Jim ‘Boomer’ Gordon of the NHL Network graded all 31 general managers, and the man in charge of the Montreal Canadiens, Marc Bergevin, got a failing grade.
There will always be polarizing views when ranking is made. When the NHL Network teased their final report cards for NHL general managers, the writing was already on the wall as to what the perception of the results would be. Jim ‘Boomer’ Gordon’s grades appeared on Twitter yesterday, and Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin was one of two to receive an ‘F.’
Apparently, the grades are for the GM’s entire time with the organization. Bergevin has had the job for six years where this past season was arguably the team’s worst. Scoring concerns in the preseason quickly led to scoring concerns in the regular season followed by injuries and underperformances from the team’s stars.
It’s not wrong to say that Bergevin has made interesting moves. Fans and media members continue to discuss the P.K. Subban for Shea Weber trade, the Mikhail Sergachev for Jonathan Drouin, and the Alex Galchenyuk for Max Domi trade won’t be too far away. There was also the handling of Alexander Radulov and Andrei Markov, not to mention Bergevin’s tendency to acquire more depth players at deadlines (save for Tomas Vanek who was a good addition for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs).
That being said, I think an ‘F’ is a little harsh. Sure the Montreal Canadiens haven’t been able to remain in the playoffs as long as they’d like, where that same Vanek-adding run was their deepest. But the team has won three Atlantic Division titles. That should account for something right?
To add-on to that, the Habs have had a pretty solid offseason. The coaching staff has been reshaped with Dominique Ducharme and Luke Richardson, there’s a new top prospect to get excited about in Jesperi Kotkaniemi followed by 10 other skilled futures via the draft, and Bergevin has been handling the cap space well.
Getting Joel Armia from the Winnipeg Jets was a great trade. The Habs were able to turn a middling prospect in Simon Bourque into a name who could play for you along with two more draft picks by taking on Steve Mason‘s contract.
Not to mention Armia’s eventual deal as well as Phillip Danault‘s which has the potential of being a valuable one at $3.083 million per season.
I’m not ignoring the negatives in the Bergevin era. The Montreal Canadiens still haven’t gotten to that grand prize. Additionally, the organization is trending towards a few years of mediocrity with a better future in mind. That still doesn’t change the fact that Bergevin isn’t deserving of an F.