Follow me @KarineHains for all updates about the Montreal Canadiens and women's hockey Follow @Karinehains
Kent Hughes is in it for the long haul, the general manager is intent on building a contender and doing it the right way, which means it will not happen overnight. Even when a team drafts a generational player, it takes time to see results. Ask the Oilers, McDavid didn’t solve their woes instantly, they are still trying to get to the ultimate prize. Look at the Penguins, Crosby was drafted in 2005, but they only lifted the Cup in 2009 and that was with three other core pieces in place: Malkin, Letang and Fleury. Pittsburgh took great care to build on all fronts, on the attack, on the defense and in net.
There are people saying that the Canadiens now have a solid prospect pool on the back end but no attack to speak of. Picking 5th overall last time around, the Habs couldn’t get Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli or Will Smith, they were off the board. For Hughes and co. at five, David Reinbacher was the best player available. When deciding who’s the best player available, it’s not just about who scores the most highlight reel goals, there’s more to hockey than putting on a show.
The Habs brass felt that at this stage, the best piece for their puzzle was right shot defenseman David Reinbacher. Hughes called him a diamond in the rough and director of scouting Nick Bobrov said that character was an important factor in their decision. You can make what you want of that affirmation, but ultimately It comes down to building a real winning culture and a team that will have cohesion and chemistry.
If you are upset about the fact that the Canadiens picked yet another defender in a draft that was very deep up front, remember that the team will be built not just from this draft but from all the ones before it, the ones after it and via trades and free agency. You may say that the Canadiens have no superstar on the attack and right now, that’s true. However, the likes of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Kirby Dach, Juraj Slafkovsky and even Alex Newhook are not done developing. We don’t know for sure yet where their ceiling will be, nobody does.
Coache's Video: Cole Caufield 23 goals in 111 seconds.
Watch all of his goals from this season 2021-2022. 18 goals in his last 41 games and only one in his first 30 games.
In a few years, when the Canadiens are much deeper in this rebuild and they are ready to contend, the Habs brass will take stock and see what’s missing. At that stage, it will be time to go hunting on the free agency market for what’s missing. Yes, attracting free agents is not easy but under this new administration, we’ve seen the Canadiens move into the future, hire new coaches, and use techniques of today. Player have been singing Martin St-Louis’ praises and the team’s two best forward have signed on for the maximum term of 8-years, that sends a message league wide that the Tricolore is doing something right.
In other words, don’t go to the Bell Center this season to chuck your jerseys on the ice, this isn’t Toronto. This is a passionate market which is hungry for a contender, but to get a contender, you’ve got to endure the building process. The tearing down of this franchise was long overdue, but the powers that be had always refused to commit to it, they preferred to go for a quick reset and try to make the playoffs before hoping that Carey Price could take them to the promised land. Now, though, they do not want to put all of their eggs in the same basket, they’re hoping to build a real team and I for one have no issue with that.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»