In April 2022, the Canadian concluded its worst season since the Second World War at home, at the Bell Centre, to thunderous applause. A monster ovation. A huge ball of love from the supporters, who wanted to make the players understand that even in mediocrity, their support would remain unwavering.
One year later ? The tone has changed. Support gave way to a certain indifference. After the last game of the season, Thursday, there was no great communion. No standing ovation. Not much, actually. It was more muted. During the previous games, we even heard a few boos, the evenings of carnage. But above all, we found that even if the Canadian announced full houses, there were hundreds of empty seats. More than a thousand, even, against the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals last week. This means that these buyers chose not to attend the show, and they were unable to resell or give back their tickets.
Is the new administration’s grace period coming to an end?
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
After the last game of the season, Thursday night, the Canadiens players greeted the Bell Center crowd, receiving a more subdued response than on the same date last year.
No, judging by the comments of supporters on social networks. Amateurs, especially among the youngest, are even ready to endure a reconstruction of five, six or seven years. But those who buy subscriptions to the Bell Center may be less patient. A loyal supporter wrote a long letter to the journalists of The PressTuesday, to denounce the additional premium imposed during certain matches.
It’s what ?
When the Canadiens play popular teams, usually the best in the National League, they sell more expensive tickets. However, it has happened a few times in recent months that these opponents have dominated the Canadian at home. “Will this humiliation tax be renewed in 2023-2024? », Wrote this partisan to us.
It may be anecdotal. But maybe not, either. Reading your emails, for a month, I guess that patience is not evenly distributed among all fans. The Canadian took advantage of a mulligan the last two years. The vice-president of hockey operations, Jeff Gorton, also wanted to thank you for your patience on Friday. Last season, we had to clean up. This year, the lottery for Connor Bedard justified it.
Afterwards, I doubt that you are ready to accept long lethargies of six, seven and twelve years, like those of the Ottawa Senators, the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres, three division rivals of the Canadiens who, despite good repechages, are unable to join the front runners.
Good news: the management of the Canadian does not seem to want to stay half a decade in the cellar. That’s what I remember from his end-of-season record. Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes want to lead a team that is progressing, rather than a club that is regressing.
Alleluia.
“Our expectations are going to change,” Kent Hughes said of the upcoming season. “I don’t know if we’ll make the playoffs. But we won’t start the season saying we’ll be kicked out of the playoffs. I hope we will fight to make them. If we don’t do them, that will be okay too. »
To another question, he replied: “When we arrived [à la direction de l’équipe], last year, we lost. We knew that the playoffs were not a goal. The environment was heavy. We wanted it to be lighter. I think we accomplished that. [Maintenant]the more victories we add, the more the fun will go down. The way to define the fun will change a bit. We will accept a certain expectation. »
Then, no need to be Inspector Clouseau to deduce that the Canadian has a long way to go. Short of winning the lottery AND acquiring a striker of the caliber of Pierre-Luc Dubois against unestablished players, I have a hard time imagining the Habs blowing the necks of the big powers of the Atlantic division from the start. next fall.
Yes, but Juraj Slafkovsky.
Yes, but Kaiden Guhle.
Yes, but Arber Xhekaj.
I understand your enthusiasm – and partly share it. But I remind you that these three jewels of the organization are recovering from major injuries. When they return to action in September, it will be after six to eight months of recovery. It is a period of significant absence.
“It is sure that there will be an impact, recognized Kent Hughes. Slaf and Arber have missed around 40 games. These are very important parts. Martin St-Louis often talks about reps [répétitions]. It is sure that they lost reps. There hasn’t been zero development. They watched the games [la galerie de presse] at the top. We tried, in this situation, to ask them to follow the play of certain players. At least there was some mental development. […] Am I worried [de la période de] relearning? No. But maybe they are not at the level where they could have been. »
Jeff Gorton, always interesting at a press conference, also spoke of the playoffs, but with more restraint than his right arm.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Jeff Gorton, vice-president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens
“I don’t like setting deadlines. We try to build in the right way. I would tell you if we just took shortcuts, if we did a few things to be a little bit better, just to make the playoffs, I don’t think that would be the right way to go. I think to build [la formation], to grow and let things go organically, through our process, that’s the way to go. »
Twice, he said he saw similarities between the reconstruction of the Canadiens and the one he began with the New York Rangers five years ago. A comparison that surprised me.
First, the Rangers have never been as bad as the Canadian in the past two years. At the height of their setbacks, the Rangers finished 26the rank. How were they able to fish Kappo Kakko in second place in 2019, then Alexis Lafrenière in first place in 2020? Being very, very, very lucky. They won the lottery two years in a row. It speeds up a rebuild.
At the same time, the Rangers acquired Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Patrick Kane and Jacob Trouba for next to nothing, as these players all wanted to play in New York. That also helps. According to the latest news, the Canadian does not yet have this power of attraction. Finally, the Rangers rely on an exceptional goalkeeper, which the Habs do not have in their organization.
Correction.
He has one.
Except he doesn’t play anymore.
The return to the path of victories will be much more bumpy for the Canadian than for the Rangers. But hey, beyond this daring comparison, I enjoyed hearing the bosses of the Canadiens start talking about expectations again. Of victories. Series, even if it was lip service.
To desolation, I prefer ambition.