Jeff Gorton joins the Sick Podcast - The Eye Test

The Montreal Canadiens are holding onto a playoff spot, and they look like a different team than the one that played on opening night.

Conceivably, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have plenty of things to discuss regarding the team, the future and all things Habs. The former joined The Sick Podcast - The Eye Test, to answer questions and shoot the breeze with Pierre McGuire and podcast host Jimmy Murphy. Gorton, while he isn't the primary decision-maker, is involved in the deciding process, and I expect that he will have plenty to say.

Montreal is in a position right now to make the playoffs if the season ends today, which, unfortunately, it doesn't. But fortunately for the Habs, they can treat their push for a playoff berth like playoff series, and up the ante. If the Habs believe they can do it and stay healthy, they could make some noise, and have a great gift land in their laps next year.

Lane Hutson is lighting it up and has hit his stride, and Juraj Slafkovsky, who is the same age is starting to gain some traction. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are once again leading the team in points (one & two). Kaiden Guhle has benefitted from Alexandre Carrier's stabilizing presence on the backend, and the goaltending duo is playing great.

I'm not sure if you told me at the beginning of the rebuild that the Canadiens would be in a playoff spot half-way through the 2024-2025 season. But the team is playing great, and the Habs have battled adversity through the start of the year, which has made them stronger. Montreal wants to be in a situation where every game feels equally important and the win pushes the Habs closer to the playoffs.

Here are a couple of Gorton's highlight quotes from the podcast:

These are not direct quotes, but more of my take and interpretation of Jeff Gorton's responses.

On the Alexandre Carrier acquisition:

The Habs needed a guy like Alexandre Carrier, who could stabilize a defensive pairing, and Justin Barron just was unable to do so, at this point. Kaiden Guhle has been playing some of the best hockey of his career, and it's no coincidence that Carrier has been his partner. Guhle can use his mobility and physicality, and Carrier is always in the right spot, which allows Guhle to activate in the offensive zone.

Lane Hutson has been given freedom:

Martin St. Louis and Stephane Robidas haven't put the shackles on Lane Hutson, and they let him play his game. Gorton and the Habs management love the fact that Hutson sees five guys, and he takes it upon himself to challenge all five guys. Hutson has been challenged for his size, and defending, but he puts in so much effort, and his burning desire to win battles pushes him.

Gorton is often left puzzled about how Hutson escapes board battles against guys that are (6'8" Matt Rempe). He handles himself extremely well for a small player and uses every tool in his kit to come out with the puck. Hutson never takes a shift off, and every time that he is on the ice, his skills take over the game.

Gorton also touched on Hutson's studying of Patrick Kane's game being very apparent, because he uses a lot of the shoulder fakes to throw off defenders. He looks one way, and baits the opposition, while fully committing to going the opposite way. His puck skills are also very impressive - Kane-like - which is impressive for defenseman.

Anything going with Jake Evans?:

Gorton wants to keep Jake Evans around, but he wants it to be a quiet thing. Not a whole lot to say about this topic, because he kept it short. Evans wants to be kept around, and the Habs will talk to his agent, and try to get something worked out.

I can't think of a better player for the Habs to keep around, to support the core and to help mentor the youth. Evans plays the game on the full 200-foot sheet of ice, and he is a menace on the penalty kill. If you want a centre, or rather any forward to make it for your team, having him learn from Evans would be helpful.

An update on Ivan Demidov:

Gorton started his response, saying that Ivan Demidov has been as hot as a pistol since Kent Hughes went over to Russia to meet with SKA St. Petersburg and their prized top prospect. Gorton joked that Hughes should go back to Russia again. Kind of hard to argue that logic, Demidov has been carving up the KHL. Demidov is very talented, and at number five it was an obvious selection - he is an exciting player, and his highlights all over social media show that quite well.

The club is excited about the player, and Gorton hopes that Demidov finishes strong through his final 20 or so games. He also hopes that SKA can go on a good run with the team, which will give Demidov some valuable development time. The kid is extremely talented, and he is excited to watch his increase in ice time has allowed him to start dominating the league.

Demidov can't play in the NHL this season, but if Laval is hopeful for a deep playoff run, he could be a nice addition. The boost that Demidov would give to the Rocket lineup, is a considerably big one. I think that it would give him the time to adjust to North American ice, which would only be an advantage for the Canadiens to start next season.

Gorton says we will see what's next for Demidov to end his visit with McGuire and Murphy. The Canadiens, of course, visit Detroit for a matchup with the Red Wings. Another important game, with two points up for grabs, is essential for the Habs' positioning in the race for the playoffs.