There is no confusion in Jeff Gorton’s head. The next general manager of the Montreal Canadiens will have the last word in decision-making.
The Habs’ new executive vice-president of hockey operations had to clarify the situation after President Geoff Molson was unable to shake the doubt from the minds of most observers earlier this week.
“The general manager will have a direct line with Geoff Molson and will be able to make decisions,” Gorton said Friday, at his first press conference since his appointment, last Sunday. My role will be to share my experience and to help this person, to help the team to win. I don’t have a big ego, I don’t give a damn about titles. I just want to be a guy involved in the decisions of hockey. I think I can help the team. “
“As a former general manager, I can tell you that I would not have accepted to be general manager unless I had the powers of a general manager”, he added, insisting therefore to say that the person in that position will not be his puppet.
Gorton’s first term will be to find the next CEO, but he noted that the process could stretch beyond the holiday season. Gorton will also have to hire a new draft manager. However, he assured that the post of head coach Dominique Ducharme was not in danger.
Gorton has stressed that he will not hesitate to break the mold to find the next general manager, even saying he could be a players’ agent. However, he has indicated that he will be looking for someone with qualities that complement his own.
A new challenge
“I want to find someone who will have a different perspective than mine. It’s better than having someone who will always agree with me, Gorton explained. We’ve all been in a room where it’s been taken for a walk talking about what needs to be done. But at the end of the day, you make the best decision as a group. “
Gorton said he was well aware of recent statements by Patrick Roy, who has publicly expressed his interest in the vacant position of general manager of the Canadiens. He noted that he was well acquainted with the reputation of the former star goalkeeper, but was content to say that he was not excluding anyone from the selection process so far.
Gorton, who is originally from Massachusetts, said he is well aware of the peculiarities of the market he finds himself in, having worked in Boston and New York. He also began his press conference with a statement in French.
” Hello everyone. It was with great pride that I accepted the role of vice-president of hockey operations with the Montreal Canadiens, the biggest franchise in hockey history, with the goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Montreal. Thanks to Geoff Molson for this confidence, ”he said with a strong accent.
Gorton promised to make the effort to learn Molière’s language, but didn’t want to create too many expectations about it.
“30 years ago, I wanted to get good at golf and I keep struggling,” he said deadpan.
However, he said he understands this issue in the Montreal market and is aware that the next general manager will have to be bilingual, as announced by Molson.
Evaluate the team in place
In addition to looking for his future ally, Gorton also intends to take the next few weeks to assess the team in place.
The task promises to be colossal, while the Canadian has only six wins on the clock after 25 games (6-17-2).
Gorton is recognized as a good talent assessor. He has participated in the rebuilding of the Rangers for the past several years.
He will eventually have to decide, along with the general manager, if the Canadian has to make a clean sweep or if a faster process will be sufficient to revive the team.
Gorton and the GM’s job will not be straightforward, with many players on long-term contracts. And the welcome received by Gorton was not particularly warm, as a fan threw his jersey on the ice at the Bell Center on Thursday night in the 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Gorton was then attending a first game in his new role.
“I realize that the team is having a difficult start to the season,” he said. It was a bit of a perfect storm with injuries. It’s like everything that could go wrong has happened.
“When I got into the building, I could feel that the energy was waning and the attitude was not right. I hope to bring some hope and positive energy to turn things around. My short term goal is to talk to all the players to understand what is going on. “
Gorton also said he plans to develop an advanced statistics department at the Canadiens. He also plans to hire additional people on the player development side, stressing the importance of supporting the team’s hopes on a daily basis.
So Gorton has a lot of work to do, but he should have some help soon.