyone. »
Houle therefore finds himself faced with a dilemma, between giving quality playing time to Norlinder or continuing to trust the group of defenders who helped the Rocket qualify for the playoffs.
“We want to win, but also grow, if possible,” Houle admitted. We had 72 games to develop, but we got to a point where it’s important to win. If the player develops at the same time, so much the better. But it’s also important to win in the playoffs. »
Norlinder was injured early in the camp of the Montreal Canadiens in September, then had the right to a six-game audition in the NHL. He also played six games with the Rocket, before returning to Sweden under an agreement between the Habs and his European club.
The 22-year-old defender was limited to two assists in 21 games with Frolunda HC, and he himself admitted his campaign was okay, nothing more.
In the Rocket camp, everyone seemed happy to welcome him back, even if his presence could cause changes in the formation.
“It gives a kick in the back, because there are always chances of being out of training, recognized Tobie Paquette-Bisson. But we have to focus on the playoffs. »
Veteran Xavier Ouellet recalled that this situation was not abnormal in the American Hockey League.
“At the end of the day, you have to prepare to win games. He’s just one more player who can help us, Ouellet said. It doesn’t change the dynamic. On the contrary, it can only help us if we have to use it. »
Decision to come in front of the net
Houle’s thoughts about Norlinder also apply to the situation in front of the net.
Should he trust Cayden Primeau, because he’s the Canadiens’ best prospect among goaltenders, or should he turn to veteran Kevin Poulin, who was his trusted masked man in the second half of the season?
“We will make a decision before the game on Friday. We’ve won as a team this season, and we’d like to win as a team in the playoffs,” Houle said. We shared the net all season long. We will see what will happen. »
Poulin, 32, is 18-8-5 with a 2.34 GAA and .920 save percentage in 30 outings this season.
For his part, Primeau participated in 33 games, but only 11 during the last two months of the campaign. His record is 16-12-5, with a 2.94 GAA and a .909 save percentage.