Canadiens to Announce Marc Bergevin as New GM

Written by Rick Stephens, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — The Montreal Canadiens are set to announce Marc Bergevin as their next general manager according to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune. Bergevin has spent several years in the Chicago Blackhawks organization serving as pro scout, Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personnel. On June 15, 2011, Bergevin was appointed as Assistant General Manager of the Blackhawks, replacing Kevin Cheveldayoff who had left for the general manager’s position in Winnipeg.

Bergevin, a 46-year-old Montreal-native, had a lengthy NHL career playing 1,191 regular season games for nine different teams.

Word began circulating early Tuesday morning that Bergevin was in Montreal for a third chat with Canadiens President Geoff Molson, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Gilmore, and Serge Savard who has been acting as an advisor during the search. Broadcaster Pierre McGuire, Lightning Assistant GM Julien BriseBois, and Red Wings GM Jim Nill, each received follow-up interviews after initial phone conversations according to reports.

Maple Leafs Assistant GM Claude Loiselle and Francois Giguere were told earlier in the week that their candidacies had come to an end. Giguere was considered a long-shot after only working briefly as a pro scout for the Bruins since being fired as GM of the Avalanche in 2009.

Bergevin is known as a keen evaluator of hockey talent, and for his extensive network of contacts at all levels of the game.

“He’s very well-connected, he’s a people person, he’s got excellent relationships with agents and other people in hockey and his network is vast because of his playing days; he played for a number of teams, so he’s got a lot of background on coaches and players. His work ethic and dedication to the Blackhawks is unparalleled.” — Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman on Bergevin

In a candidate field sprinkled with lawyers and other degreed professionals, Bergevin’s education ended at Grade 11. Bowman candidly admitted that Marc “doesn’t have a complete grasp of numbers and the salary cap.” Bergevin also has limited experience as an assistant general manager, serving less than one year — by comparison Nill just completed his 14th season in that role.

News of the new Canadiens GM appeared on the Chicago Tribune website just after 1 am. on Wednesday morning. Leaks were uncommon during the Gainey and Gauthier regimes.

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/ChrisKuc/status/197557232043433984″]

Here’s how you voted in a recent All Habs Poll of the Week when asked “Who would you like to see chosen as the next Habs GM?”

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Speculation will now turn to the candidates for assistant general manager and the coaches.  Here’s a few of the questions yet to be answered.

1. Will Bergevin be free to choose his own staff?
2. Will Trevor Timmins be compatible with the new GM? Both men are strong in the area of player evaluation.
3. Who will assume the role of “capologist?”
4. Do Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur have a future with the Canadiens?  Interestingly Bergevin, Cunneyworth and Ladouceur were teammates while playing for the 1991-92 Hartford Whalers.
5. Who will be the next head coach of the Canadiens?

We welcome your comments!