(Brossard) For a second year in a row, people speak a little more French in the Montreal Canadiens locker room.
Former general manager Marc Bergevin made a point of adding a few local support employees in the summer of 2021. The recent recalls of Alex Belzile and Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, as well as that of Frédéric Allard for a meeting, have swelled the number of Quebecers to have donned the uniform of the Canadian this season to eight. The same total was reached in 2021-2022.
“We had a four and a half hour flight returning from Las Vegas on Sunday,” said goaltender Samuel Montembeault. We sat together and we were able to chat in French. We had a lot of fun. »
Before the 2021-2022 season, we had to go back to 2008-2009 to see so many Quebecers wearing the Saine-Flanelle during a season, if only for one game.
We are far from 18 in 2001-2002, and even if the numerous injuries have led to the chance of some Quebecers to play with the Habs this season, it is perhaps easier to believe general manager Kent Hughes when he mentions that he would like to count on more local players. He had also recalled during his first press conference that he had represented many Quebec players during his career as an agent.
However, the correlation between the team’s success and the presence of many Quebec players continues to be difficult to establish. The quality of the players from here in the uniform of the Canadiens is probably more important.
However, the Quebec players currently with the Canadiens all have good times with the team. Mike Matheson and David Savard are important elements on the blue line. Montembeault flourishes at his own pace in front of the net. Jonathan Drouin, Belzile and Harvey-Pinard have good offensive streaks.
Despite the loss to the Golden Knights on Sunday, all three goals came from Quebecois stick blades – in this case, Matheson, Belzile and Harvey-Pinard. After a 4-0 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 14, the three stars of the game were Quebecers: Drouin, Savard and Matheson.
“It’s our childhood team. We also play close to home, so often in front of family and friends, mentioned Montembeault. It’s like an Ontarian going to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is special. Every time I put the sweater on, I’m really happy. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Samuel Montembeault
“It’s good to see Quebecers having success with the Canadiens,” added Harvey-Pinard, who admitted that it was perhaps a little easier for a Quebec player to give everything night after night when he wear this uniform.
“It adds a little layer of motivation and it pushes us to surpass ourselves,” he said.
Allard even said he almost had tears in his eyes when he saw the Canadiens jersey with his name on it when he arrived in the locker room for the game in Las Vegas.
Another important challenge
Despite good performances, the Canadian has lost its last four games (0-3-1). The task will not be easier Thursday, when the New York Rangers will be the visitors at the Bell Center.
Already among the best formations on the circuit, the Rangers were full of talent before the end of the period of exchanges, notably getting their hands on attackers Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane.
“We’ll have to manage the puck well in the neutral zone,” said head coach Martin St-Louis. Do not feed their offense with turnovers because they are able to do damage when overrunning. »
Meanwhile, defender Kaiden Guhle trained with his teammates, but wore a jersey indicating he should avoid contact. Guhle appeared to injure his shoulder March 3 against the Anaheim Ducks.
For his part, defender Justin Barron skated alone before the group. He too appeared to hurt his shoulder, but a game earlier, March 2 against the Los Angeles Kings.
In both cases, the team mentions that their state of health is reassessed on a daily basis.