A season beyond expectations, a young team in full progress and a pilot among the three finalists competing for the title of head coach of the year. As a balance sheet day, we have already seen worse.
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Moreover, it is the look to the future that the players of the Habs made a last turn at the Brossard sports complex to recover their personal effects and hold a last meeting with the management of the team.
“We can be proud of what we have accomplished,” said Nick Suzuki, one of the first to appear in front of the media.
“Our reconstruction happens faster than what everyone thought. Participating in the playoffs so early in this process is special. It makes the future even more exciting, “he continued.
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We understand the captain to experience this feeling. The poor man had just signed an eight -year contract when the team management announced the start of a reconstruction. A process which, as we have seen in the past, can drag on.
“Everyone worked hard to bring us where we are. I think it’s only a taste of what awaits us, ”said Cole Caufield.
Adolescents on the ice
Especially when you consider that the strong nucleus of the team has not yet reached mid-Vingta. Apart from Suzuki, who is just 25 years old.
Moreover, in the last three games of the series against the capital of Washington, the first wave of the massive attack was made up of youngsters that one could see in the vicinity for at least a decade.
In addition to the captain, we found Caufield, 24, Lane Hutson, 21, Juraj Slafkovsky, 21, and Ivan Demidov, 19.
“We were sitting on the bench and we said to ourselves:” They are almost teenagers who play. “Said Alexandre Carrier laughing.
This promising future and the prospect of evolving at the center of Demidov could encourage autonomous players to highly consider the Habs as a possible destination.
“We are going to make calls and we will make sure that autonomous players want to come,” launched Carrier, on a cloud since he wears the Montreal uniform. Personally, it is an honor to wear CH and play at the Bell Center. There is no better place, “he said.
New expectations
That said, this presence in series earlier than expected comes with a new reality. That of higher expectations. From now on, there is no longer any question of “mix” or to wonder if the Canadian will participate in the big dance of spring.
“It’s perfect like that,” said Juraj Slafkovsky. Place high expectations. By encouraging us to play for something even bigger, it will give us an additional motivation. ”
Besides, the Slovak is of the opinion that the reconstruction is completed.
“We have been the youngest team since I don’t know how many years of making the playoffs. It’s a big step in the right direction. In my opinion, that makes us a team that is no longer in reconstruction. ”
Josh Anderson, who contributed to the team’s successes in his own way, abounded in the same direction.
“I think we have shown that we have exceeded this phase,” said the colossus. We have gone through some difficulties in our progress in recent years, but I think we have built something that makes us ready to win. ”
Beneficial experience
This is the grace that we wish them. Because, from now on, St-Louis and his men will be expected by firmly by their rivals. No one will take them lightly.
You don’t have to look far to see growing teams knowing a decline. The Red Wings and the Flyers lived it this year. Unlike the Habs, however, despite a surprising season, they had not participated in the playoffs.
According to Samuel Montembeault, this is what could make a big difference in the performance of Montreal training.
“Next year, everyone will know what to expect. If we leave next season in the same way that this one ended, we will be very successful and we could qualify more easily for the series, “said the Canadian goalkeeper.
And thus start the healthy tournament and more mentally rested.
Press briefing SAMUEL MONTEMBEAULT
Press briefing NICK SUZUKI
Press briefing COLE CAUFIELD
Josh Anderson press briefing
Press briefing Patrik Laine
Press briefing LANE HUTSON
David Savard press briefing
Press pointALEXANDRE CARRIER
Point they press d’Arber xhekaj
Point de Presse de Juraj Slafkovsky
Michael Matheson press briefing
Press briefing CHRISTIAN DVORAK
