The Montreal Canadiens have taken a first step in their development and head coach Martin St-Louis wants to continue building on the foundation established during his first full season behind the team’s bench.
At this time last year, St-Louis was hoping to see its players express themselves on the ice. As the season progressed, he emphasized playing in the defensive zone, then the offensive zone.
“I found that, as a team, we improved with our intentions,” St-Louis said Wednesday, while his players underwent medical examinations and the preparation of various promotional tools. This year, we are not starting from scratch. »
“We are further along in our development. Last year we were a baby, and the expectations are different for a 7 or 8 year old boy. You have to take care of a baby, but an older child can take on responsibilities like brushing their teeth or making their bed. And here we are at a different stage,” he explained.
On the eve of the first practice of camp, St. Louis stressed that he expects to see his players fight for positions, even if unlike last year, there are fewer spots up for grabs for young players.
The struggles should be more internal.
“It’s always a struggle,” insisted St-Louis. Even after camp, it’s still a struggle. You must always try to convince that you have your place in the team. Whether here or in Laval. »
“You always want to go for the best chair. But you also have to be realistic in knowing who is sitting in the chair in front. We must also understand the role requested by the coach in this chair, while not being afraid of stealing someone else’s chair,” he continued.
The Canadian is counting on a slightly less full preparatory schedule than in the past, with only six matches on the agenda.
St. Louis and general manager Kent Hughes admitted that this will give the team a little more time to set the table for next season.
“It will give us a chance to prepare better than last year,” St-Louis said. We are going to use this time the right way. »
Pearson replaces Dvorak
Hughes settled a major issue on the eve of the official start of camp, trading goaltender Casey DeSmith to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night for forward Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick.
Pearson was limited to 14 games last season. He fractured his left hand and then had to undergo a series of procedures due to a post-operative infection.
Hughes said the injury is “80 percent” healed, but Pearson will be on the ice with his teammates during the first practice Thursday.
“We’ll see how straight his return will be or if there will be obstacles,” Hughes said. But we believe he is healthy at the moment. »
Hughes said earlier this summer that he wanted to be careful with acquisitions, so as not to take away available chairs for the organization’s prospects. He changed his tune slightly on Wednesday, wanting to justify the addition of the 31-year-old veteran.
“It also takes gray hairs to pass the experience on to young people,” he said simply.
Hughes also noted that center Christian Dvorak (right knee) will not return to action until November.
“For the young players and the available spots, we also don’t want to force them to play in case of injuries,” Hughes said. We don’t want to have to recall a player from Laval to help with injuries if he is not ready and it was better for him to continue playing in Laval. »
“And if a young person demonstrates that he has his place in the NHL, then we will make the adjustments so that he has one,” he added.
The game of musical chairs can therefore begin. The Canadian will benefit from three days of preparation before playing his traditional Reds against Whites match on Sunday. He will then host the New Jersey Devils on Monday evening in his first preseason game.