Analysis | The suspense remains

Nothing so unusual since his return to play, except that it took place in the middle of the match, in his area and his defender passed behind his net at the same time. A gesture, let’s say… unprecedented.

Unprecedented, a bit like everything surrounding this end of the season for the famous goalkeeper. These frequent visits to his children during breaks during games, these rave reviews from his teammates towards him, this impromptu visit to his orthopedic surgeon in New York and this ultimate return for the last game of the season, a joyous victory of 10 -2 of the Canadian against the school club of the Florida Panthers.

Already, Friday morning at training, Martin St-Louis said that what will follow [après le match]I have no idea.

We would have liked to ask the main interested party the question, but the goalkeeper let the members of the media down after the match due to the very festive atmosphere in the CH locker room. We can understand it. It will only be postponed anyway, the team taking its season report from Saturday.

Pierre Gervais, the team’s 35-year equipment manager who retired on Friday night, admitted it was a possibility.

He will take stock with his doctors this summer and we will hope that he can play a few more seasons. added Gervais.

St-Louis, much less talkative, simply said he had no no idea of what the future held for Price. He didn’t tell him about that, the coach added.

Despite everything, there was this atmosphere of the last supper in the press conferences after the match. Without the question concerning Price, Pierre Gervais launched that he was really happy for him.

” It doesn’t matter that he is the best goalkeeper, he is an extraordinary person. I often had the chance to meet him alone in the locker room in the morning. He is an extraordinary man »

Gervais then dove into his memories.

When I think of Carey Price, I think of Sochi. This guy, never seen that. Even my acolytes, the guy with me worked for Rangers and he was like, ‘Who is that guy? He arrived first, in a suit, cowboy hat, so focused. It was amazing. In Sochi, honestly, there was no doubt in my mind that we won the gold medal. Carey was invincibletold the sympathetic gentleman.

In short, all that to say that we sing his praises, that he himself behaves like a man aware of his privilege and that he wants to enjoy it a little longer, for one last time, before leaving.

But who knows deep down? We will know soon enough.

Clearer for the coach

Martin St-Louis first told RDS immediately after the meeting that he was pretty sure to be behind the bench next season.

Less affirmative in a press briefing, he simply agreed that it is [son] goal.

I wanted to finish the season. I didn’t want to start dealing with that, thinking about that. We will have discussions in the next few hours he explained.

It should be noted that the interim coach of the Canadiens does not intend to move his family if he ever extends his association with the Habs.

His wife and children have remained in Connecticut for the past few months while he took up residence in Quebec, as is often the custom in this environment, especially when a change takes place in the middle of the season.

On the other hand, it is rarer to see a coach leaving his family behind when his position becomes stable and the medium-term future is more predictable. Claude Julien, for example, had repatriated all his people to the province after completing the 2016-2017 campaign replacing Michel Therrien.

I am able to hold on at a distancehe assured.

St. Louis revived the group upon his arrival, but his ugly streak of nine losses in a row in regulation time came to tarnish the revival. He concludes his 37-game segment with a 14-19-4 record and the 24th position overall during the streak. An improvement, of course, not enough to break the champagne either.

The extension of the contract, however, seems more than a formality now.

St. Louis said hockey was always on his mind when he played, even in the summer, and he didn’t think he was much different now that he was in charge of the team.

The wheel spins. I’m sure I’ll be the same as a coach. I love hockey. Even more playoff hockey. I’m going to watch a lot of playoff hockey. And not just as an amateur, if you know what I meanhe launched, the eye mocking.

We understand Martin, we understand.

Under the aegis of the Quebecer, some players have regained their superb, Cole Caufield at the top of the list. Thanks to his hat trick on Friday night, the little American finished top of the CH scorers under St-Louis with 35 points, including 22 goals, in 37 games.

I won’t lie, the start of the season has not been easy. It was frustrating, it was difficult. It’s hard to receive negative feedback. I learned a lot this year about perseverance and finding the resources to motivate yourself. Outside noise can affect you. What’s important is what the people in the room and the coaches think of you. It’s nice to be back where you thought you should benoted Caufield, a bit of a philosopher.

Nevertheless, the work has only just begun for St-Louis, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton. When the veil is lifted on Carey Price’s future, it will be easier for them. Slightly. At least everyone will know what to expect.

Funny way to end a season. A season in which the CH broke its record of defeats in regulation time (49), allowed the first goal 52 times, gave 5 goals and more 31 times, gave 317 goals to the opponent, a threshold never reached before.

On the other hand, there is nothing surprising in this considering the last 16 months experienced by this team. It’s unique, incredible. Why not a little last chapter…