“We will never win with so many injuries” – Geoff Molson

UPDATE DAY

Geoff Molson hadn't spoken since the Canadiens' season finale, another year the Canadiens finished closer to the bottom of the standings than the top. Like Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton during the April 14 report, Molson called this campaign a step in the right direction, but he also looked to the infirmary as the main issue.  

“We'll never win with so many injuries,” Molson said. Jeff and Kent said so. We have to look everywhere to find ways to stay healthier. This is the work we have to do this summer. »

The owner of the CH was on Wednesday morning at the CEPSUM of the University of Montreal for the announcement of a generous donation of one million from the Fondation Famille Le Blanc to the Carabins tennis team. He attended this important announcement in his role as President of the Carabins Governors Club.

The Habs led the NHL's 32 teams in an unhappy category for the second season in a row, in terms of games missed by its players due to injury. According to figures from NHL Injury Viz, CH players have spent 600 games in the infirmary. And that tally doesn't include Carey Price, who spent the entire season on the sidelines.

Several reasons

Molson doesn't have a magic wand to avoid injury. But he will ask questions in order to unearth solutions.

Only captain Nick Suzuki has appeared in all 82 games. 

Cole Caufield (shoulder), Juraj Slafkovsky (knee), Kaiden Guhle (knee), Jake Evans (knee), Mike Matheson (abdomen), Sean Monahan (foot and groin), Brendan Gallagher (foot), David Savard (knee) and Joel Armia (respiratory infection) have all missed 20 games or more. 

“It's never precise to understand exactly why we had injuries,” Molson said. There are several reasons. I won't go into details today, but the important thing is that Jeff and Kent are looking everywhere to improve their health since it will be very difficult to win with so many injuries. » 

Among the reasons, there is the stubbornness of some players to continue their season despite sores. Monahan is the perfect example of this, having played a few games despite a broken foot. 

An exciting season

If the The astronomical number of injuries tickled the owner, but he gave a positive assessment of the game on the ice. 

“It was an exciting season with many ups and downs,” he said. mention. In general, I am very satisfied with the progress of the team and our young people. We're seeing young guys developing and we've seen Martin St-Louis for a full season.” 

“Leaving aside the injuries, I think the he future is very bright for this team. And that was the goal of building that way. »