The transaction that sent Tyler Toffoli shook the foundations of the Canadiens. After all, it shows us that the CH is ready to let everyone (or almost) leave at the right price and that the reconstruction has begun.
At least, that’s how Nick Suzuki sees it.
Asked if he interprets the departure of Toffoli as a sign of a reconstruction, Nick Suzuki answers “Yeah” #ch #rds
— Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) February 15, 2022
But by force of circumstance, sending veterans somewhere else means that popular guys leading the charge will be called out and leave the youngsters behind.
According to Martin St-Louis, new coach of the Canadiens, this means that the leadership will fall a little on the others… including him.
This is why the coach, who already finds that things are going slower behind the bench and who does not know if the CH is in reconstruction or not, took the time to speak with Nick Suzuki and the other players.
Why? Because, according to him, Tyler Toffoli was the captain of the Canadian without wearing the “C” formally.
“I spoke regarding it to Nick (Suzuki), as to the whole team. It’s the nature of the NHL. Tyler Toffoli was a very good player for the CH organization. After the loss of Weber, he was probably the captain without having the “C”. We lose a big chunk. – Martin St-Louis.
— JF Chaumont (@JFCchaumontJDM) February 15, 2022
While St-Louis was indeed brought in to “evaluate the club” for his bosses, he was quick to determine that Toffoli was a leader.
This is very different from some people who claimed that Toffoli was not necessarily a leader in the room. Obviously, he had a very important ascendancy over his (young) teammates. Let us recall that Stéphane Waite notably affirmed that he was not part of the club’s DNA.
This puts pressure on the youngsters (Cole Caufield, Jake Evans and Nick Suzuki), but also on the assets obtained in return for his services.
Inevitably, the leadership of the team, without Paul Byron (until his return), Carey Price, Shea Weber and Joel Edmundson, took a big hit. To lose Toffoli following seeing Phillip Danault, Corey Perry and Eric Staal leave will hurt young people.
A lot of
– Speaking of the wolf.
Newest #Flames forward Tyler Toffoli skating this morning with Monahan and Dube.
— Kristen Anderson (@KdotAnderson) February 15, 2022
– Cole Caufield, another one who struggled.
#Habs Cole Caufield on how he learned Tyler Toffoli was traded yesterday: “yesterday he FaceTime’d me and told me. I was excited for him… he was packing up his stuff…I went to say bye to him”
– Priyanta Emrith (abHabsInHighHeels) February 15, 2022
– Update.
#Habs Hammond says the story of his lifetime McDonalds card from his Hamburglar run in Ottawa was misinterpreted. It’s a framed card which he isn’t sure is negotiable: “If there’s an emergency, maybe I’ll break the glass and see if it has any value.”
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) February 15, 2022
– Nick Suzuki wants to stay.
Nick Suzuki signed an eight-year contract extension before the start of the season.
“The future remains bright. I’m happy in Montreal, I want to win here. I hope it won’t take five years to rebuild. I hope it will be faster. –Suzuki
— JF Chaumont (@JFCchaumontJDM) February 15, 2022
– Good news.
Seven QMJHL representatives at the Top Prospects Gamehttps://t.co/XUDKMBoIHm
– RDS (@RDSca) February 15, 2022