Posted on by Jared Book
It’s that time of the year again. After two rookie showdown games at the Bell Centre, the big guns are all at the Montreal Canadiens’ golf tournament which always signals the start of a new season.
The theme this season, the third full season under Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes, is one of optimism and that is indicated by the quotes from the team’s leadership as the media availabilities got underway, starting with owner Geoff Molson.
Molson says what he’s learned through the process of the rebuild is that fans wanted this and they’re behind it. Added that they can see the light at end of the tunnel. Making the decision to go for a rebuild was tough.
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
Gorton says he’s confident that the offense will take care of itself this season… but to be successful this year it’s clear that team defense needs to be better. #Habs
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
Gorton says he had good conversations with Laine about his past and his career. They feel confident the decision to bring him in is a risk worth taking. #Habs
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
The team commented on the addition of coaching consultant Roger Grillo as well.
#Habs GM Kent Hughes says Roger Grillo will not be behind the #GoHabsGo bench during the games – head coach Martin St-Louis will touch on Roger's role more when he speaks to the media shortly.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) September 16, 2024
“We have a group of players who are positive and believe in themselves,” says general manager Kent Hughes.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« On a un groupe de joueurs qui sont positifs et qui croient en eux ! »
– Kent Hughes
“For us to move forward, the players need to get experience in games that matter and that are more important” – Hughes
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Pour qu’on avance, il faut que les joueurs gagnent de l’expérience dans les matchs qui comptent et qui sont plus importants ! »
– Kent Hughes
Hughes says bringing in Laine was in part about rewarding current player for their effort and showing them mgmt is behind them in winning. He then added that they’re not expecting him to be a savior & understand the situation he’s coming off #Habs pic.twitter.com/f4TvbnKMmw
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
“We want to be hard to play against,” says head coach Martin St-Louis.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« On veut être difficile à affronter ! »
– Martin St-Louis
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024St Louis says aside from Laine there is not a lot of changes. He likes the continuity & believes it will help them this season. Very excited about roster “a lot it be excited about”
For him being “in the mix” means sticking to the process and it will all come together
St-Louis says that while there may not be a lot of spots that seem available at camp, there’s always places that are available, even when you don’t think there are. You need to force our hand and steal a chair.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Il y a toujours des postes de disponibles, même quand tu penses qu’il n’y en a pas, tu dois forcer la main et voler une chaise ! »
– Martin St-Louis
Patrik Laine was the first player to speak to the media.
— Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieTSN) September 16, 2024Patrik Laine on expectations of his play:
“Stay healthy and have a good time. When you do those two things there’s a really good chance for success.” #Habs pic.twitter.com/7mnKDGMngQ
Laine re: his expectations that he wants to stay healthy & have fun. Says it’s no secret last few years have been tough but he’s confident that if he can stay on ice & have fun it will all come together. Says he thinks it’s great fans here care & get pissed with losing #Habs pic.twitter.com/M5klsKygDW
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024Laine says he’s learned that this is just a game and there is always another one and that this year will be a good test mentally for him. Adds that he’s entering his prime and has many good years to come.
“I’m here to have a good time” #Habs
Cole Caufield says the goal is to play meaningful games as long as possible into the season.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« On veut jouer des matchs significatifs le plus longtemps possible! »
– Cole Caufield
Caufield “were trending in the right direction” #Habs pic.twitter.com/M8U8Xp7GXJ
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
What does Juraj Slafkovský expect to see this season? More goals and more wins. He adds it’s also nice to see Kirby Dach healthy and the addition of Patrik Laine.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Plus de buts, plus de victoires! C'est bien d'avoir Kirby en santé en plus de l'ajout de Patrik Laine. »
– Juraj Slafkovsky
Nick Suzuki says he believes the team will surprise a lot of people this year.
« Je crois qu’on va en surprendre plusieurs cette année. » – Nick Suzuki pic.twitter.com/XVNsFiq12o
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) September 16, 2024
Suzuki says #Habs are “being slept on pretty hard right now” and he likes being in that position
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
Nick Suzuki says Lane Hutson reminds him of another player in the NHL when it comes to his skating: Quinn Hughes. “It’s impressive,” he says.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Il me fait beaucoup penser à Quinn Hughes de la façon dont il patine ! C’est impressionnant. »
– Nick Suzuki à propos de Lane Hutson
Matheson says it’s clear that every team is saying at this time of year things like “in the mix” and playoffs is at least the goal. But what makes it real for him with #Habs is what he’s seen over last few seasons and how things have been building pic.twitter.com/AfdDnB9UPm
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
#Habs Juraj Slafkovský says he now weighs 101kg (almost 223lbs)
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) September 16, 2024
Kirby Dach is excited. He says he’s had a good summer and is impatient to jump on the ice for the season.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Je suis excité ! J’ai eu un bon été et je suis impatient de sauter sur la patinoire pour la saison. »
– Kirby Dach
Dach says that “everything happens for a reason” re: getting injured last season and he took time to learn from press box and it doesn’t feel like a “lost season” #Habs pic.twitter.com/pJcaDMYV1M
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
Montembeault – says hoping to be good enough to be in conversation to be one of 3 goalies part of team Canada at four nations face off this winter #Habs pic.twitter.com/fBUolZnzYk
— Douglas Gelevan (@DGelevan) September 16, 2024
— Kenzie Lalonde (@KenzieTSN) September 16, 2024Kirby Dach says he feels 100%.
“I felt like I was ready to play games at the end of last year.”
When discussing lineup, Dach shares his preference is centre, but will play wherever needed. #Habs pic.twitter.com/97X1ImesVF
“Our goal is to climb the mountain. The young players are ready to put in the work so that we continue to improve,” says David Savard.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« Notre but est de remonter la pente, les jeunes sont prêts à mettre le travail pour qu'on continue de s'améliorer! »
– David Savard
David Savard says it’s going to good to have Dach back in the lineup and says that when he was injured, they spent many nights together watching the games.
— RDS (@RDSca) September 16, 2024« De ravoir Kirby, ça va faire du bien. Quand j'étais blessé, on a passé plusieurs soirées ensemble à regarder les matchs! »
– David Savard
With Alex Burrows leaving the Canadiens’ bench, Martin St-Louis confirms he will take over coaching the power play.
#Habs Martin St-Louis says he will take over the powerplay duties with Alex Burrows moving on from the coaching staff.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) September 16, 2024
