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Montreal Canadiens: The winds of change may come soon

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 26: Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin gives a press conference after trade deadline before the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 26, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - FEBRUARY 26: Montreal Canadiens General Manager Marc Bergevin gives a press conference after trade deadline before the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 26, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson are scheduled to address the Montreal Canadiens media and fans Monday morning which could provide some insight on their plan.

Most NHL teams wait to make significant changes to their organization. Sometimes the season doesn’t go the way you expected it to go (Montreal Canadiens) and once that happens, the finger points and atmosphere of blame pick up. The New York Rangers are an example of this. The team will be missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

It was a year of disappointment beyond belief for the team who, for the most part, has been built to content for a Stanely Cup but only made the final once in the last 11 playoff appearances. However, a five-game losing streak early on had Alain Vigneault‘s seat heat up significantly. Fast forward to the Trade Deadline, and the Rangers management sends a letter of direction to the fans, and they sell.

Now the regular season is over, but the organization still felt that it was best to move on from Vigneault. The same thing happened in Chicago with Joel Quinville, but they chose to keep the marque head coach as well the general manager. The point I’m making here is that the best things come with patience.

The question is, what changes will come for the Montreal Canadiens? Both Marc Bergevin and Geoff Molson are confirmed to speak with the media on Monday, most likely to give their thoughts and answer questions of the season as a while. The big ones are probably going to be centred around the things that went wrong, the lack of cap usage, the draft lottery, and most importantly, the status of Max Pacioretty.

Although the team captain survived the trade deadline, there’s a big belief that he will still be moved at some point. Draft day seems the most likely seeing as how teams have more flexibility then. Keep in mind, the Brayden Schenn and Artemi Panarin deals happened then.

Another change fans are hoping to see is in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. Their season is still going as they play their last game of the season April 14th against the Toronto Marlies. That may be the day Sylvain Lefebvre is relieved of his duties if that’s in the books. The Montreal Canadiens farm team hasn’t had much playoff success in his tenure, but this may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Change could also come in the payroll and contract status of players on the team. Jacob de La Rose, Daniel Carr, Kerby Rychel, Phillip Danault, Antti Niemi, Logan Shaw, and Ales Hemsky are all in need of new contracts if the Habs plan on having any of them return. Bergevin won’t come out and say who’s getting an extension specifically, but he could hint at any being currently worked on.

Next: From the Toronto Maple Leafs to Joni Ikonen

It’ll be a lot of reading between the lines during Monday’s pressers, but it’s the start of any moves the Montreal Canadiens plan to make. At the same time, it could be a simple press conference with your typical questions and answers. Either way, make sure you’re tuned in.

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