Season Reflections | Habs Notepad

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Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, Martin St. Louis, Carey Price, Shea Weber, Nick Suzuki, Jeff Petry, Laval Rocket, Trois-Rivieres Lions

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — On Friday, the Canadiens concluded the regular season with a dominating 10-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. The 21,205 fans gave a standing ovation despite finishing the season ranked 32nd in the league.

On Saturday, the team held locker room clean out day as players had medicals, and exit meetings.

Kent Hughes saw positives from this season. “We were really impressed by the character, the team spirit that the players showed. When [Martin St. Louis] came in, we knew that we wouldn’t be making the playoffs, and we saw a team that did everything to get better. We saw better individual performances, and at the trade deadline the team was on the right path, and we traded four really good players. Without those four good players, we took away experience, and they started to lose, but we saw that that the team didn’t quit.”

The team’s engagement on the ice improved when St. Louis took over as coach. It seems a foregone conclusion that the interim tag will be removed shortly. “I can’t confirm his return, because Martin did not want to be a distraction for the team and wanted to wait for the end of the season. Since the season ended [Friday], we didn’t start discussing yet, but there’s interest on both sides to come into an agreement, and for Martin to return. We’re going to work on a contract in the near future,” Hughes said. The team would like to sign St. Louis for at least three years.

St. Louis confirmed that all the assistant coaches will return next season. “It’s guys that work, hockey guys, good people, and not afraid to give their opinions, and we work well together.”

Priorities

Management’s first priority for the offseason is the NHL Entry Draft that will take place in Montreal on July 7th and 8th. The Canadiens currently have an inventory of 14 picks to make over those two days.

Hughes and Jeff Gorton recently returned from scouting at the IIHF World U18 Championship in Germany, and met with their scouts. Later this month, the duo will head to the IIHF World Championship in Helsinki.

Hughes confirmed that there has been preliminary discussions with some of the team’s free agents about a new deal. He added that he doesn’t expect significant changes to the roster.

“I can’t say that there will be a lot of changes. We have young players and we want to see at what degree they’re ready. Decisions about our young players will be based for the best of their development,” Hughes said. There’s a good possibility that prospects rotate between Montreal and Laval throughout the year.

“In terms of other acquisitions by trade or free agency, I think there’s a chance that we see 1,2,3 new players, but I can’t guarantee that.”

In order for the Canadiens to make significant changes, they would need to part with some of the long term contracts that are on the books now. The general manager may need to add an incentive for another club to help out.

“We’ll look at different options in terms of gaining some cap flexibility. We’re not going to try to free up cap space for next season that costs us prospects or draft picks to make us better next year, and then hurt us two to three years from now.”

Price’s Future Uncertain

The Canadiens biggest question mark is the health of Carey Price. After two shaky starts against the Flyers, and the Senators, Price was given a break and visited his surgeon in New York. On Friday, he made 37 saves against the Panthers.

“Physically, I’m feeling okay. I got a few questions to ask, a few appointments to make over the summer to iron out next season,” Price said on Saturday.

“I’m just continuing to get a lot of swelling in my knee. Due to that fact, it’s been difficult to do a lot of things that I would consider well out there. Last night for instance, it went pretty well. In that same token, there’s different aspects of goaltending that’s required these days that is very difficult for me to do.”

Price said that he would not be able to play a full season in his current state. Another surgery has not been ruled out. Until Price receives answers to his questions, it will be hard for Hughes to plan the future.

Since the goalie waived his no movement clause for the expansion draft, some fans have questioned Price’s desire to stay with the organization. On Saturday, he reiterated his  commitment to the organization. “I’ve never envisioned myself playing anywhere else. It’s hard to really fathom.”

His first priority is his health. “This is definitely tough, but I’ve always been a fighter and I’m not giving up. I’m going to continue doing my best to prepare for next season.”

New Captain

Shea Weber has recently received criticism from some media members and fans. The critics are upset that Weber was not at Guy Lafleur’s tribute last Sunday, and that he has not spoken to the media since the team’s elimination at the Stanley Cup Final.

