Canadiens’ Josh Anderson struggles with lack of production

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All of the unbridled optimism Josh Anderson talked about last September at the Canadiens’ annual golf tournament now seems like a distant memory as his season continues to spiral downward.

Disappointment is vividly etched in his eyes and echoes in his voice as he meets with the media, perhaps reluctantly, forced to repeatedly answer the same questions about his lack of production.

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Seven goals and 15 points in 51 games simply aren’t enough for a veteran player who earns an annual salary of $8 million, although his cap hit is a more modest $5.5 million. It was former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin who signed Anderson to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract in October 2020, shortly after acquiring him in a trade for Max Domi. Even worse, the 6-foot-3, 224-pound power forward could be considered a defensive liability, at -21.

Anderson, 29, was the subject of repeated trade rumors last season. But with the March 8 trade deadline quickly approaching, speculation this season is much quieter. Still, Anderson admits it’s hard not to look at his stats and feel a little dejected. He said that he sometimes puts too much emphasis on a player’s statistics. Of course, what else can he say?

“Maybe a little bit,” he said Tuesday, following the Canadiens’ practice at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard. “Usually when I stick to my game and play the right way, those things find a way to help you. I just have to get back to the basics.”

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There are still 27 games left in Montreal, enough time for Anderson to try to salvage something positive. But he’s unlikely to match the 21 goals he produced last season in 69 games before suffering a sprained ankle in late March against Tampa Bay. Anderson’s biggest concern heading into a new season was converting the numerous escapades he enjoyed a year ago.

He didn’t score his first goal until December 4, against Seattle, and that came into an empty net. There was a productive stretch later that month, during which Anderson scored five goals and one assist in a five-game span. But he has been limited to four points in 15 games since Jan. 1.

Despite all of this, head coach Martin St. Louis has never questioned Anderson’s work ethic and desire, and seems willing to go to the wall for him while remaining patient. On Tuesday, Anderson was practicing on the Canadiens’ second line, with Alex Newhook and rookie Joshua Roy.

St. Louis seems determined to give Anderson a break when it would be just as easy, in his role, to step in.

“I don’t think it’s the same for every player,” St. Louis said. “It’s about understanding personalities, the individual. You always have to keep that in mind. There is not one (thing) that works for this guy and that will work for another and that will work for that (other) guy. We are all different. I guess you have to try to manage everyone the way they should be managed.”

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Anderson said he is focusing on his game in the defensive zone as he tries to become more aggressive. He realizes that he must be a 200-foot player, given the speed he still possesses. And he should try to give his linemates space, given his imposing size.

“Try not to get marked,” he said. “I think that’s been happening too much lately. I’m trying to find ways to get out of (her depression). Right now I’m trying to focus on being good in my defensive zone and just trying to pick up the pace…go to the net and maybe score a dirty goal when I can.

“Obviously I know the player I am, I’m physical at times and I try to generate energy for our team. “I’m just trying to focus on that point.”

The Canadiens (22-25-8) will try to end a two-game losing streak on Wednesday night. (7 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM) against the Buffalo Sabers before a pair of road games in Pittsburgh and New Jersey on Thursday and Saturday afternoons, respectively. Montreal remains 12 points behind Detroit for the last wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Winger Cole Caufield (therapy day) did not practice Tuesday. St. Louis couldn’t identify its starting goaltender against Buffalo.

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