In the summer of 2018, Marc Bergevin was looking to add a big chunk to the Montreal Canadiens roster. It is a bit in this perspective that the name of Milan Lucic had been closely linked to the organization of the CH:
Milan Lucic might indeed land in Montreal this summer → https://t.co/oArO3Cimfz pic.twitter.com/l9V3Z0tq5B
— DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) June 11, 2018
But this isn’t the first time some thought they’d seen him in the blue, white and red uniform.
Lucic, following playing his first (and last) season with the Los Angeles Kings in 2015-2016, found himself at that time on the free agent market. The colossus has finally decided to agree on the terms of a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
Do we agree that is a lot of money for a guy who, during this period, reached the plateau of 50 points in a single season? However, it is the Canadian who might have ended up with this problem…
For what? Because Bergevin had indeed made him an offer and the player had indeed thought of coming to town. In the end, he chose to go to Edmonton because he “badly saw himself” in the CH uniform, following all the years spent under the colors of the Bruins…
And taking a step back, we realize that the Canadian may have avoided disaster.
Believe it or not, Milan Lucic was almost a Montreal Canadien ???? #habs https://t.co/wTm2nPmeO4
— Offside (@OffsideDH) February 2, 2023
Milan Lucic is not necessarily a bad hockey player. It’s just that the Oilers may have overshot him.
It was obvious that he was going to slow down sooner rather than later because of his physicality and his style of play. A bit like Brendan Gallagher, basically.
Could you imagine the number of articles or the number of chronicles that would have been produced if he had signed with the Canadiens in the summer of 2016? I will answer the question: it would be incalculable. And maybe it’s better that way, hehe.
The forward is currently in the final year of the pact he signed in 2016 and will celebrate his 35th birthday this summer. Is he in his last steps in the NHL?
The more I write, the more I have difficulty imagining that Lucic came close to playing for CH. Seems like it just doesn’t fit in my head…
A lot of
– Yes once more.
For the THIRD straight Monday, Lane Hutson is the Hockey East Rookie of the Week! pic.twitter.com/mZg9zCaUC1
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) February 6, 2023
– He is truly sensational.
Lane Hutson easily surpasses Cale Makar’s stats in their respective NCAA rookie seasons! pic.twitter.com/QiBh2FRI5B
— RDS (@RDSca) February 6, 2023
– It left my Kiki!
Stadium Series ice truck arrives ahead of Capitals-Hurricanes https://t.co/hFeHpqetOb
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 6, 2023
– A nice set for Adam Fox.
Adam Fox, tied for the team lead in assists this season, can become the fourth defenseman in @NYRangers history to record 40 helpers in three straight campaigns, joining Brian Leetch (4x), Brad Park (4x) and James Patrick (3x). #NHLStats
????: MSG, SNW, SNE
????: 7:30 pm ET pic.twitter.com/ax9SIBwR2Q— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 6, 2023
– Ah good?
Many conversations in the league are going through one team today: the Toronto Raptors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2023