Earlier this week, I gave you a detailed breakdown of Philip Danault and Claude Julien’s end of the year media availability because those were the ones with the most interesting content, now that the dust has settled, here are the highlights of what Tomas Tatar, Jeff Petry and Jesperi Kotkaniemi had to say.
Tomas Tatar
On what his life has been like since coming to Montreal and what could make him want to extend his contract: I’ve been blessed since I came here, I’ve been fortunate to make a lot of friends even outside of hockey and I fell in love with the city which reminds me of home. I’ve even found a soccer team I can support. Management is doing great things with this team and I would really like to be part of the future but it’s not always up to the players.
On what it was like in the bubble and the possibility to have the season in similar conditions: The bubble wasn’t easy but what we got out of it was really worth it. It brought us closer as a team and we saw what the future could be like with our young guys. I did miss my family and my friends but at the same time, it was awesome. As for the future, it’s hard to say… We want to play for our fans and we’re hoping for the best at the moment.
On whether he was frustrated by his lack of production in the playoffs: Not really. In the first series we had to play their top line and keep them in check which we did. I would have liked to be a bit more productive but overall, I was happy with what our line did (with Gallagher and Danault). While I wish I could have scored more, there’s lots of positives to take away and move forward with.
On the borders being closed and fearing the season may not start: We’re seeing what’s going on with the Blue Jays and the Impact of course, but we’ve got some time and hopefully, something good will happen. It’s still too far to know what’s going to happen… We like to play in front of our fans but it’s not in our hands, we’ve just got to pray for the best.
On Philip Danault’s future: He’s a great 2-way player, he does a tremendous job on our line and he’s not given enough credit for what he can do offensively. He’s a huge part of the reason why our line is clicking and has been for 2 years. We’ll see what the future brings, but for me he’s a key player and it would be hard to lose him. While our line was dismantled in the last round, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were back together at the start of the season.
On the flat cap’s influence: There’s going to be a lot of moving pieces across the league for sure, teams will have to take plenty of hard decisions… It’s unfortunate but it’s the way the world is right now, we’ll all have to live with that.
Now THAT is how you start a period. What a shot from Tomas Tatar. 👀#NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/5jEKKqUFlF
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 14, 2020
Jeff Petry
On what the team is missing to be a contender next season: The ability to score on a consistent basis has sort of been our downfall through the year and in the playoffs. Being able to play a defensive style is important but you need to generate offense, the league is moving towards more offense. If you go down by 2 and you’re not able to score to make it a game you’re not going to win. We are speedy but we lack in size. We need someone who has the ability to play that game of speed and skill but that also has size and can wreck havoc on the forecheck. We have some guys that bring that kind of game and the emergence of the young guys helps as well. I’m not the GM, “Berg… has a plan and he’ll see what he can do with the draft, trades and free agency. We’re not that far off, we’ve shown that we can compete with top teams night in and night out. Really, it’s a mix between adding little pieces here and there and making the most of the experience we’ve gained as a team during the playoffs.
On Luke Richardson: He’s one of the top coaches I’ve had. He’s got this calming presence behind the bench, he rarely yells. He’s been there, he’s played over a thousand games in this league and he knows that players will make mistakes here and there, that he doesn’t need to tell them when they get on the bench. He’s got experience and he has the ability to find the little things that will make us better, he’s been a great help with my defensive game.
On life in the bubble: It was definitely tough to miss my family and my kids. It wasn’t like an in-season road trip… Of course we made the most of the means we had to communicate but it’s hard when you skype with the kids and they ask in how many sleeps you’re coming home. You want to be there with them but at the same time, your goal is to win as many games as possible and you just can’t give them an answer. The kids do enjoy watching the games and being fans though, but it was great when I pulled in at him and I got to give them all a hug.
Awnnn :' )
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) August 24, 2020
🎥 https://t.co/BOQIBngWmu pic.twitter.com/0q1dbhEVtM
On where his head’s at when it comes to a new contract It’s been great since I got here 5 years ago, my wife and I have made a life for ourselves here, it’s definitely something to consider. Stability and knowing where you’ll be with the kids starting school and all that, that’s also something I have to think about at this stage. It’s got to be right for my career, but also for my family. Of course, both sides have to agree to even have an opportunity to come back, but if a call comes, I’m very interested and open to the possibility if I’m part of the team’s plans moving forward.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
On what made him play the way he did in the playoffs: It was just fun and a great experience for us and our team, it was really great there. I felt pretty good and I’m confident moving forward. Every year is a new start though and you have to do your best to earn your spot on the team.
On why he had a more physical style of play at the restart: Pretty much just for fun really. It’s part of the game and it keeps me sharp and involved at all times.
On what was eye opening about the playoffs experience: The game is a little different, simpler but more intense, there’s more speed and it’s also harder to score because teams play a better defense.
On what he would tell his former self if he could go back to the start of the year: Not much really. I just like moving forward, I focus on the future and I try not to think to much about the past.
On Philip Danault’s influence: He’s a real great guy, helps me a lot with the little things. He’s a big help for the young guys, we can always ask him about the defensive zone stuff as well.
On his mindset when he went back to Finland during the pause: I just needed a little reset really, I got a little bit of rest after the season and then worked as hard as I could because I wanted to feel good when it was time to step on the ice again.
On how it felt to hear Julien sing his praises in Brossard: It feels good you know, when the coach says nice things about you, it helps getting your confidence up.
On the fact that he effectively got Domi’s spot in Brossard and on it being a vote of confidence from the coach: I don’t know what the coach was thinking and exactly what his plan was but he’s the one who makes the decisions and he decides what’s best for us and we go with it.
On Bergevin’s comment about him and Suzuki being guys he can build around for 10-15 years: It always feels good to hear something like that, it means he trusts us. Nick and I are doing our best and we’re hoping it helps the team. I would love for us to be together and with the team for a long time. He’s definitely a fun guy to watch on the ice and he’s also a great guy off the ice, I enjoy spending time with him.
From Kotkaniemi to Suzuki. #FutureIsBright #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/oq3gZoQ3aA
— Mathieu Ducharme (@MatDucharme) August 22, 2020
In short, these interviews told us that both Tatar and Petry would be receptive to extending their stay in Montreal when their deal expire at the end of next season. Petry’s comments also suggest that he’s not all about the money and will take other factors into consideration, he did mention stability and what’s good for his family. I also really liked the fact that he was straightforward when asked what he thought the team needed to contend, he could have just said this is not my job, it’s the GM’s but no, he gave a thorough and frank answer. Let’s hope Marc Bergevin hears his message loud and clear. As for Kotkaniemi, you can still tell that English is not his first language and that he’s so very young… He’s very careful about what he says and keeps his answers short, clearly he remembers the first advice he got from his fellow Finns when he first arrived in Montreal.