“He’s not comfortable to answer without giving too many details about his injury, and to be put into a situation where he can’t speak about everything. I respect his decision. It’s not a lack of respect for the fans or the media,” Hughes said.

The general manager repeated that he expects the team to have a new captain to begin next season. “We’re going to continue to evaluate over this offseason, what the right situation is for a leader, what our roster is going to look like. Based on what the roster may look like, we’re going to decide who the right person is for that, and if the right person is ready for it at that moment.”

Nick Suzuki has been identified as a potential captain for the team. “I want to take a leadership role, I think I’ve tried to do a good job since I came to this organization. We have a lot of good candidates to be the next captain, but I don’t control any of that. The way I play, the way I handle myself with the team and it will be up to management probably to make that decision for next year.”

Petry May Return

It has been well publicized that Jeff Petry‘s family did not return to Montreal after the holiday break. Kent Hughes repeated several times that he will trade Petry if he finds a deal that works for the organization.

On Saturday, the defenceman left the door open for a possible return with the Canadiens next season. “It was a different situation than it is now. Ever since Martin took over, I started to find my game. I think the style of game that Martin implemented helped my game and got me back on the right track. For me right now, I’m going to take some time, reflect on the year, get back to my family, and have a long conversation with them. I don’t want to close the door on this organization or this team right now.”

Petry said that his trade request from earlier in the season was a combination of the difficulty of his and his wife’s family being able to visit and help out, and the horrendous start to the season. There was frustration that no adjustments were being made by Dominique Ducharme when the team kept losing. The defenceman spoke to Ducharme about the players frustrations.

If the club moves on from Petry, Hughes will look to acquire another veteran to add to the blue line.

Rocket Opponent Determined

The Laval Rocket concluded the regular season on Saturday in Syracuse against the Crunch. With second place already secured, Syracuse rested several key players for the night. The Crunch opened the scoring 8:03 into the match, before the Rocket answered with five consecutive goals to win 5-1.

“We did what we had to do, we scored goals at the right moments of the game,” Jean-Francois Houle said. “We had contributions from different players, and that’s how you win in the playoffs.”

Louie Belpedio left the game late in the first period and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons following contact against the boards. No details provided on the extent of the injury.

Saturday’s victory clinched third place in the North Division and a best-of-five first round series against the Syracuse Crunch beginning on Friday. The teams squared off eight times this season, and the home team won seven times.

“It will be a tight series. They’re the favourites by finishing second place, and one of the hottest teams now in the AHL,” Houle said.

“It’s going to be a tough series, it’s going to be back and forth, it’s going to be gritty. We’re going to need everyone to pull in the same direction, we got to play a complete game each time, and play simple,” Corey Schueneman said.

“It’s been a long time for a lot of guys played in playoffs. For some, it will be their first experience. We’ve seen the crowd lately in Laval, and it’s going to be exciting. It’s fun that we got here, and we’re looking forward for it to start,” added Jean-Sebastien Dea.

(Quotes courtesy of 91.9 Sports)

Lions Staying Alive

The Trois-Rivieres Lions faced elimination on Saturday as they hosted the Newfoundland Growlers on Saturday for game 5. The Lions came from behind twice during the match, and Alexis D’Aoust scored for the second time of the night to secure a 3-2 win for Trois-Rivieres.

“We sacrificed a lot to win this game. […] Our start to the game was a bit shaky. It was the nervousness that it was a game where we were facing elimination. We allowed the first goal, but I liked our reaction. We remained calm each time, and came back quickly. It’s a sign of character that proves that guys don’t want to quit,” Eric Belanger said.

The teams shared a flight back to Newfoundland following Saturday’s game. Forward Shawn St-Amant did not make the trip after suffering a concussion early in game 4 of the series. In three games, he had recorded two goals and added one assist.

The Lions will try to tie the series on Monday at 5:30pm eastern, and game 7 will be played on Tuesday if necessary.

(Quotes courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
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