At the trade deadline, the Canadiens acquired the enigmatic striker Denis Gurianov Dallas Stars in return for veteran forward Evgenii Dadonov.
Since arriving in Montreal, Gurianov has done well, with 5 goals and 1 assist for 6 points in 11 games.
He who is mainly used on the first two lines and on the power play by his head coach while the infirmary is overflowing with the Canadian, we asked at the press briefing to Martin St. Louis if Gurianov had what it takes to be a regular Top-6 player in the NHL.
St. Louis left no ambiguity in its response.
“He’s got a Top-6 shot. He’s got the speed of a Top-6. But to be a Top-6 in the NHL, it takes more than that because usually you play against Top-6s a lot. other side. Just be fast and get a good shot, it’s not enough. You have to be able to play the game. You have to bring consistency and it takes a game of 200 feet. If you’re not able to play a game of 200 feet, you better score 50!”
– Martin St. Louis
Clearly, Gurianov has undeniable natural assets with an elite throw and good speed, as St. Louis says. However, there’s a reason the Dallas Stars ended up giving up on such a high 1st round pick.
It is on this aspect that the head coach of the CH tries to work with him, affirming that the main interested party asks a lot of questions and tries to learn the system of the team well.
It is now up to him to grasp the obvious message sent by his coach.
- 25 years old, Denis Gurianov compiles a record of 7 goals and 8 assists for a total of 15 points in 54 games so far this season. He will become a restricted free agent this summer.
See the press briefing in its entirety below.
