NHL: The Canadian ready for the next step, according to the old

In the eyes of several Montreal Canadian legends, the current team training is ready to go to the next stage of a reconstruction started in 2022.

While nearly twenty members of the hockey renowned temple were present at the Serge Savard invitation on the occasion of the Canadian team reunion which took part in the 1976 Canada Cup on Tuesday. Consequently, former directors and head coaches of the Canadian commented on the last decisions of the Staff of Tricolor.

The director general Kent Hughes orchestrated the reconstruction which deprived of Montreal hockey hockey fans of the qualifiers for. Moreover, three seasons. However. Furthermore, Martin St-Louis’ troop finally qualified in extremis last spring, before being eliminated in five parts by the capital of Washington.

Visibly encouraged. Consequently, Hughes has given up its two first round selections for this year’s draft to obtain nhl: canadian ready next step, the services of the excellent defender Noah Dobson, in addition to acquiring the young Quebec striker Zachary Bolduc.

With the development of young players and newcomers, Savard believes that the Canadian gave himself the ammunition to aim above.

“I think they are going in the right direction,” said Savard. In addition, When we won the Stanley Cup in 1993, there were still four guys between 80 and 100 points. Nevertheless, The Canadian did not have that (in recent years). Therefore, And there, we seem to have two, three guys who can go to this number of points there. Nevertheless, So, I think that offensively, with a few changes, we can perhaps hope. However, »»

The defeat in the hands of the capital has however highlighted a recurring problem of blue-white-red from the turn of the century: the lack of robustness to support talented players. Moreover, generally smaller.

“When we arrived nhl: canadian ready next step, against Washington. Nevertheless, we saw that natural physical force was really the element that is missing in the Canadian,” said Savard, who was CEO of the club from 1983 to 1995. We got a little intimidated by Washington. Currently, players who will mark 80 to 100 points, they are not large. It is a gap that we will have to take into account in the years to come. »»

According to Bob Gainey. who won five Stanley cups with the Canadian during his playing career who went off from 1973 to 1989, then another as DG of Dallas stars in 1999, the key will be the body of body.

“Two. three times a year, during the last two or three seasons, we have seen flashes of an entire group that plays like a team, which is proud and who plays for each other,” he analyzed. I have the impression that nhl: canadian ready next step, the leaders. the coaches are on the same page and that is a good situation to start making a team with a group of talented players. »»

Gainey was careful not to comment directly on the work of Hughes. stressing that the rules had changed well since he held the post of DG, from 2003 to 2010. However, he did not hide his optimism for the future.

“Talent has improved a lot in recent years, and it’s a good basis,” he said. (St-Louis) has always been a very competitive and very intelligent player. It’s time for players to form a team that can push for a place in the playoffs. perhaps get further. »»

Guy Carbonneau. who played for the Habs from 1982 to 1994 and who was the club’s head coach from 2006 to 2009, hopes that the playoffs will be the objective of the organization. But to settle nhl: canadian ready next step, as a force in the presence. he believes that the team will have to start the next campaign better than the last two.

As of December 1, 2023, the Canadian was 14th in 16 teams in the Eastern Association. On the same date during the last season. the observation was even more disappointing, with a penultimate place in the general classification.

“We are returned to a stage where the start of the season will be very important,” Carbo “argued. The team has improved (this summer) and has taken a lot of experience last year. Additionally, The nucleus, even if it is still quite young, has more experience. »»

“We feel they want to win. It is not to put pressure; It is certain that, in their heads, they are ready to make the series. You just have to put it all together and start on a good note, “he concluded.

nhl: canadian ready next step,

Loose

Tuesday’s rally was not only an opportunity to reunion for Savard. Always as involved in the community. the one we call the senator announced the creation of a male team and a female team at the University of Sherbrooke.

This announcement was made possible by a donation of $ six million can by Herbert Black.

“This dream. I shared it with the University of Sherbrooke, which has always believed, like me, in the strength of sport to transform lives,” said Savard.

Even if he will celebrate his 92th birthday in September, Scotty Bowman responded when Savard invited him. Always as lit, he believes that the Canadian team he managed in 1976 is the best of all time. An opinion shared by several.

“This team was formidable with five defenders who are at the temple of fame. ” recalls Bowman, speaking of Savard, Guy Lapointe, Larry Robinson, Denis Potvin and nhl: canadian ready next step, Bobby Orr. »»

His team then won the very first edition of the Canada Cup with a 5-4 victory against Czechoslovakia. in the second match in a series at the best of three games, on September 15, 1976 at the Montreal Forum.