Dominique Ducharme assures that his players will not be affected by the changes made to the management of the Montreal Canadiens in recent days.
Marc Bergevin’s departure was difficult for most of the players, who were close to their general manager. However, the Canadiens players must turn the page, although they have still been stuck in the same slump since the start of the campaign.
“Whatever the situation, it’s the NHL. You always fight every day to win your place, your role, your ice time, to win matches, Ducharme recalled. Yes, a change can raise questions for some players, but we are aware of that. It’s something we’re used to dealing with. “
The players are also aware that they will find themselves under the magnifying glass of the new first vice-president of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton, as of Thursday, when the Habs host the Colorado Avalanche.
“Whether you’re a freshman or a veteran, everyone has a lot to prove,” said defenseman Jeff Petry. For the sake of our team, I hope that will provide a little extra motivation to help us play better hockey and string together a few wins. “
Petry said he had a good relationship with Bergevin, who acquired him from the Edmonton Oilers and gave him two contract extensions. However, he believes that the players will have no difficulty experiencing this new start.
But as Jonathan Drouin had also said the day before, Petry admitted to being anxious to know the intentions of the new management. Gorton was scheduled to meet the players for the first time on Wednesday afternoon. However, a decision about which plan to put into action is unlikely to come until the next CEO is hired.
When Petry signed a four-season, US $ 25 million contract extension on September 25, 2020, he believed he could continue the adventure with a team that was aiming for top honors. To see the setbacks of the Habs this season, it is quite possible that the new leaders opt instead for a form of reconstruction.
“My goal is always the same,” said Petry, recalling that he was hoping to lift the Stanley Cup before the end of his career. When you enter the last phase of your career like me, time starts to run out. “
” They [les dirigeants] will have to make a decision. Will it be a five-year process? Two years? It will help us understand the way ahead. But it is too early to say what will happen, ”he continued.
In the meantime, Petry will want to regain his sunny days shape. He still only has two assists after 24 games and has a -4 rating.
“We’re trying to get him into his strength so that he takes off,” Ducharme said of his star defender. We want to bring it into simple things. “
“A player in a situation like that, he will look for so many solutions that he will go too far. These are simple things to do that will help him find his way back, ”added the head coach.
Imminent returns
The Canadian only had an optional on-ice training schedule on Wednesday, and most players preferred to settle for one session in the gym.
Among the handful of players who have set foot on the Bell Sports Complex, there are three who are likely to return to play Thursday against the Avalanche: forward Mathieu Perreault (eye) and defensemen Brett Kulak (lower body) and Chris Wideman (undisclosed injury).
Ducharme, however, did not want to confirm whether one, two or three of these players would be in uniform on Thursday.
In addition, goaltender Carey Price skated for a second time this week, without equipment, in the company of Assistant Athletic Therapist and Assistant Physiotherapist, Matthew Romano. He performed exercises for about twenty minutes.