Expectations have rarely been so low for the Canadiens, but what is even more particular is that a good portion of fans are comfortable with the idea that the Montreal team will probably experience another long winter punctuated by many defeats.
The management of the Habs was clear in its intentions. She wants to build a team that will be successful in the long run and she knows there really aren’t any shortcuts to getting there.
The Canadiens will kick off their regular season on Wednesday by hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre. After having suffered eight defeats in as many preseason games, why should things be different during the regular schedule?
“We want to build something long term and it won’t happen in a week or a month. Maybe it won’t click until the new year, but that’s the goal here,” goaltender Jake Allen said Tuesday.
“Yes, you want to rack up more wins than losses, but you have to learn from the losses. Experience will be something important for us this season. »
Despite the accumulation of defeats during the preparatory calendar, the members of the Canadiens kept their spirits up. After the last meeting, defender Jordan Harris emphasized how optimistic players, coaches and management remained despite the circumstances.
“I think it comes from management,” said captain Nick Suzuki. Kent (Hughes, the general manager) is always smiling around us and he likes to crack jokes. ‘Marty’ (St-Louis, the head coach) always seems to be happy to be there. Their attitude is contagious in our locker room. »
We should therefore not expect to see St-Louis lecture its players after a few defeats at the start of the season.
After all, the approach of St-Louis and director of hockey development, Adam Nicholas, remains ambitious. Their concepts are based on playing the game and having all five players on the ice act as if they share a single brain.
“I think the players who worked here under St. Louis last spring are a bit ahead in their learning process,” Suzuki said. The new ones will catch up with us. I think it got better and better during the camp. Our goal is to continually improve. »
Four rookies at the blue line
The Canadian’s challenge will be particularly high defensively. Everything indicates that the Habs will have four rookies on the blue line among their six defensemen against the Maple Leafs: Harris, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj and Johnathan Kovacevic.
“Don’t try to become someone you’re not,” Allen said when asked what advice he would give to young Canadiens defensemen. Sometimes in this league you try to do too much and it backfires. »
“Guys are here for a reason. They did well at camp. Yes, there is still a long way to go, but they must take this chance because it may never come back. »
On the attack side, the Canadian has good depth on paper. Moreover, everything indicates that Jonathan Drouin will be left out for the opening game even if he is healthy.
There will be only one rookie in the Canadian offensive lineup: the first choice of the last draft Juraj Slafkovsky.
“I think we’re going to win a lot of games with our level of competition,” said Cole Caufield. I think we’re going to surprise a lot of teams with that. We have a lot of good workers and we have a lot of offensive talent. I think we’re going to do well. »
On the eve of the first game of the season, the importance of enthusiasm for the Canadiens returned to St-Louis’ speech.
“Any start to the season brings special sensations,” said the man who played 1,134 games in the NHL. We will be at home, facing the Maple Leafs, it will be difficult sensations to replicate. »
” Have fun ! In the NHL sometimes we take things too seriously. It’s just a game, recalled St-Louis. Have fun ! It doesn’t have to be perfect. You are going to make three or four mistakes, but you have to continue, have fun in this atmosphere despite the stress of the first match. »
In addition, the Canadian announced Tuesday that the name of forward Paul Byron has been placed on the long-term injured list. Byron was limited to 27 games last season following hip surgery. He would always be bothered by a hip problem.