Martin St-Louis has no illusions. He knows that the 2022-2023 season of the Montreal Canadiens will be one of learning.
During the fourth part of his interview with Jean-Charles Lajoie, broadcast Thursday, the coach still wanted to guarantee one thing to the team’s supporters.
“We have to be realistic. I’m not sure of the expectations yet. There are things you can’t control, like injuries, but if I’m sure of one thing, it’s that we’re going to be ready for the first game of the season. That, I can guarantee you.”
The Quebecer recalled that the focus would be much more on the process than on the results for the upcoming campaign.
“I don’t know how many games we’re going to win this year. But for me, it’s not fair to win this year. I want to bring a culture and an environment where we will be in a place to win for several years. To win the cup, it takes a lot of things in place and it takes a bit of luck.
Still according to St-Louis, the development of players will go through an approach that is as much collective as individual.
“We want to progress as a team, but by putting a lot of attention on individual progress. The players must work on several things, while respecting the collective plan. Will we be able to take giant steps this year? I don’t know, but I know we’re going to take steps.”
The Canadiens coach also believes that nothing is impossible if you have the right mentality. This is also the message he sent to the players in anticipation of the next season.
“The only thing I ask of my players is to have a Stanley Cup attitude. If you want to win the cup, it takes a Stanley Cup attitude. It involves effort, attitude and many things. If we bring that, we give ourselves a chance to progress. We hope to be able to reach the ultimate goal.”
Watch the interview in the video above.