Since his first press conference as a member of the Canadiens organization, Jeff Gorton has been very silent. The team’s new vice president of hockey operations is having a busy day researching the new GM and assessing the roster he has in place.
However, Gorton found the time to offer an interview to Alexandre Pratt. Can we already talk regarding the “Chantal Machabée effect”? Your opinion is as good as mine.
Pratt’s idea is one that is very interesting: how do you explain that young players (like Cole Caufield, for example) do not manage to rise to the top of the sport as quickly as before? It is on this subject that he discussed with Gorton, but also with Dominique Ducharme and Louis Robitaille.
Young people are struggling in the NHL. Collectively, this is even the worst season for hopefuls in recent history. Why?
The hypotheses of Jeff Gorton, Dominique Ducharme and @LouisRobitaille https://t.co/4r0bEgI8JD– Alexandre Pratt (@alexandrepratt) January 11, 2022
Gorton’s words, however, are the ones that capture my attention the most. After all, he risks being involved in many decisions involving hopes of the Canadiens in the coming years and I find it interesting to understand his philosophy at this level.
The VP of hockey operations at CH uses several hypotheses to explain this trend: COVID-19 has cost young prospects precious games, the best young people are those who take their time before arriving in the NHL, the league is getting faster and more talented and the game systems are more and more complex.
In short, the conclusion that Gorton draws from this is that young people between the ages of 18 and 22 are very difficult to assess and that they need time to reach their full potential. Even a guy like Jack Hughes, who is producing at a point-per-game pace this season, has had all kinds of struggles in his first two seasons. And he was the first pick of his draft year.
Yes, the job of talent assessors is getting more and more difficult when it comes to young people. It is difficult to project what will become of them in the future at such a young age, and perhaps that is why Jesperi Kotkaniemi is no longer in Montreal now.
Reading Gorton’s words, it leads me to believe that Caufield will be sent back to Laval when the team is back in good health for a longer stay. It also lets me believe that Kaiden Guhle will play in Laval next year, as will Jordan Harris and Sean Farrell (if they agree with CH). And I wouldn’t be surprised if that meant that the player drafted in the first round by the CH this summer (even if it is Shane Wright, for example) will return with his junior team (or to the college if he comes. NCAA) next year.
In short, very interesting words from Gorton, and I invite you to read the entire text. Pratt goes there with an in-depth analysis of the issue of youth development and it’s worth the detour (especially when you consider the situation at CH).
A lot of
– I love.
???? https://t.co/EPQZfV70D2 pic.twitter.com/Z9AA79Ukyz
– Tuukka Rask (@tuukkarask) January 11, 2022
Speaking of Rask, it’s Jeremy Swayman who will suffer because of his return. Moreover, Rask will not face the Habs tomorrow.
Today, Bruins GM Sweeney said that with Tuukka Rask’s signing, Jeremy Swayman will report to Providence. Linus Ullmark will play tomorrow night vs Montreal.
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) January 11, 2022
– Update of CH hopes for the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Xhekaj starts on a pairing with 2021 Dallas top-50 pick Grushnikov, who has been underwhelming so far, with just one point in 18 games. Maybe Arber can light a fire under him.
— Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) January 11, 2022
– Not what the NHL was hoping for at the start of 2022.
The details… https://t.co/2cWMpsCXZU
– TVASports (@TVASports) January 11, 2022
– Big news in the NFL.
I’m told now that Joe Judge has been let go from the #Giants, per league sources.
– IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 11, 2022
– It might have changed the history of MLB (and NBA).
He decided, however, to remain loyal to Jerry Reinsdorf by joining the White Sox. https://t.co/Qp5ALSstUb
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) January 11, 2022
