The dynamic between Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes has never really been explained in depth by the Canadian. We know that the VP of hockey operations is there to support Hughes and give direction to the club and that the GM is not a puppet.
But for the rest, it is not necessarily explained.
In fact, we suspect that Gorton is acting like a president and that he is not in the day to day (he does not take care of reminders from Laval, for example), but in the big picture of the Canadian.
And that’s exactly what he explained to Eric Engels (Sportsnet) and what we find in a paper laid last week by the journalist. Mathias Brunet took it up this morning by making progress on the words of the VP.
Jeff Gorton wants to modernize the CH | No more “old school”… https://t.co/EaLCIcksIC
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) February 21, 2022
Basically, while Hughes will call his counterparts to make trades, Gorton will support him, but he will also rebuild the Canadiens off the ice. We can therefore say that there are two reconstructions in the city.
Why rebuild the CH in the offices? Because several departments do not exist and others lack love a bit.
This organization was a bit old school. –Jeff Gorton
The two leaders of the Canadian are therefore there to redeem the mistakes made by Marc Bergevin, who was DG and VP of hockey operations for the Canadian.
What are the aspects targeted by Gorton so that the CH is no longer old school like before? In the light of discussions with many men and women of the CH (including the players), here is what it gives.
- Demonstrate to players that the CH has their interests at heart
Gorton says he comes from the Bruins and Rangers organization, which are known for treating players well off the ice. Providing players with communication and resources (including food and assistance to settle in Montreal as such) is important – and it was a shortcoming.
- Hire a skills coach and have a better development department
A skills coach, if I may use the term, helps players with their developmental skills. Moreover, speaking of development, adding Rob Ramage and Francis Bouillon to the duo is essential.
- Create an advanced statistics department
It is not the first time that the project has been raised, but it is becoming more and more pressing to have a department, in 2022, to help make the right decisions.
Player development will also need to be worked on → https://t.co/8TTHtQG7Rs
— DanceLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) December 3, 2021
- Improve recruitment
It’s not the first time we’ve heard it and we know it: the CH must fish better. The arrival of Nick Bobrov is part of this mentality.
- Improve communication with the outside (media and fans)
We can already see the difference with Chantal Machabée as VP of communications for the Canadiens, which is good news. She is also present enough on Twitter to give updates.
Yes tonight! ????
— Chantal Machabee (@ChantalMachabee) February 21, 2022
What should be remembered is that the CH will not be afraid to put money to improve certain departments in particular and to create new ones. Gorton was brought here to modernize the club and bring it back in 2022 on aspects that were overlooked by Marc Bergevin. The idea here is not to say that the former GM did everything the wrong way, quite the contrary, but he had shortcomings that led to his departure.
So that’s what Jeff Gorton does with his days.
A lot of
– Reminder: there will be thousands of fans tonight at the Bell Centre.
The Canadian finds his supporters ????https://t.co/NLaBvRo70H
– RDS (@RDSca) February 21, 2022
– News from the Rocket.
Gabriel Bourque went to join the Rocket in Toronto and will be inserted into the training. He is the first player to come out of his mandatory COVID-19 quarantine in the current outbreak.
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) February 21, 2022
– Marc-André Bergeron comments on the Marie-Philip Poulin file in Trois-Rivières. [91.9 Sports]
– It’s brewing in Chicago.
The Blackhawks and Bobby Hull mutually parted ways as team ambassador. Denis Savard and Chris Chelios have remained in their roles. Our story: https://t.co/kyd5mAri6S
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 21, 2022
– Absoutely.
Postponement of the Olympic Stadium roof replacement:
“The shame will continue! »
???? Read the post from @JeremyFilosa
➡ https://t.co/mMrmVZyFqP pic.twitter.com/ZzudMg8hRe— 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) February 21, 2022
