Martin St-Louis is clear in his announcement: “I don’t yet know what our team will look like in September. There’s the draft, there’s the unrestricted free agent market, in short, many changes could happen, but the most important thing is the development of our young players and also the establishment of the organizational culture. »
He came back to the subject several times. He prepared the ground during his press conference. He was careful not to elaborate on expectations for next season. Instead, he focused the discussion on younger players.
St-Louis quickly learned how to deal with the media. As a player, however, he liked to stay away from members of the press.
“Let’s say it’s different now. Regular meetings with media representatives are part of the job description. »
And he quickly attracted attention by making specific remarks, with explanations that surprise because they do not belong to the stereotypes of professional ice hockey.
respect for tradition
And when he talks about culture, that’s at the heart of the operation.
We want the team to bring together players who respect tradition, who understand the full importance of the market Canadians are evolving in, players who show passion who want to improve, skaters on whom we will build a solid one.
Because of this, St-Louis insists he’s always fueled victory. But that we also had to be realistic. “We develop players with wins, but defeats can also contribute to development, we mustn’t forget that. St-Louis is under no illusions, especially as the organization still has a long way to go before it can compete on the same level as the league’s powerhouses. He can still dream of making the playoffs next year, but that too is a dream in colour. The corporate goal remains culture and to achieve this we must bet on the development of young skaters every day.
He knows the subject well. He also specifies that he did not ask for any changes or new staff during the contract negotiations. That’s the job of Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes.
“When you play cards, you have to deal with those you’ve been dealt. Sometimes you can achieve beautiful things, who knows. It is not written that the best hand always wins. »
Gorton and Hughes will provide him with skaters, he knows most of those who will make up the next edition, but it is expected that if the two CH deciders manage to add more flexibility to their payroll, their coach the opportunity to do so will achieve goals faster than expected.
Organization relaunch
But again, we must remember a comment by Hughes on the Canadian’s first pick: “We will not be picking an athlete for one season… but a skater who can make a huge contribution to revitalizing the organization.” »
A difficult challenge for the three new team leaders.
At first glance, fans very well understand the situation in which the Canadians find themselves. In the past, as Serge Savard often repeated, the Canadian was doomed to win. This currently does not apply.
The business model
I am aware that in professional sports only results count.
On the other hand, it takes a solid business model to win back the trust of laypeople. When a formation finishes last in the standings, it needs to have a plan. Gorton knows that well and can only celebrate with Rangers as he prepares for next season with Kent Hughes. After all, didn’t he prepare the organization’s recovery plan?
We rely heavily on St-Louis to implement the new company philosophy. On the one hand because his vision is new in the art of leading a party of 23 players and he quickly convinced the players to embark on the adventure.
And last year, the team’s veterans were quickly won over by their new coach’s concept. This is already a promising start.
That he was granted a three-year deal may come as a surprise given that a five-year deal was expected. But let’s not forget that we always remain in the unknown. This is the first time he will manage the 82-game team. However, the team’s performances over the past year have confirmed that he has what it takes to be a top manager.
He has three years to achieve his goals. Like the players, he too will progress in a role he has come to know in such a short time.
That’s a wise choice…