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To kick-off proceedings, the Canadiens announced on their social media account to Mike Matheson would now be wearing the “A… left vacant by Joel Edmundson’s departure. Every single player who commented on the nomination said it was the right choice considering what he brings to the team, how he handles himself and how he takes care of himself. Furthermore, Gallagher added that since Suzuki and himself were forwards, it was good to have a defenseman who’s at the other end of the bench join the leadership group.
à‡a y est ✨
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2023
Officially official#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7pTHotSvCV
Clearly, Geoff Molson, Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes, and Martin St-Louis had a meeting in readiness of this media opportunity as they were all singing from the same songbook, putting emphasis on the fact that while expectations would be higher for the Habs, but it’s not about the standings, but about the growth both of individual players and of the team’s collective play. At the same time, we can also expect more accountability to be asked from players who are further along in their development. Gorton made reporters chuckle when he refused to use the “P word…, but not as much as Kent Hughes did by opening with: “For me it’s the Stanley Cup or nothing… and then bursting out laughing. Management hopes that fans will be patient with this rebuild and that they should be since most of the team’s players have yet to reach their ceiling, meaning that it will be interesting to see them progress every year.
Kent Hughes spoke to recently appointed Director Sports Medicine, Performance and Head Athletic Therapist Jim Ramsay in Brossard last week and Ramsay told him that there already were 45 players in town training together, well in advance of training camp. For Hughes, this shows that the players are eager to get going and like spending time together since they’re here so early. As for Ramsay’s role, the general manager hopes he can establish a good relationship with the players and get to a point where he can protect them from themselves and tell them they need to wait until they’re fully healthy to get back in the roster.
Marty St-Louis made it clear that as of now, he doesn’t know who’ll be playing with Suzuki and Caufield nor does he know if Dach will be used down the middle or on the wing. The coach approaches camp with a fully open mind and that includes newly acquired Alex Newhook. He made a point of not watching videos of him from Colorado, he knows his assets, he’s a speedy guy who can fly and be a great playmaker, but he wants to see him perform in the Montreal Canadiens’ environment.
Some of the players also spoke to the media prior to teeing off. Josh Anderson said that he hoped to be a better leader and find some consistency this season. Juraj Slafkovsky looked thinner than he did last season and he confirmed that he felt really good on his body. The young Slovak confirmed he’s 100% healthy and wants to play more and be better but he leaves who he’ll be playing with to the coaches and if he also said that if he could go back in time a year, he would tell himself to have confidence in himself.
Sniper Cole Caufield was asked about his objective this season, how many goals he wanted to score and like a real team player, he replied that he doesn’t really have that kind of objective, because there’s much more to the game than goals. The diminutive winger also confirmed that his shoulder is feeling better than ever and he added that everyone can lead in their own way on a team, he feels he can lead by example and that his voice can reach the younger guys.
Kirby Dach seemed pumped for the new season and said that he wants to come to the rink with a good mindset and focus on what he can improve on his game, he also praised the Canadiens’ positive locker-room adding that it’s a big help. The big center confirmed that he did like playing with Suzuki and Caufield last season, they all know where to be and make reads off each other, that doesn’t mean that’s where he’ll land this season though.
Captain Nick Suzuki was asked to comment on the expectations for the team this season and couldn’t help but say that the team doesn’t play not to win and that it should be every team’s goal to make the playoffs. On Alex Newhook, Suzuki said that he has looked very good in the team’s unofficial practices in Brossard and that he’ll get more opportunities and ice time to show what he can do here than he did in Colorado.
As for alternate captain Brendan Gallagher, for him, it’s up to the team to improve and make a push to improve in the standings, if it’s got to come this year, it has to be early on, so we need to start strong and build momentum. The veteran winger is still confident that he can play to his past 30-goal level, if he can manage to stay healthy. Unfortunately, he cannot change the way he’s wired so he’ll still be putting his body on the line to block shots, but St-Louis has worked with him on picking his moments better to invest a lot of energy.
Right now, everyone is saying the right things and just watching the interview made me crave for hockey’s return even more. Rookie camp will open on the 13th of September while the main camp will start on 21st September. It’s worth noting that the Habs’ games in the prospects’ tournaments will be streamed live on the RDS.ca. Hang tight everyone, there are fun times ahead!
Des joueurs des Canadiens sont en direct du podium B au tournoi de golf annuel de l’équipe.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 11, 2023
Canadiens players address the media live from Podium B at the team's annual golf tournament.
#GoHabsGo https://t.co/jXqcTbK7ue