Eric Engels is an entertaining reporter in the Montreal Canadiens universe. It's no surprise that when he goes on the popular Spittin' Chiclets podcast, some soundbites always originate. Engels isn't afraid to talk off the cuff on the show, and it seems like Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney genuinely enjoy talking about Habs hockey with him.
Engels appeared on the most recent podcast and touched on many things about the Canadiens' recent winning streak. One of the main topics was the coaching of Martin St. Louis, which has certainly come around since the start of the season. We had already served him his walking papers and were brainstorming replacements when the Canadiens struggled early in the year.
The strengths of St. Louis are coming to the forefront now that the Canadiens are battling back into a playoff spot. He has the respect of the dressing room as a Hall of Fame player, and he knows better than anyone what the players are going through. Is he the future of the Canadiens? Maybe not. But as Engels says, he's the perfect coach for right now.
"He's brilliant. I mean he's hockey's Aristotle. As a reporter it's a blast covering him. It's fun talking to him. But, as a player [for the Canadiens], to have a coach that has been in literally everybody's situation throughout his NHL career and built that status as a Hall of Famer. "Eric Engels
One question people had about St. Louis was how he would deal with the players. He came to the NHL from coaching a pee-wee team, and the worry was that he would be too player-friendly. St. Louis may have been early in his tenure, but he's starting to figure it out this season.
"He's going to relate to virtually everybody in the room and now that growth that he's going through managing the bench and being harder on guys. Like last game benching Slafkovsky towards the end of the game to secure a win. It's not easy stuff to do but you got to do it if you're going to take that next step. "Eric Engels
Engels made a preseason prediction that the Canadiens would make the playoffs and Martin St. Louis would be the Jack Adams Trophy winner. He was the only Sportsnet insider to make both predictions, and many viewed him as a homer with those picks. However, he looks like a genius on January 7, as all five Atlantic teams he pegged to make the playoffs are currently in a spot.
"My preseason prediction of the Canadiens will make the playoffs and Marty will win the Jack Adams Trophy. I was joking that I'll look like a genius if it comes true. If the Canadiens actually make the playoffs, towards the end of November beginning of December they were last in the league and they get wins against Florida, Tampa, Vegas, Colorado by outplaying them and deserving to win. Who's going to be a better candidate for the Jack Adams Trophy than Martin St. Louis? "Eric Engels
The opinions on St. Louis sway depending on what kind of streak the team is on. It's all good in Montreal now, and Engels has his finger on the pulse of all things Canadiens hockey. He is high on St. Louis, which means you should be too.