Jonathan Marchessault: when Québécois hockey hurts the Canadiens’ chances

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Jonathan Marchessault: when Québécois hockey hurts the Canadiens’ chances
Credit: Getty Images

The Nashville Predators will be changing GMs soon. That's likely to cause a stir in town.

Before stepping down, will Barry Trotz manage the trade deadline like someone who is going to sell certain players? That's a big question on the table right now.

If so, Kent Hughes should call to inquire about Ryan O'Reilly. According to Elliotte Friedman (32 Thoughts), it's possible that the Canadiens like the center.

If the Canadiens' management wants to talk about impact players playing in Nashville, this is probably the most realistic name. Why? Because I'm losing faith in Jonathan Marchessault.

Why would the Canadiens, who didn't want to give him his current contract ($5.5 million per year until 2029) two years ago, go after him now that he's slowed down… for the worst years of the deal?

You might say that the habs did exactly that with Phillip Danault, but a center is not the same thing. And the former Kings player's contract is shorter.

Would Marchessault, who has only 17 points in 38 games this season, say yes to playing in a high-pressure environment with high taxes? I don't know.

But another factor could work against the Canadiens.

In Elliotte Friedman's article, he mentioned something that makes you think twice before assuming that the Québécois would want to return home.

Unique in his case: his preference would be to go somewhere with good minor hockey infrastructure for his children. – Elliotte Friedman

I don't know about you, but with all the negative things being said about Hockey Quebec and Québécois hockey, I can't see the Predators veteran wanting his children to play here.

In fact, it's such a specific way of thinking that I find it hard to believe that, between the lines, this statement doesn't refer to québécois hockey.

Let's remember that hockey in Quebec has been in decline for years. Clearly, we no longer have the formula for developing players as we did before.

The methods are no longer appropriate, and the arenas themselves are not all at the cutting edge of technology for our young people. Many of them lack love and are even at risk of closing.

The small number of Québécois attending international events (the World Junior Championship and the Olympic Games) speaks volumes. And reading Friedman's commentary, I find it hard to believe that what is happening in Quebec is not being noticed.

When will we see a real re-examination of the current system? When will the findings of investigations into how things are done be implemented rather than just shelved?


Overtime

– That's six more than in Olympic hockey…

– Note.

– Oh, really?

– No, Arber Xhekaj will not be put on waivers.

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