Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson is “not interested in excuses.” He only wants to find ways to get the Habs back on track, after they “hit a bump in the road” in 2015-16.
“As far as what to expect in the offseason,” Molson wrote on the club’s website, “I will let our hockey operations team, led by Marc Bergevin and Michel Therrien, detail these in due time. When you have a disappointing season like the one we just had, no stone can be left unturned in looking for ways to improve. You have my full commitment that we will do everything possible to improve our team.
“This being said, despite subpar results this season, stability in our approach remains the focus. The mark of all good organizations in sports is stability and long-term vision. I remain convinced that we have a strong foundation of core players and veterans, as well as younger players with promising futures.”
The Canadiens, of course, were largely undone this season by the injury to Carey Price. Their problems extended beyond that, yes, but when you go from having the NHL’s best goaltending to having pretty much the opposite, it’s going to show up in the results.
Of note, Molson’s commitment to “stability,” as well as his nod to the Canadiens’ “strong foundation of core players,” would seem to fly in the face of the trade rumors surrounding P.K. Subban.
Today, Subban laughed off the notion that there was a rift between him and captain Max Pacioretty...
#Habs Subban laughing about his supposed rift with Pacioretty: "Do I have to make out with him to prove I like him?" 1/2
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) April 11, 2016
2/2 #Habs Subban then immediately interrupted Pacioretty's scrum to go over and hug him in the middle of an answer.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) April 11, 2016
...while first-line winger Brendan Gallagher spoke glowingly about Subban.
"Everyone respects P.K. and everyone wants to follow him. He’s one of our best players. He’s a leader" - Brendan Gallagher
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 11, 2016
Bergevin, Therrien, and Molson will hold a joint press conference later today.
Updates from the press conference:
There it is: Bergevin says Therrien and staff will all be back except Craig Ramsey #Habson690
— Joey Alfieri (@joeyalfieri) April 11, 2016
Bergevin says his intention is not to trade P.K. Subban. Although fell short of guaranteeing that. No-move kicks in July 1 for Subban
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 11, 2016