Management changes make Jeff Petry’s future with Canadiens uncertain

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Former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin made his second major commitment to Jeff Petry last year, signing the defender to a four-year, $ 25 million contract extension that began this season.

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Bergevin’s first commitment to Petry was a six-year, $ 33 million contract he gave to the defender after acquiring him in a trade deadline deal with the Edmonton Oilers in 2015.

Petry also made two big commitments to the Canadians and the city of Montreal.

“There were many things that ultimately influenced the signing of this agreement,” Petry said after signing his current contract. “Term factors, family, dollars. I think overall my wife (Julie) and I got into a comfortable position that we felt was good for us, being comfortable where we live, knowing how much I enjoy playing for this organization, how the organization has treated my wife and family. . So it all had to do with the decision. “

Now Bergevin has been fired as general manager and the future in Montreal is not so secure for Petry and her family, which includes three young children.

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If Jeff Gorton, the new executive vice president of hockey operations, and whoever the next general manager is decide to do a rebuild, the 33-year-old Petry is one of the players they would likely be looking to move to. According to CapFriendly.com Petry’s contract allows him to present a no-trade list to 15 teams and the fact that he struggled this season at 0-2-2 totals in 24 games could make his move difficult.

“Every time there is a change, they are going to come in, assess the situation and make a decision about what they want to do in the future, what the team will look like in the next stage,” Petry said after Wednesday’s practice at Brossard. “Obviously, you have to make decisions and we are all aware of this. So it’s none of my business. With the decisions they are going to make, you cannot control that situation, so there is no point in losing sleep over it.

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“When you arrive later in your career, as I am, you know that time is not on your side,” added Petry. “So that is a decision that they must make and be aware of what they are going to do, that helps you to read the situation if it is going to be a five-year process, a two-year process, it changes depending on the decisions that they take. So right now you can’t make up your mind and judge what it will be like. “

Petry and Bergevin had a close relationship, which also influenced the defender’s decision to stay in Montreal.

“He’s a guy who saw my potential when I was with Edmonton and brought me here to finish that year and gave me a contract, two contracts, I should say,” Petry said. “I owe him a lot and I thanked him for everything he has done for this team, this organization and for me during the last seven years that I have been here.

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“I think Berg was a guy who liked being around the guys and taking the pulse of the room while there,” added Petry. “He was a guy whose door was always open and he had that open communication and he helped the boys. I was on another team where the opposite was true. He didn’t see much of the general manager. “

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