By J.D. Lagrange, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
Hockey is a business. It’s a cliché, sometimes perceived as overused because we see and read it everywhere but if you ask the people involved, they will tell you that it’s a painful truth in today’s NHL. There is simply no room for “feelings” when it comes to managing a team and Montreal Canadiens’ General Manager Marc Bergevin has gone through a very rough off season in that respect.
PENTICTON, BC. – With teams having to manage a salary cap while trying to keep a team competitive year in, year out, GMs must be frugal at times and they must ensure that they get the best return for their buck. Oh they do make mistakes and desperation sometimes kicks in, especially in markets where it’s difficult to draw big name players, but top teams often are being managed by people who not only know and understand the hockey aspect, but GMs who are somewhat business-like. They have to be.
In Montreal, we had a glimpse of that when it was rumoured that Josh Gorges might have been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs… only to be rejected. Soon after, Gorges was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for a second round draft pick. How can a guy who had recently signed a six year deal with the team, one of the core leaders on and off the ice, a guy who loved the city, it’s fans, and was always available to answer tough questions when others when in hiding, could be traded?
Without revealing his reasons, Marc Bergevin had a simple answer. “You’re losing great people. Sometimes you make decisions that are not popular. But I’m not here to be popular; I’m here to make decisions.”
Of course, Bergevin was also talking about the fact that he had to let his team captain go, unable to match the offer Brian Gionta had received from those same Sabres. We’re talking about two key leaders here, but when looking at the business aspect, we’re also looking at an immediate $8.9 million off the payroll. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that Gorges’ $3.9 million multi-year contract would be off the books, freeing up some room for the future.
If you think for one minute that Bergevin didn’t know the impact those two players had on the dressing room and on the ice, you are fooling yourself. Fans too often didn’t recognize Gionta’s importance but management knew. Management also knew that Josh Gorges is Carey Price’s best friend, their spouses are close and that they are neighbours in Kelowna, B.C. That’s the human aspect that is too often downplayed by the fan base.
More recently, Bergevin and his staff had to make two other tough decisions. Preferring to go in another direction, they had to cut loose Francis Bouillon, a player who was not only respected in the dressing room, but whom management also liked as a person. Bouillon himself told the media that the meeting was emotional, and I don’t think he meant just for him. Again though, despite the emotions, Bouillon only had good words for Michel Therrien and Marc Bergevin. “This organization has treated me with class right until the end. Right until now.”
In what seems like a breeze of youth blowing through the Habs’ line-up, Bergevin traded Peter Budaj to the Winnipeg Jets, a guy who was very well liked in the dressing room among his peers. According to his agent, Budaj had requested a trade after the playoffs, obviously not appreciating the fact that youngster Dustin Tokarski was chosen to carry the load when Carey Price got injured. Yet, no one could tell by looking at the way he acted on the bench, in practice, with his teammates. A true pro.
Carey Price had this to say on losing some of his best friends on the team: “Everybody says it’s part of the business, but it is a tough part of it,” Price said. “This past six months has been pretty tough, I’ve lost three of my good buddies – well, four now – and it’s not a fun part. But at the same time you have management making moves to make the team better. It’s not up to us to argue that just because you’re friends with a guy.”
And now, many are speculating that Bergevin might not be done dealing as Travis Moen’s name is circulating in the rumour mill. Let’s not forget that Moen was Brian Gionta’s choice to wear the captaincy and he’s another guy who is well respected in the dressing room.
This situation is not without raising a few concerns… Losing Gorges and Gionta is a hit in the leadership of the team but as Bergevin explained, there is some young leadership ready to take over in the dressing room, mentioning Price, Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban. But now losing Bouillon and Budaj, and perhaps Moen, one has to wonder how much leadership a team can lose before starting to feel the ill effect and start creating clicks in the dressing room… especially on a team without a captain, and where two young bucks (Pacioretty and Subban) will be trying to show management that they have what it takes to wear the “C” on their jersey starting next year.
But never doubt one thing: Bergevin is a man who cares about his players and we’ve heard that from many sources since his arrival in Montreal. However, he knows when hockey decisions must come before his own personal feelings and that’s why Habs’ fans should feel good about having him at the helm. “I’m not running a boys’ camp here, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
On a side note, I’ve read many people who claim not understanding the Budaj trade. The Canadiens traded two contracts in exchange for one. In managing a hockey team, GM’s know that they have a maximum of 50 players teams can get under contract. Freeing up spots allows signing another prospect and/or trading for a player for a draft pick. Yet another example that “hockey is a business.”
Go Habs Go!