MONTRÉAL – Struck by COVID at the same time as his team was struck by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Marc Bergevin needed a dozen hours to put the virus in check.
“COVID has hit hard,” said the director general at the outset in a telephone interview at the end of the afternoon on Saturday.
“I had a fever, a cough, I was really struck,” added Bergevin, whose wife was not spared by the virus.
Despite the consequences that he and his wife have suffered, the CEO of the Habs, however, touches wood: he is convinced that the chances of transmission of the virus to the rest of the team are slim. Almost zero. “I have not had direct contact with the guys and members of the staff before Thursday’s game. And after the game, I was so cursed that I came home at the end of the third. I did not go down to the locker room, ”explained Bergevin.
Ducharme in safety
While it took only 12 hours to rule out the worst backlash associated with COVID, Marc Bergevin agrees that it will be more difficult and longer to get his team out of the worst start to the season in its history.
Notice is launched to those who believe that a change behind the bench is necessary: Dominique Ducharme is safe. At least for now.
“There is no question of making a bang just to make a splash. Yes Judgment had been at the helm of the club for years and was convinced that the players were no longer following him, I might consider this option. But Dominique turned the team around when he came in last season. It’s the same guy delivering the same message today that led this team to the Stanley Cup final. Dominique adjusted things. He made decisions – it’s with 7 defensemen and 11 forwards that the Canadian faced the Predators on Saturday at the Bell Center – and we’ll see how the guys react. But we cannot close our eyes to the injuries and think that it was possible to get out of it despite the losses of Shea Weber, Carey Price, Joel Edmundson, Paul Byron and the departures of Danault, Tatar and KK ”, a agreed the general manager.
Suzuki in Montreal to stay
And a transaction, or even transactions?
“I speak with all the clubs and keep up to date. But what would it be like to change a guy from the fourth line for another guy from the fourth line? Nick (Suzuki) and Cole (Caufield) are the names that keep coming up when it comes to big deals. And these two guys are in Montreal to stay. If I receive an offer that allows me to improve the team, I will definitely consider it. But there is no question of panicking. Also, the way the guys are playing right now, the values are not optimal. It doesn’t help, ”Bergevin explained.
The general manager also assured that despite the catastrophic start to the season of the team and the fact that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make up for the accumulated delay in the standings to reach the playoffs, no player has hit. at his door to claim a transaction.
That said, does the uncertainty surrounding Marc Bergevin’s future at the head of the Canadiens prevent him from carrying out important transactions or the dismissal of his coach?
“Nothing has changed about my situation. But I have almost daily conversations with Geoff (Molson) whether it’s over the phone or via text. He is aware of everything that is going on. I always informed him of my intentions in the past and I will do so again today. “
It will take more than the return of the wounded
Although he insists on the consequences of injuries to explain, at least in part, the setbacks of his team, Marc Bergevin recognizes that these injuries, as important as they are, do not justify everything.
The lack of commitment of its players is also at the top of the list of many disappointments collected by Bergevin.
“We are better than what we have been offering our fans since the start of the season. I knew it would be difficult to reach the level of playoff performance, but not to the point of having 15 losses after 19 games. The guys had a very short time off because of our presence in the grand final. The injuries didn’t help. It’s clear. But the guys aren’t there too often physically and mentally. It is inexcusable to play as we did on Thursday, “admitted Bergevin, who does not believe that his coach has to” break everything “in the locker room to get better involvement from his players.
“The era of crises and threats is long past. You have to involve the guys in the process that will bring us back to victories. AND it will start with their level of engagement. The return of the wounded will help. A guy like Carey can get the club out of a lethargy with a big performance. But it’s gonna take more than that. It’s going to take everyone’s involvement. “
By the way, is Carey Price getting closer to his goal?
“We’re going to give him all the time he needs. He came back in shape from his time away from the team. He must go through all the necessary steps both physically and mentally. We made a plan with him and his progress will dictate what happens next. “
The general manager assures, however, that despite the importance of the returns of Price, Edmundson and the other injured, it will be necessary to be patient.
“The feedback from Carey andEddy (Joel Edmundson) will help a lot. Joel will definitely help Jeff Petry get back to his level of play. They were very good together last year. Eddy was perhaps our most consistent defender last year. But we’ll have to be patient with him and the other injured who missed training camp. It will take them several games before they regain their optimal form. “
Norlinder and Sweden?
Confined at home for a period of 10 days, it is from afar that the general manager will follow the matches of his team. Perhaps this hindsight will allow him to see things differently.
This prospect will allow him to mature the decisions that will soon have to be taken with the young players in his organization.
While it’s clear Cole Caufield is part of the Canadiens’ long-term plans, the GM isn’t ruling out the possibility of returning him to Laval.
“He was playing well with the school club and we needed help scoring goals. We will give him the chance to justify his presence with the big club. If he does not succeed, he will develop in Laval, ”mentioned the general manager who assures that he does not intend to make him shuttle between the NHL and the American League.
As for Mattias Norlinder, it is likely that he will soon head to his native Sweden to join his club (Frölunda) in the first division.
“Mattias missed camp too. We cannot judge him by what we see at the moment. He will play a few games and we will have to make a decision quickly. It is possible that he will return to Sweden, ”admitted Bergevin.
Under an agreement between the Canadian and the Frölunda club, the management of the Habs must make room for the defender with the big club otherwise they must return him to Sweden. Which will not be a drama since he could continue his development in a solid league.
What about Cayden Primeau?
“The plans haven’t changed. We want him to play and play a lot. Once Jake (Allen) is able to return to the game and barring other injuries, Cayden will return to Laval to continue his development by playing as many games as possible with the Rocket. “
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