Montreal Canadiens: Endorsements are all Geoff Molson can give
By Omar L
As frustrating as it is to hear of Geoff Molson’s confidence in the Montreal Canadiens being in the hands of Marc Bergevin, it’s a reality fans have to face.
At the beginning of the season, Montreal Canadiens management, like all teams in the league, voiced their optimism in a successful year. Many would agree that it’s been the complete opposite, and when fans looked for change, they got unwanted reassurance. It’s seasons like these that intensifies the #FireBergevin’s on social media, and despite the desire for it among the fan base, it’s something that most likely won’t happen.
It was possible that Marc Bergevin could’ve been the person to bite the bullet for a year of mediocrity such as this, but Geoff Molson’s continued vocal confidence in the general manager nixed the chances of that happening. There have been several times when the Habs owner told media that he believed in Bergevin and his ability to turn things around.
Although the closest the team has been to the Stanley Cup was a frustrating loss to the New York Islanders in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, the last five years have been enjoyable (yes we’re just going to forget about the 2015/16 season).
However, no Stanley Cup. It’s the same story for this year, no Stanley Cup. You may be wondering why Molson hasn’t done anything. Why is Molson continuing to give off the impression that this can be fixed by the same staff? Well, he has to.
Besides the fact that it’s unheard of for an owner to trash their team unless your name is Eugene Melnyk publicly, it leaves the door open for Bergevin to work something out. A couple of good signings and deals over the summer could change the feels around the general manager. At the same time, as much as fans want Bergevin out, there isn’t anyone out there who screams better. If you’re thinking ‘anyone is better,’ just hear me out for a second.
Names are being thrown out there now that the Carolina Hurricanes are clearly in the hunt for a new general manager. According to Pierre Lebrun, Mike Futa and Laurence Gilman have been options the Hurricanes have reached out to already. Of course, Julien Brisebois is the name that conjures up the most exclamation points, especially among Habs fans, but there’s no guarantee that he leaves Tampa Bay or that he sees Montreal as a proper destination.
Bergevin is going to be at the draft in Dallas, and we can assume that he won’t be going anywhere next season either. Molson’s confidence in the Habs GM may be frustrating right now, but it’s something fans are going to have to continue to get used to.
What are your thoughts on Molson’s confidence in Bergevin? Do you agree with it? Should the Habs be in search of a new general manager? Let us know in the comments below.